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Protecting Missouri's Natural Resources is a monthly newsletter that informs readers about environmental issues.
NOVEMBER 2002
DEPARTMENT HOSTS STAKEHOLDERS WORKSHOP DEC. 11 ON CLEANUP LEVELS FOR MISSOURI
"How can we promote community and economic development while protecting human health and the environment?" is among the questions the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will ask at a Dec. 11 workshop in Jefferson City. The workshop is the first in a series of meetings to review and help revise the state's Cleanup Action Levels for Missouri (CALM) guidance document.
The department wants to hear what works well and what does not work well with its Voluntary Cleanup Program and its current cleanup process, often referred to as "Brownfields" cleanups. Stakeholders are invited to the Dec. 11 meeting, which begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Department of Natural Resources, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.
The overall goals are to 1) clean up sites and spur economic and community development; and 2) make the process more efficient while encouraging additional sites to enroll in the department's Voluntary Cleanup Program. As a result, the improved process would benefit communities as a whole as well as real estate developers, property owners, environmental consultants, environmental attorneys, lenders and city and county governmental Brownfield coordinators.
The Department of Natural Resources recently began a comprehensive review and revision of the CALM document to help expedite cleanups and improve efficiency to support community and economic development. "I regard this review as one of the most important initiatives for ensuring that environmental protection is accomplished in a way that encourages economic and community development," said James D. Werner, director of the department's Division of Air and Land Protection. "By cleaning up and making use of old industrial sites we protect the environment and save Missouri tax dollars."
The department's Voluntary Cleanup Program provides state oversight for voluntary cleanups of properties contaminated with hazardous substances. Many of the sites entering the program are not heavily contaminated and are contaminated by sources not addressed by any of the Department of Natural Resources' regulatory programs. "Property owners, business operators or prospective buyers want the property cleaned up to standards acceptable to the state and to receive some kind of certification of the cleanup from the department," said Werner. "Voluntary Cleanup Program certification can greatly reduce the environmental liability associated with such properties."
The CALM guidance document establishes cleanup levels for contaminated property that enters the department's Voluntary Cleanup Program. The CALM guidance document will be revised soon after completion of the new soil and groundwater remediation rule. Stakeholder input will be incorporated into the new guidance document. Significant issues brought forward during the workshop that are not resolved may be discussed at future workshops.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ST. LOUIS REGIONAL OFFICE RELOCATES
The St. Louis Regional Office of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is now open in a new location, 7545 S. Lindbergh, Suite 210, in St. Louis.
"We are very happy to open the new office in St. Louis," said Steve Mahfood, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "We plan to place more resources in our regional offices in the future to better serve the citizens of Missouri, and this new office fits well with those plans."
"Our primary work is seeing that the environmental laws and regulations of the state are being followed," said St. Louis Regional Office Director Mohamad Alhalabi, "but we do a lot more, like engineering reviews, technical assistance and training. We invite the public to contact our office when they need assistance from the department." The office employs over 65 environmental specialists, environmental engineers and support staff. Personnel inspect environmental control facilities, investigate environmental complaints and respond to environmental emergencies. The St. Louis Regional Office was previously located at 9200 Watson Road.
"We take seriously our responsibility of stewardship to protect and enhance the environment," said Mahfood. "We want to provide excellent public service as we work to preserve and protect Missouri's natural resources."
The St. Louis Regional Office serves six counties including Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis and Warren.
The new St. Louis Regional Office mailing address is 7545 S. Lindbergh, Suite 210, St. Louis, MO 63125. New office phone number is 314-416-2960 and to send a fax call 314-416-2970. The department has six regional and seven satellite offices to serve Missouri citizens. A map of regional offices is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/regions/deqregions.htm.
For more information, contact Mohamad Alhalabi at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' St. Louis Regional Office at 314-416-2960.
APPLICATIONS FOR RECYCLING GRANTS NOW BEING ACCEPTED
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for recycling grants in the state.
Approximately $2 million dollars is available to fund solid waste projects in six categories. The grant money is collected from a $2 per ton charge added when taking solid waste in Missouri landfills. The grants are used to reduce the amount of trash generated in Missouri for disposal in landfills.
Grants are available for the following categories:
- Recycling Centers - to assist all citizens in Missouri recycle easily and affordable.
- Waste Minimization Assessment - to reduce the amount of waste generated and maximize resource recovery by industrial, commercial and institutional facilities.
