Inside This Issue

Viburnum Trend Lead Haul Road

Hematite Update

Drinking Water CCR Issued

100th MO State Fair

Waste Tire Grants Awarded

Land Disturbance Training

Calendar of Events

Rules Update

Air and Land
Protection Division
Organizational Chart

Water Protection
and Soil Conservation
Division
Organizational Chart

Regional Office Map

Internet Addresses

PMNR banner

Protecting Missouri's Natural Resources is a monthly newsletter that informs readers about environmental issues.

JULY 2002

DEPARTMENT PROPOSES RULE CHANGES FOR GATEWAY CLEAN AIR PROGRAM

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking comments on a proposed rule change for the Gateway Clean Air Program. The goal of the rule change is to improve the effectiveness and convenience of the Gateway Clean Air Program.

The Gateway Clean Air Program is the St. Louis area vehicle emissions testing program. The program was developed to further reduce the formation of ground-level ozone in St. Louis. Ground-level ozone is a powerful lung irritant that makes it difficult for some people to breathe.

Specifically, the department's proposed rule change addresses the following issues:

A copy of the proposed rule amendment is available in the June 17, 2002, Missouri Register. Visit www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/moreg/moreg.asp or call 573-751-4015 to request a copy. The final rule may vary from the proposed rule because the Missouri Air Conservation Commission takes all comments into consideration.

The Missouri Air Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing to discuss this and other issues at 9 a.m., July 25, at the Drury Inn and Suites, Ballroom, 11980 Olive St., Creve Coeur.

The department requests people intending to give verbal presentations also provide a written copy of their testimony to the commission secretary at the time of the public hearing. The department also will accept written comments for the record until 5 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2002. Please send two copies of written comments to Chief, Planning Section, Department of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or by faxing to 573-751-2706.

People requiring special services or wishing to speak at the meeting can make arrangements by calling 800-361-4827 or 573-751-7840 or by writing two weeks in advance of the meeting to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Air Conservation Commission Secretary, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Hearing impaired persons may contact the program through Relay Missouri, 800-735-2966.

VIBURNUM TREND LEAD HAUL ROADS

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources initiated the Viburnum Trend Lead Haul Roads project to determine whether wind-blown lead ore concentrate along haul routes has caused significant contamination that poses a threat to human health and the environment.

In the late 1990s, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) began investigating several highways known or suspected to be constructed of asphalt manufactured using lead-mining wastes. As a control for their investigation, several highways of known construction materials were sampled as background. Samples were collected within the highway right-of-way. MoDOT began to suspect other potential sources of lead along the highways when lead contamination greater than 10,000 parts per million (ppm) was documented along several of the control highways. MoDOT suspected that wind-blown ore concentrate was being deposited along the roadways during transportation between the mine, mill and smelter locations. MoDOT also suspected that transportation spill incidents contributed to the right-of-way contamination.

After MoDOT's investigation, the Department of Natural Resources constructed a list of known spill sites from mining trucks along the haul routes. In 2001, lead was documented at concentrations greater than 20,000 ppm along the haul routes in and around Missouri's Herculaneum Lead Smelter. Due to the potential for high levels of contamination along other haul routes, the department initiated an investigation of the haul routes within the Viburnum Trend of the Southeast Mining District, located in Reynolds and Iron counties.

The investigation identified areas of concern within the state, which will undergo a Removal Assessment under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act authority.

In addition to the haul roads already investigated, the department plans to investigate the city of Viburnum, which is on the northern end of the Viburnum Trend. Viburnum contains a mill and the city streets are at risk of ore concentrate blowing from the trucks. Additionally, there are other haul routes that lead into east central Missouri and transect the Old Lead Belt. These haul roads represent additional areas of concern, which the department also plans to investigate.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HOSTS SECOND PUBLIC MEETING HELD AT HEMATITE

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources hosted a public meeting at the National Guard Armory in Festus on May 30, 2002. The meeting was a coordinated effort between the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Health and Senior Services and Westinghouse to present the latest sampling results and related information.

The plant is undergoing closure and cleanup as a result of the production of nuclear fuel rods and other related work that took place near Hematite from 1956 to 2001.

