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Kansas City Metropolitan Water Quality Initiative
(Subgrant # G04-NPS-05)
The Mid America Regional Council (MARC), the metropolitan planning organization and association of local governments for the Kansas City Region, will implement a program that will support its regional coordination and leadership role in protecting water quality through the reduction of nonpoint source pollution. The program will increase public awareness of the need for regional solutions and the concept of "Best Management Practice" through public education. It will involve the creation and expansion of existing public outreach programs to increase understanding of watershed-based approaches. It will contribute to ongoing development of public education material, as well as sponsoring workshops for local officials. In addition, MARC will work with the City of Independence with integrating watershed management into local government planning, policies, programs and regulations.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this project is to promote awareness of the connection between nonpoint source pollution and water quality and how actions of area residents might contribute to water pollution. MARC's will work with the city of Independence, which has both developed and undeveloped land areas, to demonstrate how watershed -based approaches could both restore stream quality and prevent future impairment. The project support will assist the city in preparing an integrated stormwater management policy and action plan, conduct stream asset inventories, and prepare necessary ordinances required to integrate watershed management principles.
Funds through this project will also support activities that are part of an eight (8) county bi-state water quality initiative known as "Water Resources-Planning, Policy, and Practices" (WRP3). WRP3 is a diverse partnership developed under the participation of local governments and associated professional and private sector organizations. The project will work toward advancing the regional public education programs and implementing local government officials outreach goals that are identified in WRP3.
OBJECTIVES
1. Demonstrate, through a pilot project with the city of Independence, Missouri, how watershed planning and management can be integrated into a city's planning, public works, parks and recreation, and water departments and how codes and ordinances can be modified to ensure water quality protection.
2. Educate two key audiences, the general public and local government officials, on the importance of addressing non-point source pollution to protect water quality. Motivate the public and local officials to take appropriate actions to reduce non-point pollution.
METHODS EMPLOYED
This project will work with the city of Independence to demonstrate how watershed-based approaches could both restore stream quality and prevent future impairment. MARC will host, along with other state, regional and local sponsors, a series of workshops for local officials on integrating watershed management into local government planning, policies, programs and regulations. The first workshop will present material to local officials throughout the metro region and help kick-off the work with the city of Independence as a demonstration community. The second workshop will present the results of the Independence demonstration and how their experience and products could be of benefit to other area cities. MARC will organize and provide guidance in the design of public education materials and resource tools under the direction of a metropolitan task force composed of representatives of local, state and federal government agencies, community organizations and environmental advocacy groups to provide guidance for this program. The resource materials developed will include print or radio advertisement, public service announcement, brochures and bill insert, etc.
PRODUCTS
Public Education
? Radio and video public service announcements
? Water Quality brochures/bill inserts
? Two outreach workshops for local officials and public
? Develop and administer a assessment survey to Independence stakeholders and other local officials.
Pilot Project with the city of Independence
The following products will be made available to local communities throughout the Kansas City metro area and the state of Missouri in print and electronic formats.
? Integrated Watershed Management Assessment Survey Tool
? Survey Tool for Communities or Organizations to Assess Local Stakeholder Awareness and Support of Watershed Management Principles
? Model Scope of Work for Stream Assessment and Assessments of Streams in the city of Independence
? Model Business Plan Template for Local Communities to Integrate Watershed Management into Local Plans, Policies, Programs and Regulations
? Model Ordinances and Ordinances for the City of Independence to Integrate Watershed Management Principles
PROJECT SPONSOR
Mid America Regional Council (MARC)
COOPERATING AGENCIES
The City of Independence
Little Blue Valley Sewer District
Jackson County Stormwater Commission.
Missouri Local Governments
Belton, Blue Springs, Buckner, Independence, Kansas City, Lee's Summit, Raymore, Raytown, Cass County, Clay County, Platte County, and Jackson County
Kansas Local Governments
Bonner Springs, Leawood, Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Johnson County Kansas City/Wyandotte Unified Government
Other Partners
Missouri Department of Conservation, Bridging the Gap, Blue River Watershed Association, Mid-America Association of Conservation Districts
CONTACT
Scott Paszkiewicz
Environmental Planner
Mid America Regional Council
600 Broadway, 300 Rivergate
Kansas City, MO
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