Protecting Missouri's Natural Resources is a monthly newsletter that informs readers about environmental issues.
DECEMBER 2003
LAND RECLAMATION PROGRAM LOSES FUNDING IN FY 2004
Due to budget cuts, Missouri's coal regulatory program is not fully funded. The situation prompted the U.S. Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) to review Missouri's program. Missouri faces the loss of millions of dollars in federal funding for Abandoned Mine Land (AML) projects if it does not operate a regulatory program to enforce reclamation laws upon active coal mines in the state.
As a result of the state budget cuts and OSM's determination, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Abandoned Mine Land unit might cease to exist while abandoned mine problems will continue to affect Missouri citizens. State and federal governments will have limited means to help people in areas of Missouri where mining occurred in the past. No other agency or funding source will be available to conduct mining cleanups if the department's abandoned mine land services are lost.
Missouri AML works to protect public safety while completing environmental restoration and improving the economic conditions for future generations. The department's Abandoned Mine Land unit closes dangerous mine shafts, repairs public roads that have been mined near or beneath their surfaces, reclaims bare land to productive uses such as agriculture, recreation and for wildlife, and restores water quality to streams and ponds, allowing their use for livestock and fishing.
Some problem areas degrade quickly and become emergency hazards, such as underground mines collapsing. Many problem areas stop economic development, agricultural production and degrade environmental quality. The Department of Natural Resources quickly responds to these and other problems including mine fires, dangerous open mine shafts and steep, eroding highwalls that threaten roads and public utilities. Without AML, timely and effective reaction to these calls and remediation will not occur.
To date, Missouri AML has reclaimed 4,068 acres of abandoned mine lands. This includes 3,744 acres of barren mine spoils, 218 acres of coal wastes, 76 acres of unsanitary trash dumps, 26 acres of mine fires (surface and underground burning coal wastes) and four acres of subsiding ground beneath homes and other structures or public facilities. In addition, 196 dangerous mine shafts have been sealed, 69,502 feet of dangerous highwall protected or eliminated, 50 occurrences of polluted water reclaimed, 10.8 miles of clogged stream improved, six dangerous impoundments eliminated and 33 hazardous mining equipment or facilities removed. Missouri AML has also conducted 15 abandoned mine land coal emergency investigation and abatement projects since assuming responsibility for administering the Abandoned Mine Land Emergency Program in 1998.
All abandoned mine land funds come from fees charged to the coal companies collected by the federal government. The dedicated funds cannot be used for other purposes. Missouri has more than 17,500 abandoned coal, metallic mineral and other mining sites.
The Department performs this work with an approximate annual budget of $2 million. The majority is spent on construction and reclamation activities. Abandoned mine land projects employ Missourians who work for small companies, increasing employment and tax revenue and improving the state's economy.
Although Missouri AML has closed most of the dangerous coal mine shafts, extensive surface mining for coal has produced other public safety and environmental problems that remain to be reclaimed. More than 63,000 acres at 226 abandoned strip-mined coal sites contain public safety and environmental problems identified by the Department of Natural Resources. These sites are inventoried and scheduled for reclamation by the AML unit at an estimated cost of $101 million.
Missouri has many homes, schools and other buildings that have mines located under them. The Department of Natural Resources receives several calls each year reporting subsidence events and unexpected collapses due to underground mining. Mines falling in can occur literally overnight in yards, affecting homes, businesses and buildings.
In spring 2003, officials at the city of Mindenmines called the Department of Natural Resources to report that a highwall along U.S. 160 was falling down. The eroding highwall threatened to break the town's electric, telephone and water lines. If the highwall fell, it would have threatened the highway and required repair costs. AML immediately designed an earth- moving project to make the highwall stable and save the town's utilities and the public highway.
Missouri AML received authorization from Governors Carnahan and Holden, and OSM, to close dangerous mine shafts associated with metallic minerals commonly found in the mining districts of southern Missouri. Many of these mining districts are located in rapidly developing areas. New residents may be unaware of the mining dangers surrounding them. Continued development in these areas increase the risk that someone might fall into an open mine shaft. Abandoned mine lands will continue to be a danger to people in Missouri unless a way is found to carry on the cleanup effort.
