| Courtney Ridge Air and Land Water Protection |
Protecting Missouri's Natural Resources is a monthly newsletter that informs readers about environmental issues.
FEBRUARY 2002
DEPARTMENT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TARGETED WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING GRANTS
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources began accepting applications for targeted waste reduction and recycling grants on Jan. 15, 2002. The deadline for submission of the 2002 application is March 15, 2002.
Anyone involved in solid waste reduction and recycling in Missouri is eligible to apply for financial assistance under the terms and conditions stated in the target grants announcements. As in previous years, a competitive process will be used to fund these waste reduction and recycling projects that complement current and future solid waste management activities in Missouri by reducing, reusing, and recycling or strengthening consumer demand for materials collected for recycling.
Projects eligible for this year's application process include the following:
- Recycling centers - financial assistance is available to develop an adequate infrastructure so that all citizens of Missouri may have affordable and accessible recycling opportunities.
- Waste minimization technical assistance - funding for a waste minimization audit that provides an evaluation of current practices and opportunities for improvement.
- Cooperative marketing - financing is available for development of recycling cooperative marketing that increases profitability by facilitating the transportation, storage and sale of recovered materials and also facilitating the promotion, marketing and sales of recycled content products manufactured by multiple Missouri businesses.
- Technical assessment of appliance recycling issues and recommended solutions - funding is available to evaluate the status of appliance recycling and involve stakeholders to identify problems and potential solutions for managing appliance disposal in Missouri.
Approximately $1.5 million is available to fund projects from these four categories. All financial awards are subject to Missouri's legislative appropriation process, available funds and authorization for the projects by the department. These funds are generated from a $1.98 per ton surcharge on solid waste disposed in Missouri landfills.
Application packets and further information may be obtained from the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp or by contacting Bruce Tylke or Rachel Griffin at the Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or by phone at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401.
DEPARTMENT SEEKS INPUT ON GROUNDWATER RULE
March 7 - Lee's Summit; March 11 - Columbia; March 12 - St. Louis; March 14 - Springfield
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will host four public meetings and a public hearing to discuss a proposed Groundwater Remediation Rule. The intent of the new rule is two-fold: protecting groundwater resources and encouraging the cleanup and redevelopment of sites with contaminated groundwater. The rule would allow the use of risk-based clean-up standards for groundwater rather than cleaning up all groundwater to drinking water standards. The full text of the proposed rule was published in the Feb. 1, 2002, edition of the Missouri Register.
The meetings are scheduled:
| Lee's Summit |
Columbia |
| St. Louis March 12, 7 to 9 p.m. Missouri Botanical Garden Ridgeway Center, Shoenberg Auditorium 4344 Shaw Boulevard |
Springfield March 14, 7 to 10 p.m. Bass Pro Shops - Uncle Buck's 1935 South Campbell |
Each meeting will include a presentation of the rule and opportunities to speak with department staff in an informal setting about groundwater issues and concerns. Staff will make note of all comments for improvements to the rule.
The rule will be presented to the Missouri Clean Water Commission March 19 in Jefferson City at 9 a.m. in the Capital Plaza Hotel, 415 West McCarty St., Jefferson City. The commission will accept public comments at the hearing and accept written comments through April 2.
To submit comments, or for more information, contact John Madras, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or telephone 800-361-4827 or 573-751-6892.
CRYPTOSPORIDIUM STANDARDS STRENGTHENED FOR SMALL DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tightened drinking water requirements to protect an additional 18 million Americans served by 11,000 small drinking water systems from Cryptosporidium and other disease-causing microorganisms. For those smaller drinking water systems that serve fewer than 10,000 people, this final rule has the same protective requirements already in place for large systems.
To provide maximum public health protection, EPA is now requiring small systems to use the best available technology to further ensure the safety of the nation's drinking water supply. This final rule requires 99 percent removal of Cryptosporidium through enhanced filtration. Cryptosporidium spores cannot be eliminated by commonly used disinfectants, such as chlorine, and must be captured through enhanced filtration techniques. Cryptosporidium, found in animal wastes, can cause intestinal problems and possibly death in some vulnerable populations. It has caused numerous episodes of sickness over the years, the largest reported in Milwaukee in 1993 when over 400,000 residents became ill and 50 people died. Small systems have three years to come into compliance with the enhanced filtration requirements. Technical and financial assistance is available to the states and utilities.
EPA estimates that the annual cost of the rule will be $39.5 million. The average annual household cost is estimated at $6.24. Ninety percent of households will experience costs of less than $15 a year. Additional information on the "Final Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule" is provided by EPA.
DEPARTMENT INVITES PUBLIC TO AWARENESS SESSION ON PROPOSED FULTON LANDFILL EXPANSION
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will hold a public awareness session on a proposed solid waste landfill expansion of the Fulton Sanitary Landfill in Callaway County on March 12, 2002. The session is 4 to 6 p.m. at the City Council Chambers located at the Fulton Police Department, William N. Kennett Building, 510 Market St., Fulton. The session will be an open forum for individual questions and answers.
The city of Fulton has proposed expanding its solid waste landfill, located southwest of Fulton off Highway H, into an area adjacent to the existing landfill. The city will conduct a detailed site investigation for this expansion of an existing municipal solid waste landfill.