- Waste Minimization Plan Implementation - to reduce the amount of waste generated, and maximize resource recovery by industrial, commercial and institutional facilities in Missouri through implementation of comprehensive waste minimization or a process optimization plan derived from a formal waste assessment of the operation.
- Community Electronics Reuse and Recycling - to reuse and recycle used electronic equipment.
- Construction and Demolition Waste - to reduce building materials, packaging and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling, repair and demolition operations on pavements, houses, commercial buildings and other structures.
- Food Residuals - to reduce the amount of food being placed in the industrial, commercial and institutional waste streams.
The department must receive nce targeted grant proposals and supporting documentation must be postmarked by 5 p.m., Jan. 31, 2003, to qualify for financial assistance. Applications postmarked after the deadline will be returned to the applicant and will not be eligible for funding.
All financial awards are subject to the state of Missouri's legislative appropriation process, availability of funds and authorization by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Application packets and further information may be obtained online from the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/swmpfund.htm. You can also contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or call 573-526-3921 or 800-361-4827 or call Stan Putter with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program at 573-751-5401.
DEPARTMENT AWARDS $140,000 IN GRANTS TO RECYCLE OR REDUCE WASTE
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $140,000 in grants to projects to recycle or reduce waste. The grants are funded by the Solid Waste Management Fund, which is made up of tipping fees collected for each ton of waste disposed of in Missouri landfills or processed through transfer stations that move waste out-of-state.
"These grants enable Missouri's Solid Waste Management Districts to fund operational costs, administration of activities related to implementation of the district's solid waste management plan and expenses related to the administration and operation of the district," Department of Natural Resources Director Steve Mahfood said.
- $20,000 grant to the Lake of the Ozarks Solid Waste Management District, which includes Camden, Laclede and Miller counties.
- $20,000 grant to the Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District, which includes Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties.
- $20,000 grant to the Mid-Missouri Solid Waste Management District, which includes Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Osage counties.
- $20,000 grant to the Ozark Foothills Region Solid Waste Management District, which includes Butler, Carter, Reynolds, Ripley and Wayne counties.
- $20,000 grant to the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, which includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties.
- $20,000 grant to the Region M Solid Waste Management District, which includes Barton, Jasper, McDonald, Newton and Vernon counties.
- $20,000 grant to the West Central Missouri Solid Waste Management District, which includes Johnson, Lafayette, Morgan, Pettis and Saline counties.
For more information, call the department's Solid Waste Management Program at 573-751-5401 or 800-361-4827.
DEPARTMENT OFFERS HELP IN CLEANING UP WASTE TIRE SITES
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will provide all Missouri property owners the opportunity to report illegal waste tire dumps on their property. The owners are then eligible to have the waste tires cleaned up at approximately 10 percent of the current actual costs of removal. Businesses that generate waste tires through their daily activities are eligible for this program, however, they would be required to pay an additional monetary penalty.
Property owners must have between 500 to 20,000 tires on the site and must notify the department by April 30, 2003. One semi-tractor or trailer tire will equal the same as five average sized 16-inch tires. Under this program, the owner will pay approximately 20 cents per average sized tire.
Illegal waste tire dumps pose serious environmental and health threats. Mosquitoes, rats and other vectors that grow and breed in these dumps can transmit diseases, such as the West Nile Virus. Fires at tire dumps can release hazardous substances to the air, soil and water sources.
The cleanups are funded from the state's 50-cent-per-tire waste tire fee that is paid when new tires are purchased. The waste tire fee is set to expire Jan. 1, 2004 unless it is renewed. To date, 10.4 million tires across Missouri have been cleaned up with the funds from this fee. For more information, contact Dan Fester or Byron Murray in the Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-7635.
DEPARTMENT WEB PAGE MEETS NSTA CRITERIA
A Missouri Department of Natural Resources Web page on vermicomposting has been selected as a link to the National Science Teachers Association's SciLinks Internet service.
Mark Davis, a representative of the association, notified the department in October that www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2188.pdf had been selected by a team of teachers who reviewed the page for accuracy and effective teaching methods.
Dennis Hansen of the departments' Solid Waste Management Program, designed the page, which describes using a glass jar to demonstrate vermicomposting. Organic wastes, such as paper and food scraps, comprise a major part of the wastes now going to Missouri landfills. Red wiggler worms can turn this and most organic materials to soil amendment. The jar-contained worm habitat allows students to feed materials to worms through the top of the jar and then watch their feeding and mating behavior through the glass.