Westinghouse, the current site owner, has installed carbon filters on the six private water supply wells contaminated with volatile organic and conducted another round of sampling. Results from this last round of sampling of residential drinking water wells showed concentrations of lead above the Environmental Protection Agency action level of 15 parts per billion in four of the six wells. After further investigation by Westinghouse and the state agencies it is suspected the lead in the water came from the metal plumbing fittings on the filters. Westinghouse is now replacing the fittings with plastic.

Westinghouse has also started drilling a series of six sentry wells around the perimeter of the 200 plus acre plant site. This first phase of investigation of the wells is intended to monitor groundwater contaminants, while also studying the geological makeup of the area. Additional wells are anticipated and once all the appropriate information is gathered and studied, a more informed, educated decision can be made regarding how best to remediate the site.

If you would like more information about upcoming public meetings or about the Westinghouse plant in Hematite, contact Ramona Huckstep of the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3907 or e-mail ramona.huckstep@dnr.mo.gov.

WELDON SPRING SITE REMEDIAL ACTION PROJECT PLANS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION EVENTS

On June 5, 2002, The Department of Energy held a governmental planning session to prepare the path for stewardship at the Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project (WSSRAP). The focus of this planning session was to lay out a schedule and an agenda for workshops to bring together the stakeholders to participate in further development of the Long Term Stewardship Plan for WSSRAP.

The governmental organizations that attended this session included the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri Department of Conservation, St. Charles County Division of Environmental Services and the Weldon Spring Citizen's Commission.

The meeting included discussion topics that pertain to the Long-Term Stewardship issue including the roles and responsibilities of all governmental agencies and how those agencies will work together. The status of the cleanup actions and what remains to be done were the main focus of the session. Finally, enhancing public and community participation and involvement in the decision making process was discussed.

A tentative schedule was planned that would include workshops and opportunities for public comment on a draft long-term stewardship plan. The workshops are specifically designed to inform and receive comments from the general public. The schedule is as follows:

For more information, call Ramona Huckstep of the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3907 or e-mail at ramona.huckstep@dnr.mo.gov.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUES UNHEALTHFUL OZONE STATEMENT

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is issuing a public notice that unhealthful ozone concentrations (urban smog) were measured at the Orchard Farms monitoring site in St. Charles County on Saturday, June 22 and at the Affton monitoring site in south St. Louis on Friday, July 5, 2002.

Hourly concentrations of ozone above 120 parts per billion are considered unhealthful and can cause problems for those with existing heart or respiratory conditions, or even healthy individuals spending extended periods of time outdoors. In the general population, an elevated ozone level can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose and throat and make breathing difficult.

Emissions from automobiles and industry containing volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight create urban ground-level ozone. Higher levels of ozone are most likely to form on summer days with temperatures above 85 degrees, little or no precipitation, lots of sunshine and light winds. When several of these days occur in a row, the risk of unhealthy ozone levels is significantly increased.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Air Pollution Control Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817.

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM CUSTOMERS RECEIVE REPORT ON DRINKING WATER QUALITY

Missouri public water customers are receiving information on the quality of their drinking water. The annual Consumer Confidence Reports are due out to consumers by July 1 each year and enable Missourians to make practical, knowledgeable decisions about their health and environment. The reports describe the water sources used by the systems, identify any contaminants found during routine drinking water testing and provide general information on drinking water and health.

To assist the utilities in producing the reports, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has developed an informational packet that contains a template and tips on developing an informative report and making it available to customers. The Consumer Confidence Reports also provides suppliers with an opportunity to explain how the community's drinking water supplies are protected and build on their relationship with the customer.

All community water systems are required to produce and distribute a Consumer Confidence Report. These systems include cities, water districts, subdivisions, mobile home parks, and other water systems serving at least 25 residents. A copy of the report will be sent by mail, published in the local newspaper or posted at the water system's office, public buildings and the local library. Large water systems serving more than 10,000 people must deliver each customer a copy of the report directly and smaller systems may use one of the other delivery or notification options.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources encourages the public to read their water system's Consumer Confidence Reports and become better informed about their drinking water. Any citizen served by a community water system who has not received a Consumer Confidence Reports should call their water provider and request a copy.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.