Representatives of the department will be available to answer questions. Citizens are encouraged to attend to learn about the landfill permitting process and landfill operations.
The department reviews all pre-application material and permit applications submitted by cities, counties and private owners to ensure those solid waste disposal areas are properly designed and constructed. Other technical factors that protect Missouri's environment are also examined.
For more information, contact the department at 1- 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401, or visit our Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp.
THE DRINKING WATER PRIMACY FEE: WHAT DOES IT DO FOR YOU?
In 1992, the Missouri legislature passed a bill establishing a "primacy fee," which public water systems have collected from their customers. The fee is set by state law and ranges from $.66 to $2 per year. The public water system may collect the fee once a year or in monthly or quarterly installments.
Two percent of the fee goes to the public water system to cover the costs of collecting the fee. The remainder is forwarded to the Missouri Department of Revenue for use by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Public Drinking Water Program. The department uses the primacy fee to fund testing for drinking water contaminants, inspections, compliance activities, complaint investigations and technical assistance. Approximately $2.4 million per year is generated by the fee.
The primacy fee provides critical funding for laboratory services and activities the state must perform in order to maintain delegation of the federal drinking water program. This delegation is called "primacy". In states that have primacy (49 of the 50), public drinking water systems are regulated by the state agency instead of the federal government. Without the primacy fee, the Public Drinking Water Program would lack the funding to implement critical regulations necessary for protecting public health and maintaining primacy, and regulation of Missouri's public water systems would revert to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Historically, maintaining primacy has saved Missouri public water systems, and the customers of public water systems, about $6.5 million per year. Over the next three years, Missouri water systems would have to pay more than $15 million if they were to pay for their own testing. This is because public water systems would have to do more monitoring under the federal regulation than they do under state regulation. (Vulnerability assessments performed by the Department of Natural Resources reduce the amount of monitoring by approximately 75 percent; EPA does not perform such assessments and would require the full scope of monitoring.) Also, the state laboratory can perform tests for significantly less than a water system would have to pay on the open market. The costs of the increased monitoring would inevitably affect customer water bills.
The department anticipates legislation will be introduced during the 2002 legislative session to extend the primacy fee an additional five years, to Sept. 1, 2007. Otherwise, the fee will expire in September 2002. The benefits to the public water systems if the primacy fee is renewed include
- Laboratory testing services provided by the state;
- Reduced monitoring commensurate to contamination risk, based on vulnerability assessments provided by the Department of Natural Resources;
- Water system inspections and compliance oversight provided by the department to satisfy federal requirements;
- Technical assistance from the department to help maintain and achieve compliance and improved customer satisfaction;
- Access to low interest loans for capital improvements from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund;
- Additional operator training opportunities funded by the state revolving fund.
For more information about the primacy fee, call the department's Public Drinking Water Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.
ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE HELD
Soil and Water Stewardship: It's Our Responsibility was the theme that drew 753 people to Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach for the annual soil and water conservation districts training conference Nov. 26-28, 2001. The annual conference is coordinated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Soil and Water Conservation Program in partnership with the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Eli Mast, president of the association, welcomed the group with remarks centered on the theme. This year was the 53rd annual training conference. The focus was realizing the importance of sharing in the responsibility and playing a vital role to save and preserve our natural resources.
Representatives from other members of the conservation partnership, including Elizabeth Brown, Chair of the state's Soil and Water Districts Commission and Dr. Thomas Payne, University of Missouri, Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources addressed the group also. Roger Hansen, state conservationist from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, offered comments describing a proclamation celebrating the upcoming completion of Missouri's Soil Survey. The key partners of this effort participated in signing the proclamation. The conference is an annual event that brings supervisors together to focus on training needs. Workshop topics ranged from information and education needs, board issues and solutions, district cost-share and accounting systems, documenting meetings and employee benefits.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Soil and Water Conservation Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4932.
THE MISSOURI REGISTRY ANNUAL REPORT
The 2001 Missouri Registry Annual Report: Confirmed Abandoned or Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites in Missouri and Hazardous Waste Remedial Fund Statement is now available. For each site listed in the Registry, the 300-page report provides a site location map, address, waste type, site description, present property owner, environmental problems related to the site, remedial actions at the site, geologic and hydrogeologic description, public drinking water advisory and a health assessment.
The report also provides a narrative of state and federal Superfund activities in Missouri; inventories of former manufactured gas plants, former United States Department of Agriculture grain bins and wood treaters sites; the National Priorities List of Missouri Superfund sites; and the Hazardous Waste Remedial Fund Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance. Appendices include health chemical tables, a glossary of health terms, selected state hazardous waste laws and applicable Registry regulations.
The Registry can be accessed at many public libraries in their reference section. To obtain a copy, send a written request, with a check for $12 to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program, Superfund Section, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Please make all checks payable to Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
You may also request a copy of the Registry List by calling the department at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-8629. This free publication lists Missouri hazardous waste sites on the Registry. It includes owners' names, site location and type of waste found at the sites.
