WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The Utilities Service Board will support a water quality initiative, by the Friends of Lake Monroe.
Friends of Lake Monroe, a nonprofit, is applying for a federal grant to develop a watershed management plan, which would include the creation of a watershed coordinator position.
Sherry Mitchell-Bruker is a hydrologist and founder of the Friends of Lake Monroe. She said the group needs the backing of area organizations in order to be eligible for federal grant money. Mitchell-Bruker said, so far, Friends of Lake Monroe have received support from: Monroe County Stormwater Board, Monroe County Commissioners, Monroe County Council, Monroe County Environmental Commission, City of Bloomington Environmental Commission, City of Bloomington Common Council, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton, Brown County Commissioners, and the City of Nashville.
She said the group hopes to see increased water clarity, less severe algal blooms, reduced disinfectant byproducts, and improved taste and odor, among the benefits to developing and implementing a water quality management plan.
The Utilities Service Board conditionally approved allocating $37,500 as part of the required match. They additionally approved $9,000 worth of testing services, and office space for the watershed coordinator.
