Volunteers needed for reservoir project
Weather permitting, volunteers are needed Monday to assist with the Marion Reservoir Shoreline Stabilization Project.
Peggy Blackman, the 319 Water Quality Grant coordinator, and the Marion County Conservation District are seeking volunteers to cut large cedar trees, operate a punjar (similar to a jack hammer) to set shoreline anchors, and attach anchor chains around the trunks of trees along the shoreline.
This past spring, approximately 100 feet of the shoreline stabilization site was completed. Three tiers of five-foot to six-foot trees were anchored. The project was not completed due to weather conditions and activity at the reservoir.
"We would like to finish the remaining shoreline at this site before winter," said Blackman.
Marion County is donating the county's excavator and operator for the day. The cities of Marion, Hillsboro, and Peabody have committed an employee each to work. The Marion High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter will be attaching the anchor chains to the cedar trees.
Volunteers from Rural Water District Number 5, Marion County Conservation District and Natural Resource Conservation Staff, and the Marion Reservoir Lake Association will be assisting.
Marion Reservoir Corp. of Engineers and Kansas Wildlife and Parks are providing equipment for the project.
All volunteers will be asked to become members of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Earth Team volunteer program. Membership in the program will provide workers compensation insurance while working on the project.
Neoprene gloves will be provided but those setting the anchors along the shoreline should bring waders. Lunch will be provided.
Those interested in volunteering should contact the Marion County Conservation District at 620-382-3520 or e-mail Blackman at peggy.blackman@ks.usda.gov.
