Lee Creek & Frog Mtg 7-29, 7-30 for Watershed Mgmt Plans

[Half Ton]

6 pm at the Van Buren Public Library the City of Fort Smith wants to collect stakeholder input regarding a new watershed management plan for Lee Creek.

6pm at Lake Fort Smith for the Frog on July 30th

[tomOzarkVideo]

NW and RV chapters need to be ALL OVER THIS!!!!!!

These are our responsibility! Our back yard runs!

[George Locke]

Hey John,
I sure appreciate your updates and awareness on the goings on. I don't really understand what these meetings mean. Are stakeholders (Property owners) the only ones with input or is any one who uses the watershed a stake holder.What is their goal? Is Ft. Smith invested in the watershed soley for their watersupply or do they have greater goals? What should we expect and what information should we supply to benefit the goals for an environmentally sound watershed.

Again I thank you for all the work you do promoting clean water in Arkansas.... I see John Pennington's name almost as much as Debo ..Thank all of you guys and Cowper...

Sincerely,
Geo.

[Half Ton]

Thanks Tom for rallying others into attending a rather mundane yet powerful set of meetings for two local watersheds that deserve protection, among so many others that don't yet have a champion or organization/group to proactively protect. The water quality gains are made in the dull days and public meetings over a long period of time.Funny that So many people don't ever participate in these types of meetings.

Geo, I am not certain of what the end goal to the watershed management plans for frog and lee are. A thought of mine, and one you mentioned, is that public drinking water supply for Fort Smith is the central issue. Public drinking water protection can take many forms. Some more stringent and some not so much.

A stakeholder is indeed any person with a stake. Recreation, conservation, business/industry, agriculture, government, local municipalities, landowners, and so on. I understand these first meetings are to engage and inform about the goals and process that will be involved in achieving and determining watershed management.

Could be a mixed bag, hopefully it will all be good. Bottom line though, it is best to show up , see what's going on, and be involved to the point that is needed or desired.

[DeBo]

I will be at both meetings. We want to make absolutely sure nothing slides past us on this.

[DeBo]

Here is a brief report of tonight's meeting. This meeting, run by Fort Smith and their consultants was for collecting information about water quality issues in the Lee Creek watershed. Staff from several state agencies from both Arkansas and Oklahoma were present. Studies on issues such as nutrient levels and sediment are being conducted in both the Frog and Lee Creek. These meetings do not directly address concerns about any future plans for dams but I consider them very important for the future of these creeks. We need to pay close attention to the needs of these watersheds. By becoming vigilant stakeholders we have a say in their future. It was very telling that most of the people at this meeting were folks concerned about the health and preservation of these streams and not just how we can best use them as water supplies. As stakeholders we must ask both for protection of quality and wise use and conservation. Thanks to all the Arkansas Canoe Club Members who came out to show support. I appreciate you. I will be at the meeting for Frog Bayou tomorrow night.

Thanks, Debbie

[tracer]

Thank you for the report Debbie!

[T8R]

Here is a brief report of tonight's meeting. This meeting, run by ADEQ, was for collecting information about water quality issues in the Lee Creek watershed. Staff from agencies in both Arkansas and Oklahoma were present. Studies on issues such as nutrient levels and sediment are being conducted in both the Frog and Lee Creek. These meetings do not directly address concerns about any future plans for dams but I consider them very important for the future of these creeks. We need to pay close attention to the needs of these watersheds. By becoming vigilant stakeholders we have a say in their future. It was very telling that most of the people at this meeting were folks concerned about the health and preservation of these streams and not just how we can best use them as water supplies. As stakeholders we must ask both for protection of quality and wise use and conservation. Thanks to all the Arkansas Canoe Club Members who came out to show support. I appreciate you. I will be at the meeting for Frog Bayou tomorrow night.

Thanks, Debbie

Hang on Debo,

This meeting was not run by ADEQ, rather it was called and run by the City of Fort Smith and their consultant. Per Lance Macvoy, ADEQ only came into picture to consult on the portions of developing a stakeholder workgroup to review the final Phase II report. Phase II of this project is being funded through USDA-NRCS and US EPA Region 6.

[Half Ton]

http://m.swtimes.com/news/watershed-man ... ted-public" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Another infirmation source and perspective. I have to admire the development of a 9-element EPA accepted watershed management plan/protection strategy. Also, engaging the stakeholders up front to get their input. Most of all, one more proactive approach rather than reacting to a crisis.

This is how watershed protection is best achieved in Arkansas.

[DeBo]

Yes thanks, I realized my mistake. Just came back to correct it. I also attended the meeting on Frog Bayou. Both meetings were run by Fort Smith water. What they are doing is commendable in getting watershed management plans in place proactively. I would really be great if we could get some club members who live in the area to sign up as stakeholders.