USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Missouri released a final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) recently for the East Locust Creek Watershed Plan. The plan involves the construction of a proposed multiple-purpose reservoir in Sullivan County. The supplement addresses changes since NRCS prepared the East Locust Creek Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement in 2006. […]
Tag: natural resources
Statewide project testing wastewater for markers that cause COVID-19 underway
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and researchers at the University of Missouri – Columbia have been collaborating on a statewide project to test domestic wastewater for genetic markers of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Missouri’s Coronavirus Sewershed Surveillance Project is funded by a Centers for […]
Nearly $127 million in fiscal year 2021 funds released to the state of Missouri
Governor Mike Parson announced the release of $126,921,606 in previously restricted Fiscal Year 2021 funds, including $117,460,583 in general revenue. “Thanks to our Show Me Strong Recovery Plan, we continue to outpace our economic recovery forecast, which is why were are able to release these funds today,” Governor Parson said. “This is great news for […]
East Locust Creek Reservoir timber harvest announced
The North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission has posted a Request for Qualifications for an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract for Phase 1A for timber harvest. This will be, likely, the smallest of multiple phases of timber harvest and tree clearing. It is approximately 90 acres where the future East Locust Creek Reservoir (ELCR) dam […]
University of Missouri Extension to help expand mental health resources in rural areas
Missouri’s rural counties lack mental health services despite growing financial stress and suicide rates with all of Missouri’s 99 rural counties facing a shortage of mental health professionals; 57 of them have none. The University of Missouri Extension hopes to change that through a multistate project to help farmers, ranchers, and farm families find affordable […]
NCMC Foundation announces receipt of “Gifts in Action” donation; campus to close for winter break
The North Central Missouri College Foundation announces it received a Gifts in Action donation from JK Farms to establish the John Kuttler Agriculture Scholarship. The scholarship honors the memory of the local farmer and community leader. The first John Kuttler Scholarship will be awarded in fall 2021. To qualify, NCMC students must be enrolled full-time, […]
Missouri Department of Corrections implements technology to cut COVID-19 infection rate within prisons
Implementation of three technological innovations in the Missouri Department of Corrections aims to cut COVID-19 infection rates in Missouri state prisons and other facilities. These strategies: Kill the virus in the air Kill the virus on surfaces Detect the virus in wastewater The department now has ionization generators — air purifying devices that destroy 99.4% […]
Nine Missouri state parks to temporarily close for managed deer hunts
To safely and effectively manage the deer population in some state parks, managed deer hunts are held in a coordinated effort between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation. The following parks may be temporarily closed on the specified dates listed below. Bennett Spring State Park […]
NCMC agriculture students participate in state conference; elected PAS President and Vice President
Eight agriculture students from North Central Missouri College participated in the Missouri Postsecondary Agriculture Student Organization (PAS) State Conference November 9-11, 2020. The conference was hosted virtually by State Fair Community College in Sedalia, MO. Over 100 students from seven Missouri community colleges and universities participated in the conference. Calvin Basham, an NCMC student, concluded […]
USDA to open signup for the Conservation Reserve Program and CRP Grasslands in early 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the signup periods for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the CRP Grasslands in 2021. Signup for general CRP will be open from January 4, 2021, to February 12, 2021, and signup for CRP Grasslands runs from March 15, 2021, to April 23, 2021. Both programs are competitive and […]
Grand River Basin Study moves on to Congress for authorization
Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, USACE Commanding General and 55th U.S. Army Chief of Engineers, signed the Chief’s Report for the Grand River Basin Study on November 19, 2020. The signing of the report progresses the project to Congress for authorization. “I am grateful for the hard work of the entire team and for the […]
North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission confirms receipt of $25 million award from NRCS
The North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission was notified of an award of $25 million from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to fund the design and construction of the East Locust Creek Reservoir. In addition, Senator Roy Blunt announced the approval of an appropriation from the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, […]
USDA invests $25 million in East Locust Creek Reservoir Project
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has invested an additional $25 million in the East Locust Creek Reservoir Project. “This investment in the East Locust Creek Reservoir Project is great news for families, farmers, and local businesses,” said Senator Roy Blunt. “These additional resources will get us one step closer to finishing the project and bringing […]
Public hearing held on environmental impact of East Locust Creek Reservoir
The National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act required a study be performed on the impacts and alternatives to the East Locust Creek Reservoir. ELCR had an approved Environmental Impact Statement in 2006, however, a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement was needed to update the alternatives analysis to meet the current United States Army […]
Spickard Board of Aldermen set rates and charges for city water and sewer
The Spickard Board of Aldermen on Tuesday evening, November 9th accepted the second reading of an ordinance setting rates and charges for the city’s sewerage system. The minimum monthly charge for up to 1,000 gallons of water used will be $19. For every 1,000 gallons over the first 1,000, the rate will be $9.50 per […]
Open house to hear comments on East Locust Creek reservoir project to be held today in Milan
Comments will be accepted today during an open house in Milan regarding the updated environmental impact statement for the East Locust Creek reservoir project in Sullivan county. Information will be available for public review addressing the water supply, flood damage, and recreational opportunities for ten counties of north-central Missouri. The supplemental report addresses changes made […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen to consider purchases in 2021 budget
Gallatin Public Works Director Mark Morey provided various purchases Monday, October 26th for the Gallatin Board of Aldermen to consider in the 2021 budget. Morey talked about purchasing a new dump truck and buckets for the 2003 and blue bucket trucks. The board agreed for Administrator Lance Rains to collect interest rate bids for purchasing […]
Contractor bidding process to begin this Fall in preparation to construct Little Otter Creek Lake in Caldwell County
A contractor bidding process is to begin this fall to prepare for the construction of a 344-acre multipurpose reservoir in Caldwell County. This comes after all agencies involved approved the Little Otter Creek Lake to move forward to begin construction after nearly 25 years of planning, design, reviews, and permitting. The primary purpose of the […]
City of Princeton, PBA, & Princeton R-V await final approval of $250,000 Land, Water, & Conservation Fund grant
During the Spring of 2019, not long after the groundbreaking ceremony for the new ball fields, the City of Princeton with the support of the Princeton R-V School District and the Princeton Ball Association applied for the Federal Land, Water, and Conservation Fund Grant that is administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Created […]
Virtual field days allow CAFNR Agricultural Research Centers to continue outreach
From August to October, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Agricultural Research Centers showcase research projects and share demonstrations during its field day season. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Research Centers to reevaluate how they would proceed with their in-person field day events. After discussions with advisory boards and […]