MISSOURI AND KANSAS WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE STREAM

The Department of Natural Resources' Water Pollution Control Program will be working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to write a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Spring River basin located in southwestern Missouri and southeastern Kansas. A TMDL is a calculation of how much of a pollutant can be introduced into a waterbody before it becomes impaired. A stream is considered impaired if it does not meet state Water Quality Standards. Impaired streams are required by federal law to have a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved TMDL document, which in Missouri also includes a plan to restore the watershed. The target is set by calculating how much a pollutant must be reduced before the receiving waters will meet standards.

Turkey Creek and Center Creek in Jasper County are impaired as a result of zinc from historic lead mining activities. These two creeks join the Spring River just across the border in Kansas. This area is also a designated Superfund site. Kansas has identified the Spring River as impaired by cadmium, zinc and lead. As required by law, Missouri must help Kansas meet their metal standards, which are currently lower than Missouri's.

This TMDL will be unique for many reasons and may set national precedence. Information will be shared between the states to write the TMDL document and the two states will submit essentially the same document to EPA for one watershed. To reduce the input of metals into the streams, a cooperative effort has evolved between the department and the potential responsible parties for the Joplin Superfund site. The remediation plan may include the use of bio-solids with phosphorus amendments when appropriate for site conditions. The goal is to essentially create soil on chat piles or the remnants of chat piles to promote growth of vegetation and a decrease in contaminated runoff. Disposal of poultry manure that is high in phosphorus is an identified impairment in the Elk River basin just south of Joplin. Use of poultry litter as a phosphorus amendment on chat piles could help resolve the metals issue. A TMDL that uses one impairment to fix another is a unique feature of this effort. The joint Spring River TMDL is scheduled to be submitted in fall 2002.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300.

DEPARTMENT EXHIBITS AT THE 100TH MISSOURI STATE FAIR

The Missouri State Fair celebrates its 100th anniversary August 8 through 18 in Sedalia. Each day of the fair, discover the services offered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at displays and exhibits about the environment, state parks, geology, energy and state history inside the historic Woman's Building and at other locations on the fairgrounds.

For more information, call Van Beydler of the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-522-2343 or visit www.dnr.mo.gov/statefair/.

CHEMICAL OXIDATION AT PERKINELMER

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is working to protect residents of St. Louis County form trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure. The PerkinElmer site in St. Louis County has TCE and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination in groundwater. The contaminated groundwater flows toward the Chicago Heights neighborhood. The concern is that TCE may enter basements of the houses in the neighborhood during heavy rain events. TCE is a probable carcinogen in water at greater than five parts-per-billion. Ingestion, inhalation and dermal exposure to TCE are of concern. Since TCE evaporates rapidly into the air, breathing it in an enclosed basement could be a serious exposure.

Since the TCE is in the groundwater, it is very difficult to clean up. Chemical oxidation using Potassium Permanganate was the chosen cleanup method for the site. The Potassium Permanganate is injected into the area of contamination. The oxidant combines with the contaminant, thus breaking down both chemicals into harmless substances.

In December 2001, a Chemical Oxidation pilot study was performed. In March 2002 the results showed that the pilot at PerkinElmer was successful. The department plans to move forward with full-scale chemical oxidation process to address the source of groundwater contamination headed toward the Chicago Heights neighborhood. As soon as the data is fully studied, there will be a public meeting to discuss the results and conclusions of the report.

For more information please contact Hannah Martin of the Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.

WASTEWATER SYSTEMS POLLUTION PREVENTION GUIDES

Hot off the presses! The Environmental Assistance Program of the Outreach and Assistance Center has just released Preventing Pollution in Wastewater Systems: A Guide to Environmental Compliance and Pollution Prevention for Wastewater Systems in Missouri.

This guide is designed to provide wastewater systems with basic information about regulatory requirements and pollution prevention suggestions to help protect workers, the system and the environment. Each guide sheet deals with a separate issue that may be faced at a wastewater treatment facility. Topics covered range from backflow prevention to wastewater systems management. Contacts are provided for additional information on a topic.

