Residents in Knox, Warren, and Henderson counties that want to give input or at least would like to learn more about the Cedar Creek watershed are urged to join a virtual meeting coming up in a few weeks.
Rachel Curry, a Watershed Quality Outreach Associate with the U of I Extension says everyone in the community has a role to play in maintaining water quality.
Part of the reason for the meetings is the Extension is collaborating with U of I’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning to develop a watershed-based management plan for the Cedar Creek watershed.
The plan will summarize the watershed’s overall condition, and provide a framework to effectively and restore water quality in impaired waters, and s protect water quality in other waters adversely affected.
They’re particularly focused on reducing nitrogen and phosphorous which contribute to harmful algal blooms in marine or freshwaters.
“The Gulf of Mexico isn’t the only isn’t the only place where we’re seeing these algal blooms and when we have those in our local water areas that can influence our different outdoor activities and influence our drinking water quality,” Curry says.
The two meetings will be held over Zoom on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Advanced registration is required and you can do that by going to the U of I Extension’s website, or you can go to this link.