Harrisonville Lake

The Environmental Commission meets the Fourth Thursday of each month in the Municipal Building at 7:00 PM

South Harrison Environmental Commission works to preserve the rural nature of our township. Information on soils and wetlands in our area is available for our residents. 

South Harrison Township is agricultural in nature. This primary land use has strongly influenced the settlement patterns and natural resources within the Township. Through a biological perspective, there has been a consistent agriculturally-associated wildlife community since colonization. This stability is reflected in the natural resource base which supplies the life requirements of these species. If urbanization continues, it will be reflected in the composition of the biological community which will shift towards species whose life requirements can be adapted to the urban environment.

Soils in an undisturbed site define the natural vegetative community that is characteristic of that soil environment. Soils reflect the geological history that resulted in their formation. Directly associated with this environment are wildlife communities that are capable of using that environment or a combination of environments that exist to fulfill their life requirements.

Necessary to complete the interaction of the systems is water. This critical life component not only supports the vegetative communities that have established themselves, but also the fish and wildlife communities. Geological formations strongly influence patterns that hydrological elements take, both on and below the surface of the soils. Induced impacts to this total environmental system are magnified through human influences. These impacts on that environment serve to alter the natural system to meet human needs. Historically, human manipulation of the environment has adversely impacted that environment. As the total environmental system is increasingly understood, human manipulation of that system strongly considers the impacts that can affect the quality of all life forms both good and bad.

Historically, these manipulations are highly visible and reflected in the natural system. Agricultural activities eliminate native stands of vegetation and replace them with crops that provide food required for human populations. Attendant to this activity is manipulation of the soils and hydrology to support the agricultural pursuit with modification of natural wildlife populations. In addition, both agriculture and development increase utilization of ground water resulting in lowering the overall water table and lowering the overall recharging of that water table due to the creation of areas impervious to storm water percolation. Storm water runoff from Impervious areas generally is directed to the points of lowest topographic relief which are usually wetland areas associated with stream corridors. Wetlands have the fantastic ability of being able to remove pollutants. However, the overburden from excessive storm water runoff related to increased development stresses that system, resulting in contamination of surface waters. The use of on-site sewerage disposal systems contributes nutrients not only to the receiving soils but to the ground water with a high potential for ground water contamination through systems that are not properly maintained. South Harrison is currently not served by municipal sewage treatment. The impact of multiple septic drainage systems on the local ground water must be carefully analyzed.

Furthermore, increased urbanization and industrial activity have further impacted the natural resources base. The use of hydrocarbon products (such as gasoline) have introduced additional contaminants into the system, through the process of rainwater, absorption and percolation into the soils and subsequently ground water, merely through its presence in the air and contact with surface areas.