DEPARTMENT RECEIVES NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGES SETTLEMENT
On Nov. 2, 2001, the Department of Natural Resources received a Natural Resource Damages settlement in the amount of $49,000 from Cominco American Inc. and Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
The department, Cominco American Inc. and Halliburton Energy Services Inc. signed a cooperative program Abatement Order on Consent (AOC), which became effective on Oct. 16, 2001. The AOC provided for characterization and cleanup of four lead and two copper metal concentrate spill sites. Cominco will reimburse the department for response and oversight costs.
Natural Resource Damage (NRD) is designed to restore natural resources that have been injured by hazardous substances released into the environment. These sites resulted from accidents along the haul routes in Iron and Reynolds Counties involving vehicles transporting lead and copper concentrates produced at the Magmont mine and mill.
During the course of negotiations for the cooperative program Abatement Order on Consent, the responsible parties approached the department about settling their NRD liability at these different spill sites and obtaining a covenant not to sue for NRD. The department and the responsible parties agreed that the responsible parties would pay the department, in its capacity as the designated natural resource trustee for the State of Missouri, $49,000 for NRD. They paid $7,000 for each of six sites in the AOC and $7,000 for an additional site in another order. Payment was in exchange for a covenant not to sue and a release from liability. The settlement of $49,000 was deposited into the Natural Resource Protection Fund.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.
WASTE FLUORESCENT LAMP MANAGEMENT
Fluorescent lamps may contain toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead. Unbroken lamps pose a minimal threat to human health and the environment. However, fluorescent lamps contain mercury vapor under pressure and when broken, people may be exposed to toxic levels of mercury vapor and other metals, which can be easily inhaled. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources encourages prudent lamp recycling to safeguard human health and to limit the amounts of toxic heavy metals entering the environment.
Fluorescent lamps may be a hazardous waste due to toxic metals content. There are two methods to determine whether lamps are hazardous waste - the lamps may be tested by the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), or knowledge of the hazardous characteristic may be applied. Lamp vendors may also be able to provide data that show the toxic metal levels for the lamps.
If the lamps are determined to be non-hazardous, they may be sent to a lamp recycler or to a sanitary landfill. Landfills may require a special waste disposal request or test results before accepting the material. Even though non-hazardous lamps will pass TCLP and are not hazardous waste or universal waste, they still contain small amounts of mercury. Therefore, in an effort to reduce the amount of mercury released into the environment, recycling of non-hazardous fluorescent lamps is encouraged.
Unbroken hazardous lamps may be managed as either universal waste or as hazardous waste. Recycling at a facility certified for recovering mercury from such lamps is an option in either case. Any broken hazardous lamps must be managed as hazardous waste. Lamps should always be packed and stored in a manner to minimize breakage.
The Department of Natural Resources has publications available to determine what to do with used fluorescent lamps. Visit www.dnr.mo.gov/deq/tap/pubs.htm, and scroll down to fluorescent lamps.
For more information on management of fluorescent lamps contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.
RCRA FINALIZED FOR CONSERVATION CHEMICAL COMPANY
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 finalized the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Assessment for the Midland Resources Inc. (formerly Conservation Chemical Company) site in St. Louis. Missouri Department of Natural Resources' RCRA corrective action staff worked in conjunction with EPA's environmental contractors to coordinate with facility personnel and determine optimum soil sampling locations. While EPA's contractors were performing soil sampling in early November 2001, the department's Environmental Services Program conducted sampling of wells located on the property for possible chemical contamination of groundwater. Environmental sampling efforts by EPA and the Department of Natural Resources will be used to evaluate public health and safety concerns and determine what further corrective action will be necessary.
For more information, contact Vin Journey of the department's Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3553.
PUBLIC MEETING IS MARCH 7 ON WACO LANDFILL STORM WATER PERMIT
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will host a public availability session and public meeting March 7 at the Kingston K-14 High School, Cadet. The school is located one-quarter mile south on the east side of Highway 21 from its intersection with Highway 47, south of Washington State Park. The meetings will allow citizens an opportunity to comment on the proposed storm water permit for the Waco Landfill in Washington County.
The public availability session is 6 to 8 p.m. and is intended to provide an opportunity for the public to talk informally about the proposed permit with various representatives from the department. Following the session, an open microphone session will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. to allow further opportunity to make public comments on the draft permit. The department will also accept written comments on the draft permit during the meeting. Written comments will be given the same consideration as the verbal comments made during the open microphone portion of the meeting. Comments made during the meeting will be entered into the official record for consideration before the department finalizes the permit. Anyone commenting during the meeting will receive a written reply when a final decision is made on the permit.
People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meetings should contact Judith Clark, Department of Natural Resources, Water Pollution Control Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, or call 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300, at least one week before the meeting.
Citizens can review the proposed permit on the Internet at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpcp; the draft permit may also be reviewed by appointment at the following offices:
| Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
If you have questions concerning the meeting arrangements, please contact Judith Clark, Department of Natural Resources, Water Pollution Control Program, at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300.
DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $1 MILLION SETTLEMENT FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT OF MISSOURI
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Waste Management of Missouri have reached an agreement with the help of the State Attorney General's Office to settle alleged violations that occurred at the Courtney Ridge Landfill in Sugar Creek. The $1 million settlement includes a penalty of $250,000 that was paid to the Jackson County School Fund as well as $750,000 that was paid for tonnage fees owed to the department's Solid Waste Management Fund. Waste Management operated Courtney Ridge Landfill from its opening in 1996 until July 2000 when the facility was purchased by Allied Waste Industries.
The $250,000 penalty, paid by Waste Management, addresses alleged violations relating to an overfill and to material from the Corp of Engineers Blue River Project rechannelization. During the first six months of 2000, Courtney Ridge Landfill exceeded its permitted height by placing over 300,000 cubic yards of waste above the landfill's approved contours in violation of Missouri Solid Waste Management Law and regulations. Waste Management attributes the overfill at Courtney Ridge to an increased intake of waste and reduced oversight at the facility due to the impending sale of the property.
The permit violation was reported to the department within a week of the sale of the landfill. "An overfill of this magnitude is not a common occurrence in Missouri," said Jim Hull, director of the department's Solid Waste Management Program. "The overfill is serious because it violates a basic condition of the permit, which limits where waste can and cannot be placed at a permitted disposal area." The permit conditions protect the environment and public health and are a critical part of the regulatory controls placed on a modern landfill.
During the channelization of the Blue River, Courtney Ridge Landfill received material from the excavation that required the payment of tonnage fees; however, these fees were not submitted to the department. To resolve this discrepancy, Waste Management submitted $750,000 in back tonnage fees and interest to the Solid Waste Management Fund. The Solid Waste Management Fund provides money to promote recycling, waste reduction and education programs in Missouri.
In addition to the monetary settlement, Waste Management has contracted with Allied Waste, the new owner of Courtney Ridge, to relocate a significant portion of the overfill to an area of the landfill that can accommodate the wastes. Remediation of the landfill is set to begin as soon as the City of Sugar Creek offers its final approval of the plan. Allied is now also responsible for handling the Blue River material currently located at the landfill. Allied plans to use a portion of the material as an alternate daily cover or as roadbed and to landfill all material that is unsuitable for these uses. This agreement concluded yearlong negotiations between Waste Management, a multi-national company based in Houston, the department and the State Attorney General's Office.
For further information, please call the department at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401 or visit our Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp.
CLEANUP COMPLETED AT JEFFERSON COUNTY WASTE TIRE DUMP
Cleanup is complete at a Jefferson County waste tire dump located in rural De Soto, off Highway 110 about three-fourths of a mile west of Highway 67. On July 19, 2001 the tire pile began to shrink as Tri-Rinse of St. Louis began processing the 2,589 tons of tires or 258,928 waste tires - one of Jefferson County's largest remaining tire dumps. The cleanup was completed Aug. 17, 2001.
The property owners allowed the tire dump to grow on their property until 1992 when Jefferson County took them to court and obtained a signed agreement requiring the owners to remove the tires. In 1995, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources took the property owners to court to acquire another agreement requiring that the owners pay for the cleanup of the property. The department's Solid Waste Management Program then contracted with TRI-Rinse Inc. of St. Louis to clean up the waste tire site.
This cleanup cost approximately $213,615. Most of the tires were processed on-site in a large shredder and beneficially used at the Bridgeton Landfill.
Missouri's 50-cent per tire fee, placed on new tire sales, provides the funding to clean up remaining tire dumps and finance grants for the use of shredded and processed tires on playgrounds, running tracks, walking trails and for fuel.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401.
MISSOURI CLEAN UP EFFORT REMOVES 10 MILLION TIRES
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has announced that nearly 10 million waste tires have been removed from the state's environment since clean up efforts shifted into high gear in 1996.
During 2001, 2.6 million waste tires were removed. That was the third year in a row that more than 2 million waste tires were cleaned up. Department staff estimate about 3.5 million tires have yet to be removed from remaining illegal dump-sites across the state. An estimated 1.5 million tires are scheduled for removal during 2002. Another 2 million tires are yet to be scheduled for removal.
Since the effort began, 335 illegal tire sites have been cleaned up. Private contractors have cleaned up 6.1 million tires at a cost of $4.9 million. The Missouri Department of Corrections has carried out waste tire cleanups removing 1.7 million tires at a cost of $2 million. The Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Services Program contractors cleaned up several tire fire sites at a cost of $140,000.
A reimbursement effort that helps charitable groups recover the costs of their volunteer tire clean ups has seen more than 33,400 tires removed at a cost of $28,000. As a result of the department's enforcement efforts, tire pile owners cleaned up 241 sites at their own expense, removing more than two million tires from the environment since 1996.
It has cost about $7.1 million for the waste tire clean up efforts to date and it is estimated that the remaining tires will take another $7.2 million to clean up. The higher cost is expected because the majority of the remaining tires are in small, widely scattered sites in rough terrain where access is often difficult. The waste tire funds come from the 50 cents per tire that buyers of new tires pay at the time of sale. The fee is scheduled to expire on Jan. 1, 2004.
The department has been working with a Waste Tire Advisory Council to discuss an extension of the tire fee and the future role of the department's waste tire management efforts. The council is comprised of members of the state legislature, tire business leaders, department staff and representatives from other state agencies.
