Watershed Management Commission

Tuesday, March 21

5:30-7:00 pm

TCRC

 

Present:  Clayton Dillavou, Jim Novinger, Rodger Bland, Kenny Coy, Jerry Smith, Martin Jayne, Gary Jones

 

Absent: Scott Ellis, Mari Macomber

 

Others Present: Phillip Ayers, Stewart Blessing, Mike Bradley, Irene Crawford, John Buckwalter, Jack Schuster, Bob Broz, Rich Morrow

 

Chairman Dillavou called the meeting to order at 5:30.

 

The minutes were reviewed, and a motion to approve was made by Martin Jayne, seconded by Jerry Smith.  The motion was approved by the following vote: Clayton Dillavou, aye;  Jim Novinger, aye; Rodger Bland, aye; Kenny Coy, aye; Jerry Smith, aye; Martin Jayne, aye; Gary Jones, aye.

 

Brian Todd presented the findings of the subcommittee appointed to make recommendations to the full commission regarding which goals in the watershed plans should be addressed.   The subcommittee had found existing water quality data for the two lakes, reviewed and summarized the data, and identified gaps in the data.  Observations made by the committee were:

            Hazel Creek Lake is a younger lake, but conditions are deteriorating faster than in Forrest Lake.

            Trends in phosphorus, suspended sediment, and chlorophyll A (algae) concentrations are increasing in Hazel Creek Lake.

            Conditions in Forest Lake are relatively good and stable.

            Could not find adequate data on organic chemicals

            Do not have a good understanding of source and amount of sediment being delivered to the lakes.

 

Recommendations made by the committee were:

            Hazel Creek Lake should be a higher priority than Forest Lake

            Implement the Education and Agricultural goals from the Watershed Plan for Hazel Creek

            Implement the Education and Septic System goals from the Watershed Plan for Forest Lake.

            To correct gaps in the data, recommend collecting additional data and to ensure commission is addressing the proper goals.  Some examples are sedimentation data, chlordane data, and a more thorough investigation into nutrient concentrations in Hazel Creek Lake.

 

The findings and recommendations were discussed by the commission members.  Jim Novinger pointed out that the DNR report on water supply lakes in Missouri listed both lakes in the more favorable classification groups.  Todd noted that both a classified as Mezotropic at this time, which is a “good” state.  It was concluded that one lake should not be emphasized over the other in terms of priority, especially since the source of sedimentation in Hazel Creek is so poorly defined. 

 

Bill Broz pointed out that DNR is currently emphasizing development of Source Water Protection Plans, rather than Watershed Management Plans.  A SWPP does not have to address initially all 9 elements which must be included in a WMP, but can concentrate on one or two key areas. 

 

Martin Jayne moved that the priority goals for the Hazel Creek Source Water Protection Plan be based on the Education and Agricultural goals, and that the priority goals for the Forest Lake Source Water Protection Plan be based on the Education and Septic System goals, as recommended by the subcommittee.  The motion was seconded by Jerry Smith, and passed by the following vote: Clayton Dillavou, aye;  Jim Novinger, aye; Rodger Bland, aye; Kenny Coy, aye; Jerry Smith, aye; Martin Jayne, aye; Gary Jones, aye.

 

John Buckwalter discussed the development of the minigrant application.  A draft was provided for a grant to support a “Hazel Creek Watershed Education Project.  After discussion it was the consensus of the commission that the grant submission be completed prior to the July 1 deadline, rather than by April 1 to permit the commission to develop more detail in the SWPP’s   thus permitting more detail in the grant submittal, and also to permit more time to include other agencies and institutions in the education project.

 

The commission discussed the relationship of the commission to property owners in both watersheds.  Chairman Dillavou noted that we are a recommending committee, we must rely and the state and the health department for any regulatory authority.  Gary Jones stated the county has no ordinances related to watersheds but the commissioners are researching what other counties are doing.  It was noted that voluntary participation can work well, if land owners and others know the hazards, teaching is the key, people must know  

Chairman Dillavou proposed that the next meeting include discussion on the grant proposal.  He is working on E-Coli testing, using assistance from the university.  Other testing such as Hach testing was discussed.  Jim Novinger pointed out that the commission needs the confidence of landowners, their input is vital to the mission.  Any testing must be proper, and should not stir things up based on one isolated test which may not have been conducted professionally.  Chairman Dillavou stated that what he envisioned was a long term testing program.  This will be added as a topic at the next meeting.

 

The commission discussed a press release to let the public know the progress and activities of the commission.  It was reported that Mari Macomber was working on a release.  The consensus of the commission was that the press release should point out that both lakes are currently in good shape, and that priorities for the commission and the source water protection plan have been identified.  John Buckwalter was directed to coordinate with the City Manager, to have the minutes of the commission posted on the City’s web page. 

 

The next meeting is April 27th, 5:30 pm at the TCRC.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.