http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/governorsi_2042.mp3
The governor signed a bill today that establishes the Upper White River Basin Watershed Improvement District. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
GOVERNOR HOLDEN SIGNED A BILL THAT CREATES THE UPPER WHITE RIVER BASIN WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND ALLOWS OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE TO SET UP SIMILAR DISTRICTS.
THESE DISTRICTS WILL BE ABLE TO BORROW MONEY THROUGH THE STATE'S REVOLVING FUND.
THE BILL SPONSOR WAS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE DENNIS WOOD OF KIMBERLING CITY.
WOOD SAYS THERE WAS A NEED TO MANDATE THE CREATION OF A WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI.
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NINE COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI WILL BE PART OF THIS NEW POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. THE MONEY THIS NEW ENTITY WILL BORROW WILL BE USED TO HELP HOMEOWNERS WHO HAVE SEPTIC TANKS UPGRADE TO A MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE SYSTEM OR BECOME PART OF A SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM THAT SERVES SEVERAL HOMES IN A COMMUNITY.
FLOYD GILZOW IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UPPER WHITE RIVER BASIN FOUNDATION.
HE SAYS HE EXPECTS THE DISTRICT TO WORK TOWARD REPLACING OLD SEPTIC TANKS WITH ADVANCED SYSTEMS RATHER THAN BUILDING WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS.
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THE DISTRICT WON'T BE ABLE TO FORCE HOMEOWNERS TO GET RID OF THEIR SEPTIC TANKS.
BUT GILZOW AND OTHERS SAY THEY HOPE THROUGH EDUCATION, HOMEOWNERS WILL CHOOSE TO UPGRADE FOR THE SAKE OF AREA WATERWAYS.
BUT WOOD SAYS HE KNOWS THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL RESIST.
THAT'S WHY HE SAYS IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MAKE PARTICIPATION ON THE PART OF HOMEOWNERS VOLUNTARY.
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BUT EVEN IF FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO HOMEOWNERS TO UPGRADE THEIR SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE SOME PEOPLE TO MAKE THE SWITCH.
FLOYD GILZOW SAYS IT ISN'T EASY TO FIND THE EVIDENCE OF FAILED SEPTIC TANKS.
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SO, GILZOW SAYS THIS BILL IS A GOOD FIRST STEP BUT THERE ARE STILL OTHER CLEAN WATER ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE DISCUSSED IN UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.
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