Copies of the guide have been mailed to municipal treatment facilities. Electronic copies can downloaded at www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/index.html. Free updates of the guide can be obtained by mailing in the request form (last page of the guide).

For more information or to obtain a copy of the guide, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-6627.

DEPARTMENT TO AWARD $95,000 IN WASTE TIRE GRANTS

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will award $95,000 to various schools, non-profit day cares, parks and other non-profit organizations throughout the state. The Waste Tire Unit of the department's Solid Waste Management Program received 66 grant applications. The 10 top scoring applicants will be funded.

The grants will provide the financial resources for recipients to use shredded waste tire material, mats or tiles made from waste tires or pour-in-place waste tire material from Missouri as playground cover or as surfacing material for running tracks and walking trails.

Due to pending changes in the Americans with Disabilities Act rules, preference was given to applicants planning to use rubber mats or pour-in-place rubber materials. Applicants seeking this type of surfacing were eligible to receive up to $10,000 while those requesting shredded material were eligible for up to $5,000.

The source of funds for this grant program is a portion of the 50-cent fee collected at the sale of new tires in Missouri. These funds also help finance the cleanup of waste tire dumps and enforcement of waste tire regulations.

Since 1996, when the grants were first made available, 288 have been awarded. The 2002 grant recipients include the Boys and Girls Town of Missouri in St. James, Whole Kids Outreach Inc in Ellington, Lamar High School, Lone Jack C-6 School District, Mound City R-2, Osage County R-1 School, Ste. Genevieve County School and the cities of Bolivar, Marceline and Winchester.

For more information on the grant program, call the department's Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-7635. Check out the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/ for additional information on waste tire disposal and other solid waste management issues.

SOLAR-POWERED WATERPUMP GRANT APPROVED

The Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Assistance Office (EAO) is offering farmers and ranchers in Missouri the opportunity to develop a rotational grazing system using solar powered water pumps at minimum cost. EAO has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "319" grant, which will make solar panels, pumps and related hardware available to livestock producers. The pump systems will be used in conjunction with rotational grazing systems as a best management practice. The solar pump systems will provide alternative watering for livestock located in areas where there is no ready access to a power source. The farmer will provide water sources, miscellaneous system components and animal grazing paddocks.

The majority of Missouri cattle operations use conventional selective grazing with streams and ponds as a water source. The cattle generally have free access to the streams and ponds. A rotational grazing system uses fenced paddocks to increase forage production and efficiency. This in turn increases profitability.

However, a successful livestock operation requires an ample supply of good quality water to maintain animal health and profit. A rotational grazing system requires that the cattle have drinking water at a source outside streams and ponds at a reasonable cost. The cost factor becomes an overriding concern in areas remote from electric power. That's where the solar-powered pumps come in. This project will provide solar powered water systems to farmers to establish rotational grazing systems in remote areas where conventional electric power costs are prohibitive.

Data from each individual farm project will be collected for a minimum of two years. Recipients will be required to host a field day or outreach activity to demonstrate the project and provide cost and benefit data to interested groups including Young Farmers, producer associations, 4-H clubs and FFA. The project is expected to last four years, ending in 2006.

The department is in the process of developing a list of potential candidates and has made presentations at several grazing schools and local field days. If you are interested or know someone else that might be interested in a solar system for their farm, or if you would like more information, please contact the Environmental Assistance Office Ag Unit at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-6627.

ELK RIVER COMPOST PROJECT

The Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Assistance Office has been awarded $257,460 to demonstrate the economic and environmental feasibility of using poultry litter to produce compost for markets in need of additional nutrients. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provided the grant with funds from the Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program.

In recent years, the Elk River Watershed in southwest Missouri has been the site of explosive growth of both the human and avian population. This growth has provided much-needed economic stimulus, but has also resulted in the production of large amounts of waste that must be properly managed. The capacity of the environment to treat and absorb the additional waste load has been challenged. Three local agencies, Neosho FFA, University of Missouri Southwest Center and the Neosho Department of Transportation office have agreed to operate composting sites and participate in demonstrations of litter use and marketing.

