We’re all accustomed to this scenario: turn on the tap and out comes fresh, clean water. We never give it a second thought. We never entertain the question of adequate supply for the future, or contamination of the source of our water. We have come to expect that as long as we pay our water bill, it’s someone else’s job to keep it flowing.
Unfortunately it isn’t that simple. Over the last several years, local and state agencies and organizations have been concerned about both water quantity and quality issues in the Upper Wakarusa Watershed (UWW) above Clinton Reservoir. Clinton is the source of drinking water for more than 100,000 people.
As it turns out, all the ways we use our land impact water quality and quantity. Yes, that means what you and I do-- in our backyards, on our farms, or in land development (i.e., converting agricultural land to roads, housing, or commercial uses).
A group of concerned agency and organization staffers developed a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) for the Upper Wakarusa Watershed (UWW) a few years ago. The only catch comes in the implementation phase. Landowners hold the key to making most of the changes that actually impact water quality and quantity.
That is why the Shawnee County Conservation District applied for (and received) a grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to involve landowners in Lynn Creek and Six Mile Creek sub-watersheds at the grassroots level. These grant funds pay for bringing in local landowners to prioritize the Upper Wakarusa WRAPS for their sub-watershed, placing demonstration projects on the ground, and for educational events and activities.
A general meeting was held in the Lynn Creek sub-watershed in early August 2006 to which about 250 landowners were invited. A general overview of the UWW WRAPS was presented. The greater part of the meeting was devoted to small group discussions in three areas of concern: grassland management, livestock management, and developing land. These groups then prioritized concerns based on their knowledge of the local area. Also from this meeting, a stakeholder group evolved. This stakeholder group has met several times to prioritize targeted demonstration projects and education activities.
So far the Lynn Creek plans include a prescribed burn training (classroom style) and cost-share for terrace restoration. They also came up with an innovative approach to facilitate septic tank pumping. Funds will be available for those who do not have clean out risers to pump their tanks and install the risers. This should encourage people to get their tanks pumped regularly since the entire lid does not have to be dug up each time the tank is pumped.
An initial landowner meeting was held for the Six Mile Creek sub-watershed in early November 2006 to start a grassroots plan for that area.
Grant Implementation
Progress
As of April,
2008, various projects have been implemented in Lynn and Six-Mile subwatersheds. After those in the subwatersheds had an
opportunity to participate, the funds were released to persons in the entire
Wakarusa watershed within
To date, funds have been spent on the following demonstration projects:
· Installation of a stream buffer
· A terrace restoration
· Two septic system repairs
· Fifty-seven septic tanks pumped and clean out risers installed
· Six hundred eighty-five dollars paid for soil tests
· A prescribed burn training school
Additional demonstration projects are under contract:
· Livestock projects including watering facility, water supply pipeline, fencing, grass buffer, and feed pad
· Terrace restoration
· Brush management
Four additional demonstration projects are budgeted and waiting for technical assistance:
· Three terrace restorations
· Nutrient management (lime application)
Also identified for funding are a rain garden and a streambank stabilization, but no funds have been committed to these projects yet. Applications are being accepted for these projects. Nearly $7,000.00 remain in the grant that have not been assigned to any specific project; applications for these funds are also being accepted.
Some of the grant funds are being used for a Conservation District employee to attend the Kansas Environmental Leadership Program (KELP). This program consists of five three-day sessions. Each session is held in a different area of the state. The emphasis of the program is water quality and quantity and collaborative leadership. See www.oznet.ksu.edu/kelp for more information on KELP.