Missouri generates around 4.5 million waste tires annually. These waste tires, in addition to the 2.6 million tires picked up at illegal dumpsites over the past year, are used for electricity generation, beneficial use at landfills or processed into crumb rubber. The crumb rubber is used in new tire manufacture and for processing into surface material for playgrounds, walking trails and running tracks.
Around $100,000 from the department's Waste Tire Fund is made available annually to nonprofit agencies or groups for use in surfacing playgrounds, walking trails or running tracks. Two hundred and fifty-one of these grants have been provided since the program started in 1993. Incentives are in place again this year to encourage the use of surfacing materials made from recycled waste tires on playgrounds.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401.
DEPARTMENT APPROVES CLEANUP PLAN FOR FORMER MIDWESTERN OIL IN JOPLIN
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has approved a plan to clean up petroleum-contaminated soil at Former Midwestern Oil, 2828 W. 7th St., Joplin.
The plan calls for the cleanup of 1,700 cubic yards of petroleum-contaminated soil, which will be transported to Dennis Neely's property at 1596 Denton Lane, Joplin. The soil will be applied 18 to 24 inches thick to a specific area designed to be a treatment cell. Naturally occurring microbes in the soil will consume the petroleum contaminants. Turning the soil regularly provides the necessary oxygen to the microbes and speeds up the contaminant consumption.
Neely has obtained a permit that contains design conditions to protect water resources. Some of these conditions include a liner covering the entire floor of the cell and a two-foot berm that surrounds the cell. The cell must be a located at least 250 feet from any surface water, 500 feet from any caves, sinkholes, private water supply wells, lakes or intakes on streams and 1,000 feet from any public drinking water supply wells, lakes or intakes on streams.
Citizens can obtain a copy of the general permit by writing to the Department of Natural Resources, Water Pollution Control Program, P. O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-6822.
DEPARTMENT AWARDS SEWER IMPROVEMENT GRANTS TO THE VILLAGE OF FOUNTAIN N' LAKES
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $251,454 to the village of Fountain N' Lakes for wastewater collection and sewer treatment system construction.
Approximately 65 grinder pump units will be installed to serve as a pressurized collection system. A two-cell aerated lagoon system will also be built. Improvements will help prevent untreated sewage and septic tank drainage from polluting ground water and tributary waters near Bob's Creek.
Funding from the Department of Natural Resources will account for approximately half the total cost of the project. The grants will be administered by the department's Water Pollution Control Program. Money for the grant comes from bond issues approved by Missouri voters in 1988 and 1998 for improvements to wastewater treatment, public drinking water and storm water systems.
For more information, contact Ann Crawford of the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-0880.
DEPARTMENT OFFERS CERTIFICATION COURSES FOR SOLID WASTE TECHNICIANS
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will hold its semi-annual Solid Waste Technician Certification courses on March 12-14 and Aug. 27-29, 2002. The courses will be in the department's Elm Street Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.
The department will also be holding two classes for recertification. The first class is April 23-24, 2002 and will be sponsored by the local chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America in the Elm Street Conference Center. The second recertification opportunity is July 8-9, 2002 in conjunction with the annual Missouri Waste Control Coalition Conference in Columbia.
The certification course is recommended for people working in the solid waste field including consultants, interested state employees and people working in solid waste disposal areas and solid waste processing facilities. The certification is valid for three years and covers such topics as types of waste, interpreting and using engineering plans, landfill design and landfill operation.
The recertification class offers people who work in solid waste disposal areas, solid waste processing facilities, consultants and interested state employees the opportunity to meet with others in the field of solid waste management and exchange ideas. The class also allows interested parties to learn about any changes in the law or regulations that may affect their work and to keep up with cutting edge technology in the field. Attending this class is one way to fulfill the requirement for training needed every three years to keep a solid waste technician certification active.
For further information or to enroll, contact Karen Flint with the department's Solid Waste Management Program, at 573-751-5401.
CHRONIC FAILURE TO MONITOR A CONCERN AT SOME WATER SYSTEMS
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released a list of drinking water systems that have chronically failed to do required bacteriological testing. The department requires all public water systems to test for bacteria at least once a month to verify that these systems are providing safe drinking water to the public. While failing to monitor does not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe, routine testing is a crucial part of maintaining a safe water supply.
The systems listed have at least three major monitoring violations in a 12-month period. Months these systems failed to collect at least one routine sample are given for the interval from August 2000 to September 2001; other monitoring violations may have occurred previously. Recent bacteriological results and any maximum contaminant level (MCL) violations in the system's history since 1992 are listed under the specific system.
Department of Natural Resources Director Stephen Mahfood expressed his concern and commitment to correct the problem. "Water that is contaminated with bacteria can cause disease," said Mahfood. "It is of vital importance that systems routinely test their drinking water to ensure the safety of each citizen and visitor of Missouri."
Bacteriological testing can be the first step in identifying and correcting a problem. The next step is to investigate the cause of any bad samples and perform corrective action, such as disinfecting and flushing the system. When a public water system has both a record of failure to monitor and a history of MCL violations, department staff are concerned about the unknown quality of the drinking water. Failing to monitor can result in ongoing bacteriological problems. Often, informing the public of the system's chronic failure to monitor will prompt a system to routinely submit samples.
