by Scott Dye, Sierra Club Water Sentinels Program Director
Congratulations to Ozark Chapter member Melody Torrey of rural Putnam County on receiving the 2001 Citizen’s Award from the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.
Melody recently traveled to the Natural Resources Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks to accept the prestigious award, which is presented annually to a single outstanding Missourian in recognition of their substantial contributions to protecting and enhancing our state’s aquatic resources.
Melody was nominated for the honor by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Melody’s tireless efforts and her accuracy as a state-trained and certified volunteer water quality monitor have become the stuff of legend within Missouri’s nationally recognized Stream Team Program. Melody relentlessly tests the region’s rivers and streams for a variety of pollution impacts including malfunctioning municipal wastewater treatment plants, and polluted runoff from the industrial hog factories of Premium Standard Farms.
Her watchful eyes and trusty equipment have helped initiate several MDNR enforcement actions, some culminating in Notices of Violation or more protective permit revisions.
The award plaque reads as follows: “This award is to acknowledge Melody’s past and present efforts as a dedicated Stream Team Volunteer Water Quality Monitor of Stream Team #714 – The Family Farms Group. Melody has attended water quality monitoring training and is now one of a limited number of certified Level 3 monitors. Level 3 is the highest level obtainable by volunteers in the Stream Team Program.
“Melody is dedicated to maintaining and improving water quality in North Missouri streams. Beginning in 1999, she has made 513 trips to 44 monitoring sites in Putnam, Sullivan and Mercer Counties. She is faithful to report any changes in the water quality of her adopted streams – North Blackbird Creek and its tributaries, Little Shoal Creek and its tributaries, Rooks Branch and its tributaries, and tributaries to Sandy Creek. In addition to essential chemical parameters, Melody reports any and all factors that could cause changes in her adopted streams.
“Melody has been instrumental in encouraging Putnam County Commissioners to establish a county health ordinance that would regulate industries and practices which could impact surface water, groundwater, soil and air quality and negatively affect the health and well-being of citizens.
“For Melody’s stewardship in protecting and enhancing Missouri’s aquatic resources, the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society is proud to recognize her contributions with its Citizen’s Award.”
Melody and her family joined the Sierra Club in 1999, and have been tireless and vocal advocates for environmental protection and sustainable rural communities. The Torreys supply the local farmers market and area families with pasture-raised chicken, pond-raised catfish, fresh produce, and the best pies north of the Missouri River.
By the way, Melody also recently won a well-deserved 15-foot Pelican International canoe from the Stream Team Program for her dedicated and effective monitoring efforts. So if you run into her out paddling on her favorite reaches of the Chariton or Current Rivers this year, stop her and say thanks for all she’s doing to protect Missouri’s resources.