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

MARCH 2004

FAYETTE GIRL PENS WINNING EARTH DAY SLOGAN

Earth Day celebration to be held Friday, April 23 at the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site in Jefferson City.

"Like Lewis and Clark, let's make our mark, explore the land and lend a hand," is the winning slogan in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources 2004 Earth Day slogan contest. Hundreds of fifth graders across the state participated in the contest. Beth Frink, daughter of Mike and Linda Frink of Fayette, Missouri submitted the winning words. Beth is a fifth grade student in Ella Greer's class at Daly Elementary School in Fayette.

Beth will receive a certificate of appreciation and a $100 savings bond donated by Central Bank in Jefferson City. Her creative contribution will also be recognized during the Earth Day ceremonies that will take place on the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site and the Carnahan Memorial Garden. Earth Day activities will get underway 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2004.

"Since this year's Earth Day theme is Lewis and Clark, Beth's slogan is really appropriate," said Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Steve Mahfood. "It's wonderful to see so many young people who want to help us take care of the environment."

The Jefferson City event is free and will feature entertainment, interactive environmental displays, games and more. Many Missouri businesses have donated prizes that will be given out during the day. For more information, please contact Sarah McMichael, Earth Day Chairperson at 573-526-6784 or visit the department's Earth Day web page at www.dnr.mo.gov/earthday/.

REPORT SUSPECTED ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ONLINE

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources now provides a way for you to report suspected environmental concerns through an online reporting form.

What is the difference between an environmental concern and an environmental emergency? An environmental concern is a situation that you believe threatens the environment, such as a trash dump, discarded waste tires or colored water in a stream.

An environmental emergency poses an immediate threat to the public health or the well being of the environment. Examples of environmental emergencies include:
. Oil and chemical spills,
. Radiological and biological discharges,
. Accidents causing releases of pollutants.

We appreciate your assistance and concern about the protection of the environment. To assist us in following up on your concern, try to include as much information as possible about the issue (names, addresses, dates, who, what, when, where, etc.) and how you were able to find out about this issue when filling out the online form.

Describe location of concern from nearest town and road intersection. Be as specific as possible, including the distance from road and whether the concern is visible from the road. Describe landmarks such as nearby streams, buildings and roads to help locate the dumpsite or other concern.

The online form has several categories that you can choose to narrow down your description including air, land, water, waste and other. Providing your name, address and phone number is optional. However, the department will not be able to provide feedback or we may not be able to proceed with a full investigation if we do not have enough information. According to the Missouri Sunshine Law, any information gathered or maintained by the department is open record and may be distributed if the information is requested. The environmental report form is located on the Web at www.dnr.mo.gov/concern.htm.

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CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE FACILITY PLANNED

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has received an application from CST, LLP to construct a material recovery facility in Kansas City.

The proposed facility, which would be located between the Blue River and I-435 at 7801 E. Truman Road, would be used to recover reusable materials from the construction and demolition waste stream that would be hauled to the facility. The site is located in an industrial area of Kansas City.

A former manufacturer used the site to store various brass products. After the manufacturer closed the facility in 1985, the site was placed on the national Superfund listing. Contaminated material was removed, stabilized and shipped off site for disposal; however, contaminated foundry wastes remain under a portion of the site. Before any future development can occur on the site, the state is required to consider its former uses.

The department 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. A copy of the permit application package has been placed for public review in the Kansas City Public Library, 6000 Wilson Road.

Questions and comments regarding the proposed transfer station 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 or phone Frank Dolan at 573-751-5401. For more information on solid waste issues, visit our Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp.

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Craig Abbott of the department's Solid Waste Management Program prepares to install screen tubes to prevent clogging of pipes operating in an artificial wetland.

The ice-covered wetland is slowing the flow of landfill leachate to nearby Indian Camp Creek.

CLOSED LANDFILLS NEED DEPARTMENT CARE FOR MANY YEARS

On Jan. 7, 2004, Craig Abbott and Candace Bias of the Solid Waste Management Program traveled to the J-Z Disposal Sanitary Landfill complex near Wright City to perform maintenance on the artificial wetlands project there. The J-Z landfills have been a threat to public health and the environment for many years. Federal courts have assessed fines against the former owner, but he fled the country in an attempt to avoid post-closure responsibilities.