The vast majority of community and non-community public water systems in the state comply with all monitoring requirements and meet all drinking water standards. Chronic violators are the exception rather than the rule, as this current list of 48 systems represents less than two percent of the approximately 2,800 public drinking water systems in Missouri.
These systems' owners have been sent multiple violation notices in addition to certified letters informing them that chronic failure to monitor is unacceptable. Department staff also routinely make frequent on-site inspections and attempt to reach an agreement with the responsible parties to ensure sampling requirements will be met. If compliance with Missouri's drinking water law is still refused, more stringent enforcement action is pursued through legal channels.
The type of bacteria monitored is called total coliform bacteria. These are common in the environment and generally not harmful by themselves. They do indicate the water may be contaminated with organisms that can cause disease. Disease symptoms include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, possible jaundice and associated headaches and fatigue. The presence of these bacteria can result from a number of problems. These could be due to an improperly constructed or deteriorating well, inadequate water treatment, or contamination in the distribution system, including water towers and the mains that distribute the water.
If a sample tests positive for total coliform bacteria, further testing is then performed for fecal coliform or E. coli, bacteria which can directly cause gastrointestinal illness. Most samples that test positive for total coliform test negative for fecal coliform or E. coli. The total coliform positive samples that are listed tested negative for fecal coliform or E. coli unless specifically stated otherwise.
Counties with systems listed are presented in alphabetical order. Systems are given in alphabetical order within each county. The cities and counties are given as location references only. Counties with a number of systems listed have a large number of public water systems, most of which are in compliance with drinking water regulations.
| Benton County |
Lincoln County |
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Roadhouse Restaurant |
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Cedar Ridge Estates |
| Camden County |
Skyway Farm | ||
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Aqua-Fin Resort |
Maries County |
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Bass Cove Lodge |
Vichy Wye Restaurant | |
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Classics Sports Bar |
Morgan County |
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Country Meadow Estates |
Forest Hills Subdivision | |
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Granada Resort |
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Jessie's Place |
Evergreen Park Subdivision | |
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Lake Breeze Resort |
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On the Rise Bakery and Bistro |
Meadowlark Acres Mobile Home Park | |
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Pickled Pete's |
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| Poverty Flats Village | Cherokee Lakes Camp | ||
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Shooter's Restaurant and Marina |
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King Arthur's Court |
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Subway |
St. Louis |
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| Tee Off Driving Range | Wildwood Auto Village | ||
| Time Out C-Store |
Scott County |
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| Cole County | Haywood City | ||
| Peschang's | Stone County | ||
| Cooper County | Bearded Clam Restaurant | ||
| Blackwater | Cove Resort | ||
| Bobber Auto Truck Plaza Cafe | Indian Point Deer Run Motel | ||
| Franklin County | KC Outpost | ||
| Lakeside Water Company | Oak Creek Parkway Subdivision | ||
| Gasconade County | Taney County | ||
| Brown Shanty Lake Association | Taney County Memorial Post 5168 | ||
| Greene County | Warren County | ||
| Evergreen Church | Oakview Estates Subdivision | ||
| J and R New Mount Emblem Restaurant | Washington County | ||
| Jefferson County | Belgrade Cafe' | ||
| Country Aire Estates Retirement Center | L and M Mobile Home Park | ||
| The Market | Webster County | ||
| Engle Ridge Village Subdivision | Oak Ridge Estates | ||
| Johnson County | |||
| Forrest Trails Estates | |||
For more information, contact the department's Public Drinking Water Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.
EPA REGION 7 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SMALL GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE
Grants to develop or continue environmental justice projects are now available to Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska communities through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 office in Kansas City, Ks.
The purpose of the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program is to provide financial assistance to eligible community groups. These include community-based grassroots organizations, churches, or other non-profit organizations with a focus on community-based issues. Federally recognized tribal governments that are working on or plan to carry out projects to address environmental justice issues are also available.
Preference for awards will be given to community-based grassroots organizations that are working on local solutions to local environmental problems. Funds can be used to develop a new activity or substantially improve the quality of existing programs that have a direct impact on affected communities.
Application packages must be postmarked by midnight Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002. Guidance outlining the purposes, goals, and general procedures for application and award are available on the Web at http://es.epa.gov/oeca/oej/grlink1.html or by contacting EPA at 800-223-0425.
PRESIDENT BUSH TO COMMIT MORE THAN $20 MILLION FOR WATERSHED PROTECTION
President Bush will include $21 million in his 2003 budget for a new U. S. Environmental Protection Agency initiative to protect, preserve, and restore waterways across the country. This effort was announced by EPA Administrator Christie Whitman during a visit to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
The Administrator announced as part of this community-based initiative, EPA will target up to 20 of this country's most highly valued watersheds for grants. EPA will be working cooperatively with state governors, tribes and other interested parties on this initiative. This program will also support local communities in their efforts to expand and improve existing protection measures with tools, training and technical assistance.
"As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act this year, we have much to celebrate and many challenges left to face with regard to our nation's water resources," Whitman said. "I have heard a watershed defined as "communities connected by water," a good reminder that we all live downstream from someone. I am proud to say that the Bush Administration needs no reminding of that fact.
