From the Director’s Desk

2011 Fall Membership Float

From the Directors Desk,

The James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) is a robust and effective organization thanks in large part to the dedication and hard work of our volunteer board of directors and professional staff members.  Support from our individual, business and corporate members is the raw material that creates the tapestry on which all JRBP activities and programs are displayed.

It is time for us to expand the depth and breadth of the JRBP tapestry.  We are asking you, our members, to commit to bringing at least two of your business partners, colleagues or friends and family into our fold.  Growth in membership will enable JRBP to sustain the proven programs that benefit all citizens of the basin.  If you represent a current corporate member we are asking that you encourage businesses in your network to consider becoming corporate members and sponsors of JRBP.

More JRBP members means less staff time spent on fund raising and more time spent on growing and sustaining our successful programs.  The support of our members is crucial to the long-term sustainability of the JRBP.

We ask that you remember a time when the waters of the James River showed visible evidence of the insults inflicted on the land of its basin.  Ask yourself if the river is important to you personally.  Ask who will protect the river if not you?  Ask yourself what the basin might be like without JRBP?

The JRBP along with many of your friends and business neighbors have consistently removed tons of trash from area streams and provie education and information to hundreds of individuals on how to insure the beauty and water quality found in the Ozarks.  It is easy to take our abundant water resources for granted, but without the dedicated work of citizen volunteers and water professionals we would not enjoy the high quality water we have today.  Please help us protect and improve the quality of water in our springs, streams, rivers, and lakes for you, your children, and your grandchildren.

Joining JRBP will provide you with an avenue to actively participate in the management and protection of your river.  We all share the waters of the James River we should also share the responsibility for maintaining the quality of water in the river and the quality of the land in its basin.

We know that you care if the water in your community is drinkable we know that you care if a river is clean enough to take a dip on a summer afternoon and lastly, we know you care if soil from erosion smothers valuable water bugs that support a multitude of life in a stream.  We know also that these concerns can feel overwhelming when you ask yourself, “What can I do?  You can get more involved by being involved with us!  Because there are problems that affect our water, our community needs an organization with a proven history to face today’s challenges head on!

Please join JRBP and help us continue the programs that offer serious protection for the quality of water in the James River.  Together we can move into the future with a river that shows not insults and injury but esthetic beauty and high quality water.

Gamblers, Canoes, Members and a Beautiful River

 

The morning of October 1 dawned clear and cold with a hint of fog in the air, a perfect early fall day. An expectant murmur of voices, an occasional laugh and the shuffling of feet were mingled with the sounds of water chuckling over rocks on the bank of the James River at Shelvin Rock access point. A group of about 38 people had gathered for the first ever James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) membership float on the river of our namesake.

The outside air temperature at 9:00 a.m. was hovering around 40 degrees. My thought was “What a great day for a float trip.” Now I do understand that not all folks think 40 degree temperatures make for good floating, but I knew that as the day progressed conditions would become less favorable to shivering. The JRBP members gathered at the access were taking a chance on the weather. Gambling that the day would warm and the fall season would be on display. We were all rewarded with a nearly perfect day on the James River.

The events of the day convinced us that we should do more of these floats. The intent of a membership float was to connect people to the complex natural community known as the James River. At the end of the day, we believe we were successful in forging a connection between the river and 38 citizens of its basin. We would like to take this opportunity to say a special “thank you” to those members who accepted our invitation to get to know their river.

 

At ten o’clock all floaters were still wearing fleece layers to ward off the chill of early autumn air when we launched the flotilla of canoes and kayaks. A bit of vigorous paddling and most had removed at least one layer of fleece by 10:30.

As expected by 11:30 most were hungry and wondering if we were ever going to stop for lunch. I have found that a bit of hunger makes folks paddle with more determination toward the eventual gravel bar lunch. About noon we arrived at the confluence of the Finley and the James Rivers. The air temperature was now near perfect for human comfort and the crew of floaters was suitably hungry. The confluence of these two excellent rivers offered up an inviting gravel bar as a setting for the delicious sandwich lunch prepared by Sheila Goodman with the City of Ozark Department of Parks & Recreation.

After lunch we enjoyed a presentation on “Leave No Trace” camping from staff members of Water Hikers. This presentation provided participants with information and instruction on how to conduct low-impact camping on the river. Techniques of fire building and cooking were explored in depth.

After the Leave No Trace instruction we got out the kick-nets and waded into the clear warm water for a bit of water quality 101 instruction. We examined the macro-invertebrates (small visible aquatic insect larvae) that were present at the mouth of the Finely River. Our quick snapshot indicated a stream in very good condition for the time of year and the amount of water. After instruction the corps of gamblers bid farewell to the confluence and proceeded on downstream.