Without the assessed fines or the appropriate financial instruments, the Department of Natural Resources has very little money available to protect the nearby environment, therefore low-cost innovations are being used to stretch the funds. Landfill gas monitoring has been installed, leachate flows are observed and work has been planned to stabilize the steep sides of the landfills. These efforts are being financed by federal court-ordered judgments against the owner.

In 2000, the wetland was installed to slow the flow of water passing through the construction and demolition portion of the landfills before it enters nearby Indian Camp Creek. The two-cell artificial wetland contains plants that take up contaminants from water coming through a small retention pond at the foot of the landfill. Before this, leachate had been transported to a water treatment plant, but the money left to cover such post-closure expenses was quickly running out.

Wearing water-resistant hunting gear, Abbott and Bias installed screens built by Abbott to prevent leaves and debris from clogging two manifold pipes that allow the wetland to operate. The pipes distribute contaminated water within the wetland and serve as overflow prevention to protect the berms that surround the wetland cells.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or
573-751-5401.

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DEPARTMENT LISTS WATER SYSTEMS THAT FAIL TO TEST QUALITY

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released a list of drinking water systems that have chronically failed to do required bacteriological testing.

The department requires all public water systems to test for bacteria at least once a month to verify that these systems are providing safe drinking water to the public. While failing to monitor does not necessarily mean that the water is unsafe, routine testing is a crucial part of maintaining a safe water supply.

The systems included on this list have at least three major monitoring violations in a twelve-month period. Months these systems failed to collect at least one routine sample are given for the interval from November 2002 to December 2003; other monitoring violations may have occurred previously. Recent bacteriological results and any maximum contaminant level (MCL) violations in the system's history since 1992 are listed under the specific system.

"Because water that is contaminated with bacteria can cause disease, it's crucial that systems routinely test their drinking water to ensure the safety of all Missourians," said Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Director Steve Mahfood, expressing his concern and commitment to correcting the problem.

Bacteriological testing can be the first step in identifying and correcting a problem. The next step is to investigate the cause of any bad samples and perform corrective action, such as disinfecting and flushing the system. If a public water system has both a record of failure to monitor and a history of MCL violations, this may raise concerns about the unknown quality of the drinking water. Failing to monitor can result in ongoing bacteriological problems. Often, informing the public of the system's chronic failure to monitor will prompt a system to routinely submit samples.

The vast majority of community and non-community public water systems in Missouri comply with all monitoring requirements and meet all drinking water standards. Chronic violators are the exception rather than the rule. The current list of 36 systems represents only 1.3 percent of the approximately 2,800 public drinking water systems in Missouri.

These systems' owners have been sent multiple violation notices in addition to certified letters informing them that chronic failure to monitor is unacceptable. Representatives of the Department of Natural Resources also routinely make on-site inspections and attempt to reach an agreement with the responsible parties to ensure sampling requirements will be met. If these parties continue to fail to comply with Missouri's drinking water law, more stringent enforcement action is pursued through legal channels.

The type of bacteria monitored is called total coliform bacteria. Although these are common in the environment and generally not harmful by themselves, they do indicate the water may be contaminated with organisms that can cause disease. Disease symptoms include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, possible jaundice and associated headaches and fatigue. The presence of these bacteria can result from a number of problems. These could be due to an improperly constructed or deteriorating well, inadequate water treatment, or contamination in the distribution system, including water towers and the mains that distribute the water.

If a sample tests positive for total coliform bacteria, further testing is then performed for fecal coliform or E. coli, bacteria which can directly cause gastrointestinal illness. Most samples that test positive for total coliform test negative for fecal coliform or E. coli. The total coliform positive samples that are listed tested negative for fecal coliform or E. coli unless specifically stated otherwise.

Counties with systems listed are presented in alphabetical order. Systems are given in alphabetical order within each county. Unless otherwise noted, these establishments are open year-round. The cities and counties are given as location references only. Counties with several systems listed have a large number of public water systems, most of which are in compliance with drinking water regulations.

To view the Recent Chronic Monitoring Violators list, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/4Qchronic.pdf PDF. For more information, contact the department's Public Drinking Water Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.

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MONETT COMPANY TURNS WASTE INTO USABLE PRODUCT

EFCO Corp., located in Monett, is designing a process to convert a non-hazardous waste into a useful product, thereby reducing the amount of waste going to landfills and recovering a valuable resource.

