No images? Click here November 2022 IssueWar Eagle Creek Watershed Initiative FundingBeaver Watershed Alliance (BWA), in partnership with Beaver Water District (BWD) and the Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC), recently learned that it will receive $5 million in funding for the War Eagle Creek Watershed Initiative. BWA and WCRC applied last spring for funding from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Message from the CEOM. Lane Crider P.E., LEED APThe Crisis of Success (Part Two)In the last newsletter, I focused on a concept that had been introduced by the NWA Council’s Regional Strategy 2022 – 2026. Decades of successful planning, messaging, and cooperative efforts have resulted in significant ongoing and projected growth. With the success, however, has come increasing housing costs, a growing shortage of affordable workforce housing, and rapidly decreasing infrastructure capacity. The First Beaver Lake Volunteer Day Was a Success!On the very windy morning of October 22, about seventy volunteers came out to Beaver Lake. Many came to pick up litter all around the lake, some to visit the educational booths, and others to hear the results of Secchi Day of Beaver Lake. The planning partners of Beaver Water District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beaver Lake Project, H2Ozarks, and the Beaver Lake Foundation were very happy with the impacts of the day. West Fork White River Success StoryThe Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division recently announced that water quality improvement efforts on the West Fork White River have resulted in the river’s removal from the state’s impaired waterbodies list. The list of impaired waterbodies, or 303(d) list, is updated every two years by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. The list contains information on the rivers and lakes of Arkansas as it relates to their specific designated uses, such as supporting aquatic life or recreation. Employee HappeningsCodyCody Hudson, P.E., who has served as the Environmental Engineer for the District for the last four years, has transferred to the Engineering Department as Senior Engineer. Cody has been a great asset to the District in his former role in the Environmental Quality Department. We are confident he will continue to expand his contributions to the District in this new position. KelleyKelley Beth Paul started in August as the new Assistant Education Coordinator. Kelley is a Fayetteville native and has a love for the outdoors. She has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Soil, and Water Science from the University of Arkansas and an associate degree in Environmental Management from Northwest Arkansas Community College. Kelley Beth is an advocate for all animals. MindiMindi Dearing was recognized for her hard work at the Southwest Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Conference held in October. The Wonderful Wise Watchdogs Willfully Wielding Water (A.K.A. The 6Ws) award recognizes section members who are providing, or have provided, continued outstanding leadership and service to the Southwest Section of AWWA, and encourages continued involvement in the future. –––––Interdepartamental PromotionsKelly Payne was promoted from Operator I to Operator II. Michael Noel was promoted from Facilities Maintenance to Mechanic I. Western Corridor Expansion Financing Brings Tremendous Savings to BWD CustomersNorthwest Arkansas has one of the fastest-growing populations in the country, and the water demands are growing right along with that population. BWD provides water to our four customer cities, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale, as well as some outlying areas that are served by those cities. BWD’s average water sales have increased drastically from around 41 million gallons per day (MGD) in fiscal year 2009 to almost 66 MGD in 2022, which is about a 60% increase. All November 2022 Issue StoriesHow to Reach UsTrish Ouei For more information, visit www.bwdh2o.org |