The Spring River Watershed Partnership, a committee of the Environmental Task Force of Jasper and Newton counties, is looking for ways to reduce bacteria levels in Spring River.
On Monday, we heard about a good idea from several of Missouri’s neighbors. One that, in our view, has merit.
The plan to protect the Illinois River Watershed in Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma will also provide an incentive for landowners who participate.
The Arkansas Illinois River Watershed Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a voluntary land retirement program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat and safeguard ground and surface water.
The program seeks to enroll 15,000 acres of eligible marginal pastureland and cropland in 14- to 15-year contracts within the watershed. It was created under a partnership among producers, tribal, state and federal governments, and, in some cases, private groups.
Those who participate will receive about $300 per acre when they sign up and then annual payments of about $82 an acre for the 15 years. The program pays the majority of costs related to planting trees, erecting fences to keep cattle out of streams and implementing other conservation measures.
Protecting Spring River would certainly be a smaller venture and we think money for the program could come from fines already imposed on those who pollute our waterways.
If bacteria levels are to be reduced in Spring River, rural residents, city leaders and farmers all must play a role, according to a watershed management plan under development for a portion of the watershed around Carthage.
We applaud that mindset. Now let’s go forward and take action.
If you have ideas or would like to see the local draft plan, it’s posted on the health department’s Web site and copies are available from department offices at 105 Lincoln Ave. in Carthage.
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