For more information, visit our Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/lrp or call the department's Land Reclamation Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4041.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES' WASTE TIRE FEE EXPIRES JAN. 1, 2004
New Tire Purchases should not include 50 cent fee
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is reminding consumers who plan to buy news tires after Jan. 1, 2004, that the purchase price should not include the 50-cent-per tire fee. Retailers may still collect a tire disposal fee. The retailer's disposal fees are limited by law to no more than $2 per tire.
"The Department of Natural Resources has removed approximately 12 million tires from illegal waste tire dumps in Missouri using the state's 50-cent-per-tire waste tire fee," said Steve Mahfood, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The department also used the fee to encourage the use of recycled tires in new products and supported 100 percent of the department's statewide clean up of illegal waste tire sites, playground surface grants and waste tire inspection and enforcement activities.
The waste tire fee was not extended during the regular 2003 legislative session and will expire Jan. 1, 2004. Unless the fee is renewed, the state will lose its only source of funding for waste tire dump cleanups. "It is unfortunate the tire fee will expire this year," said Mahfood. "However, the department will continue to remove as many waste tires from Missouri's environment as possible until the fund balance is completely expended." The department estimates more than 3 million waste tires will remain scattered across Missouri's roadsides and communities when the fee expires.
When waste tires are not disposed of or recycled properly they pose serious threats to human health and the environment. Water sitting in waste tires creates an ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes, which can equal 10,000 to 1,000,000 mosquitoes per tire during a breeding season. Mosquitoes are known to carry diseases such as the West Nile virus, Equine Encephalitis, and the St. Louis and La Crosse strains of human encephalitis. Fires from waste tires release hazardous substances into the air and possibly into groundwater sources and can burn for months or even years.
When Missourians dispose of or recycle waste tires properly they can provide several beneficial uses including: an alternate source of fuel for power plants; raw material for new tires; playground surfaces; and other recycled rubber products.
The department's waste tire program was recognized as one of the top ten programs in the nation before the fee expired. When similar fees expired in other states dumping increased.
For more information on Missouri's tire fee effort visit the department's Web page at /env/swmp/tires/TIREFEEPKT.pdf, or call Dan Fester, Waste Tire Unit chief with the Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SUGGESTS "TREECYCLE" YOUR HOLIDAY TREE
As the excitement of the holidays begins to fade, it is time to consider what to do with your Christmas tree. Yard waste has been banned from landfills since 1992, but with a little imagination you can find alternatives uses for the retired trees to extend the Christmas spirit.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' How to Dispose of Christmas Trees brochure has several tips on how to "treecycle" a natural Christmas tree or find beneficial uses for an artificial tree after the holiday ends. The following are a few of those suggestions.
To help out your neighborhood birds and wildlife, set the old tree up in the backyard as a banquet table. Hang edible decorations such as suet, peanut butter balls, ears of corn or clusters of birdseed to attract a colorful and entertaining gathering of birds and squirrels to your backyard. The tree will still be waste material in the spring, but you can squeeze a little reuse from it before then.
Weighed down by stone, a collection of trees at the bottom of a pond can benefit fish habitat by providing cover for small fish and places for their food species to cling until feeding time.
If you have the room, you may discard natural trees to create brush piles. Stacked trees can provide shelter against winter winds and ice for small animals and birds. Over time, brush piles break down and decay into compost that can enrich the soil.
You can speed up the composting process by running the tree through a chipper and using the mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture. Many communities offer a Christmas tree collection and chipping service after Christmas. Check with your local government or your solid waste management district for the location and schedules of these services. For district contact names and numbers, check this Web page: /env/swmp/swab/PLANLIST.pdf, or call the department's Solid Waste Management Program at 573-751-5401.
Although artificial trees last much longer, disposal options are more limited. Ultimately a worn out artificial tree must go to a landfill. Or you may want to consider using it as an outdoor Christmas decoration next year.
For copies of the How to Dispose of Christmas Trees brochure, contact the department's Outreach and Assistance Center by calling 800-361-4827 or visit the department's Web site at /pubs/pubs.htm. For more information on recycling or other solid waste management issues, visit /env/swmp/homeswmp.htm.
GATEWAY CLEAN AIR PROGRAM 2001 AND 2002 ANNUAL REPORTS AVAILABLE
The Department of Natural Resources' Air Pollution Control Program has released the Gateway Clean Air Program 2001 and 2002 annual reports, outlining details and progress made by the department's overall effort to improve St. Louis area air quality.