As the day progressed it became obvious that the James had been expecting us. The water, though low, was clear, warm and unhurried as it moved down grade toward Table Rock Lake. The trees along the course of the James had just begun to put on the fall coat of many colors that is enjoyed by everyone who lives in or visits the Ozarks in the fall.

Aldo Leopold said in A Sand County Almanac that “Wilderness is the raw material from which man has hammered the artifact called civilization.” The James River Basin is the wilderness from which the human communities of the basin were hammered and provides many of the natural resources that sustain these human communities.

The members who joined our float on this early fall day were brought to a closer understanding of the relationship between their river and their community. The high quality of the water and the presence of wildlife once absent (we saw at least one Osprey) is evidence that the James River has forgiven past insults. The health of the river is a direct indicator of the health of the watershed.

If you would like to develop a closer relationship with your river please consider joining the James River Basin Partnership. By becoming a member you will be taking an active role in protecting the quality of water in streams, rivers and lakes of the basin. We look forward to working with you to sustain clean water for you, your children and your grandchildren.

(BIG Thanks to Amy from The Fishin’ Magicians for taking all these awesome photos for us!!!)

Native Garden Planted at the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS

Paul Armstrong from Smiling Sun, LLC helps volunteers from the realtor community, MSU and Master Naturalists brush up on the proper way to plant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James River Basin Partnership  and the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS (GSBOR) combined forces Friday, December 2nd to do a little chilly planting! Volunteers gathered to help install a Missouri native plant garden at the GSBOR office located at 1310 E. Primrose Springfield, MO.  Represented at the planting were  the Missouri Master Naturalists, Missouri State Universtiy, Springfield Board of Realtors,  Ozark Green Building Coalition, and JRPB supporters. Thanks to everyone who came  out to lend a hand!

Zach Miller, local realtor and member of the Ozarks Green Building Coalition works with JRBP's Kellie Herman to plant the garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The purpose of the garden is to promote the use of native plants for landscaping at local businesses and organizations.  Natives plants are accustom to our weather therefore  surviving the extremes more successfully, requiring less water, no fertilizer, reduced maintenance and their long roots help to infiltrate the rain into our soils.  This allows our land to function as it was intended, to act as a filter for our water, recharge our springs, and reduce the quantity of runoff from the parking lot.

The project design, installation, and planting supervision was provided by  Smiling Sun, LLC.  Funding was provided by the Water Quality Improvement Project which is administered by the Environmental Resources Coalition.  Funding match was provided by the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS.

We look forward to watching this garden grow for many years to come!

A Small Town Making a Big Difference by Kellie Herman

As I attended the inaugural  Blue Planet: Global Water Education Conference in Bozeman, Montana I was filled with pride. Missouri water quality educators made quite an impression at the conference.  They are:  Erica Cox of Project W.E.T., Mike Kromrey of Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, and myself representing JRBP. It was very impressive to have three water educators from Missouri, much less Springfield attending among people from all over the world. After listening to speakers for four days something became very apparent to me. Something that gives me great satisfaction and happiness started to ring true. That something is the awareness of our strong partnerships that have been developed in our water community and the level of success obtained by our joint efforts.

This is unique folks! In Springfield, Missouri we have watershed organizations working together for the greater good: clean water in the Ozarks! Not only are we working together to share ideas and meet common goals, but we are doing it with success and ingenuity that matches and even exceeds global water education efforts. James River Basin’s Storm Drain Reveal is a one of a kind program that has created interest nationally. Our Watershed Festivals are designed to be specific to national grade level expectations  for teachers and fulfill storm water permitting requirements for the city. As I become aware of  global water education efforts I feel that I couldn’t be more proud to be part of a strong community that works in partnerships to achieve water quality education and outreach so well and with such success.

