Agencies unite to develop Marmaton-Little Osage valley watershed plan

Nevada Daily Mail

Cecil Pritchett, president of the Osage Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council Inc. and the Vernon County Soil and Water Conservation District announced Monday that help is needed in collecting vital information in the development of a "Watershed Plan" for the Marmaton and Little Osage River watershed.

This watershed partnership is being coordinated through the two local groups in partnership with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and numerous federal, state and local agencies.

Residents living in these watersheds or other interested citizen groups from Barton, Bates and Vernon counties along with 15 additional counties in Kansas are encouraged to participate in watershed plan listening sessions. There will be two listening sessions, the first at 1:30 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m. on March 17 at the Vernon County fairgrounds, Nevada.

This watershed planning effort will commence through citizen input from these listening sessions.

This locally-led effort will collect information and locate data in support of specific natural resources and land use concerns and issues.

The outcome of these meetings is to define challenges and opportunities for restoration and maintenance of resources that may hinder watershed users from benefiting from a healthy watershed. Ultimately, the local participants through their input will develop the watershed management plan that will provide support and guidance for local and county officials to execute and maintain healthy watersheds for all users.

Healthy watersheds make available benefits to all stakeholders both economically and environmentally.

These public sessions impart an opportunity for local citizens to shape their locally led watershed plan by providing input and priorities that address their concerns, issues and needs while maintaining economic soundness and environmental benefits.

For more information about the meeting or program contact David Clyman, Mark Curtis, Janet Nichols or Rocky Steiger at the Vernon County NRCS/SWCD office (417) 667-8137, ext. 3 or Donald Schuster at the Osage Valley RC&D office (660) 885-5567, ext. 6.