You can help rescue some of Missouri's streams

If you caught my article on Sept. 20, you know there are indications the water in many of our streams is impaired.

A recent analysis of Missouri's streams and rivers by the state reports that as many as half may be impaired, meaning they do not meet one or more water-quality standards.

Hard to believe if you're paddling down the Jack's Fork, a stretch of which near Eminence is now on the state's 303 (d) --read: bad -- list.

Another shocker is the Big River. Lead tailings and sediment have rendered a significant stretch of this stream mostly dead to invertebrate life.

News like this usually brings up two questions: Why should I care? What can I do about it?

You should care because as much as a river or stream actually belongs to anyone, these waterways belong to you. They are incredibly special places; gifts to us and the wildlife that depend on them. Yet, as Pogo used to say, we have met the enemy and he is us. People cause most stream problems. Fortunately, people can choose to also cause healthy streams.

As far as things you can do, consider these:

* If you see dead fish or other dead or damaged aquatic life, call us, Missouri Conservation at (573) 290-5730. Call quickly. Often, evidence associated with a fish kill disappears rapidly.

* If you have reason to believe the water in a stream is polluted, call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Water Quality Control, in Poplar Bluff at (573) 840-9750. This agency investigates both point (a single source like a pipe) and nonpoint (run-off from a field or parking lot for instance) pollution.

* Learn about Missouri streams. We have a number of free brochures and pamphlets that address issues from how streams work to what lives in streams to how to manage your land to help keep our streams clean. Call or come by (Cape County Park) and we'll get them to you.

* Join the more than 54,000 other Missourians who are members of Stream Team. This volunteer program has been working to monitor and clean up Missouri streams since 1989. Stream Teams are a great family, church or school activity. Call (573) 751-4115 ext. 3591 or (800) 781-1989. You can also log onto www.mostreamteam.org or email them at streamteam@mdc.mo.gov. They're a wonderful organization and you'll meet some fun and interesting folks.

* If you own land adjacent to a stream, make sure there's at least a 50-foot buffer of trees and vegetation between your land and the stream. This buffer filters impurities, holds the soil in place and provides habitat for creatures which use the stream. Leaves and other vegetation also fall into the stream, bringing organic matter into the aquatic food chain. If you don't have a buffer, we can help you defray the cost of planting one.

* What goes down on the land eventually ends up in a stream. Be careful and judicious with pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

* Add your voice to the thousands of Missourians who want clean and clear Missouri streams. Remember, 10 people saying the same thing once is a thousand times more powerful than one person saying the same thing a million times.

~ Phil Helfrich is a community outreach specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.