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By Tabitha Madzura
University of Missouri Outreach &
Extension (MoWIN Project), 232 Agricultural Engineering
Department, UMC, Columbia , MO 65211-5200, Phone: (573)
882-0085, Fax: (573) 884-5650
Madzurat@missouri.edu
The
wealth of watershed data and information is growing rapidly,
so is the number of people trying to access them. There is a
need to avoid duplication and make it easier for clients to
find what they are seeking. The growing public and agency
interest in watersheds, and the significant increase in number
of watershed-based activities, call for orderly collection and
dissemination of information to the public. No central
location for watershed information is now available to reduce
time and frustration for researching and planning watershed
projects.
One of the driving reasons for
so much activity and interest in watershed stewardship is that
water quality and quantity issues rank near the top of the
list for county, state and national environmental
priorities. Atrazine detects in surface water supplies have
many rural communities in Missouri agonizing over what to do
next. Major floods in 1993 and 1995 left many individuals and
communities struggling to learn available options. Water
quality protection is an issue facing the swine and poultry
industries in Missouri. Urban and suburban areas also face
water quality and quantity issues. As these and other water
issues gained public attention, agencies and organizations are
being charged with the responsibility of meeting the emerging
related needs. Partnerships and alliances are seen as
central players in raising the level of awareness regarding
watershed stewardship as a way of improving natural resources
management (Ball, R. & Dillard, J, 1998).
Too often, responsible
stewardship of our shared natural resources is seen as a
function of government alone. However, a high percentage of
our land is in private hands. Thus, each of us has a role in
conserving and protecting our natural resources; “we all live
downstream”.
Natural resource stewardship is
not an isolated issue, neither is it a government only
responsibility. Rather, it is an important “component of
complex human-environment system interactions that may
together bring the world to the edge of catastrophe or create
improvements in welfare and equity for all people.” (Niemczynowicz,
2000), and it’s everyone’s responsibility.
We should be asking three
simple questions:
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Are
we watershed wise and friendly?
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Who
lives in our watershed, upstream and downstream?
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Have we considered what we send downstream to our watershed
friends?
Answers to these questions, and
the choices that we make every day can make a difference and
impact the watershed.
About The Missouri Watershed
Information Network (MoWIN)
MoWIN was developed to assist
citizens in locating and accessing information relative to
Missouri watersheds (Fig. 1) with the following goals;
- Increasing knowledge about
watershed conditions and best management practices.
- Having more landowners and
interested citizens becoming aware about the state of their
watersheds;
- Impacting actions or
non-actions on shared natural resources, and
- Helping citizens find the
information they need to make informed decisions regarding
natural resources stewardship.
MoWIN is currently
a partnership of 29 state and federal agencies,
non-governmental organizations and natural resource interest
groups. MoWIN encourages effective management of water
resources using updated information. By collaborating with
governmental agencies and citizen groups, MoWIN has the
opportunity to empower citizens and foster a dramatic increase
in public awareness regarding the state’s environmental
management. Watersheds must be managed with a long-term
outlook, and the information technology has created
opportunities to provide people with significantly improved
information regarding the quality of watersheds. Hence, MoWIN
activities are guided by these principles.
-
Citizens will
always have the need for safe, clean, fresh drinking water,
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Everyone lives
in a watershed,
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People will do
the right thing given the right information,
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More information
is available than has been used to improve water quality,
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The health of
our watersheds is everyone’s responsibility.
To achieve these principles,
MoWIN has become a first point-of-contact for watershed
information for Missourians offering a service that is not
located elsewhere in the state.
Working together, we can make a difference. Our everyday
choices impact our watersheds. For example few of us know that
the amount of fertilizer, insecticide or water used on one’s
lawn makes a difference or that used motor oil or other
chemicals poured on streets and driveways while washing
vehicles causes water pollution. In addition, water runs
downhill. Water is a universal solvent; therefore, it takes
most dissolved substance particles of any kind with it as it
goes. Therefore, the less pollutants we put on or in the
environment, the less that ends up with the fish and our
drinking water. It is the intent of MoWIN to inform citizens
about watershed events, meetings, current projects, local
contacts, human resources, financial assistance, water-related
terms, technical assistance, educational resources,
watershed-related information by county, source water
protection, resource management, planning, restoration and
research-based scientific data.
Information:
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “
Clear, accurate, and timely information is the foundation of a
sound and accountable water quality program. Informed citizens
and officials make better decisions about their watersheds.”
(Clean Water Action Plan, 1998). Keeping citizens informed
about watershed conditions by using research-based
scientific management practices may contribute toward
important natural resources conservation decisions and boost
watershed stewardship activities at the grassroots level.