Currently, litter is applied to land near the poultry barns where it is produced. Over-application and misapplication of litter has resulted in phosphorus contamination in surface water bodies within the watershed. Excess phosphorus in water leads to algae blooms that can deplete oxygen levels ending in fish kills. Algae blooms also cause taste and odor problems for drinking water systems.

Since most of the farmland in the Elk River Watershed is highly erodible, managing nutrient levels by planting nutrient hungry crops like corn or soybeans is not feasible. Due to its bulk and low value, transporting raw litter to areas in need of crop nutrients is also not feasible. Composting the litter will reduce its bulk and eliminate objectionable qualities. The resulting material will have a higher value and be more economical to transport. Opportunities to add value, such as processing for retail sales and creating recognized labeling should enhance economic feasibility of turning the waste litter into a marketable commodity.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-6627.

DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE AWARD FROM THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS

On May 28, 2002, Colonel Donald Curtis Jr., of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Kansas City District, presented two employees of the Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program with the Heartland Award for Teamwork. Jim Harris, Project Manager, and Ramona Huckstep, Community Relations Coordinator, both of the Federal Facilities Section received the award for their teamwork at the Former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, located in Jackson County. The award was presented at a Line Item Review Meeting held in the Corps' Kansas City Office.

Harris and Huckstep, as representatives of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, were part of a team effort that included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Corps of Engineers, the Air Force Base Conversion Agency and the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB). RAB is composed of concerned citizens who review documents and provide input on issues such as remediation and future reuse of the property. The award praised the team's timely expert advise and support analysis particularly during the RAB membership drive and workshop. The Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base remediation has been moving forward thanks in part to the team effort displayed by the state and federal agencies involved in the cleanup and the active participation by the public.

If you are interested in learning more about the cleanup at the Former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base or would like more information on remedial efforts at other Federal Facilities in Missouri, call Ramona Huckstep at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3907 or e-mail ramona.huckstep@dnr.mo.gov.

DEPARTMENT OFFERS TRAINING ON LAND DISTURBANCE

Human activities, such as urbanization, alter drainage patterns and add pollutants to our rivers, wetlands, lakes and streams. Storm water not only carries soil particles, a major pollutant, but can also carry attached pollutants such as petroleum products, metals, chemicals, pesticides, nutrients and bacteria.

Traditionally, agriculture is considered to be the primary source of soil erosion; however, construction sites can also be significant erosion sources. Sediment runoff rates from construction sites are typically 10 to 20 times greater than those from agricultural lands and 1,000 to 2,000 times greater than those of forest lands. Over a short period of time, construction sites can contribute more sediment to streams than was previously deposited over several decades.

In accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulates the quality of storm water runoff from construction sites by requiring a land disturbance or storm water permit. Currently, sites disturbing five acres or more are required to have a Land Disturbance Permit. Starting in March 2003, under a federal rule commonly called "Phase II," sites disturbing one acre or more will be required to get a Land Disturbance Permit.

The Land Disturbance Permits require the developers or landowners to control erosion and sediment at the construction site by using various Best Management Practices. Some of the more common Best Management Practices include silt fences, rock dams, mulching, seeding and sediment basins.

The Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Assistance Office offers a free workshop called Protecting Water Quality, which is an introduction to urban erosion problems and Best Management Practices to deal with those problems. The workshop provides an overview of urban erosion, discusses permitting and regulatory requirements and presents real-life construction site erosion control examples for discussion and evaluation.

This workshop has been presented to 50 groups across the state. Response from the participants was very positive. For more information on Land Disturbance Permits or on training available, please call the Environmental Assistance Office at 800-361-4827.

NEW GROUND WATER SAMPLING METHOD SAVES MONEY AND TIME, MINIMIZES SAMPLING WASTES

A new groundwater sampling method called Passive Diffusive Sampling has resulted in a savings of 54 percent for a Missouri hazardous waste site.

In this innovative method a plastic bag is filled with distilled water then suspended on a cord in the monitoring well. Groundwater diffuses into the bag and certain contaminants, such as the chlorinated solvent trichloroethylene, also diffuse into the bag.

Studies have shown that the bag's contents balance with groundwater concentrations within two weeks. At that time the bag can be removed from the well and a sample taken from the bag. This method avoids purging the well, which can generate substantial amounts of wastewater.

