Partnerships aid in improving Mahaska County water quality

OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District held a public meeting on May 13 for partners of the Muchakinock Creek Watershed Project. The meeting covered the progress and accomplishments local farmers, landowners, and organizations have done to improve the water quality of Muchakinock Creek.

Over 50 stakeholders were in attendance. Stakeholders include watershed landowners/farmers and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Iowa Legislature, Watershed Improvement Review Board, Office of Surface Mining, Pathfinders RC&D;, Mahaska County Engineer and Supervisors, Mahaska SWCD, Mahaska County Ikes, Private Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service and local contractors.

The meeting was held at the currently under construction Westercamp Abandoned Mine site located about a mile west of Beacon. Those in attendance were able to take a short tour of the site and have any questions answered by those working on the project.

Commissioners were presented with a sign highlighting the partnership between organizations that will be installed at each abandoned mine reclamation site.

Muchakinock Watershed Project Coordinator, Matt Lechtenberg says watershed farmers are applying conservation practices at a record pace in the county. “Our partners are committed to conserving our resources,” he said. “The partnerships fostered by the Mahaska SWCD have really helped improve the watershed. All the conservation work that has been done in the county is a testament to that commitment.”

More than $3 million will have been spent by the end of this year through the Project and various partnering agencies since its inception in 2005. The money helps alleviate the costs of installing best management practices like terraces and grade stabilization structures (ponds). The majority of the money has been spent on abandoned mine land reclamation.

The Mahaska SWCD was recently awarded funding for the Muchakinock Creek Watershed Project for an additional three years. Landowners and/or producers in the entire watershed are eligible for cost-share through the project. Once again, the project is offering to pay 75 percent of the eligible costs to install grade stabilization structures (ponds) and terraces. Interested participants are encouraged to contact Matt Lechtenberg, project coordinator, for more information or to apply for cost-share assistance. Applications will be ranked and funding awarded until all funds have been obligated. Construction of approved structures can begin this fall.

For more information on the meeting, contact Lechtenberg at (641) 673-3476 ext 3.

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