W.R.A.S.P.
Watershed Research Assessment
and Stewardship Project

The primary aim of the Watershed Research, Assessment and Stewardship Project (WRASP) was to provide farmers with viable options based on sound, scientific data that would do two things: improve water quality while increasing profitability. WRASP proposed to collect water runoff data for nutrients and crop protection products at field and stream levels. Establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the lakes would also require farmers to implement Best Management Practices in order to achieve the beneficial uses for the impaired watersheds.

Levels of atrazine (and other contaminants in the lakes) began to decrease after the first year of the project. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources removed Smithville, Mark Twain and Cameron lakes from the 303(d) list in late 2003.This was due in large part to farmers voluntarily reducing their application rates as well as their successful implementation of Best Management Practices. Some of the main BMPs implemented were grass buffer strips, split applications of crop protection products, and soil incorporation. Implementation of some BMPS reduces runoff and soil erosion which, in turn, improves water quality.

WRASPs focus was on collecting and interpreting water quality data to determine best management practices; and, ultimately, developing plans for restoring water quality. The ongoing Stewardship Implementation Project (SIP) extends part of the water monitoring component of WRASP but also extensively expands the one-on-one work with area landowners to implement BMPs on larger field scale sites in the watersheds.

The goal of the Watershed Research, Assessment and Stewardship Project was to find a science-based process that would improve water quality while maintaining or increasing profitability. This process involved a one-of-a-kind partnership that proved that good farming practices and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive.