AN INVESTMENT WITH EXCELLENT DIVIDENDS
by Bob Crom, Member, Advisory Committee
WHEN JIM SCHWARTZ SUGGESTED the idea that the Association establish a paid watershed coordinator position some five or six years ago, few, if any, would have predicted how quickly this investment would start paying dividends.
SOME OF THOSE DIVIDENDS are long term and not immediately measurable. Although experience demonstrates their importance, it's difficult to put a precise value on such things as maintaining regular and positive working relationships with Cass County technicians and managers to enhance data and cost sharing. Likewise, you can't put an annual value on data collection and analysis of water run-off flowing into Ten Mile nor on integrating our chemical, physical and biological sampling sites into geographic positioning systems. These, among numerous others, are examples of specific responsibilities and accomplishments of John Alden, our TMLA Watershed Coordinator.
ON THE OTHER HAND, some of the somewhat unanticipated dividends are obvious and very measurable. Over the past three years resulting research grants have totaled more than $45,000. These grants are making possible expanded and continuing research efforts. Funds from the Mississippi Headwaters Board and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency are supporting an environmental assessment research using the geographic information system models TMLA had a role in developing. Funds from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources are being used to identify environmentally sensitive areas in the Upper Boy River watershed of which Ten Mile is a part. These and other ongoing research efforts supported by such funds continue our thirty-year plus efforts to learn more about changes in levels of critical elements and pollutants, and about water flows into and out of Ten Mile Lake.
IN SHORT, IN ADDITION to the long term dividends evidenced in part by the retention of enviable readings for clarity and nutrient levels, TMLA's Watershed Coordinator investment has paid measurable dividends that approximate our total investment since the coordinator's position was established.
