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Water Board Debates Grant

Posted on: Saturday, 3 June 2006, 00:00 CDT

By Sarah Daniel, The Sedalia Democrat, Sedalia, Mo.

May 24--The Sedalia Water Board is indecisive about overseeing a $1 million grant to help clean up Spring Fork Lake.

The Sedalia Source Water Protection Committee is applying for the grant from the Benton County Soil and Water Conservation. No match is needed for the grant, which would be used over four years.

The committee asked the Water Board on Tuesday to be the grant administrator. Board members said they needed more time to think about the request.

"We're interested, but do we have the capacity to manage this $1 million?" said Water Board President John Kehde. "I don't know."

The committee must submit the grant application by June 16. Board members plan to meet again to decide.

Spring Fork Lake has failed to meet the state's water quality standards since 1998. The lake has 80 percent more nutrients than are acceptable, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus cause large amounts of algae, which create taste and odor problems.

The problems are nuisances, not health risks, said Tracey Winter, unit chief for the department's Drinking Water Unit and committee adviser.

The source water committee was formed two years ago to find solutions to the problem. Cattle watering in lake tributaries, overuse of fertilizer, animal feeding operations and pollutants from runoff are all possible causes of high nutrient levels.

The committee has a good chance of receiving the grant, said committee member Ron Wineinger.

As the grant administrator, the Water Department would need to keep track of how money is spent, Mr. Wineinger said. Ms. Winter said the Water Department would also file reports that track the money.

The grant money would be used to encourage farmers to use better management practices and pay for other improvements to reduce nutrients in the watershed, Ms. Winter said. She said the grant money would supplement other federal programs property owners could use.

Mr. Kehde said he doesn't think the problem can be fixed in four years. The committee would pursue other grants while spending this one, Mr. Wineinger said.

"It's not going to cost you anything," Ms. Winter said. "It's going to show the city, county ... you are interested in what's going on. It's going to show it's a concern."

The Water Department may be too busy to administer the grant, Mr. Kehde said.

"We're just trying to deal with EPA and DNR regulations on a daily basis," he said. "I'm willing to take on the responsibility of it, but I want to make sure it's done right."

Mr. Wineinger said money from the grant could be used to pay for administration costs or hire a grant administrator.

The committee will find another administrator if the Water Department turns down its request, Ms. Winter said.

Mr. Kehde said the board needs to consider how much it wants to spend to make Spring Fork a viable water source because its future use is unknown. The Water Board hired a firm to study the city's water sources. Board members say they are looking at several options, including drudging the lake and building catch basins, or using only wells to supply drinking water.

"We have to take care of the problem caused by what is running into the lake," Mr. Wineinger said. "Then, and only then, could you drudge. The first thing we're trying to do is improve the water quality."

Ms. Winter said the Water Department needs to reduce the amount of nutrients in the lake, regardless of its use.

"We can't just walk away from the problem," she said. "... The responsibility (of the lake) still will remain with the Sedalia Water Department."

"It would behoove you to work with us," Mr. Wineinger said.

Pettis and Benton counties lack zoning laws. No governmental regulations force watershed land owners to protect the environment.

"We have tried to deal with these land owners unsuccessfully in the past," Mr. Kehde said. "Is money going to make a difference?"

Mr. Kehde said land owners are difficult to persuade.

"To get everyone to agree unanimously," he said. "It's going to be a big chore."

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Sedalia Democrat, Sedalia, Mo.

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Source: The Sedalia Democrat (Sedalia, Mo.)

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