Volume I of the report is the summary of the significant events and improvements in the Gateway Clean Air Program during calendar years 2001 and 2002.
Volume II contains all of the reports required by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. This volume contains statistical information about the Gateway Clean Air Program, such as the vehicle inspection failure and successful repair rates. For example, the program tested 94 percent of cars in 30 minutes or less.
Volume III is a comprehensive analysis of the RapidScreen element. RapidScreen is the innovative part of the Gateway Clean Air Program that allows some low-emitting vehicles to skip a trip to the emission test stations and receive their emissions sticker by mail.
In 2001 and 2002 the program made many improvements. The department and its testing contractor made ongoing strides to make the Gateway Clean Air Program as convenient to motorists as possible while continuing to improve the air quality benefits of the program. To accommodate the needs of motorists and their vehicles, the program strives to be flexible and responsive to citizen concerns. The program is an important part of the ongoing effort to reduce air pollution and improve the health of citizens in and around the St. Louis area.
Copies of the reports are available online at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/gcap/newrelease.htm. Copies may also be obtained by writing to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or calling 573-751-4817.
For more information regarding the Gateway Clean Air Program, visit www.gatewaycleanair.com, or call 1-888-748-1247.
DEPARTMENT RECEIVES APPLICATION FOR DISPOSAL AREA IN JACKSON COUNTY
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has received an application from Pink Hill Acres Inc. to construct the Pink Hill Acres Demolition Landfill in Jackson County.
The proposed disposal area is located at 3500 NW Highway 7, Blue Springs, approximately two miles north of Interstate 70 on Highway 7 and would be used to receive non-hazardous construction, demolition and approved special wastes.
The Department of Natural Resources reviews all applications to ensure that solid waste facilities are properly designed and constructed. All factors that can assist in protecting Missouri's environment are examined. These include geologic setting, ground and surface water considerations, climate, design and proposed operational practices.
A copy of the permit application package is available for public review at the Mid-Continent Public Library, Blue Springs North Branch, 850 N.W. Hunter Drive.
Questions and comments regarding the proposed landfill or the department's role in regulating solid waste facilities may be sent to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or phone Steven Wyatt at 573-751-5401.
For more information on solid waste issues, visit our Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp.
GOVERNOR APPOINTS TWO NEW COMMISSIONERS
Two new members have joined the Safe Drinking Water Commission. Lanny Meng and Orville Schaeffer have replaced Katie Wesselschmidt and Chet Dudley.
Meng, a farmer from northwest Missouri, is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering. He has been involved in a variety of state and regional issues related to agriculture and management of the Missouri River and is active in local community affairs. Meng represents the public on the commission. His term expires Sept. 1, 2006.
Schaeffer, a businessman, farmer and water operator, serves as the certified water operator for several small public water systems in southeast Missouri. He has been involved in training water operators, residential and commercial water conditioning and various local community activities. He represents public water systems serving less than 75 people on the commission. His term expires Sept. 1, 2006.
The Safe Drinking Water Commission is a nine-member board with responsibility to adopt rules for the administration, enforcement and implementation of the safe drinking water statutes, and to approve the intended use plan and priority points criteria for drinking water loans. The commission also provides insight and perspective to the department's Public Drinking Water Program in many areas of the complex drinking water arena.
Four members of the commission must be associated with public water systems of various sizes and the other five members represent the water-consuming public. Commissioners serve without compensation, but are reimbursed for travel and other actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Public Drinking Water Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331, or visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp.
DEPARTMENT DENIES APPLICATION FOR F.W. DISPOSAL TRANSFER STATION IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has denied the application of F.W. Disposal South LLC to build a solid waste transfer station in St. Louis County.
The department rejected the application Nov. 20 stating that the F.W. Disposal South LLC Transfer Station did not comply with local health codes.
Questions and comments regarding this denial or the department's role in regulating solid waste transfer stations may be sent to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176.
For more information contact Russ Seedyk in the department's Solid Waste Management Program at 573-751-5401 or visit the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/. Local Solid Waste Management rules are on the Missouri Secretary of State's Web pages at www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/10csr/10c80-6.pdf.
