The first in a series of public meetings will be held later this month to talk about a watershed project set to impact portions of several counties in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.
Mo-Kan Regional Council (MKRC) in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MNDR) will be hosting a series of meetings in St. Joseph and Platte County to share information and gather input on the Independence-Sugar Watershed.
All watershed residents from urban to rural landowners to city and county officials are encouraged to attend. Mo-Kan said the goal is to learn about local watershed priorities, help to identify resources to achieve these goals and build important partnerships between all watershed residents.
The Independence-Sugar Watershed encompasses portions of Andrew, Buchanan, Platte and Clay counties in Missouri and Atchison, Doniphan, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, and includes the cities of Kansas City, St. Joseph, Atchison and Parkville, among others.
Watershed boundaries are not manmade, but rather defined by the land area that all drains into a particular water body, in this case the Independence-Sugar. Crossing over eight different counties the planning process will engage county officials, residents, business owners, farmers, and all those interested.
Meeting Schedule:
Monday, March 27, 2017
9:00 – 11:00 am Remington Nature Center, 1502 McArthur Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64501
6:00 – 8:00 pm Platte County YMCA, 8875 Clark Avenue, Parkville, MO 64152
Monday, April 24, 2017
9:00 – 11:00 am Platte County YMCA, 8875 Clark Avenue, Parkville, MO 64152
6:00 – 8:00 pm Remington Nature Center, 1502 McArthur Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Monday, May 22, 2017
9:00 – 11:00 am Remington Nature Center, 1502 McArthur Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64501
6:00 – 8:00 pm Platte County YMCA, 8875 Clark Avenue, Parkville, MO 64152
The Independence-Sugar Watershed covers an area of 1,042 miles and contributes to the Missouri River. The watershed is largely rural, yet impacts many of the communities along the river as well as those impacted by development.
Planning Project Objectives:
Research and provide information about the watershed.
Assemble a Committee representing a broad cross-section of watershed residents.
Coordinate and host a series of six watershed advisory committee meetings.
Document the identified watershed priorities with actions being suggested.
Assist in compiling information gained during the planning meetings to develop a Healthy Watershed Plan.
Communicate watershed information; promote watershed protection, preservation and enhancement.
This project is part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Our Missouri Waters Watershed Collaborative. The goal of this effort is to engage local residents in identifying water resource related issues within the watershed, then work cooperatively with partners to develop solutions, and focus available resources.
The project is being funded through a Joint Funding Agreement with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to support the planning efforts for a period of 15 months from January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.