Davis said that SciLinks is an effort by the National Science Teachers Association to help teachers use materials available on the Internet. "These materials are available in the public domain, but they are often difficult to find. We believe that by utilizing textbooks as a portal to good online content, we can reach more teachers and students than is possible with the traditional search engine or pointer Web site," he said.
To be included among the SciLinks selections, the worm jar site was evaluated on accuracy, authority, currency, overall design, interactivity, objectivity, quality of writing, uniqueness and workability. The service can be found at www.scilinks.org.
PUBLIC AVAILABILITY SESSION HELD AT THE RICHARDS-GEBAUR AIR FORCE BASE
On Oct. 10, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a public availability session on the Former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base. The session was open to the public and focused on the Corps' proposals for handling the environmental cleanup of their portion of the Petroleum Oil Lubricants Yard at the site. Maps of the site and the various remedial options for cleanup were presented. The option that was ultimately selected involves digging and hauling the petroleum contaminated soil to a landfill. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources was available at the session to answer questions and hosted a display depicting the role of the department.
For more information on the cleanup at this site, contact William McFarland, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, 601 East 12th St., Kansas City, MO 64106-2896 or call 816-983-3360.
For more information on Federal Facilities in Missouri, contact Ramona Huckstep Federal Facilities Section, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or call 573-751-3907.
TWO MORE DRINKING WATER WELLS ARE FOUND CONTAMINATED IN HEMATITE
In spring 2002, six homes in the River Bend subdivision in Hematite were found to have levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) above drinking water standards in their wells. The TCE, a common solvent and degreaser used in the 1950s, is suspected to have come from a former uranium processing plant located in Hematite off Highway P, near Festus. Westinghouse, Inc., the owner of the plant as of 2001, is decommissioning the former uranium processing plant and is in the early stages of cleanup at the site.
When the wells were discovered to have TCE contamination, Westinghouse installed carbon filtration systems in the affected homes, to remove the TCE. Bottled water was also supplied.
On Sept. 3, two more drinking water wells were found to contain TCE above the drinking water standards. Bottled water was already being supplied to those homes and filtration systems have also been installed. A public availability session was held to give citizens the opportunity to ask questions of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Health and Senior Services, Westinghouse and its contractors.
Because the citizens of Hematite and the surrounding areas want to take a more active role in the remediation of the Westinghouse Plant, they have formed a Community Advisory Group (CAG) known as the Joachim Watershed Community Advisory Group. A CAG is one of the most effective tools to accomplish this goal because it provides a public forum where citizens can discuss their concerns about the site and its cleanup. Citizens in the Hematite area realize the importance of their input into the decision making process and a CAG is one of the most effective tools to accomplish this goal.
For more information on the Hematite Radioactive Site and its remediation or the Joachim Watershed Community Advisory Group, contact Ramona Huckstep of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Federal Facilities Section at 573-751-3907 or by e-mail at ramona.huckstep@dnr.mo.gov.
JEFFERSON CITY HOSTED WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE
Ninety-six women from across Missouri attended the 8th annual Women in Agriculture Conference at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City on Sept. 16-18, 2002. The Capital City Conference was organized and coordinated by soil and water conservation districts, partnering agencies, and women agriculturists. This is a state-wide event held in a different part of the state each year to allow those attending the opportunity to enjoy the diversity of Missouri's landscape and farmland. It is designed to address key agricultural issues of special interest to women. This year the conference focused on women's involvement in the governmental process and how to become more comfortable in making contact with their elected officials on issues that are important to them.
Lori Hauser Holden, Missouri's First Lady, offered the keynote address to open the conference. In addition, there were also workshops emphasizing agricultural topics and communicating with elected officials. At the banquet the second annual Outstanding Woman in Agriculture award was presented to Joyce Vannice from Marion County.
On Tuesday tours were taken by the participants to the state Capitol building, the Governor's Mansion and the downtown area. The three-day event concluded with workshops on Wednesday morning that addressed such topics as cooking with the commodity groups, self-defense, and learning about agricultural ways beyond the border. A closing luncheon was held following the workshops. Next year's event will be held in Cape Girardeau.
