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City approves MDC cost‑share plantings to curb algal blooms in Rec Center Pond
Summary
The board advanced an ordinance to accept a cost‑share with the Missouri Department of Conservation to plant wetland and aquatic vegetation aimed at reducing nutrient runoff and algal blooms in the Rec Center Pond; initial cost to the city estimated at about $600 after a 50% cost‑share.
The Board of Aldermen of the City of Willard moved forward with an ordinance to accept a cost‑share agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation to plant wetland and aquatic vegetation in and upstream of the Rec Center Pond to reduce summer algal blooms.
City staff told the board MDC personnel conducted a site survey and recommended upstream plantings in the corridor between Parks Drive and the pond. Staff said the plantings include wetland species such as buttonbush and cypress plantings upstream and aquatic plantings (pickerel and bulrush) closer to the pond to capture nutrient runoff before it reaches open water.
Staff described the project as a phased approach: phase 1 installs the upstream and nearshore plantings; if nutrient loads remain high, MDC recommends installing floating vegetated islands (a “floating marshland”) as a phase 2 measure. The initial installation cost was described in the meeting as about $1,100–$1,200; MDC will pay half, leaving the city’s share at roughly $600 to plant and establish vegetation and begin restoring the pond.
Staff said MDC will help supply, pot and install plants and that the city will commit to maintaining the plantings after installation. If the plantings succeed, staff said the restored pond would be eligible for a fish stocking partnership with MDC to support small recreational fishing.
The board approved a motion to read the ordinance a second time and recorded affirmative votes for the second read. Staff presented the planting as a modest, low‑cost first step to reduce nutrient runoff and lower the frequency and severity of algal blooms that make sections of the pond green, then degrade and smell as summer progresses.
The ordinance language and related cost‑share were described during the meeting; the board scheduled the second read and did not record final ordinance adoption at the hearing.
The board’s action authorizes the project to proceed into implementation steps pending the completion of the ordinance process and the city’s maintenance commitment.