DEPARTMENT HOSTS MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING ON FINE PARTICLE BOUNDARY RECOMMENDATION
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources held a public informational meeting about the state's proposed Fine Particle Nonattainment Area Boundary Recommendation on Dec. 2, at the department's St. Louis Urban Outreach. At this meeting, the department explained the state's recommendation proposal and answered questions in an effort to inform citizens of this issue before the public hearing.
The department held the public hearing during the Missouri Air Conservation Commission meeting on Dec. 4, 2003, in Jefferson City.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established new fine particle standards in 1997, which were challenged and upheld in federal court. Missouri has until Feb. 15, 2004, to recommend to EPA areas that should be designated nonattainment for fine particles (PM2.5). EPA issued guidance for states regarding the information that should be considered when deciding what areas should be included in the nonattainment area. The department's Air Pollution Control Program staff completed a technical review of the information and prepared a nonattainment boundary proposal. This proposal is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/rules/pm25/pm2_5_proposal.pdf.
The recommendation made in the proposal was to include St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson counties in the PM2.5 nonattainment area. The data shows that emissions and activities in these areas contribute to the high PM2.5 concentrations monitored in St. Louis.
There are 16 PM2.5 monitoring sites in the St. Louis area, including the monitors in Illinois. Although a full three years worth of data is not yet available, six sites may violate the annual PM2.5 standard by the end of 2003. The remaining St. Louis sites are near, but below, the standard. Monitoring data collected in the remaining areas of the state do not violate the PM2.5 standard.
Fine particles (PM2.5) are generally emitted from activities such as industrial and residential combustion and from vehicle exhaust. Fine particles also form in the atmosphere when chemical reactions change gases in the air such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, emitted by combustion activities.
The health effects of exposure to fine particles include premature death and increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits (primarily the elderly and individuals with cardiopulmonary disease); increased respiratory symptoms and disease (children and asthmatics); decreased lung function; and alterations in lung tissue and structure and respiratory tract defense mechanisms. The new PM2.5 standards are expected to improve the lives of thousands of Missourians.
For more information on PM2.5 or the proposed boundary recommendation, please contact the Air Pollution Control Program at 573-751-4817 or 800-361-4827.
55th ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE HELD
Tools for Today and Tomorrow was the theme that drew 695 people to Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach for the annual soil and water conservation districts training conference December 1-3, 2003. The annual conference is coordinated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Soil and Water Conservation Program in partnership with the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
The emphasis for the 55th annual Training Conference focused on planning and the tools to do that effectively. Elizabeth Brown, Chair of the state's Soil and Water Districts Commission, welcomed the group with remarks centered on the theme. Keynote speaker, Mark Mayfield, challenged attendees to think outside the box when it comes to dealing with other people. He gave suggestions on how to respond to different approaches with people using his humorous personal assessment approach.
The conference is a yearly event which brings supervisors together to focus on training needs. Workshop topics ranged from technology use, formal dam inspections, personnel policies, communicating successfully with everyone, managing quail, and new ideas for the district's information and education programs.
For more information contact the department's Soil and Water Conservation Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4932.
DEPARTMENT BEGINS REVIEW OF AK STEEL CORPORATION PERMIT APPLICATION
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has started a technical review of a hazardous waste permit application submitted by AK Steel Corporation, Kansas City.
AK Steel, 7001 Winner Rd., is seeking to renew the facility's current hazardous waste permit, which expires on Feb. 16, 2004. The public is invited to review and offer written comments on the permit application.
AK Steel is an inactive steel manufacturing facility. Four closed hazardous waste dust landfills remain on the property. Historically, these landfills were used to dispose of electric furnace baghouse dust created during steel production. The landfills are currently covered with three feet of soil and live vegetation. The main hazardous waste and materials of concern at the facility are lead, cadmium, zinc, arsenic and various volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds.
The renewal of AK Steel's hazardous waste permit would require the facility to continue to check and preserve the landfill cover and, if necessary, clean up any hazardous materials released at the landfills. AK Steel would also continue to examine and clean up areas of the property where hazardous waste and materials are present and may create a threat to human health or the environment.