FORMER KANSAS LAB OWNER PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD, FALSEHOODS
Terian Koester, former owner of QWAL Laboratories in Pittsburgh, Kan., pleaded guilty to mail fraud and making false statements in violation of the Clean Water Act. He was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. In his plea, the defendant admitted that his laboratory deliberately falsified tests performed on water samples for clients who had Clean Water Act discharge permits. Falsifying water sample tests results can cause the discharge of waters with higher than permitted levels of pollutants, making surface waters unsuitable for drinking, recreation and the support of aquatic life and wildlife.
Commenting on the judgement, Department of Natural Resources' Enforcement Section Chief for the Water Pollution Control Program, Kevin Mohammadi said, "It's good to see that our court system is beginning to treat environmental crime as seriously as other crimes in our society."
The court found that Koester's fraudulent activities resulted in a significant financial loss to QWAL's customers (more than $250,000) and that Koester abused a position of trust. In addition to serving the 18 months, Koester was also sentenced to two years of supervised release after his prison term.
QWAL was on a list of pre-qualified laboratories used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7. Facilities in 15 states, including Missouri, used the lab. The general public, municipalities, commercial concerns and manufacturers used QWAL to provide analyses on samples of air, drinking water, wastewater, hazardous waste and industrial mining.
The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from EPA's National Enforcement Investigations Center. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's office in Kansas City.
CITY OF BRANSON GETS INNOVATIVE
Officials in the city of Branson have demonstrated forward thinking in water quality issues. Recently, the Branson Board of Aldermen approved an innovative sewer construction cost reimbursement program through their city ordinances. The reimbursement ordinance encourages developers to construct sewer systems sized to serve future needs of the area and not just the developer's immediate needs.
When developers build larger systems, they are reimbursed for the additional construction costs. Sewer reimbursement connection fees are collected from users who later connect to the sewer lines, in accordance with a sewer reimbursement agreement between the city and the developer. The city collects the reimbursement fees at the time that other standard city fees are paid, prior to connection to such sewer lines. The developer is then paid by the city in the amount of fees collected. This ordinance encourages Branson and its developers to consider future expansion when constructing sewer systems. This program goes a long way toward assuring sewer capacity will be available when new users want to connect.
This is not the only taste of success Branson has experienced regarding the city's water and wastewater systems. In April of this year, Branson's Cooper Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant received the Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award from the Missouri Water Environment Association. The plant was given the award based on outstanding operation and performance for a small wastewater treatment facility. The city of Branson operates two treatment plants that serve the 6,000 residents and seven million visitors annually. In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released Branson's annual Water Quality Report for 2001. The city had no violations of the water quality standards established by EPA. Water quality protection programs like this can be a model of success for other communities.
As cities and towns grow, the systems that serve them must also expand. When communities repair existing systems or begin new construction projects, cities and towns should look toward the future. Smart growth requires drinking water and wastewater systems be designed with future growth in mind.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Assistance Office at 800-361-4827.
DEPARTMENT RECEIVES APPLICATIONS FOR SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATIONS
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has received applications from four companies to construct waste transfer stations in Missouri.
Peerless Environmental Recovery Inc. has applied to construct the Meramec Valley Processing Facility at 75 Shady Lane, Valley Park. The proposed transfer station would be located near the intersection of Interstate 44 and Highway 141 in St. Louis County. F.W. Disposal has applied to construct a transfer station at 200 S. Elam, Valley Park. Copies of these permit application packages are available for review at the St. Louis County Library, Meramec Valley Branch, 645 New Smizer Mill Road, Fenton.
Bridgeton Landfill has applied to construct a transfer station at 13570 St. Charles Rock Road in St. Louis County. The proposed site is located on the current Bridgeton Landfill property, approximately three-quarters of a mile north of U.S. Highway Interstate 70 and immediately south of St. Charles Rock Road. A copy of the permit application package is available for review at the St. Louis County Library, Bridgeton Trails Branch, 3455 McKelvey Road, Bridgeton.
Heriage Environmental Services has applied for a solid waste processing facility and 10-day transfer station in Clay County. The proposed site is located at 8525 N.E. 38th St., Kansas City, one mile east of I-435 off Parvin Road. A copy of the permit application package is available for review at the North Kansas City Public Library, 715 E. 23rd Avenue.
Transfer stations receive wastes, sort out materials for recovery or reuse and transfer remaining wastes for disposal at a permitted solid waste disposal facility.
