Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority (WMA) Who is the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority (WMA) Who is the Maquoketa WMA: A locally led team driving financial and social benefits through sustainable water resource quality and conservation for urban and rural residents in the Maquoketa River Watershed. The Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority will work hard to create and implement tangible high ‘return on investment’ projects with maximum funding assistance for its members – that make this WMA a key component of every member’s development resources. 2

What Decision Do You Need to Make? The Maquoketa River WMA has been formed and there is a member spot in this WMA organization for your entity. Your support and involvement is desired. >>>To be a member, you will need to sign the 28E Agreement. This presentation was developed to help you make that decision. 3

Why Be a Member of the Maquoketa River WMA?  To address water resource and quality issues at the watershed scale  To develop partnerships to leverage and combine resources  To develop and nurture urban-rural partnerships  Use power in numbers to obtain grants and other resources . 4

What Are the Primary Areas the WMA Will Positively Impact?  Water Quality - surface and groundwater  Flooding  Recreation  Soil Erosion  Environment/Natural Habitat  Source Water Protection  Other Important Issues You Identify

Maquoketa River WMA Organization Structure Each 28E signing entity will be a member of the WMA and  will have 1 vote Eligible Entities to be Members are: Cities, Counties, Soil and  Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), other governmental entities, including benefited recreational lake districts and qualified water quality districts identified within the watershed and individual stakeholders. The Maquoketa River WMA will have a Board of Directors,  who will direct the actions of the WMA, establish and discuss changes in policy, review projects and conduct business as defined in their bylaws. A smaller select group of the Board, the Executive  Committee, will oversee the implementation of projects and actions of the WMA as directed by the Board, including the creation of subcommittees as needed. 6

Maquoketa WMA Resources  In addition to all the Talent and Resources that each Member Entity makes available, the Maquoketa River WMA also has the support of Limestone Bluffs RC&D, IDALS, NRCS and local IDNR representatives.  Strength in Numbers – this WMA will be a heavyweight organization that will have substantially more influence than each of the member entities individually  “Mastermind” Group – this is a unique opportunity for a very diverse and talented group of Eastern Iowa people with common problems and concerns to create a mastermind approach

28E Agreement Signed  Signifies you are a Member of the Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority  Provides your Entity with 1 Vote at Meetings  Gives you / your entity the opportunity to participate in and influence high ROI projects that the WMA creates, implements and achieves funding assistance for  Does not require that you commit any monetary resources  All or any monies that are required will only be for specific projects that have a clear Return on Investment for you and have been voted on by you  Does not force you to attend meetings – You will attend meetings only because you want to, but you or a representative must be in attendance to Vote

Why Sign the 28E and Become a Member of the Maquoketa WMA:  Instantly become a larger force for protecting water quality, conservation and resources  Water-related Problems and Issues are on the Rise, needing more focus and collaboration  Iowa loses 6 Million Dump Truck loads of dirt each year to erosion  Increasing Regulations for Water Quality mean that you will need to deal with these issues (Not If, It’s When)  Any assistance monies available will go to the most focused, active and strong organizations  Watershed issues are impacting all citizens in many ways, and this trend is increasing, not decreasing

Why Sign the 28E Agreement:  “The Maquoketa River carries the heaviest siltation load to the Mississippi River because of the soil type and topography." (Former State Representative Roger Thomas, Elkader; Economic Development Director for Clayton County)  Quality Drinking Water is under pressure in every community --- a big issue you do not want to tackle ALONE  Increasing Recreational Use and Quality of your Water Resources means population and economic growth --- but doing this requires a lot of time and effort (the WMA can help you tremendously)

Maquoketa WMA is Moving Forward  The Maquoketa River WMA is moving ahead because we already have a solid core nucleus of support from many entities in our watershed  We want you to become a member and join our team to create and implement high return on investment water quality and water resource projects that benefit you and your area of responsibility  We are requesting signatures for membership by Jan. 1, 2017.  Should you not sign the 28E Agreement, a spot in the organization will still be available should you change your mind. If you are not a member you will not be able to Vote and your area may not receive benefits from the projects that we implement and the funding assistance we achieve.

If you have Questions Regarding becoming a member of the Maquoketa River WMA:  Contact:  The person who shared this presentation, or  Lori Scovel, Executive Director & WMA Project Coordinator, Limestone Bluffs RC&D lscovel@limestonebluffsrcd.org  Phone: 563.221.1930