The members of the Beaver Creek Watershed Management Authority (WMA) met Wednesday at the Town Craft building in Perry for their November organizational meeting. Nineteen members attending, representing most of the 26 governmental units that have come together to form this WMA.
Eligible members include all counties, cities and soil and water districts lying within the Beaver Creek watershed. The city of Perry representative attending Wednesday’s meeting was Sven Peterson, Perry city administrator. Doug Volz of Bouton and Ray Harden of Perry represented the Dallas County Soil and Water Conservation District Commission.
The Dallas County Board of Supervisors did not join this association.
There are 16 active WMAs in the Iowa empowered to address flooding and water quality issues. Dallas County lies within three WMAs, Beaver Creek WMA, Walnut Creek WMA and Oxley Creek WMA. The Middle and South Raccoon WMA is no longer active.
The Beaver Creek group’s first order of business was to elect officers. Chairman – Tom Foster, Boone County Supervisor Tom Foster was elected chairperson, and Polk County Supervisor Bob Rice was elected vice-chairperson. Secretary- Tom Cope, Johnston City Council member Tom Cope will serve as secretary and Ogden City Council member Chad Thede as treasurer. Volz was chosen to fill the position of past chairperson.
Jennifer Welch of the Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District reported on a grant opportunity from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The state is offering $100,000 in matching grant money for flooding and water quality improvement projects in urban areas. Project could include such things as retention ponds, wetlands and porous pavements.
Sean McMahon of the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance said there is money to assist with the projects. The alliance is composed of the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
Jonathon Swanson from Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District gave a presentation on projects in the works at Big Creek Lake and Easter Lake to reduce siltation, algae blooms and bacterial contamination of the beaches. Swanson also discussed ongoing efforts in the Walnut Creek WMA.
Welch updated the group on activities in Granger along Oxley Creek intended to reduce flash flooding and stabilize the creek bank.
The Beaver Creek Watershed Authority members will consider various conservation activities that can be implemented in the watershed to reduce flooding and improve water quality of Beaver Creek.