The Department of Natural Resources reviews all applications submitted by cities, counties and private owners to ensure that solid waste transfer stations are properly designed and constructed. Other technical factors that protect Missouri's environment are also examined.
Send questions and comments regarding transfer stations to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or call Frank Dolan at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401. For more information on solid waste issues, visit the Web at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp.
EPA REGION 7 AWARDS LINCOLN UNIVERSITY $50,000 GRANT FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
A $50,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant for technical assistance has been awarded to Lincoln University in Jefferson City. James Gulliford, EPA Region 7 administrator in Kansas City, Kan., presented the award to Lincoln President Dr. David Henson Nov. 6 on campus at the Inman E. Page Library.
The grant will support the Lincoln University Midwest Technical and Virtual Resource Center for Environmental Justice. The resource center will provide technical assistance and other environmental support to communities in low-income and minority areas of the Missouri Bootheel.
Small agricultural communities that have expressed concerns about the effects of agricultural practices on their health will be targeted for assistance.
The grant will be awarded under the memorandum of understanding among EPA Region 7, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Lincoln University. The purpose of the agreement is to create a partnership that will enhance Lincoln University research and education capabilities and help EPA in its mission.
Environmental justice is the fair treatment of all races, cultures and incomes with respect to development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and policies and its meaningful involvement in the decision-making processes of the government.
ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, FACULTY RECEIVE EPA AWARDS FOR THEIR CLEAN AIR AWARENESS VIDEO
Roosevelt High School students and teachers were honored on Oct. 18 with awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7. This award is for their contribution to environmental protection through their production of a video showing how youth can affect air quality and improve their health.
Jim Gulliford, administrator of EPA Region 7, presented the awards at a press conference at the Media Center of the high school, 3230 Hartford, St. Louis.
The video is titled The Importance of Clean Air, and features a Roosevelt alumnus as the "Clean Air Cowboy" and a junior as the "Clean Air Kid." Every facet of video production (creating, scripting, filming and editing) was done by the school's Communications Academy. A student who interns at KMOX radio created the video's computer animation graphics. Shane Hopper is the faculty lead for the Academy.
The video, aimed at fostering greater environmental awareness in the community, was created for and given to the St. Louis Community Air Project (CAP), a community-based group working to reduce hazardous air pollutants and improve air quality for healthier lives in St. Louis. The CAP Partnership hopes to make additional advances that will be led by Roosevelt High School students.
Before the press conference, Gulliford honored the students and teachers that created and produced The Importance of Clean Air at a school assembly, following a viewing of the video. He also encourageed all the students at Roosevelt to continue their efforts to protect the environment, discussing the need for leadership in the community and challenging them to initiate environmental changes within the school district.
ST. LOUIS INDUSTRY PARTICIPANTS AND STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY GROUPS RECEIVE EPA AWARDS FOR TWO ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
Local industry participants and stakeholder advisory groups were honored Oct. 18 with awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 for their involvement in two environmental initiatives, the Printer's Simplified Total Environmental Partnership Pilot Program (PrintSTEP) and the Strategic Goals Program for Metal Finishers.
Jim Gulliford, administrator of EPA Region 7, presented more than 40 awards at a press conference and awards ceremony in the Regional Collaboration Center of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association.
The groups being honored have made tremendous strides to raise the level of public and private environmental stewardship, voluntarily expanding the performance measures for compliance. Metal finisher Microfinish Co. Inc., received a Silver Award.
PrintSTEP is an innovative, voluntary environmental compliance pilot program for metropolitan St. Louis. The program's goal is to consolidate the environmental requirement for printers into a single enforcement agreement that will result in less pollution. The PrintSTEP motto is "flexible, cleaner, cheaper and smarter."
PrintSTEP is one of only two such pilot programs in the nation. The program encourages pollution solutions that are good for a company's bottom line, as well as the environment. The program also moves toward a more open process by involving neighborhoods and communities in the regulatory process.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is the primary coordinator of the PrintSTEP effort, providing technical assistance for understanding and complying with regulations. This pilot program is governed by a local stakeholder advisory group, which has representatives from the printing industry, environmental protection agencies and community, environmental and health organizations.
The St. Louis Strategic Goals Program for Metal Finishers (SGP) can help reduce waste, conserve resources, save money and assure a safer environment. The SGP is a voluntary program that assists metal finishers seeking to achieve environmental compliance above regulatory standards. Participating metal finishers receive benefits for advancing through the program and attaining established goals.
