WEBB CITY, Mo. (AP) - Webb City officials plan to use a $3 million grant to buy land for a wetlands project designed to combat pollution runoff from former mines.
The southwest Missouri city recently received the grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The plan is to buy land along Center Creek to use as a 100-acre wetland. Another 1,200 acres would be used for wildlife habitat, walking trails and picnic areas.
The city already owns about 300 acres in the area, and officials have identified about 50 property owners to ask if they would like to sell their land. None of the private lands have buildings on them. Most of the property that officials are eyeing is in the Center Creek flood plain.
"We're not buying buildings or houses," said Carl Francis, interim city administrator. "If you own some flood plain and just want to sell that part, we'll have survey crews ready to separate that."
He said no one would be forced to sell property to the city. It could take up to two years to purchase all of the land, Francis said.
Webb City leaders have been talking to federal and state regulators about ways to reduce heavy metal runoff from decades of lead and zinc mining, The Joplin Globe reported (http://bit.ly/1nMufJO).
Francis said the wetlands would trap sediment, excess nutrients and pollutants that currently flow into Center Creek and then into Spring River.
He said the project will save money for the city by cutting costs to transport the sludge from the wastewater treatment plant in Webb City to Lamar, where it goes to a hazardous waste fill.
Webb City also shares the wastewater treatment plant with Oronogo and Carterville.
"If all the puzzles fit together, it's a huge benefit for Oronogo, Carterville and Webb City," Francis said.