Eleven Point Watershed Management Planning

[OzarksRiverman]

Hey everybody,

This is an email I sent out to the Eleven Point River Conservancy. I wanted to put this here, mainly because it's one of the best places to interact with a congregation of individuals who may be interested in resource protection and/or conservation.

Take a look at it--if you have any comments, concerns, or suggestions, I'd like to hear it. Positive or negative. Any input would be appreciated.

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Mr. -----,

First an introduction—My name is Cody Dalton, I am the regional environmental planner for South Central Ozark Council of Governments in Pomona. If you’re not familiar with SCOCOG, we are a non-profit agency serving the communities and citizens in a seven county region including Ozark, Douglas, Howell, Wright, Texas, Shannon, and Oregon.

I wanted to contact you and the Eleven Point River Conservancy to gather some information on the history of watershed planning for the Eleven Point River. Are you aware if the Eleven Point Watershed has an EPA approved management plan? If not, are you interested in being a planning partner with SCOCOG in the development of a watershed management plan?

I’m sure you are aware of the Missouri DNR’s Water Protection Program, and their Section 319 Watershed Management Plan Development Grant Program. In recent weeks, we at SCOCOG have been working with local groups to gauge interest in Watershed Management Planning, and offering our expertise in Grant Writing, Grant Administration, and Resource Planning to create support to protect our region’s outstanding natural resources.

At this stage, it is our hope to develop grant applications (backed by support from organizations like the EPRC) for funding to initiate watershed management planning throughout our seven county region. Due to the fact that it is considered by many to be the most pristine river in the Ozarks, we are looking first to the Eleven Point River. In looking at EPRC’s Mission, I feel your organization would be a perfect planning partner along with our local communities and other environmental protection agencies.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for your time,

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[Guest]

The eleven point is a wonderful river...but the river between Thomasville and cane bluff is nearly ruined by the cattle tromping the banks and polluting the water. It's too bad, because it would be a beautiful stretch of stream with all of those great springs. Hopefully the first step is getting those cattle out of the water. Shouldn't be too hard to get some grants for solar powered watering tanks.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I think it's tough to keep cattle out because farmers are reluctant to absorb the cost. They don't see it as many others do.

[jdmidwest]

There are programs in place for farmers to develop watering systems the would eliminate the cattle in the river problem that would offset most of the cost. The problem is that the major cattle farmer in the area does not care and carries enough clout that the MDC and the DNR does not worry him. He owns most of that stretch. Been down that road, hit a dead end with no discussion.

What ever happened to that new Dairy Farm that was to go in there, did that ever come about?

While most think of it as pristine, it was really a better river 20 years ago. The upper river system has really declined from what it used to be. Most of the fishery management of late has been on the "trophy section" of the trout management. Walleye have declined in the lower portions. Smallmouth fishing has declined throughout. Goggle eye has gotten a little better.

Better management is needed in the upper portion above the Scenic River portion, including the feeder streams and forest around them. Protection from any mining prospects is a must. More landowner interaction in the upper portions. Better management of the karst areas around the area to protect the springs that feed the entire river with landowner involvement.

[OzarksRiverman]

The plan is about identification, guidance, and awareness. If a process is laid out in front of some of these farmers, perhaps they won't be scared off by the bureaucracy of grant or low interest loan funded water tanks.

Thanks for the input guys. I'm taking note of all your comments, and it'll only help build a better application to get the funding for the watershed planning project.

[jdmidwest]

The cattle in the upper portion destroy the riparian corridor along the river, erode the banks, muddy the stream, pollute the water with their feces and urine. There are no fences as he owns both sides, the cattle roam freely in the stream, along the bank, across the stream. It is a mess, at least it was a few years ago when I floated the stretch. I have fished alot of streams in MO, but that cattle rancher was the worst I have seen with his management of the land and water resource that passes thru his property. At worst around here in SE MO, you come across a cattle gap into the river that only allows a few cattle at a time to get to the water and drink, not swim and stand in herds.