Program benefits are based upon a "performance ladder," which rewards those participants making progress toward the national pollution prevention goals. Microfinish Co., Inc., earned its Silver Award by being the first metal finisher in St. Louis to request placement on the performance ladder. Microfinish achieved over 90 percent of the national goals and was placed at the Silver Level.
The SGP was developed by a stakeholder group consisting of St. Louis area metal finishers, the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and EPA. The metal finishing industry produces metal products that have specialized paints or coatings that provide protection, durability or other special properties.
THREE ST. LOUIS ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPIONS TO RECEIVE EPA AWARDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Three local environmental champions were honored with awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7, Oct. 18, for outstanding achievements in improving public health and the environment in St. Louis.
Jim Gulliford, administrator of EPA Region 7, presented the awards to Pat Fedrick, Emily Andrews and Doug Eller at a press conference and awards ceremony at the Community Room of the Walnut Park Branch Library. Resolutions passed by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen were also presented. The ceremony was followed by an informal reception. The event was sponsored by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and EPA.
Pat Fedrick of the Walnut Park East community received the Regional Administrator's Award for Environmental Excellence. Emily Andrews, St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO) and Doug Eller of Grace Hill Neighborhood Services both received 2002 Partner of the Year awards.
Fedrick is a longtime resident of Walnut Park East. She was involved in neighborhood task forces and community initiatives before becoming president of the Lillian Circle Neighborhood Development Association. As president, she established abandoned and vacant properties as her top priority because of concerns of declining property values and environmental and health hazards.
Fedrick helped build the problem-solving capacity of community residents and stakeholders through the development of a 20-page short-range action plan, now being implemented by the Lillian Circle Neighborhood Development Association. The action plan includes alley cleanups and the establishment and maintenance of a community garden on a vacant lot.
Emily Andrews, a community organizer with SLACO, was awarded for her work with the St. Louis Community Air Project (CAP) and for her extraordinary contributions to the clean air effort in St. Louis. Under her leadership, St. Louis is the only community in the nation to manage an air pollution monitoring program completely at the local level.
Andrews brought together an extremely diverse and powerful group to oversee the St. Louis CAP. She contributed greatly to the establishment of performance standards for air quality and fostered school-age and adult education in achieving healthier air. She has also been instrumental in setting up an interactive Web site for the St. Louis CAP, and helping Roosevelt High School develop an innovative, cutting-edge video, The Importance of Clean Air.
Doug Eller, project coordinator with Grace Hill Settlement House, was honored for his extensive work on behalf of the St. Louis North Riverfront Community. He's been a vital force in the development of the St. Louis North Riverfront Trail and has made outstanding contributions to improving the city's environment. Under Eller's leadership, the Americorps program has become an important part of the North Riverfront Trail, where Americorps personnel serve a trail rangers. That program received the 1997 national American Rivers Environmental Justice award.
He brought together diverse resources to construct and maintain the Trail, and has worked tirelessly to create the Trail as an urban recreation for pedestrians and cyclists. Eller is a champion for the residents and issues of the North Riverfront Community. He has been instrumental in establishing a project that will monitor, evaluate and work to obtain healthier air for the St. Louis North Riverfront Community.
ANHEUSER-BUSCH AND SPARTECH RECEIVE NATIONAL POLLUTION PREVENTION AWARDS FROM EPA REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR
Anheuser-Busch and Spartech Corporation received national pollution prevention awards from Jim Gulliford, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7, at a ceremony at the Anheuser-Busch Brewhouse.
Gulliford honored the two businesses as national WasteWi$e award winners for outstanding efforts in being environmental leaders and examples to other businesses. Anheuser-Busch won in the very large corporation category, and Spartech Corp. received an Honorable Mention in the large corporation category.
WasteWi$e is a free, voluntary EPA program through which organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste, benefitting their bottom line and the environment. WasteWi$e is a flexible program that allows partners to design their own solid waste reduction programs tailored to their needs.
Each year, EPA recognizes outstanding achievements of its partners by presenting national WasteWi$e awards in several categories, including business, government and educational sectors. EPA will present Anheuser-Busch with the 2002 WasteWi$e Very Large Business Partner of the Year Award.
