Watershed Management Commission

Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

Adair County Annex Building 300 North Franklin Street

PRESENT:  Rodger Bland, Clayton Dillavou, Scott Ellis, Marty Jayne, Gary Jones,

Jim Novinger and Jerry Smith

ABSENT:  Mari Macomber

OTHERS PRESENT:  Stewart Blessing, Robert Broz, John Buckwalter and Rich Morrow

GUESTS:  Dr. Cynthia Cooper

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

A motion approving the minutes by adding Stewart Blessing as present was made by Gary Jones and seconded by Marty Jayne.  The motion carried with the following vote:   Rodger Bland – aye, Clayton Dillavou – aye, Scott Ellis – aye, Martin Jayne – aye, Gary Jones – aye, Mari Macomber – absent, Jim Novinger – aye, and Jerry Smith – aye.

Dr. Cynthia Cooper discussed the Merck-AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program Award that was received by Truman State University.  The grant will target work at the interface of biology and chemistry.  Dr. Cooper explained that Truman will receive $20,000 for the summer of 2007, and depending upon the success of the project will receive $20,000 for 2008 and 2009.  Dr. Cooper stated that Truman will be providing the local match for this project.  The work will build on work already completed by Dr. Lockhart, Associate Professor of Biology at Truman State University.  Dr. Cooper outlined the projects that would be undertaken for the 2007 project.  The research project will determine the levels of organic chemical contaminants, inorganic chemical contaminants and microbiological contaminants.  The information gathered will be included in a GIS study to try and determine how land use practices in the area impact the health of the water.

Mari Macomber joined the meeting at 5:45 p.m.

The Commission expressed appreciation to Dr. Cooper and thanked her for providing information to them about the project.  It was suggested that the Commission invite Dr. Lockhart to a future Watershed Management Meeting to present his work to the Commission.

Sub-committee reports were given regarding the upcoming public relations event.  The first report was from the sub-committee planning a general public information event.  Informational flyers outlining the details of the event were distributed.  The event will be titled “Conservation Festival” and will take place at the Missouri Department of Conservation Northeast Regional building on Saturday, October 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The event will include displays and five mini presentations.  The Commission discussed the need to market the event, which will be done later in the summer and early fall.

The sub-committee report for the landowner/stakeholder meeting was given.  The event has been scheduled for June 26 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Point at Thousand Hills State Park.  The event will target adults.  There will be hot dogs and chips.  The sub committee outlined a tentative agenda to include a summary of the Plan, followed by presentations on use and impact on the water by the city, parks, residents and including septic systems.  A general letter will be prepared for mailing toward the end of May after the next Commission meeting.

The Commission approved the outline of both events, noting importance of marketing both events.

John Buckwalter informed the Commission that the mini grant had been essentially approved.  Buckwalter explained that the project schedule had to be modified, which essentially expanded the timeline.

Phillip Ayers joined the meeting at 6:20 p.m.

The Commission expressed no objections to the timeline changes.  After further discussion on the activities and associated timelines, a motion to approve the mini grant as changed was made by Martin Jayne and seconded by Scott Ellis.  The motion carried with the following vote:   Rodger Bland – aye, Clayton Dillavou – aye, Scott Ellis – aye, Martin Jayne – aye, Gary Jones – aye, Mari Macomber – aye, Jim Novinger – aye, and Jerry Smith – aye.

The Commission was given an update on the survey and introductory letter that will be sent out to the property owners within the Hazel Creek watershed.  Sub-committee members Novinger, Bland and Macomber were asked to work on this and reported on a few changes made to the survey and the cover letter.  The Commission accepted the recommendations of the sub-committee to allow for the distribution of the letter and survey to the residents within the Hazel Creek Watershed.

Chairman Dillavou noted the next meeting date of May 24, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. with the location to remain the same.

Adjourned at 6:55 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Mari E. Macomber

Commission Secretary