Category Archives: Environment

by Don Corrigan

After an extended period of drought, historic downpours on Nov. 3 severely damaged state and local parks, closed highways and put cars underwater, and actually scoured away ecosystems crucial to fish species.

Horses enjoyed playing in high water near I-44 and Highway 141, but drivers in the area were not amused by traffic problems. Photo by Ursula Ruhl.

In the St. Louis area, drivers in the Valley Park-Fenton area were frustrated when roads closed at I-44 and Highway 141 due to the flooding Meramec River. Horses had to be moved to higher ground at riding stables near the southwest quadrant of the two highways.

Marshall Road in Valley Park went underwater as did trails along the Meramec in Eureka, Valley Park and Fenton. Minnie HaHa Park in Sunset Hills suffered severe damage to its shoreline with trails and facilities washed out.

The National Weather Service reported rain amounts in the 6 to 8-inch range in the southeast St. Louis County area on Nov. 3. However, rain amounts in the Current River watershed area exceeded one foot.

Bike and hiking trail was washed into the Meramec River at Minnie HaHa Park in Sunset Hills.

Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources reported the closure for days after the deluge of such parks as Onondoga Cave State Park near Leasburg, Meramec State Park near Sullivan and Route 66 State Park near Eureka.

Unprecedented river levels shut the Current River down to recreational activities for several days and severe damage occurred on river sites near Akers and Pulltite and Round Springs. Also shuttered were Montauk State Park near Salem and Current River State Park north of Eminence.

Damage was incurred at the trout hatchery at Montauk State Park. Fish and wildlife authorities also expressed concern over habitat destruction for Ozark hellbenders in the streams of the Ozark Scenic National Riverways.

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Students from Kirkwood High School’s Environmental Club pitched in for the 50 Trees
planting project.

by Don Corrigan

Soggy weather on Saturday, Nov. 9, didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of a self-styled tree-planting brigade. Tree partisans met at Kirkwood Park’s Campbell shelter at 9:30 a.m. and fanned out to plant 65 trees.

Delivery trucks arrived near the shelter early in the morning loaded with trees, mulch, and implements. The green cargo, dropped off at the maintenance yard, was then transferred to more than eight tree planting sites.

Seasoned tree planters were joined in their arbor efforts by a markedly younger work crew. The Kirkwood High School Environmental Awareness Club showed up in force. More than a dozen members arrived early for tree planting duty.

“It was great to have them helping us,” said Kirkwood’s Nancy Luetzow. “Any time I mingle with our high school students, my spirits are lifted by their energy, intellect, and enthusiasm. It’s always heartening.

“Our tree group is never deterred by a cool, cloudy, or clammy start to the day,” added Luetzow. “If anything, the recent 10 inches of rain and the additional showers Saturday, made our job easier and gave the new trees a good first drink.”

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SIU-E Professor of Environmental Sciences Dr. Sharon Locke has been conducting GHG inventory studies throughout the St. Louis metro area. Inventory studies of greenhouse gas emissions provide cities with benchmarks to track and compare emissions for years to come.

by Don Corrigan

Webster Groves, Mo., might seem an unlikely candidate for a greenhouse gas emissions study. It lacks factory smokestacks or methane-belching landfills. Nevertheless, residents can learn about a city GGI study in September.

The Webster Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GGI) Report is preliminary. A full report goes to the city council in October. The GGI presentation at 7 p.m., Sept. 3, at Webster Groves Public Library will provide details on how and why the study was conducted.

Residents may be surprised to learn that quiet, idyllic, suburban Webster Groves is responsible for hundreds of tons of emissions sent into the atmosphere annually. Also of note: Something can actually be done about this situation.

The session on the inventory program will be presented by Sharon Locke, professor of environmental sciences at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; and by Shawn Finnegan, who serves as sustainability coordinator for Webster Groves.

“Webster Groves contracted Dr. Locke and a graduate student intern to conduct an inaugural inventory of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Finnegan. “The initiative identifies major sources of GHG emissions at, both, the community and government levels.

“By analyzing these emissions and their sources, our city can adopt ‘best practices’ to reduce its carbon footprint,” Finnegan explained. “And, by doing that, the city can contribute to regional and global sustainability goals.”

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