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LOWA LILs

Governor Presents Grant to LOWA

(see pdf of actual grant)

The grant, along with an accompanying $496,000 in-kind matching funds, went to LOWA, and will be used to help reduce the amount of contaminants in stormwater reaching the lake by encouraging landscaping techniques that minimize runoff.

The project will focus on stormwater runoff pollution in the Buck Creek and Lick Branch sub-watersheds. These sub-watersheds begin at Bagnell Dam and encompass the first 18.8 miles of the Lake’s main channel and accompaning coves. This area was chosen because it is the most urbanized area of the Lake. It includes; Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Laurie, Sunrise Beach and the Village of Four Seasons.

“We all recognize the importance of a healthy Lake of the Ozarks to our economy and our quality of life,” Gov. Nixon said. “This grant will help address the issue of stormwater runoff, and the effect it has on water quality at the lake.”

Because of the increasing population, development and recreational use, as well as changes in physical landscape, several non-point source water quality concerns have arisen, including sediment, nutrient and bacteria loading.

The grant announced on Thursday will allow LOWA and its partners to help reduce the amount of stormwater runoff that can harm water quality by using well-established low-impact landscape practices. The grant’s projects include:

• Providing educational opportunities to learn about watershed issues, low-impact landscape practices, proper on-site wastewater treatment maintenance, and shoreline stabilization techniques;
• Providing a cost-share incentive program for property owners to implement low-impact landscape best management practices and to perform on-site wastewater treatment pump-outs.
• Making low or phosphorus-free fertilizers available to consumers around the Lake and encouraging property owners to keep their on-site waste water treatment systems up to code.

“There is nothing but continued growth projected for the Lake,” said Director Pauley. “Steps made possible by this grant will prepare the region for that growth while protecting the water quality of the lake.”

LOWA is a grassroots group of lake area citizens whose mission is to protect, preserve and improve the Lake of the Ozarks, its watershed and natural resources, while maintaining our economic, social and environmental health.

LOWA phase one According to LOWA Executive Director Donna Swall, LOWA phase one is a component called LOWA Low Impact Landscaping (LILs) which received a separate mini grant to kick off the LOWA LILs program. The LOWA LILs program will teach lake property owners how to reduce pollution from stormwater from reaching the Lake.

A workshop entitled “Beautiful Yards for a Healthy Lake" is scheduled for Saturday, March 26. This workshop will help individuals learn how to create a beautiful landscape while being good stewards of the watershed at the same time. For more information, please contact LOWA at www.soslowa.org or call 573-374-1331 extension 16. LOWA phase two Phase two will be very intensive water studies in order to determine what actions should be taken to improve the quality of the lake water..

Although the grant is expected to be completed by 2014, LOWA hopes to not only keep the project going, but to expand it to other areas around the lake. Contributing partnerships in this effort include local retailers, businesses, consulting firms, AmerenMissouri, the University of Missouri Extension, Master Gardeners, Camden County Planning and Zoning, Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program, Missouri Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program, Missouri Master Naturalist and citizen volunteers.

~janet dabbs

Copyright © May 5, 2011 Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance, Inc.