"President Bush understands the importance of watershed protection and he is taking action to make America's waterways cleaner and healthier for the families that enjoy them," Whitman continued. "In his 2003 budget, President Bush has included $21 million for a new EPA initiative to copy successful approaches and techniques to protect highly valued watershed resources throughout the country. With the President's commitment to watershed protection, I am confident that we can preserve and protect our precious waterways for future generations."
Whitman noted that the program "recognizes the important role that states and local communities have in helping to achieve our common goals, by giving them the power to do what works."
Water quality problems including habitat loss and alteration, nutrient enrichment, pathogens, and invasive species continue to harm watersheds nationwide. These problems prevent our resources from meeting water quality goals and deprive the public of economic, recreation, and drinking water opportunities. The problems are complex and require local assessment, involvement and commitment. This investment will capitalize on the lessons learned from existing community-based protection efforts. Information on the watershed program is available at www.epa.gov/owow/watershed
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SAFE DRINKING WATER COMMISSION TO MEET MARCH 28
The Missouri Safe Drinking Water Commission will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m., March 28, at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738, E. Elm St., Jefferson City. At this meeting, the commission will vote on the Intended Use Plan.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Public Drinking Water Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY BOARD TO MEET MARCH 6
The Missouri Solid Waste Advisory Board will hold a public meeting at 1 p.m. March 6 at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.
Items on the agenda include a market development update by Kristen Allen and presentations by Drex Rothweiler of the Mark Twain Solid Waste Management District and Mike Collins of Reeds Spring High School composting project.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401.
CLEAN WATER COMMISSION TO MEET MARCH 19
The Missouri Clean Water Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m., March 19, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, 415 W. McCarty, Jefferson City.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Water Pollution Control Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300.
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION TO HOLD MEET APRIL 2
The Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m., April 2 at the Holiday Inn Southwest, 10709 Watson Road, St. Louis.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.
WATER SYSTEM SECURITY TRAINING OFFERED
The Department of Natural Resources' Public Drinking Water Program is offering several training opportunities throughout the state on Counterterrorism and Security in the Water Industry all community water systems and water system trainers. The first training is scheduled for March 5, 2002 and there is no cost to attend. The American Water Works Association and its instructors, under grant contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, developed and are providing the training to Missouri's water systems. Future training opportunities will be offered to water systems between April and July 2002 and possibly continue throughout the rest of the year.
For more information, call Deana Cash of the department's Public Drinking Water Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.
ADVOCACY TRAINING TO BE HELD MARCH 16
The Stream Team Academy proudly announces the next training opportunity in Stream Advocacy. The course will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2002 at four different locations around the state (see table below). This workshop is being held via "Distance Learning" technology through the Missouri Army National Guard. This system will allow for two-way communication with only a slight delay from one site to the next. A Stream Team staff person will be present at each site. Each of the locations must have at least 10 registrants for us to proceed with that workshop location. Each site is limited to 30 attendees. The workshop is planned from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Lunch will be on your own.
Presentations will be given by representatives from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the Sierra Club, and others. The goal is to present information that will help you understand the law making process, the authority agencies have over this process in managing our natural resources and choosing the right advocacy style for success. Materials will also be available from Stream Team volunteers explaining their advocacy experiences and what they have learned.
For more information, contact Sherry Fischer at 800-781-1989 (voice mail) or 573-751-4115 ext. 3169, fax 573-526-0990, or fischs@mail.conservation.state.mo.us
Workshops will be held at
- Jefferson City at the Ike Skelton Training Site, 6900 N. Boundary Road
- Kansas City at the Kansas City Armory
- St. Louis at the University of Missouri - St. Louis
- Reeds Spring at Reeds Spring High School, Hwy 13 South.
AGRIEXPO 2002 TO BE HELD MARCH 2
The Missouri Department of Agriculture will host AgriExpo 2002 March 2 at Lincoln University's Carver Farm, East Bald Hill Road in Jefferson City. The expo will offer sessions to aid agricultural producers in developing their value-added business. Focused on business development, structuring your business, legal issues, financing and writing a business plan, the sessions will provide information for producers and agricultural entrepreneurs.
The cost of registration is $20 per participant. For more information, call Sarah Shultz of the Department of Agriculture at 1-866-466-8283.
DEPARTMENT WORKSHOPS HELP ENFORCE ILLEGAL DUMPING REGULATIONS
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will host five free workshops throughout the state to help local governments address illegal dumping problems. The purpose of the workshops is to help local law enforcement authorities establish and operate environmental enforcement programs.
To conduct the workshops, the department has retained the services of Reed, Stowe and Yanke, LLC., an environmental and economic consulting firm. Reed, Stowe and Yanke previously developed a manual for the department titled, "How to Establish and Operate an Environmental Enforcement Program," which will be used during the workshops.
Through this project, the department expects to provide local governments with a user-friendly resource guide that will help local law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges develop effective programs to combat illegal dumping in their communities. The manual includes successful case studies from Missouri and other programs across the country.
