James River Basin Partnership looks to the future

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The James River Basin Partnership, committed to changing local water quality, is always looking for new members interested in the cause. Currently, 200 members individuals, businesses and small communities contribute at least $20 annually to the organization, and there are more than 1,500 people on its mailing list. |ret||ret||tab|

The corporation's specific mission is to restore the waters of the James River Basin to pristine condition. |ret||ret||tab|

Although the group focuses most attention on the James and Finley rivers, it is also concerned with water quality in the larger Upper White River Basin, which includes Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Taneycomo, and Flat, Bull, Swan, Beaver, Crane and Wilson creeks.|ret||ret||tab|

Diana Sheridan, executive director of the partnership, emphasized that making the public aware of the issues and researching the problems and possible solutions takes money. State agencies simply do not have enough money to do everything that needs to be done, and grass-roots organizations can help enormously, she said, "But we need the funding to do it."|ret||ret||tab|

Sheridan said that JRBP members, quoting board member Brian Shipman, like to remind people that "we all live downstream" and that "pollution recognizes no political boundaries."|ret||ret||tab|

She said the sources of water pollution are many: fertilizer, municipal waste, stormwater, septic systems, erosion, livestock manure and poultry litter, construction and industrial waste. She added that of those pollutants, only industrial waste is not a major problem in the Ozarks. |ret||ret||tab|

The partnership has been encouraging homeowners to pump out their septic systems and check them for possible leaks, Sheridan said. |ret||ret||tab|

Because this is often expensive, the organization is looking for ways to raise money to help homeowners defray the costs, perhaps in the form of a coupon that would partially pay for pumping and inspecting the tanks. |ret||ret||tab|

"My opinion is that if you are a municipal treatment plant you get state or federal funds to help you; if you are a farmer or rancher you can get a grant. (But) the homeowner has to put in an expensive septic system with no assistance," Sheridan said. |ret||ret||tab|

Septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants sometimes accidentally discharge into the rivers, Sheridan said. "Last August, a Springfield Public Works sewer main spilled into South Creek. The Department of Natural Resources collected data into November, and at different times bacteria spiked at different swimming areas, but no one could explain why. Any time you swim in open water it's riskier than in a chlorinated pool, and we don't have a good way to measure the potential risk right now. That was a municipal spill, but if people knew how much raw sewage enters our waterways through poorly performing septic systems, they would be more careful."|ret||ret||tab|

Members of JRBP will take part in River Rescue July 16-21, a fund-raiser in which they will float sections of the James River each day for a week and pick litter from riverbanks and the river itself. KY3 will cover the float. Sheridan said she believes such coverage will help raise public awareness of the issues.|ret||ret||tab|

The last day of the float will end with a celebration in Galena open to the public, featuring a dinner, music by Big Smith and a silent auction. The entry fee will cover everything but auction bids, and will be used to help fund various projects.|ret||ret||tab|

"Currently we're campaigning local businesses for contributions and sponsorships for the event," Sheridan said. "A $5,000 contribution will earn you a place as a day sponsor, but we are happy to take any contributions. Auction items are welcome until the day of the event, and people can call our office to make arrangements."|ret||ret||tab|

Future plans also include focusing on education, Sheridan said. "We're really gearing up our education campaigns with schools to offer curriculum-based information for their use." |ret||ret||tab|

She added that a grant is coming in July that will allow further work on public awareness and action. Specific areas of concern, she said, include proper use of lawn fertilizer, nutrient management plans for agriculture, Stream Teams to volunteer for water quality monitoring and studies to help understand pollution problems.|ret||ret||tab|

In October the partnership will hold a fund-raiser at the Wonders of Wildlife Museum that will include a recognition dinner and award ceremony for businesses and individuals who have promoted improving water quality.|ret||ret||tab|

Sheridan believes that the partnership would benefit from more paid staff members who could concentrate on education and public relations. "Right now I'm the only full-time employee, and we are doing everything through collaborative efforts. We'd do better with more resources for specific campaigns. We need money."[[In-content Ad]]