Local funds required for reservoir study
Peggy Blackman, coordinator of Marion Reservoir WRAPS (Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy) program told Marion County Commission Monday that the recent grant award will require a match from local entity(s) of $75,200.
She said she had approached the City of Marion but was told no funds were available from them unless the city increased water production costs. Blackman said she had not approached the City of Hillsboro and was not planning to in the near future. The City of Peabody declined to participate because they are not a water producer but a customer of Hillsboro.
Blackman presented a breakdown of grant funds and costs for a comprehensive analysis study of the reservoir to address sediment and blue-green algae issues.
A special meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 19 in Marion City Building basement to discuss components of grant costs to collect baseline data of the watershed and Marion Reservoir.
