News Release 591

DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS DOUGLAS COUNTY
URBAN CONSERVATION INITIATIVE PROJECT

Volume 35-591

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 21, 2007 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently awarded a $5,000 minigrant to the Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District.  The district will use the minigrant to support its effort to inform residents, community leaders and decision-makers about nonpoint source pollution issues.  

Through the use of storm water practice demonstrations and a community-wide educational program, citizens will learn about practical measures to address water quality problems caused by nonpoint source pollution.  The funding will support demonstration practices including rain garden establishment, lawn nutrient management planning and riparian corridor enhancement.  Education activities will include lawn and garden workshops, an urban riparian buffer workshop and a rain garden demonstration field day, along with brochure development.

The project will last from Jan. 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009.  The total cost of the project is $8,500.  This includes $3,334 in matching funds from the Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District. Contributing partners in this collaborative effort include the Missouri Department of Conservation, the City of Ava and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.  For more information, contact the department's Water Protection Program at
573-751-1300 or 800-361-4827.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/index.html.  For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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