We've Started the Process of Getting Organized

58+ individuals interested in developing a comprehensive strategy for a Spring River Watershed met today at the Empire District Electric Co. Auditorium (Joplin, MO), for what was called Spring River Basin Water Quality Assessment. Drew Holt, Univ. of Missouri Extension-Springfield, and Jaci Ferguson, EPA District 7-Springfield, MO. facilitated the meeting. Mr. Holt explained that the purpose of a watershed was to "effectively protect and restore aquatic ecosystems and protect human health". He explained the difference between Point Source and Non-Point Sources of pollution. Point sources are managed by State and Federal Regulations. Non-Point Sources are not. He explained the the strategies a watershed group should include: targeting priority problems, promoting stakeholder participation, integrating solutions and a system for measuring success.

Mr. Holt shared a couple of regional watershed groups as examples of functioning groups: Shoal Creek Watershed Improvement Group (SCWIG) and the Elk River Watershed Improvement Association (ERWIA). The ERWIA has 11 Board members, 2-from Business & Industry, 2-from Production Agriculture, 2-from Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 2-from Local Government, and 3-from local Citizens/Residents. He said that each group needs to develop a strategy for its Focus and Funding. He recommended that the group consider several sub-basin watershed alliances due to the size of the Spring River Watershed.

Mark Doolan, EPA District 7-Kansas City, shared an outline for the Spring River Watershed Framework. Phase 1 would be projects within the regional Superfund sites. Phase 2 would be the comprehensive watershed management plan outside of the Superfund.

Phase 1 (Superfund)
1. Partnership development
2. Existing data assessment
3. Identify watershed risks
4. Additional data collection
5. Refine risk assessment
6. Evaluation of Water Quality Standards (WQS) and sediment criteria
7. Watershed modeling
8. Develop implementation plan
9. Identify remediation funding schedule
10. Establish monitoring program

Phase 2 (Outside Superfund)
1. Identify lead agencies/entities
2. Develop goals & objectives
3. Identify stressors & sources (i.e. P, N, DO, Bact., CAFO's)
4. Establish required load reductions
5. Identify physical issues (i.e. flooding, habitat improvement)
6. Identify management measures & critical areas
7. Identify water quality success criteria & indicators
8. Develop monitoring & implementation plan
9. Identify resources & funding sources

Wayne Christian presented a summary of the Carthage High School Stream Team (No. 2416)'s monitoring of 5-sites along Spring River. He referred to them as: #1-Morrow Mill, #2-Francis Street, #3-Tucker's Ford, #5 Springwater at ADM, and #6-Kellogg Lake. There was an informative discussion regarding the differences between fecal coliform, E. coli and total coliform. He said that they also do macroinvertebrate sampling at Site #6. They use the IDEXX quanta-Tray.

George Parsons, Missouri Department of Natural Resources-Neosho said that as a follow-up to the Carthage Stream Team results, MDNR was monitoring 5-sites through October 2005, to substantiate the Stream Team findings. He also mentioned several programs: '319 Non-Point funds', '303 D List', 'TMDL list', 'Impaired list', and '503 bio-solids Class A sludge'. He shared a current strategy to remove phosphorous rich poultry litter from Newton County MO and transport it north into Barton County MO. He explained that the row crops in Barton County need phosphorous. He warned that if Spring River is identified as an 'Impaired Waterway', any introduction of phosphorous into the watershed would have to meet guidelines under a nutrient management plan. He said that NRCS typically assists landowners with testing and nutrient management plans.

Mary Jane Calvey, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality-Oklahoma City, OK. said that ODEQ is developing a database of all research that has been done in the Spring River Watershed. She invited those attending the planning session to submit material to her. The data base will eventually be accessible on line and searchable. She also agreed to post all meetings, forums, and conferences on their watershed website calendar. She announced that there is a June 8 meeting in Tulsa to finalize the Spring River Watershed framework with EPA.

Dan Butler, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, reported that in addition to fecal coliform and Escherichia coli, they also measure enterocci, and probably will begin testing for arsenic.

Dr. Jim Triplett and Dr. Joe Arruda, Pittsburg State University, reported on their activities on the Neosho River Basin Advisory Council and Spring River Watershed research being done by PSU graduate students. They invited participants to visit the www.kwo.org website to get additional information about water basin initiatives.

Drew Holt invited participants to complete a survey regarding their interests in and willingness to participate in a Spring River Watershed group. He encouraged the group to look beyond the 3 state lines and the 2 EPA district boundaries, and think in terms of a watershed district.