The new permit would also move supervisory responsibility for AK Steel's investigation and clean up activities from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The permit application can be viewed and copied at the Kansas City Public Library, 6000 Wilson Road, Kansas City, from 9 a.m to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The permit application is also available by appointment at the following Department of Natural Resources' offices:
Kansas City Regional Office Hazardous Waste Program
500 Northeast Colbern Road 1738 East Elm Street (lower level)
Lee's Summit Jefferson City
Phone 816-622-7000 Phone 573-522-3345
The public is invited to review and offer written comments on the permit application. Comments are effective if they point out legal or technical mistakes in the permit application. Please send written comments to Julie Pearson at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176.
For more information, call Pearson at 573-751-3553 or 800-361-4827.
DEPARTMENT OUTLINES STEPS IN SECURING COMMUNITY WATER UTILITIES
Vigilant observation is the best way for Missourians to help protect local water supplies from terrorists or vandals, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Public drinking water systems could be targets for terrorists or other would-be criminals wishing to disrupt community water supplies or wastewater facilities. Because drinking water and wastewater utilities can have pumping stations, storage towers, wells, surface water intakes, manholes and other access points throughout their piping systems, it is difficult for utility staff to provide security alone.
Observant residents can complement utility systems security by noticing and reporting any suspicious activity around local water utilities. Residents can help protect local water supplies by being observant of suspicious activity around remote facilities.
Any of the following suspicious activities should be reported to local law enforcement authorities:
- People climbing or cutting a utility fence
- People dumping or discharging material to a water reservoir
- Unidentified vehicles loitering near well houses, water reservoirs, water treatment plants, storage tanks, pumping stations or control buildings
- Suspicious opening or tampering with manhole covers, buildings or equipment
- People climbing or on top of water tanks
- People photographing or videotaping utility facilities, structures or equipment
- People hanging around locks or gates
When reporting an incident:
- State the nature of the incident
- Identify yourself and your location
- Identify location of activity
- Describe any vehicle involved (color, make model, license plate number)
- Describe the race, sex, hair color, size and clothes of the suspicious person or people
Residents are warned not to confront people engaged in suspicious behavior. Tampering with or threatening to tamper with a water facility is a crime punishable by fine or imprisonment.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Public Drinking Water Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331. For free outreach materials regarding water security, go to www.epa.gov/safewater/security/flyers/index.html.
DEPARTMENT, EPA SEEK COMMENTS ON PROPOSAL TO RELEASE FORMER VALSPAR CORPORATION FROM INTERIM STATUS
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are proposing to release the former Valspar Corporation facility from interim status as a treatment, storage and disposal facility. The former Valspar facility is located at 2104 East 18th St. in Kansas City. Citizens are invited to comment on the proposal and associated decision of no further corrective action.
Valspar operated a hazardous waste storage facility under the interim status portions of the federal and state hazardous waste laws from 1979 to 1991. Valspar produced a variety of varnishes, inks and surface coating paints, including both water-based latex paints and solvent-based oil paints. The processing equipment was periodically cleaned using pant solvents, mainly methylene chloride. This cleaning process resulted in the production of hazardous waste.
Valspar removed several and closed two underground storage tanks (USTs) during the last years of operation. The hazardous waste storage area was closed in 1991 according to a department approved closure plan. The facility property was sold to The Community Development Corporation of Kansas City in 1992. The department conducted extensive soil sampling at the facility, which indicated no hazardous waste or hazardous materials remain on-site above regulatory limits. The department and EPA have determined that the facility has met the requirements of the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Law and Resource Conservation Recovery Act, and no further action is required at the site.
Copies of all reports and documents used to reach these decisions may be viewed at the following locations:
Kansas City Public Library Hazardous Waste Program
Main Library 1738 East Elm Street (Lower Level)
311 East 12th Street Jefferson City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri Phone: 573-751-3043
(by appointment only)
Citizens are invited to comment on the proposal to release the former Valspar facility from interim status, including EPA's and department's determination that no further action is required. Comments will be accepted until Dec. 26, 2003. Please send written comments to Patrick Quinn, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0176.
Anyone may request a public hearing on the proposed actions by writing to Mr. Quinn at the above address before the close of the comment period. A request for a hearing must state what issues are to be raised in the hearing. The department will review all written comments and any comments raised at the public hearing, if one was held, at the end of the public comment period. The department may revise the proposed actions based upon technical or legal issues brought up by the comments. The department will respond, in writing, to all comments.
