We received notice of public scoping open houses for the upcoming revisions of the Beaver Lake Master Plan. The Beaver Lake Master Plan guides the classification and management of public lands around the lake and influences future recreational opportunities and natural resource management. The master plan revision will set the stage for a later update of the operational management plan and shoreline management plan, which is how the vision of the master plan is implemented. The planning process will include an analysis of potential effects on the natural and social environment, including fish and wildlife, recreation opportunities, economics, land use, cultural and historical resources, aesthetics, and public health and safety.
This is your opportunity to let the Corps know how you would like the lake to be managed for the future. Attend one of three public scoping open houses to learn the details of the master planning process and provide your input to the master plan vision for future land use and management of Beaver Lake.
Beaver Lake Master Plan Revision – Public Scoping Open House
Fayetteville Town Center – 15 West Mountain Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
2:00pm – 7:00pm
First Baptist Church Olive Street Campus in the Activity Center – 626 W. Olive Street, Rogers, AR
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
2:00-7:00pm
Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center – 207 W. Van Buren, Eureka Springs, AR
Thursday, March 12, 2015
2:00-7:00pm
The public is welcome to drop in at any time during the open houses!
by: Angela Danovi, Beaver LakeSmart Program Coordinator and Regional Project Manager for Ozarks Water Watch
It’s time again for our monthly Beaver LakeSmart BMP blog. BMPs are known as Best Management Practices and are recommended practices to protect water quality. You do not have to live within eyesight of a water body to implement a BMP and have a positive impact on water quality, because regardless of how far away your nearest waterbody is located, you live within a watershed. Everything that happens within that watershed impacts the quality of the water that falls within and flows through that watershed. When everyone implements BMPs, we can collectively have a huge impact on protecting and maintaining bodies of water with good water quality while enhancing water quality of those water bodies that need help.
Household Hazardous Waste – Photo Credit: St. Louis County, Minnesota
In January we discussed managing cleaning products and using alternative cleaning products in our homes. In February we will be focusing on managing household hazardous waste. Understanding and properly managing household hazardous waste is important because without proper management, products that are toxic, reactive, ignitable, and corrosive can end up in the wrong hands or wind up in our soil or water.
Below is a short video produced by our partners at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service on identifying and managing your Household Hazardous Waste. We also have some graphics below you can print, save, copy, or share to help you in managing household chemicals and household hazardous wastes in your home.
Managing Household Waste from Purchase to Disposal
One product that many people use and are often unsure how to properly dispose of is latex paint. Latex paint is a water-based paint. It is used for many home painting projects by professionals and non-professional do-it-yourself projects. Our number 1 recommendation when purchasing paint is to know how much you need and to buy what you need and use what you buy. This will mean you will have less to do to dispose of excess paint. If you find yourself with excess paint, the paint, paint cans, and brushes can be disposed of in household trash. However, you must first dry out the paint. For cans with just a little paint left in them, take off the lid and allow the paint to air dry. For cans that are more than half full, you can add kitty litter or wood chips to speed up the drying process. Once the can is completely dry, you can discard it with your household trash.
Northwest Arkansas Drop-off locations for Household Hazardous Waste
For most household hazardous waste, the safest method of disposal of excess product is to drop it off at one of the solid waste collection centers. Many of the county recycling centers and solid waste districts will accept some of your household hazardous wastes. Please directly contact the centers about disposing of your wastes.
Another way to keep from having to dispose of household hazardous waste is to purchase and use alternatives to the traditional products. Below are links for alternatives to pesticides.