Expected outcomes include healthy watersheds with sustainable
soil, water, plant, animal, and air resources as indicated by
improved water quality. In addition, healthy watersheds
provide:
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sustainable natural
resources for future generations
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safe, clean drinking
water
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a place to recreate,
relax, and have fun, and
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long-term productive
agriculture and economically healthy communities.
Furthermore, good watershed
information and stewardship provide socioeconomic values
related to future reduction in restoration costs, and promotes
diffusion of nonpoint source pollution resulting in
economically healthy watersheds.
Objectives
Specific objectives of the MoWIN
project include:
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Develop and maintain
an easily-searchable web site for agricultural and natural
resources information and data
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Compile an
electronic natural resources conservation directory for
Missouri which lists all entities involved in watershed
stewardship
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Compile a
comprehensive bibliography of existing electronically
available publications and guide sheets pertaining to the
management and use of Missouri's watersheds.
MoWIN Features and Activities
MoWIN
is a service that is not available anywhere else in the
state. It makes accessing watershed information very easy for
Missouri citizens. MoWIN offers a web site, toll-free number
and e-mail for locating and accessing watershed information.
The productivity and working relationships that MoWIN
personnel have created are very important to the success of
the project. The list of programming efforts show the overall
effort that MoWIN personnel have put into making MoWIN a
useable and successful program. Staff disseminate information
through local, regional, national and international workshops,
conferences, and meetings. Additional tools include brochures,
e-mail, fax, telephone and personal visits, monthly, quarterly
and annual reports. Current features include:
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MoWIN Features - Web
site tutorial
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About MoWIN -
General information about MoWIN
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Acronym City - An
alphabetical list of often-used acronyms related to
watershed stewardship
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Agricultural and
Natural Resources Contacts Directory - Quick, easy, and useful
access to agricultural and natural resources conservation
agencies, organizations, and other state and federal entities
in Missouri
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Announcements -
Current information about agricultural and natural resources,
water quality regulations, funding sources, and other
watershed related information
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Educational
Resources - Water-related and environmental education links
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Glossary of
Water-Related Terms - A comprehensive list of air, soil and
water-related terms and meanings
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Grants and Funding
Sources
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Meetings/ Events
Calendar - State, national and international calendar of
meetings, events, and conferences that enhance knowledge and
provide global ideas related to watersheds
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Watershed
Management, Planning, Restoration and Research Data -
Information sources to assist in making decisions related to
watershed management, planning and restoration
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Watershed Projects –
Comprised of several watershed projects that provide awareness
of, and knowledge about, best watershed management practices
(includes the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Special Area Land
Treatment Projects)
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Watershed-Related
Information by County - (Missouri Counties) – compilation of
watershed information from various state, federal and
non-governmental agencies
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Watershed Resources
- Links to other watershed and natural resources
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Comments,
Suggestions, Questions - Designed for feedback to/from MoWIN’s
users
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MoWIN’s Pantry -
Includes MoWIN’s documents, project meetings, Advisory Council
Member contacts etc.
In
addition, the Missouri Conservation Assistance Guide Project
is another major collaborative effort with USDA Farm Service
Agency, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri
Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural
Resources, University of Missouri Outreach & Extension, USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Missouri
Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The
effort is to publish a hard and electronic copy of Missouri’s
technical, financial, educational and informational
assistance.
MoWIN staff respond to
telephone and e-mail requests on topics including:
environmental regulations, water quality, regulations
pertaining to building waste water lagoons, waste disposal
into creeks, streams/rivers, information regarding dam
facilities, reservoir levels and updates, scholarly research
on watershed health, point/nonpoint source pollution, dam and
flooding problems. Other requests include drinking water
information in specific cities, counties and watersheds, re-channelizing
of streams, vacancy announcements, water use permits, water
testing, educational materials, watershed projects and
research.
Impact
Impact is based on web site
hits which average 600 – 800 a month, telephone, e-mail and
personal consultations. Follow-up impact surveys mailed to the
original 162 workshop participants in September 1999 revealed
that MoWIN is a good source and tool for watershed planning,
water quality initiatives, natural resource agency contacts,
services and environmental assistance. Other comments noted
that the web site information is diverse, easy to use, saves
respondents time and frustration, and has exceeded
respondents’ expectations. Links to the other involved
agencies and offices are very helpful, the website is easy to
use yet contains an incredible amount of information, and that
MoWIN has evolved beyond the original expressed interest.
Evaluations completed by participants at the end of University
of Missouri’s Extension training experiences indicate that
MoWIN is a useful and convenient watershed information tool.