For more information, please contact Patrick Quinn at the above address or by phone at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3553.
DEPARTMENT RELEASES DETAILED WIND RESOURCES MAPS
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center has released a series of maps detailing the extent of Missouri's wind resources.
The maps, commissioned by the department from the firm TrueWind Solutions, can be used by Missouri utilities and property owners to determine the viability of using wind turbines to generate electricity. Recent technological improvements have made it possible to generate energy from lower wind levels.
"Other Midwest states have begun to realize the economic benefits from renewable energy industries; and many of these benefits accrue to the rural economy," said Anita Randolph, director of the Missouri Energy Center. "The maps predict that the largest areas with the highest average wind speeds are to be found in northwest Missouri, however, there are smaller areas with similar wind speeds at other locations."
Because of the improved efficiency of wind turbines and government policies encouraging wind energy investments, wind-driven electrical generation is the fastest growing source of new electrical generation capacity in the United States.
The preliminary versions of the wind maps, which are based on estimated wind speeds at 30, 50, 75 and 100 meters, are now available on the Missouri Energy Center's Web pages www.dnr.mo.gov/energy. These maps are considered "interim final" and are subject to independent validation by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and consulting meteorologists. The project is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America program.
While it is believed that the maps represent an accurate overall picture of Missouri's wind energy resource, estimates at any location should be confirmed by additional wind measurements taken at the specific site. The final maps will be available on CD-ROM. Those wishing to be notified of the release of the final maps should join the Energy Center's e-mail list at www.dnr.mo.gov/broadcastlists.htm.
ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The department's Environmental Emergency Response provides daily support and protection for the citizens of Missouri. On-scene coordinators are located throughout the state and available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to respond to hazardous substance spills. Some of the protection and services the department provides are:
- emergency response training and planning;
- advice on hazardous chemicals and technical expertise used to provide spill cleanup advice and oversight;
- coordinate private contractors to clean up hazardous material spills;
- ensure a proper environmental cleanup is completed;
- drug lab seizure assistance;
- Chemical Accident Prevention Program for businesses that use hazardous chemicals; and
- Homeland security issues.
Environmental Emergency Response staff use specially designed vehicles that contain protective gear, air monitoring instruments, sampling equipment and spill cleanup equipment. The department's Environmental Emergency Response Team is funded from a hazardous waste generator fee. The fee will expire in December 2004 unless it is renewed. To report a hazardous substance spill call 573-634-2436.
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| Joe Boland (left rear), State On-Scene Coordinator with the department's Environmental Emergency Response Section, works closely with officials from Jefferson City and Cole County during a terrorist training exercise. |
On Dec. 1-5, two staff from the department's Environmental Emergency Response (EER) Section completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC)/Consequences of Terrorism training at the National Emergency Training Center, Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
The IEMC focuses on preparing for and responding to the consequences of a terrorist act. An exercise-based training course, the IEMC places public officials and other key community leaders in a disaster simulation. The course methodologies of classroom instruction, planning sessions, and exercises allow for structured decision-making in a realistic learning environment. Special attention is placed on the response among agencies when the disaster area is also a crime scene.
The two EER staff were part of a contingent of nearly 70 individuals from Jefferson City and Cole County that attended the training. Numerous nationally recognized instructors from a variety of disciplines delivered the training. Their experiences included actions at the World Trade Center events of Sept. 11, 2001, the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, the Northridge, California Earthquake and various hurricanes in the southeastern part of the United States.
Instructors complimented everyone for their management of all the events the training threw at them noting that Jefferson City and Cole County citizens are fortunate to be served and protected by such professional emergency response officials.
The knowledge, skills and experience acquired at the training can be used to assist other local government agencies during a terrorist related event in the State of Missouri.
The training was paid for through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Participation in the IEMC/Consequences of Terrorism training course would not have been possible without the support of the Jefferson City and Cole County Emergency Management Agency.
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| The remains of a gasoline tanker truck that exploded and burned near Interstate 29 and 635 in Platte County are loaded on a flat bed trailer. |
The Missouri Department of Transportation notified the Environmental Emergency Response (EER) Section on Saturday, November 8, 2003, of an accident involving a tank truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline. The tank truck, owned by Groendyke Transport, Inc. of Enid, Oklahoma, had failed to negotiate an exit ramp on Interstate 29 and 635 in Platte County. A State On-Scene Coordinator from the EER Section was dispatched to the scene to provide technical assistance.