Workshop 2002 dates and locations follow:
- Columbia: March 25 and 26, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Department of Conservation Research Office
- Osage Beach: March 27 and 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Osage Beach City Hall
- St. Joseph: April 15 and 16, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Department of Conservation Office
- Nevada: April 17 and 18, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Center
- West Plains: May 6 and 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., location to be determined
To request further information about the workshops, please contact Richard Swartz of the department's Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401.
RULE UPDATE
For more information, contact the Department of Natural Resources' Air and Land Protection Division at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-6892.
Air Pollution Control |
Submission of Emission Data, Emission Fees and Process Information |
| Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-06.110 - This rule establishes emission fees for Missouri facilities as required annually by state statute. | |
| Public comment ends:
April 4, 2002 |
Public hearing: March 28, 2002 |
| Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published |
Department contact:
573-751-4817 |
Air Pollution Control |
New Source Performance Regulations |
| Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-06.070 - Adopts by reference new 40 CFR Part 60 subparts finalized between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2000. Additionally, this amendment updates previously adopted subparts. | |
| Public comment ends:
May 2, 2002 |
Public hearing: April 25, 2002 |
| Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published |
Department contact:
573-751-4817 |
Air Pollution Control |
Maximum Achievable Control Technology Regulations |
| Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-06.075 - Adopts by reference new 40 CFR Part 63 subparts finalized between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2000. Additionally, this amendment updates previously adopted subparts. | |
| Public comment ends:
May 2, 2002 |
Public hearing: April 25, 2002 |
| Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published |
Department contact:
573-751-4817 |
Air Pollution Control |
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants |
| Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-06.080 - Adopts by reference new 40 CFR Part 61 subparts finalized between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2000. Additionally, this amendment updates previously adopted subparts. | |
| Public comment ends:
May 2, 2002 |
Public hearing: April 25, 2002 |
| Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published |
Department contact:
573-751-4817 |
Public Drinking Water |
Maximum Turbidity Contaminant Levels and Monitoring Requirements and Filter Back |
| Rule Number: 10 CSR 060-04.050 - This amendment adopts the EPA Filter Backwash Recycling Rule. | |
| Public comment ends:
June 14, 2002 |
Public hearing: May 23, 2002 |
| Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published |
Department contact:
573-751-5331 |
Public Drinking Water |
Maximum Radionuclide Contaminant Levels and Monitoring Requirements |
| Rule Number: 10 CSR 060-04.060 - This rule is being rescinded and readopted in order to adopt new EPA requirements. | |
| Public comment ends:
June 14, 2002 |
Public hearing: May 23, 2002 |
| Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published |
Department contact:
573-751-5331 |
Public Drinking Water |
Maximum Radionuclide Contaminant Levels and Monitoring |
| Rule Number: 10 CSR 060-04.060 - This rule is being rescinded and readopted in order to adopt new EPA monitoring requirements and uranium maximum contaminant levels. | |
| Public comment ends:
June 14, 2002 |
Public hearing: May 23, 2002 |
| Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published |
Department contact:
573-751-5331 |
Water Pollution Control |
Comprehensive Risk-Based Groundwater Remediation Rule |
| Rule Number: 10 CSR 020-07.040 - The purpose of this rule is to codify the allowances and limitations for risk-based groundwater cleanup projects, as authorized in section644.143. | |
| Public comment ends:
April 2, 2002 |
Public hearing: March 19, 2002 |
| Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published |
Department contact:
573-751-6721 |
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Public service announcements may be downloaded for use by any newspaper, magazine, newsletter, radio stations, etc. The department will continue to add new announcements to the Web each month. If you would like to receive new announcements by e-mail as they are made available, please contact kathy.deters@dnr.mo.gov and provide your publication name and e-mail address.
REGIONAL OFFICE MAP
Department of Natural Resources' Regional Offices provide field inspections, complaint investigation and front-line troubleshooting, problem solving and technical assistance on environmental and emergencies for the following programs:
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INTERNET ADDRESSES
Missouri Department of Natural Resources at www.dnr.mo.gov
Division of Environmental Quality at www.dnr.mo.gov/env
Air Pollution Control Program at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp
Division of Geology and Land Survey at www.dnr.mo.gov/geology/
Energy Center at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy
Environmental Services Program at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/esp
Gateway Clean Air Program at www.gatewaycleanair.com
Hazardous Waste Program at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp
Historic Preservation at www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/index.html
Land Reclamation Program at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/lrp
Soil and Water Conservation Program at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swcp
Solid Waste Management Program at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp
State Parks, Division of at www.mostateparks.com
Water Protection Program - Drinking Water Branch at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp
Water Protection Program - Water Pollution Branch at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp
SUBSCRIBE ON THE WEB TO READ PROTECTING MISSOURI'S NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSLETTER ONLINE
Sign up now to receive a monthly e-mail reminder and link to the online version of Protecting Missouri’s Natural Resources newsletter. A subscription form is now available on the Web at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/pmnr/subscribe_pmnr.htm. People who subscribe will receive an e-mail containing a link to the latest issue of the newsletter.
If you subscribe to receive the online newsletter, please let us know to cancel your current hard copy subscription to save printing and mailing costs associated with the newsletter.
Contact us at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-6892 or send an e-mail to cancel your hard copy subscription to elisha.bonnot@dnr.mo.gov.
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