By Wally Kennedy
wkennedy@joplinglobe.com
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — Since its inception in 2003, the Tri-State Water Resource Coalition has focused on the technical side of finding more water for the region.
That emphasis could soon change to one that is more political in nature.
On Wednesday, members of the coalition met at the new Lawrence County Justice Center in Mount Vernon to develop a strategic plan for the organization.
The coalition earlier this year decided to seek water from an existing impoundment, such as Table Rock Lake, Stockton Lake or Grand Lake, rather than build a new reservoir in Southwest Missouri. Though the coalition has identified 14 possible sites for a new reservoir, members say reservoir construction would face strong opposition and could prove to be too costly.
But the plan to get water from an existing impoundment also is fraught with regulatory problems in that the state of Missouri opposes moving water from one basin to another. Table Rock Lake is in the White River Basin, while much of Southwest Missouri is in the Spring River Basin.
John Moore, a Springfield resident and president of the Upper White River Basin Foundation, led the planning session, which lasted more than four hours. He said: “The water is there. Our hurdles are political. How do we get to it?”
Moore said the coalition is packed with engineering know-how in that many of its members have backgrounds in that field. What appears to be missing is the political know-how, he said.
“Who do you know?” he asked. “Are there levers you can pull? How do you get it done? Getting it done involves the art of the political process.”
Moore said the coalition might consider translating the technical data it has amassed into political data, which could focus on issues related to job creation and economic growth. Members of the coalition said the public needs a clearer picture of the economic consequences of not having enough water.
Bob Nichols, a Webb City resident who has helped direct the coalition’s work, said: “It was a good discussion that we needed. But we did not draw any conclusions. The bottom line is that we are forming a strategic planning committee that will be chaired by Gary Gibson, with City Utilities in Springfield.”
In addition, Nichols said, the technical committee is going back to review the various options about sources of water. Some members of the coalition said during the meeting that construction of a reservoir should be an option that remains open in the event that water cannot be piped from an existing impoundment to the communities that need it.
A coalition study, released in July, identified 14 sites across Southwest Missouri that might be candidates for a reservoir. Of those, three sites were contenders: along Shoal Creek in Newton County, Indian Creek in McDonald County and a tributary to the James River at Springfield.
“They will either reconfirm Table Rock, Stockton or Grand Lake, or they will come up with something new,” Nichols said.
The coalition also is putting together a plan to promote education and awareness about the water shortage that could occur in several Southwest Missouri communities during a period of prolonged drought.
About 25 people from Joplin, Carthage, Monett, Springfield and Lamar were among those who attended the meeting.
Growing need
A 2006 water supply study projected that an additional 102 million gallons of water will be needed across Southwest Missouri to meet average daily demand in 2050. The study is available via http://tri-statewater.org.
Local News
Water group ponders political influence
- Local News
-
-
FTC program gains support from national foundation
For Joplin High School junior Drew Holle, taking auto classes at Franklin Technology Center is a family affair. “My dad went here, my brother went here and now I’m here,” Holle said. “I’ve always been into it. My dad owns his own shop. It’s just something I’ve watched him do, so now I want to learn.”
-
City official: SEMA rejects helping individuals pay for safe rooms
Joplin officials were notified Friday by the State Emergency Management Agency that individual storm shelters will not be funded, but a spokesman said that $20 million will be earmarked to build community safe rooms in Joplin schools or elsewhere.
-
Racial slur written on door of church that holds Spanish-language service
When Pastor Greg Earl arrived at Mission of Encouragement Church about 11:30 a.m. last Saturday to do work with his food pantry, he was shocked by what he saw.
-
Lake-business owners worry about any plan to tap Stockton
Two Stockton Lake business owners said their questions were answered Friday about reports that water from the lake might be piped to Joplin at some point in the future.
-
Masonite to add 65 new jobs in Pittsburg
Masonite is expanding its exterior door and glass insert manufacturing plants in Pittsburg, and company officials anticipate a growth of about 65 jobs.
-
Three JHS seniors finalists for national scholarship program
Three Joplin High School seniors have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Siri Ancha, Michelle Barchak and Derek Carter are now among the 15,000 finalists who will be narrowed down to 8,300 winners for corporate-sponsored, college-sponsored and National Merit $2,500 scholarships in the next few months.
-
Play’s issues remain relevant
It’s performed by one of the smallest casts in recent Pittsburg Community Theatre history, but “The Glass Menagerie” will be no less impactful, says director Linden Little.
-
Mike Pound: In case you haven’t heard, Super Bowl is Sunday
If you are reading this on Saturday morning, then you are probably aware that the Super Bowl pre-game show is now in hour number 173. By now, profiles of every person who has ever played in the NFL have been completed and aired.
-
Webb City school official cites Bright Futures reception
Webb City Assistant Superintendent Kevin Cooper pointed to a recent request on the district’s Bright Futures Facebook page as an example of how the community has embraced the new program.
-
Brunner’s wealth would rank high in US Senate
St. Louis businessman John Brunner has already poured at least $1 million into his U.S. Senate campaign.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