After striking a guardrail, the tank truck immediately burst into flames. Burning gasoline quickly spread down the highway and entered a storm sewer. All but approximately 1,000 gallons of gasoline was consumed in the inferno. Several hundred gallons of gasoline discharged from the storm grate to a low-lying area adjacent to the highway. Local emergency response officials did an excellent job at addressing the incident under very difficult circumstances.
A State On-Scene Coordinator from the Kansas City Regional Office worked closely with the responsible party and local officials over the next several days to ensure a cleanup was properly completed.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Services Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-3315.
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| Containment and absorbent booms are deployed to protect the North Forth of the White River from the spilled gasoline. |
The Missouri State Highway Patrol notified the Environmental Emergency Response (EER) Section on Thursday, Nov. 13, of an accident involving a tractor tanker carrying 8,400 gallons of gasoline. The tractor tanker, owned by Nick's Transport Inc. of Mount Vernon, had failed to negotiate a curve and overturned on Highway PP north of Tecumseh in Ozark County.
State On-Scene Coordinators from the department's Southeast Regional Office and Environmental Services Program were immediately dispatched to the scene to provide technical assistance.
The tractor tanker overturned above a culvert that discharges down a steep gradient to a dry creek bed. Within a short amount of time, over 5,000 gallons of gasoline had been lost from the tanker to the creek. The initial focus was on recovering as much free product as possible and protecting the North Fork of the White River which was approximately 200 yards downstream from the accident. The responsible party brought in another tanker and off-loaded 3,200 gallons of gasoline, mostly from the damaged tanker. Efforts to locate free product down gradient of the accident and in the dry creek bed were unsuccessful. It was apparent that the vast majority of gasoline migrated downward through fractured bedrock into the subsurface. Excavation of contaminated soil along the highway commenced immediately under the supervision of the Department of Transportation.
The responsible party was informed that an environmental site assessment would be needed immediately. Water samples from a natural spring and a drinking water well at a nearby campground were collected within 48 hours of the accident. Unfortunately, sample results show the water in both locations to be contaminated indicating the gasoline has impacted the groundwater.
The EER Section, with the department's Geological Survey and Resource Assessment Division, are working o identify potential underground contamination zones.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Services Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-3315.
DEPARTMENT AWARDS PROJECT, ADMINISTRATIVE GRANTS
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $125,000 to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, to recover and use 108 tons of food waste annually. The grant was given to the university's Department of Cooperative Research, which will use it to purchase a composter, mechanical lift, pole barn, concrete pads, loading dock and storage bins for processing the food waste that is currently disposed of in a landfill each school year.
The department will also provide information on waste food reduction and composting to university staff and students. Compost will be used for campus landscaping and teaching and research in horticultural and agricultural areas.
The department awarded $10,000 to Bridging the Gap of Kansas City to examine waste reduction and recycling at Rockhurst University. The grant will pay for personnel, consultants, travel and supplies to analyze the solid waste handling and recommend improvements. To date, Bridging the Gap of Kansas City has received a total of $949,866 in funding for Waste Reduction and Recycling projects.
The department awarded four $20,000 district administrative grants to: Solid Waste District "O," which includes Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk and Webster counties; East Central Solid Waste Management District, which includes Franklin, Lincoln, Montgomery and Warren counties; Lake of the Ozarks Solid Waste Management District, which includes Camden, Laclede and Miller counties; and the West Central Missouri Solid Waste Management District, which includes Johnson, Lafayette, Morgan, Pettis and Saline counties.
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.
These grants are subsidized by the Solid Waste Management Fund, which is made up of tipping fees charged to each ton of waste disposed of in Missouri landfills or processed through transfer stations that move waste out of state. A major amendment to the Solid Waste Management Law in 1990 created a goal to significantly reduce the amount of waste going to landfills.
Missouri's 20 solid waste management districts were organized to encourage regional cooperation and to help ensure proper solid waste management through waste reduction and recycling activities.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401.
Visit Calendar of Events at /calendar/search.do for a complete list of Department of Natural Resources' events through the end of the calendar year.