The sampling personnel spend much less time executing this method. Money is saved through the use of less expensive materials, shorter time and less waste to manage.

The site using this method is the Department of Energy Kansas City Plant. Kansas City Plant staff approached the Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 to obtain approval of this method following a one-year on-site study comparing the Passive Diffusive samplers to traditional methods.

The study demonstrated that statistically consistent and even slightly higher values were generated by the bag samplers as compared to traditional methods. The method has since become the focus of guidance from the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC). The Department of Energy Kansas City Plant was the second site in the nation and the first in Missouri to use the new sampling process.

The Department of Energy reports the method has reduced sampling costs by 54 percent, from $32,000 to $14,000 for 2001. Kansas City Plant staff report, "We pulled bags from 10 wells and tested the water in the same amount of time it took to complete testing on just one well using the old method. The time saving was obvious from the start and proved to be significant. Honestly, with the new testing method in place, the paperwork takes longer to do than the sampling."

For more information on Passive Diffusive Sampling, contact Bruce Stuart of the Department's Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3553.

SO MANY MESSES TO CLEAN UP

Missouri's role at the dawn of the nuclear age now requires a safe, sustainable environmental cleanup.

By Stephen Mahfood Published in the editorial section of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It was the spring of 1942 - two years after German scientists first confirmed the power from splitting atoms, and just a few months after the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. The U.S. government was desperate to develop an atomic bomb.

Under the gathering storm clouds of war, Dr. Arthur Compton, a Nobel Laureate from Washington University, lunched on April 17 with Edward Mallinckrodt Jr., head of the Mallinckrodt Chemical Co. Compton explained why uranium was needed for the war effort. Like countless patriotic Missourians before and since, Mallinckrodt agreed to help. By December, Missouri workers had produced enough uranium to supply Enrico Fermi's reactor in Chicago - the first step in the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb.

From that quiet lunch, Missouri's role in building the U.S. nuclear arsenal expanded to include a decade of uranium production in downtown St. Louis, uranium waste disposal at North County sites, another decade of uranium production at the Weldon Spring site in St. Charles County and a nuclear factory near Hematite in Jefferson County that supported U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Some work remains classified to this day.

Now we are facing the long-lived legacy of these nuclear weapons operations. A dedicated crew at the Weldon Spring site has nearly completed cleanup there. And since taking over the job in 1997, the Army Corps of Engineers has made enormous progress in cleaning up the St. Louis waste sites. The cleanup of the Hematite site is just beginning, however. This delay brings with it tragic consequences to the families whose wells have been tainted by the toxic leftovers of the federal government's nuclear operations there.

Despite the progress, much work remains. Fortunately, Missouri's congressional delegation is helping force the federal Energy Department to deal with the residual groundwater contamination at Weldon Spring. Also, we are working to make sure that the federal government meets its long-term obligations and does not leave Missouri with a giant unfunded mandate. Similarly, we are now entering a crucial stage to ensure that the St. Louis cleanup is completed in a way that supports community land use. Every day in Missouri we are proving that economic and environmental health go hand-in-hand. We see this with regular low-tech and new high-tech businesses operating with a sound environmental ethic.

Regrettably, we also see examples where skimping on environmental protection bears the bitter fruit of economic calamity for families and entire communities. In north St. Louis, for example, the Army abandoned a contaminated ammunition plant nearly 10 years ago. The cleanup delays have stifled efforts to develop the site safely and replace the 5,000 jobs that were lost when the Army moved out.

Because radioactive waste will outlast us all, we owe it to future generations of Missourians to build a vigorous program that does more than organize a perpetual maintenance and monitoring operation at these sites. We must insist that a serious investment be made to address the fundamental scientific and engineering challenges related to this waste.

Properly supported scientific research may lead to better cleanup and surveillance methods and a better understanding of the potential health impacts. We must ensure that the federal government builds information systems detailing exactly where any residual contamination is located. Only in this way can people be protected and will future investors and insurers have the confidence to help develop these parcels. Finally, we must insist that the federal government provide adequate reliable funding to support this work.

