Can Water Fees Save Forests? Raven Lawson thinks so.
04/29/21 • 48 min
In this episode, Robert Farris talks to Raven Lawson about establishing watershed protection fees and the interconnectedness of forest management in keeping water supplies safe and thriving. Raven Lawson is the Watershed Protection Manager at Central Arkansas Water and is responsible for protecting and managing nearly 25,000 acres of watershed land and water resources owned by the utility. She offers her insight into watershed protection, the value of linking up with local citizenry and civic organizations, and how they have lent their expertise and new ideas to the water and forest community at large, including the employment of a dog that sniffs for water leaks in their system. Robert Farris is the Ecosystem Services Program Manager for the Georgia Forestry Foundation and former Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Produced by Lee Schneider. Music by Chuck Leavell.
In this episode, Robert Farris talks to Raven Lawson about establishing watershed protection fees and the interconnectedness of forest management in keeping water supplies safe and thriving. Raven Lawson is the Watershed Protection Manager at Central Arkansas Water and is responsible for protecting and managing nearly 25,000 acres of watershed land and water resources owned by the utility. She offers her insight into watershed protection, the value of linking up with local citizenry and civic organizations, and how they have lent their expertise and new ideas to the water and forest community at large, including the employment of a dog that sniffs for water leaks in their system. Robert Farris is the Ecosystem Services Program Manager for the Georgia Forestry Foundation and former Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Produced by Lee Schneider. Music by Chuck Leavell.
Previous Episode
Easing into Watershed Protection with Taxes and Bonds featuring Lon Shell, Frank Davis, and Phillip Covington
In this episode, Leslie Bobby of Southern Regional Extension Forestry talks to Frank Davis and Commissioner Lon Shell, important water management players in the Hill Country region of Texas, an area marked by considerable growth and development in recent years.
They discuss how communities around San Antonio are using taxes and those around Austin are using bonds to ensure they have clean water for generations to come.
Frank Davis is the Chief Conservation Officer at Hill Country Conservancy, working with rural landowners and other public partners to finance and implement conservation projects benefiting water, wildlife and sustainable agricultural production. Lon Shell is a Hays County Commissioner overseeing county policy, departmental budgets, and tax rates. They discuss their success in implementing fair taxes and bonds, collaborating across sectors, and the bipartisan support for initiatives supporting clean water for future generations. Phillip Covington is the Special Projects Manager for the City of San Antonio’s Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. He is responsible for the purchase of properties and conservation easements over the recharge and contributing zones of the Edwards Aquifer as well as for the annual monitoring of nearly 100 conservation easements.
Produced by Lee Schneider. Music by Chuck Leavell.Executive Producer: Judy A. Takats.
Next Episode
The Triple-Bottom Line - Making a Case for Local Investment in Source Water Protection: A conversation with Dr. Bob Morgan and Dr. James McCarty
In this episode, Andres Villegas talks with Dr. Bob Morgan and Dr. James McCarty about source water protection and the benefits of local investment. Both have extensive experience in Source Water Protection at the Beaver Water District, a water utility in northwest Arkansas serving over 350,000 people. They discuss the problem with development and urbanization regarding water filtration and the importance of our forests in naturally filtering the water supply and keeping water treatment costs down. They also highlight the benefits of working together across interests to develop the Source Water Protection Fund, which generates around $750,000 yearly.
Dr. James McCarty is an Environmental Quality Manager for Beaver Water District, managing the district’s Source Water Protection Program, whose goal is to maintain the quality of Beaver Lake, the source of drinking water for one in seven Arkansas residents.
Dr. Bob Morgan is a retired engineer with substantial experience in watershed management, including previously managing Beaver Water District’s Source Water Protection Program and participating in numerous committees and councils for the American Water Works Association.
Produced by Lee Schneider. Music by Chuck Leavell. Executive Producer: Judy A. Takats.
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