Watershed Management Updates
As a result of discussion at the November meeting of the ABAK Board, we'd like to brief you on an issue that could have serious impact on our state's agricultural industry - watershed management. Over the past several years the environmental and conservation movements has turned its attention to our state's watersheds. As a result, groups have been formed in each watershed region to monitor the impact of various environmental factors, including agriculture. These groups meet regularly, some regions more so than others.
Right now agricultural representation at these meetings is virtually nonexistent. We'd like your help in changing that. It is important to have members of the industry present because, while the issue of water quality is undoubtedly an important one, it is critical we provide accurate information as well as evidence of the steps we've already taken to ensure safe, clean water.
No one knows better than those of us in agriculture the importance of quality water. In fact, you may remember that ABAK already adopted the 4R Nutrient Stewardship System during our July Board meeting. The System is endorsed by The Fertilizer Institute and promotes the use of crop nutrients under the guidelines of the Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time and Right Place.
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Upcoming Watershed Meetings:
Kentucky River Basin Team Meeting
Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2010
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Center for Appalachian Studies 300 Summit Street Richmond, Kentucky Phone - 859.622.3065 Meeting AgendaGreen-Tradewater River Basin Team Meeting Details: Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Location: WKU Small Business Accelerator Center (Intersection of US 31W and Campbell Lane), Bowling Green
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Kentucky River Basin TeamAfter almost one year, the Kentucky River Basin Team will reconvene. You are invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd at 3:00 p.m. at the Center for Appalachian Studies office in Richmond (300 Summit Street, Phone - 859.622.3065). A Basin Team is a group of stakeholders called for by Kentucky’s Watershed Management Framework document. The Framework Document is intended to serve as a guide for ongoing coordination of water resource management activities by organizations throughout the state. (More information about this document is online at http://www.watersheds.ky.gov/framework.) The Framework Document describes the Basin Team as follows: “A River Basin Team will be formed to provide a forum for coordinating and carrying out watershed management activities in each of the state’s 12 basin management units. The River Basin Team will facilitate communication among the Local Watershed Task Forces in a basin management unit. Working with the task forces, the River Basin Team will compile existing information and make plans for collecting data to fill information gaps. Using this information, the Team will evaluate watershed conditions and prioritize watershed management needs.”Basin Coordinators are further charged with “bringing together specific partners to troubleshoot issues or carry out planning and implementation functions” that will ultimately improve water quality. In practice, the general function of the Basin Team has been to educate each other about issues and activities affecting water quality throughout the Kentucky River Basin. Thus, they would like for the March 23rd meeting to provide an opportunity to hear from anyone desiring to air their concerns, successes or assistance needs in the basin. Please come prepared for a lively discussion and, hopefully, a plan of action for near-term and long-term activities to improve the Kentucky River and its tributaries. AgendaMinutes - March 24, 2009
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Four Rivers Basin TeamTen watersheds were selected for restoration, and five for protection by the Four Rivers Basin team. The watersheds for protection include: Elk Fork below Allensville, Whippoorwill Creek, West Fork of the Red River, Blood River, and West Fork of the Clarks River. The watersheds for restoration include: Red River at Oakville, North Fork of the Little River, South Fork of the Little River, Little River, Livingston Creek, Mayfield Creek, West Fork of the Red River, Clarks River, Island Creek, Obion Creek, and Bayou de Chien. Some of the factors used during the selection process include Four Rivers Watershed Watch sampling sites, KPDES permitted outfalls, CAFO permits, AFO permits, Wellhead Protection Zones, Source Water Protection Areas, the 2008 305b report from the DOW, Special Use Waters, TMDLs approved or in development, watershed based plans in development, past projects, potential partners is the area, KY Fish and Wildlife Priority Areas (from the State Wildlife Action Plan), and land use in the watershed. Maps of each watershedDescription of each watershed
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4 Kentucky Watersheds Chosen for Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) to help improve the health of the Mississippi River Basin, including water quality and wildlife habitat. NRCS and its partners will help producers implement conservation practices in selected watersheds in the Mississippi River Basin, including Licking, Lower Green, Bayou De Chien-Mayfield, and Red River watersheds in Kentucky. These conservation practices will help avoid, control, and trap nutrient runoff which will in turn improve wildlife habitats and maintain agricultural productivity. Other states included in the initiative are Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. NRCS will offer this Initiative in FYs 2010 through 2013, dedicating a minimum of $320 million to the project, at least $80 million in each fiscal year.
For more information on the MRBI please visit the NRCS website.
Map of MRBI watersheds
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