In the future, before allowing the federal government to sully our soil, we must insist that the environmental consequences be fully considered. Uncle Sam should play by the same environmental rules imposed on private companies. Self-regulation by the federal government has failed miserably and should end.

Being a pioneer is not easy. Missouri's pioneering at the dawn of the nuclear age now demands development of a sustainable environmental cleanup. Expedient and near-sighted cut-and-run environmental projects will only kick the nuclear can down the road to another generation. This is not what pioneers do.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PUBLIC RADIATION AWARENESS CLASS TO BE HELD IN HAZELWOOD

The public is invited to attend a free educational workshop on the risks of radiation and the cleanup of contaminated properties in northern St. Louis from 6-9 p.m., Aug. 13 and 20 at the Hazelwood Civic Center East, 8969 Dunn Road in Hazelwood.

This workshop, offered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, stems from the current task of remediating land north of Lambert Airport that was contaminated from the storage of radioactive materials by the Manhattan Engineering District and Atomic Energy Commission. This is part of a nationwide cleanup entitled the Formerly Utilized Site Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP).

The topics of the workshop will include a history of FUSRAP in St. Louis, the key roles of stakeholders and information on radiation, risk assessment, risk range, cleanup, property release, long-term stewardship and Missouri solid waste laws.

Please RSVP so that seating and handouts can be prepared. For directions, additional information or to RSVP, contact Ramona Huckstep of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3907.

SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONEMENTAL EDUCATION TO BE HELD NOV. 22-24

The Missouri Environmental Education Association and the Office of Environmental Education announce the seventh annual Conference on Environmental Education to be held Nov. 22-24, at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach. People who attend this conference will learn about innovative environmental education efforts throughout Missouri, take home environmental education activities, join other educators and obtain college credit if desired.

This conference typically draws about 350 formal and non-formal educators from across Missouri to explore current issues and trends in environmental education and share ideas for improving environmental literacy.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-6627, or visit www.successlink.org.

RUN, WALK, HOP OR FLY TO THE FOURTH ANNUAL ENDANGERED SPECIES WALK/RUN

The fourth annual Endangered Species Walk/Run will be held Saturday, Oct. 19. There will be three races; a 10k run, 5k run and 5k walk, all on the Katy Trail State Park in north Jefferson City. Event headquarters will be the North Jefferson City Park pavilion at the intersection of highways 63 and 54.

Participants and volunteers will receive long-sleeved T-shirts with artwork created by Conservation Department artist Mark Raithel. The artwork features species of conservation concern that live in prairies, with the natural community being highlighted at this year's race.

Registration is $15 for participants 15 and older, and $10 for those 14 and younger. Entry forms are available from Endangered Species Walk/Run, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or call 573-751-4115 ext. 3807. Registration forms can also be found at www.missouriconservation.org and type in keyword: walkrun.

T-shirts are available for a donation of $18 for those wishing not to participate. Just make a note of it on the registration form.

This year's walk/run is sponsored by the Missouri departments of Natural Resources and Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jefferson City Parks and Recreation and several other conservation organizations.

Contributions generated from the walk/run will benefit endangered species by funding recovery, research, protection and education activities. More than 500 walkers and runners participated last year to support Missouri's endangered plants and animals.

MISSOURI AIR CONSERVATION COMMISSION HOSTS PUBLIC HEARING JULY 25

The Missouri Air Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on rule actions at 9 a.m., July 25, at the Drury Inn and Suites Ballroom, 11980 Olive Street, Creve Coeur.

The commission will hear testimony related to an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection Rule. This proposed amendment revises the inspection requirements for 1996 and newer model year vehicles equipped with On-Board Diagnostics technology and requires that an improvement in tailpipe emissions be made in order for a compliance waiver to be issued.

The commission will also hear testimony related to the rescission of the Control of Gasoline Reid Vapor Pressure Rule. The Air Pollution Control Program had proposed rescission because its requirements and benefits have been superseded by those of the federal Reformulated Gasoline program.