SOLID WASTE FORUM TO BE HELD IN JEFFERSON CITY JANUARY 2004
On Jan. 14, 2004, solid waste management facility owners, operators, consultants and staff are invited to attend a Solid Waste Forum on landfills being held in Jefferson City. The forum, hosted by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program, will provide an open discussion of issues pertaining to sanitary, demolition and utility waste landfills. The forum is intended to be a discussion of issues regarding the regulation, design and operation of landfills, not about enforcement matters. The forum will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.
Proposed agenda items currently include:
- New Closure Post Closure Bulletin
- Landfill gas migration
- Asbestos handling/disposal
- New federal air regulations, subpart AAAA
- New restrictions on the land disturbance general permit, et al
- Landfill Methane Outreach Program and renewable energy
- Geologic investigations - groundwater and gas assessment and siting new landfills
- Storm damage and environmental emergencies
- Being a good neighbor
Due to time constraints, all topics may not be covered in this one-day forum. A final agenda will be e-mailed to all registrants on or about Dec. 31, 2003.
To register, submit your name, mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number to Steven Wyatt, Russell Seedyk, or Jim Bell by calling 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401 or writing to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102.
SMALLFLOWS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED
The Missouri Smallflows Organization (MSO) will be holding its eighth annual conference and exhibition Jan. 20-21, 2004 at the Holiday Inn Select, Columbia. MSO is a non-profit organization that draws from a wide variety of stakeholders with interests in emerging technology and regulations affecting the treatment, collection and disposal of residential wastewater.
Staff from Missouri Department of Natural Resources will give presentations on several topics including, cost effective sedimentation and erosion control methods and geology evaluations for subdivisions. Department staff will also take part in a panel discussion concerning individual on-site financing programs for failing systems.
Keynote speaker, Larry West, Ph.D., University of Georgia will discuss the science involved in getting effluent into the ground. Dave Casaletto, Table Rock Water Quality Group, will provide an update on the EPA funded on-site wastewater system study in Stone County. Other presentations will include on-site system maintenance, and an overview of CARES, a Web site that uses geological information systems (GIS) for environmental modeling and Internet mapping.
More than 30 vendors are expected to be on hand to display the latest technology for the individual on-site and smallflow wastewater industry. For more information about the conference, contact Charles Harwood, MSO President, at 573-751-9155 or David Casaletto, MSO Secretary, at 417-739-4100.
CLEAN WATER COMMISSION TO MEET JAN. 28
The Missouri Clean Water Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m., Jan. 28 at the Governor Office Building, room 450, 200 Madison St., Jefferson City. A subsequent meeting will be held March 10.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Water Pollution Control Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-6721.
AIR CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO MEET FEB. 3
The Missouri Air Conservation Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m., Feb. 3, in room 400 of the Harry S Truman Building, 301 W. High St., Jefferson City. Subsequent meetings will be held March 25 and April 29.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Air Pollution Control Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817.
RULES UPDATE
The Regulatory Agenda contains all environmental rule actions in progress and rule actions effective within the last three months within the Department of Natural Resources.
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.
Clean Water Commission |
Clean Water Commission
Methodology for Development of Impaired Waterbody List |
| Rule Number: 020-07.050 - The methodology used for developing the 303 (d) List is required to be submitted to EPA. This rulemaking will allow staff to meet the directive of the Missouri Clean Water Commission to codify the existing methodology. | |
| Public comment ends: Feb. 11, 2004 |
Public hearing: Jan. 28, 2004 |
| Missouri Register Citation: Filed, not yet published |
Department contact: 573-751-7428 |
Land Reclamation |
Land Reclamation Commission Performance Requirements |
| Rule Number: 040-10.020 - This rulemaking will help to ensure that commercial gravel mining within stream environments is conducted in a manner that will minimize the effects to water resources of the state and help to protect the stream corridor from accelerated erosion. | |
| Public comment ends: |
|
| Missouri Register Citation: |
Department contact: 573-751-4041 |
Land Reclamation |
Land Reclamation Commission Permit Application Requirements |
| Rule Number: 040-10.020 - This rulemaking will help to ensure that commercial gravel mining within stream environments is conducted in a manner that will minimize the effects to water resources of the state and help to protect the stream corridor from accelerated erosion. | |
| Public comment ends: |
|
| Missouri Register Citation: |
Department contact: 573-751-4041 |
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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