Water Quality Extension Agent speaks at Nashville Rotary Club Meeting

John Wesson was the guest speaker at the Nashville Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday. Wesson is the water quality extension agent with the Sevier County Extension Office in De Queen.

The Sevier County Extension Office created Wesson’s position to help improve the water quality in the Lower Little River Watershed.

Wesson pointed out that the United States has been working to improve the environment and he listed several environmental laws that were passed in the 1970’s under the leadership of President Richard Nixon. Those laws included the Clean Air Act in 1970, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974.

Wesson said the Lower Little River Watershed is about 1,794 square miles and it covers portions of five counties. He said it is the source of drinking water for approximately 200,000 Arkansans.

Wesson said the Lower Little River Watershed was declared a priority area in 2018 and a management plan was developed to help protect and restore the watershed.

Wesson reported there is also concern with Millwood Lake’s reservoir storage capacity being reduced due to the accumulation of sedimentation.

Wesson said he is currently working with Weyerhaeuser to remove their low water bridges and he is helping local landowners clean their ponds.

For more information about water quality and environmental projects in the Lower Little River Watershed, contact Wesson at the Sevier County Extension Office by calling 870-584-3013 or email him at jwesson@uada.edu.