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Homebuilders Environmental Stewardship Demonstration
The primary water resource to be protected by the project is Roubidoux Creek, with portions of the Gasconade and Big Piney rivers secondary. The Roubidoux runs generally north through the project area. The waters are public waters, used for recreation. Fort Leonard Wood utilizes the Big Piney for some of its water needs. The Roubidoux is monitored by the Waynesville Middle School Stream Team #218.
The project area lies in the south-central part of Missouri within the Ozark Mountain range. Of the approximate 353,000 acres, 57% is woodland, 35% is permanent pasture, 2% is cropland and 6% is urban. Within the project area is Ft. Leonard Wood (52,800 acres) and the Mark Twain National Forest (40,000) acres.
The area is predominantly rural, and beef cattle are the primary agricultural use. A few small dairy and swine operations still exist. Livestock numbers at last count indicated 24,400 beef cattle, 1200 hogs and 550 dairy cattle. The beef cattle industry comprises the majority usage of the pasture, primarily managed in conventional grazing systems.
While at present the project area is primarily wooded and pastoral, this landscape is due to change. With the expansion of Ft. Leonard Wood, approximately 1500-2000 new homes will be built for incoming personnel. Studies indicate that a significant amount of the construction will occur in the Waynesville/St. Robert communities. The Roubidoux Creek flows through the area.
An influx of this magnitude will be an economic boom to the local contractors and current landowners who wish to sell land parcels for development. However, the rush for financial gain will undoubtedly mean the conversion of pasture and woods to bare building sites. These sites can collectively become the primary sediment polluters to the nearby creeks, tributaries, and rivers. The impact of this increased sediment load could mean loss of volume, increased water treatment cost, and reduced recreational value.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Through voluntary participation, incentives and technical assistance will provide for properly sited and implemented practices. Each proposed participating homesite will be evaluated on a site specific basis by a specialist hired specifically for this project. A written plan will be developed detailing which practices are recommended, design specifications and layout, technical notes and other pertinent data. Not all the offered homesites will require installation of all the practices listed for that targeted arena, nor does every offered homesite have to participate in all four of the targeted arenas.
PRODUCTS AND OBJECTIVES
A $2,000 maximum per homesite has been established for federal grant dollar incentives. To demonstrate effective erosion control, effective stormwater management on sites of less than 5 acres, and for water conservation, the usage of 50 homesites per practice will be developed with incentives to be offered at a 50% grant and 50% match rate utilizing one or more of the following practices. Landscaping will be promoted as a low cost effective means of achieving a variety of environmental goals. Xerophytic plants will be promoted for water conservation. Management of the project is being directed out of the Macon Water Quality Project Office and by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Office. Technical specialists from the NRCS State Office, the University of Missouri Columbia (UMC), Extension Service (ES), the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) are also available to provide technical expertise. The project funds are supporting personnel above the customary staffing level and water quality monitoring.
Project period: December 15, 1998--December 15, 2001
PROJECT SPONSOR
Top of the Ozarks RCandD
COOPERATING AGENCIES
Pulaski County SWCD and Pulaski County Commision
Macon Water Quality Project Office
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Office
University of Missouri Columbia (UMC)
Extension Service (ES)
Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
CONTACT
The Top of the Ozarks RCand, Inc.
6726D Highway 63
Houston, MO 65483
Lisa M. Ruller 417-967-2028
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