Anheuser-Busch won the award for preventing waste, recycling materials, and buying recycled products. In 2001, it prevented more than 730 million pounds of waste from being generated and subsequently disposed of, and recycled more than 4.65 billion pounds of materials. Anheuser-Busch is a founding member of the Buy Recycled Business Alliance.
Anheuser-Busch bought over 1 billion pounds of recycled products in 2001, including packaging materials, copy paper, paper towels and tissue paper, at a cost of more than 2 billion dollars. These products all contain post-consumer content, similar to material a household collects for recycling (aluminum cans, white paper, etc.). Anheuser-Busch's graphics department also has increased its use of recycled paper stock, duplex printing and agricultural product-based inks.
Anheuser-Busch's operations and resources are focused on beer production, family entertainment and packaging. Anheuser-Busch also has interests in aluminum beverage container recycling, malt production, rice milling, real estate development, turf farming, creative services, metalized paper label printing and transportation services.
Spartech Corporation will receive the 2002 WasteWi$e Large Business Honorable Mention Award for preventing waste and recycling materials. The corporation received the Innovative Environmental Award from the International Association of Plastics Distributors in 2001. Spartech's annual contribution to energy savings from waste prevention and recycling would heat more than 1,600 typical homes for one year.
Spartech recycled about 220 million pounds of plastic into new products during 2001, innovatively buying back scrap plastics from their customers and recycling or reusing up to 35 percent of this material for new products.
Spartech reuses and recycles its cardboard transport containers, diverting over 1 million pounds of corrugated cardboard from the landfill and saving $77,000 a year in disposal fees and new packaging costs. Similarly, it reuses and recycles wooden pallets, diverting 785,000 pounds of wood per year from the landfill at a savings of $134,000.
Spartech is a leading producer of engineered thermoplastic material, polymeric compounds, and molded and profile products for a wide spectrum of manufacturing customers. The company's three business segments, which operate out of 43 North American and European facilities, annually process more than 1.2 billion pounds of custom sheet and rollstock, specialty plastic alloys, color and specialty compounds and molded and profile products.
To qualify for the WasteWi$e awards, partners must submit complete annual reporting forms that detail tonnages of waste reduced, associated cost savings, and promotion of the WasteWi$e program to employees, customers and suppliers. This year, the national recognition ceremony was held on Oct. 10 in Washington, D.C.
EPA AWARDS $50,000 GRANT TO ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO TRAIN UNDEREMPLOYED
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has awarded supplemental funds of $50,000 to St. Louis Community College for its Brownfields Job Training and Development Demonstration Pilot.
St. Louis Community College's assessment pilot partners are St. Louis and East St. Louis, Ill. The community college plans to train 25 participants in the job training program, achieve a 75 percent placement rate, and support career placement of graduates for one year after training is completed. Participants will be recruited from low-income, welfare-to-work, and unemployed residents of the federal empowerment zone. The pilot training program will consist of 190 hours of classes over a six-week period, including courses on environmental technologies, health and safety, lead and asbestos abatement, Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), 30-hour general construction, and ecosystem restoration, including training in the use of innovative assessment and cleanup technologies. Occupational Safety and Health Administration approved instructors will conduct the training for general construction.
Properly trained environmental technicians are in high demand by St. Louis employers. EPA's Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative is designed to empower states, communities and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse brownfields.
The community college's training efforts will be supported by organizations such as Work Link, St. Louis University Center for Education and Training, St. Louis Development Corporation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis Regional Jobs Initiative, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, Workforce Partners of Metro St. Louis, New Spirit Neighborhood Organizing Office and St. Louis Urban Male Resource Center.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION TO MEET DEC. 5
The Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m., Dec. 5 at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City. Items to be discussed include G M Leeds, MandR Plastics, College of the Ozards, CaMyer Industries and Renuco.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.
SAFE DRINKING WATER COMMISSION TO MEET JAN. 9
The Missouri Safe Drinking Water Commission will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m. at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Public Drinking Water Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.
DEPARTMENT HOSTS WORKSHOP DEC. 11 ON CLEANUP LEVELS FOR MISSOURI
The department wants to hear what works well and what does not work well with its Voluntary Cleanup Program and its current cleanup process, often referred to as "Brownfields" cleanups. Real estate developers, property owners, environmental consultants, environmental attorneys, lenders, city and county governmental brownfield coordinators are invited to the Dec. 11 meeting, at 8:30 a.m. at the Department of Natural Resources, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.
SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL 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.
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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