The above documents will be available for review at the following Missouri Department of Natural Resources locations:

People requiring special services or wishing to speak at the meeting can make arrangements by calling 800-361-4827 or 573-751-7840 or by writing two weeks in advance of the meeting to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Air Conservation Commission Secretary, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Hearing impaired persons may contact the program through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

The department requests people intending to give verbal presentations also provide a written copy of their testimony to the commission secretary at the time of the public hearing. The department also will accept written comments for the record until 5 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2002. Please send two copies of written comments to Chief, Planning Section, Department of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Program, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or by faxing to 573-751-2706.

Rule proposals considered at this hearing may be adopted by the Missouri Air Conservation Commission as provided for under authority of 643.050, RSMo.

For more information or a complete meeting agenda, including rules being presented for adoption, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817.

SBCAC TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING AUG. 22

The Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting August 22, at Fred Weber Corporate Office, 2320 Creve Coeur Mill Road, Maryland Heights. A subsequent meeting will be held Nov. 21 at Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Jefferson City Regional Office, 210 Hoover Dr., Jefferson City.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-6627.

back to top

RULE UPDATE

For more information, contact the Department of Natural Resources' Air and Land Protection Division at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-6892. For the latest updates visit the Regulatory Agenda Web page.

Air Pollution Control

Control of Gasoline Reid Vapor Pressure
Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-05.443 - Removes the low Reid Vapor Pressure requirements for gasoline in the St. Louis ozone nonattainment area.
Public comment ends:
August 1, 2002		 Public hearing:
July 25, 2002
Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published		 Department contact:
573-751-4817

Air Pollution Control

Maximum Allowable Emissions of Particulate Matter From Fuel Burning Equipment

Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-04.040 - Amends the rule to make the particulate emission limitations from indirect heating sources consistent with the outstate requirements.
Public comment ends:
July 5, 2002		 Public hearing:
June 28, 2002
Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published		 Department contact:
573-751-4817

Air Pollution Control

Maximum Allowable Emissions of Particulate Matter From Fuel Burning Equipment

Rule Number: 10 CSR010-03.060 - Removes conflicting rule requirements and amends the rule text concerning the control of particluate matter emissions from indirect heating sources to be consistent with St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield-Greene County area indirect heating rule text.
Public comment ends:
July 5, 2002		 Public hearing:
June 28, 2002
Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published		 Department contact:
573-751-4817

Air Pollution Control

Sales Tax Exemption
Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-06.320 - Adds specific automotive parts eligible for sales tax exemption.
Public comment ends:
October 3, 2002		 Public hearing:
September 26, 2002
Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published		 Department contact:
573-751-4817

Air Pollution Control

Control of Emissions From Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Installations
Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-02.280 - Rescinds an outdated and redundant rule.
Public comment ends:
September 5, 2002		 Public hearing:
August 29, 2002
Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published		 Department contact:
573-751-4817

Air Pollution Control

Control of Emissions From Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Installations
Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-05.320 - Rescinds an outdated and redundant rule.
Public comment ends:
September 5, 2002		 Public hearing:
August 29, 2002
Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published		 Department contact:
573-751-4817

Air Pollution Control

Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection
Rule Number: 10 CSR010-05.380 - Incorporates On-board Diagnostics testing requirements and requires an improvement in emissions before a waiver can be issued.
Public comment ends:
August 1, 2002		 Public hearing:
July 25, 2002
Missouri Register Citation:
Filed, not yet published		 Department contact:
573-751-4817

Air Pollution Control

Control of Petroleum Liquid Storage, Loading and Transfer
Rule Number: 10 CSR 010-02.260 - Corrects tank size references because large tanks should have sophisticated poppeted filling mechanisms and Stage I recovery equipment rather than simple controls used on small tanks. Also a definistion for Stage I vapor recovery was added.
Public comment ends:
July 25, 2002		 Public hearing:
June 28, 2002
Missouri Register Citation:
27 MoReg 699		 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:
27 MoReg 325		 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:
27 MoReg 329		 Department contact:
573-751-5331

back to top

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:

  • Air Pollution
  • Drinking Water
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Solid Waste
  • Technical Assistance
  • Water Pollution

Map showing department regional boundaries.

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.

LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN IMPROVE PROTECTING MISSOURI’S NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSLETTER

The staff of Protecting Missouri’s Natural Resources values your feedback about information you want to see in future issues of our newsletter. Send us your comments and suggestions about what information you want to see included in the newsletter.

back to top