Examples of comments submitted in support of the website the
last half of 2000 include:
- “I just wanted to let you
know that your website glossary on specific hydrological
terms is simply FANTASTIC - what a resource.” 11/24/00.
Lethbridge, Canada.
- “I just wanted to let you
know that you did a great job at the Groundwater Foundation
Conference. After you left, I received many positive
comments about your presentation and the cohesive efforts of
MoWIN.” Springfield, Missouri.
“Your MoWIN site is very nice, very professional. We will
be sending you our completed Ongoing Projects Form as soon
as possible, and look forward to being included on the
premier information site regarding Missouri's watersheds!”
Springfield, Missouri.
- “I just took a spin through
your web site and have these comments First, it is
well-organized and clean - nicely uncluttered unlike so
many. Thanks.” Seattle, Washington
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“I love the website! I just wanted you to
know the Soil & Water Conservation District has a website
you can link to. We would like to link to you if you don't
mind.” St. Louis, Missouri
The Partnership
MoWIN’s Partners make
significant contributions financially and in-kind. Examples
include the invaluable amounts of time spent by staff working
on various web site features. Partners’ designated
representatives spend considerable time reviewing MoWIN’s
needs, activities, web site information, attending committee
meetings, representing MoWIN in various environmental
discussions and assisting in the dissemination of information
to Missouri’s citizens and natural resources agency personnel
through various informational forums.
Future Perspectives
MoWIN’s long-term goal is
prevention and management of nonpoint sources of pollution to
ensure future water quality and availability while protecting
the environment and restoring impaired watersheds. Using
education and information, MoWIN designed this web site to
assist citizens in understanding the impact of their actions
or inactions on the future of the state’s water resources. The
project is intended to encourage natural resources stewardship
by utilizing available information resources. We are rapidly
reaching a point where more data is becoming electronically
available. In the long run, we envision a “point and click”
map of Missouri’s 66
8-Digit Hydrologic Unit
Codes (see Fig. 1. below) linked to all available information
where clients can bring up their watershed on the screen and
pose questions to the MoWIN system and to related linked web
sites. The challenge is searching through data and getting it
in readily useable form to the client’s domain to promote
healthy watersheds. For more information see the web site at
http://outreach.missouri.edu/mowin
Table 1. MoWIN Partners.
Center for Agricultural
Resources and Environmental Systems
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Conservation Federation of Missouri
James River Basin Partnership
Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation
Districts*
Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
Missouri Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Missouri Water Environment Association
Missouri Watershed Association
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Show-Me-Chapter, Soil and Water Conservation Society
U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division
U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VII
U.S. Forest Service, Mark Twain National Forest
University Outreach and Extension, University of
Missouri-Columbia
USDA-Farm Service Agency
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
Watershed Committee of the Ozarks
Member At Large
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - St Louis District
Missouri Agricultural Communities
University of Missouri Outreach & Extension
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension
Missouri Environmental Education Association
USDA - Agricultural Research Service
* Indicate partial direct funding partners
Click to enlarge image
Figure
1. Missouri 8-Digit Hydrologic Units
Note: Image adapted from Center for Agricultural Resources and
Environmental Systems (CARES)(University of
Missouri-Columbia).
REFERENCES
Ball, R. & Dillard, J. (1999). The Missouri Watershed
Information Network (MoWIN): A Conservation Partnership.
Niemczynowicz, J. 2000. Present Challenges in Water Management
A Need to See Connections and Interactions. International
Water Resources Association. Water International, No. 25(1),
pp139 – 147.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of
Agriculture. 1998. Clean Water Action Plan: Restoring and
Protecting America’s Waters. U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author wishes to express deep gratitude to the leadership
of Joe Dillard, MoWIN’s first Director, Robert Broz, Water
Quality Program Director, MoWIN’s Partners invaluable
encouragement, guidance and support of this project, and those
who reviewed this paper for the Soil and Sediment
Contamination International Journal.
Potential Reviewers:
1.Dr. Willard Downs, Program Chair, Agricultural Systems
Management
207 Agricultural Engineering Building,
University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, MO
E-mail: DownsH@missouri.edu
65211-5200.
Phone (573) 882-0085
Fax: (573) 884-5650
2.Dr. Leon G. Schumacher, Associate Professor, 234
Agricultural Engineering Building, University of Missouri
Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211-5200.
E-mail: SchumacherL@missouri.edu
Phone (573) 882-2126
Fax: (573) 884-5650
3.Robert Thomas, Professor, Extension Education, 222
Agricultural Engineering Building, University of Missouri
Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211-5200.
E-Mail: ThomasR@missouri.edu
Phone (573) 882-0085
Fax: (573) 884-5650
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