Current Grants
Learn About Our Current Grant Projects:
Upper Little Sac 319
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks received a $400,000 grant to the for restoration and improvements to the Little Sac River. The funding is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.  Â
The project will focus on reducing bacteria in the Upper Little Sac River basin while also helping to decrease soil erosion and lower nutrient levels in the watershed. This will be accomplished by using practices proven to be effective in reducing pollution from stormwater runoff.
Local community partners will provide a contribution of $266,667 over the life of the project, bringing the total cost of the project to $666,667. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025. Water quality improvement efforts will include stream restoration, riparian corridor enhancement, bioretention, volunteer tree plantings and septic tank maintenance. Project partners will assist with implementation and performance monitoring of the selected practices.
Septic Tank Pump-out Rebate Form
Upper James River 319
On July 9, 2024, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks received a $400,000 grant for restoration and improvements to the Upper James River. The funding is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Community partners provide a contribution of $266,800 over the life of the project which helps make this project possible, bringing the total cost of the project to $666,800. The project is expected to be completed in May 2027.
The intent of the Upper James River Stream Restoration Project is to design and implement a streambank stabilization project and improve or protect the riparian corridor located on the Upper James River. The project will aid in addressing the bacteria (E. coli) impairment of James River, by implementing best management practices in accordance with the EPA-approved watershed-based plan, focusing on the critical areas as defined in the plan. A highly eroding streambank in the watershed has been identified and is in the early design process.
James River RCPP
We are working to support the protection of clean drinking water for more than 150,000 Missourians, improve the local farming economy, help Springfield and Greene County meet federal water quality requirements, and improve aquatic ecosystems along the James River Headwaters with our local partners.
View the James River Headwaters RCPP Factsheeta and call the Watershed office at (417) 866-1127 for more information!
Through RCPP, conservation partners work in collaboration with NRCS to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners throughout the nation to implement systems that conserve water and soil resources, improve the health of wildlife habitats and increase climate resilience.
RCPP funds will provide significant cost-share opportunities for producers and landowners in the James River Watershed upstream of Lake Springfield for activities like:
• Planting trees along waterways
• Fencing infrastructure for prescribed grazing systems
• Improving wildlife cover and habitat
• Forest and soil health improvements
• Voluntary conservation easements and land rentals
RCPP partners offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding. These projects offer impactful and measurable outcomes. Throughout its history, RCPP has leveraged partner contributions of more than $1 for every $1 invested by USDA, resulting in nearly $3 billion collectively invested in natural resource conservation on private lands.
For more information, visit the USDA’s RCPP website.
Local PARTNERS for James River Headwaters RCPP
• City Utilities of Springfield
• Greene County
• The City of Springfield
• The Missouri Department of Conservation
• Ozark Greenways
• James River Basin Partnership
• MFA Incorporated
• Missouri Rural Water Association
• Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District
Little Sac Grazing Demonstration
Farming is a major land use in the Sac and James River Watersheds, and nearly all agriculture in these watersheds occurs on private land. Farming operations can occupy a wide spectrum of impact, ranging from land-healing to land-using and abusing. Not all farms are land-healing, but almost no farmer intends to degrade land and water. We find that land-healing farming methods are often adopted once people are exposed to these profitable, productive, and effective practices. With the help of City Utilities, local Natural Resources Conservation Services staff, and the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District, we are working to renovate and reopen the Agricultural Demonstration Area (ADA) to provide another way to showcase and share excellent farming practices.
The ADA is located between Fellows Lake and McDaniel Lake. The land is owned by City Utilities, which has leased the parcel to WCO to manage this endeavor. The ADA will showcase riparian protection, prescribed/rotational grazing, warm and cool season pastures, and alternative watering systems. The ADA will be used for classes, tours, and scientific study, and offer sub-leases to local farmers who want to use the land within the restorative farming principals. The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Greene County Soil and Water District will be the primary education partners, and Missouri State University and City Utilities will likely participate in the science and research aspects.
Some of the infrastructure from the original project have been re-used, and some of the previous improvements—like a warm-season grass pasture and a robust buffer of trees along the stream—will be valuable assets. Funds from the Little Sac Restoration and Improvement Project, City Utilities, and a grant from Lucky’s Market have helped bring the ADA back into working order. In 2018, this support allowed us to install new perimeter fencing, refurbish the watering system, install a water crossing, complete interior fencing (except for one water gap), install a new solar power unit for the electric fence, burn several tons of brush and trees accumulated in the process of re-clearing out the pasture areas, and accomplish many other tasks to get the place up and running.
Partners
CU, County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA, MSU Ag