If you are interested in joining our efforts to educate the community about clean water, the upcoming Christian County Watershed Festivals will allow you to get your feet wet! Our five day Watershed Festivals will be held at Nixa Community Center on February 8,9,14,15, and 16. These festivals are from 9a.m. to 1:00p.m. and teach 5th graders  how to identify and prevent water pollution. We teach the children through a verity of activities developed by Project W.E.T., an organization that teachers educators water curriculum. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you are interested in volunteering for this event! E-mail me at jamesriverbasin@gmail.com

$1 Million in MO State Revolving Funds to Remediate Failing Septics

Kimberling City, MO, September 13, 2011: Ozarks Water Watch (OWW), a local water quality organization was recently awarded a $1,000,000.00 grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to operate a state revolving fund project. The purpose of this grant / loan program is to improve and protect the water quality in the upper White River basin watershed in Missouri (see map) by assisting homeowners with the cost of replacing their failing onsite septic system. As many Ozarks residents know, failing septic systems are one of the major contributors of e‐coli bacteria contamination and excessive nutrient loading into our Ozarks waters. According to Ronna Haxby, projects manager for OWW “Many older metal tanks have rusted out, and many systems weren’t installed correctly or located properly to begin with. Frequently homeowners are unaware of the maintenance that is required to keep their systems working properly. Many systems haven’t been pumped out for many years, if at all, resulting in clogged lateral lines and system failure. Because the land in the Ozarks includes thin soil, fractured and fissured limestone and dolomite bedrock, often with sinkholes, springs, channels and caves, if a septic system is not working properly the effluent can run directly into streams, rivers and lakes, often miles away from the source, and can be a primary cause of the contamination of drinking water well systems.”

The money is to be given out as half grant and half interest‐free loan. The amount given is for 50% of the construction cost of replacing the system, not to exceed $10,000. The loan portion (up to $5,000) would be paid back to OWW in monthly installments at no interest. Special consideration for 90%, but not to exceed $10,000 total reimbursement, will be made for low‐income applicants at or below 150% of the 2011 Poverty Guidelines. This is also half grant and half interest‐free loan. Haxby states “The money we receive back as loan payments can then be used again as a revolving fund to help other Ozarks homeowners replace their failing septic systems.” According to David Casaletto, Executive Director of OWW, “This project was made possible through a partnership with Table Rock Lake Water Quality and the Missouri Department of Conservation who provided additional funds for project administration.”

Applicants must fully complete the application and meet all regulatory requirements, and the project must all be approved by OWW before installation can begin. “Our goal is to replace more than 150 failing septic systems over the next 4 years that are currently leaking effluent into our groundwater.” States Haxby, “This will have a significant and positive impact on the quality of the water that these systems flow into, and can go a long way in protecting our water quality in the Ozarks.”

The information/application package is available for download on the OWW website at http://www.ozarkswaterwatch.org.

Those interested in learning more about this project are invited to contact Ronna Haxby with Ozarks Water Watch at 417‐739‐5001 or ronna@ozarkswaterwatch.org

Low Impact Development Symposium 2011

It may sound dull, but for a water loving advocate that focuses on urban stormwater issues, it was the mecca. A conference full of people with one focus, how to restore the hydrology of our environment to predevelopment levels.  Or said differently: Slow,Spread, Soak. The goal?  Take our cities, our towns, our areas that we build on and keep some of that rain on site.  Slow it down, spread it out and allow it to soak in.  This action cleans the water, lets our soils do their work, feeds our springs, and keeps our rivers healthy.  The hard part? Re-learning what we think we know and developing, testing, applying, and teaching new methods.  Its not how development or stormwater has been handled for many generations so there is much to do.

The Low Impact Develpment Symposium was an opportunity to meet with other individuals around the country whose main focus was shared with mine.  There were days of engaging presentations that led me to three conclusions. 1) Springfield is keeping up and moving forward appropriately 2) people are endlessly creative 3) the struggles that are encountered are the same across the country and move in trends depending on the stage of change a community is in.

This experience was an effort of Villanova University, NC State University and the University of Maryland along with 13 partners. It combined three separate conferences, the 19th National 319 Non Point Source Monitoring Workshop, 2011 Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Symposium and the 5th International Low Impact Development Conference into a single jam packed symposium.

Many ideas were gleaned from attending along with a host of valuable information and contacts. I deeply appreciated the opportunity to attend this conference which was paid for with funding from the Water Quality Improvement Project.

Facts About the James River Watershed

932,227 acres
3,515.5 total miles of streams including Perennial and Intermittent streams
113 Named Streams including:
James River 100.36 miles
Flat Creek 55.37 miles
Finley Creek 53.68 miles
Crane Creek 23.21 miles
Dry Crane 14.06
Wilson Creek 13.89
Pierson Creek 11.43

563 springs
598 gaining streams
151 losing streams
3,163 sinkholes
95 % of SW Missouri’s drinking water comes from groundwater

40,087.36 acres of Public Lands including:

Mark Twain National Forest – Cassville District, Table Rock Lake USACOE, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Compton Hollow Conservation Area, and Wire Road Conservation Area.