Contact: Ernie Blazar 202-224-7627 Shana Stribling 224-0309
Thursday, November 15, 2001

WASHINGTON - Senator Kit Bond announced today that he has succeeded in securing more than $5.5 million for Missouri Watershed projects through the Small Watershed Program in the FY2002 Agriculture spending bill.

"The funding for Missouri’s Small Watershed projects was hard to come by but it goes a very long way in the rural communities where it will provide flood control, conservation, and economic development opportunities. It has been a long and uphill fight to win this funding but I am pleased that we have met the challenge on behalf of the local watersheds which have worked so hard to get this project moving,” said Bond.

The NRCS under the authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, administers the Small Watershed Program. This program offers planning and construction assistance for flood damage reduction, rural water supply, watershed protection, and associate recreation, fish and wildlife development.

Missouri’s share of the federal budget for the Small Watershed program is more than $5.5 million, a level not attained since 1993. These funds will provide continuing assistance for eight Missouri watersheds, Hickory Creek, Marthasville, West Fork of Big Creek, East Fork of Grand River, McKenzie Creek, Upper Locust Creek, Troublesome Creek, and East Yellow Creek. (See attachment for descriptions)

Robert Bross, president of the Missouri Watershed Association and Neosho city manager, said, “Construction in Missouri on small watershed projects during FY-2001 has been very slow due to a shortage of funds. Thanks to Senator Bond’s efforts to provide additional funds, FY-2002 should be a banner year for advancing these projects. These funds will assist the sponsors in eight projects to proceed with the installation of their watershed plans. These projects will be very valuable in protecting the soil and water resources for future generations in these watersheds.”