Complicated, widespread problems must be faced

Will awareness and voluntary measures be enough to save our lakes and streams?

For those of us in the water business, the crystal ball quickly becomes murky when we try to look very far beyond the immediate.

On one hand, there are many positive things going on for example, Springfield adding phosphorus removal to its Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant, which should eventually help to slow the growth of algae in the James River arm of Table Rock Lake.

And through the efforts of groups such as the James River Basin Partnership and the Watershed Committee, we continue to educate our citizens on how they can help improve water quality.

But problems faced by our water resources are complicated, widespread and long-standing, having crept over us through many years of misunderstanding, neglect and political inertia.

While recognizing the challenges ahead, we must keep looking back, acknowledging and celebrating our successes.

Many rivers and lakes of the United States are in much better shape today than they were in the 1960s. People can now fish and swim in many places that they couldn't before the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972.

But it is also true that we attacked the obvious and easy (or politically expedient) problems first. In fact, it was not until those sources were controlled that we began to see an underlying, intractable problem, with the unimaginative name of nonpoint-source pollution.

Runoff from farms, seepage from thousands of septic tanks, drainage from urban roofs, streets and parking lots these sources exert a cumulative effect that has proven to be profound and very difficult to address.

By and large, people resent what they see as further interference into their personal lives. So, rather than regulation, we have relied primarily on voluntary action to address this pollution, spurred by education and to a limited extent, cost-sharing.

Herein lies the problem with the crystal ball. With our population booming, creating more potential sources of pollution, can awareness and voluntary efforts turn the tide before we can no longer swim or fish in our lakes and streams?

At the same time, we can't discount the encouraging trends that have been gaining momentum in 1999, and that will perhaps blossom in the new millennium.

For example, Missouri and Arkansas have agreed to work in concert on water problems affecting the bistate White River Basin, with its chain of very popular and economically stimulating impoundments. Perhaps in 2000 we will witness publicly supported initiatives to further reduce point-source pollution and begin to make a dent in the huge array of nonpoint sources.

For its part, the Watershed Committee plans to move forward this year with its plans for a watershed education facility north of Springfield.

A needs assessment has indicated widespread support for the idea, and a potential site, with a variety of water amenities, has been identified. It will be a great place to learn about watershed protection, with trails and outdoor classrooms enhancing the message.

Also coming up is a new, interactive, water-based exhibit at the Discovery Center.

A partnership between the Watershed Committee, city of Springfield, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Silver Dollar City is funding this unique project.

Kids of all ages will learn about watersheds and personal pollution in ways that will add to the momentum-building at this excellent learning center.

Finally, in 2000 we will begin to see the fruits of working with developers on our city's north side.

Show-me advocates will be able to see what better water quality practices actually look like. Perhaps as importantly, we will be able to measure success not only through water quality monitoring, but also by touching upon economic values.

Our view is that better water practices don't have to be liabilities and eyesores.

Rather, if carefully conceived, they can add value to property with their aesthetic, recreational and wildlife potentials. That observation contains the essence of our 2000 message to business; namely, that protecting watersheds is good business and benefits don't just accrue to those downstream.

We hope that good water practices will become an integral part of your business operating plan in 2000. If we can help, give us a call.

(Loring Bullard is executive director of the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks.)