EFCO Corporation manufactures aluminum frame windows for the commercial building market. As part of the manufacturing process, the aluminum frames go through a chemical process known as "anodizing". This process gives the aluminum a hard, corrosion-resistant finish. However, the anodizing process also removes some of the aluminum from the frame's surface. When the wastewater from the anodizing process is treated, a non-hazardous aluminum hydroxide sludge is generated. EFCO currently generates between 400 and 500 tons of this waste per month. The sludge is disposed of at a sanitary landfill at a cost of $20,000 per month.

During July 2002, the Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Assistance Office conducted a Pollution Prevention assessment at EFCO. During that assessment the possibility of using this sludge as either a cement additive or converting it to a usable product was discussed. With encouragement from the department, EFCO investigated these two options further. After review of the two possibilities, EFCO decided to pursue the chemical conversion process. EFCO's Environmental Director, Joel Rhymer, has been working with EnviroScience Inc. (ESI), of Hot Springs, Ark., on the design of the process.

The chemical conversion is relatively simple. Sulfuric acid is combined with the aluminum hydroxide sludge in exact proportions to form aluminum sulfate, also called "alum" and water. The reaction takes place in closed containers, called reaction vessels. The resulting alum is liquid and is filtered to remove any remaining impurities. It is estimated that only a small percentage of non-hazardous sludge will remain. There are no air emissions or water pollutants discharged from this process.

The EFCO/ESI project will use a byproduct filter cake in place of bauxite, the natural resource commonly used to make alum. This will conserve natural bauxite and reduce energy use associated with the manufacture of alum from bauxite.

The project is currently under construction and is expected to go online around April 15, 2004. When the process is brought online, it will redirect approximately 5,400 tons (10.8 million pounds) of waste annually from landfills to a usable product. The process will also save EFCO approximately $240,000 per year in waste disposal costs. The alum (aluminum sulfate) will be sold for use as a coagulating agent in the municipal and industrial wastewater treatment industry. The sale of the alum is expected to cover the costs of operation, plus provide a profit to ESI, the owner of the system.

This project greatly benefits the environment. Not only will the aluminum hydroxide sludge no longer take up valuable landfill space, (5,400 tons equates to approximately 18,000 cubic yards or the equivalent of 12,000 household refrigerators), but a valuable resource will be recovered.

EFCO is to be commended for their efforts in bringing this waste recovery project to fruition. It is definitely what one would call a win-win situation.

If you have questions or would like more information about this project, you may contact David Goggins or Gene Nickel of the department's Environmental Assistance Office at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-6627.

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FIRST MEMBERS OF THE MISSOURI ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP

The Department of Natural Resources welcomes its first two members, Dura Automotive Systems of Brookfield and Missouri American Water Company of St. Joseph, into the Missouri Environmental Management Partnership.

The partnership is a voluntary program through which the department encourages businesses, local governments, state agencies, educational institutions and other organizations to improve environmental performance by developing and implementing an environmental management system (EMS). The department recognizes the commitment, resources and vision needed to implement and maintain an EMS.

Entry into the program is voluntary and an organization may withdraw at any time. The partnership will hold its members to generally recognized EMS conformance criteria, which include regulatory compliance and broad environmental goals. An organization commits to continual improvement through performance-based objectives and targets, and periodically reviews and evaluates its environmental performance.

Dura Automotive produces brake cable assemblies for the automobile industry. Dura Automotive will participate in the partnership as a Certified Partner. It will scrutinize operations for environmental impacts, work to resolve the impacts and continually improve environmental performance.

Missouri American produces and distributes drinking water to the city of St. Joseph and communities in the surrounding area. It will participate in the partnership as an Advanced Partner indicating a commitment by the organization to employ pollution prevention as an important part of their environmental control and to have active community outreach and involvement.

We would like to commend our first two members, Dura Automotive Systems in Brookfield and Missouri American Water Company in St. Joseph, on their efforts to develop and implement an EMS, a tool that allows them to go beyond environmental compliance.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Outreach and Assistance Office at 800-361-4827 or
573-526-6627.

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DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES HAZARDOUS WASTE LIST AVAILABILITY

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' list of approved hazardous waste management permit modifications for the 2003 calendar year is available for review. Because of the extensive nature of the list, it could not be printed here. If you would like more information or a copy of the permit modification list, please contact Heidi Rice of the department's Hazardous Waste Program at
800-361-4827 or 573-751-3553 or e-mail at heidi.rice@dnr.mo.gov.

BROWNFIELDS/VOLUNTARY CLEANUP PROGRAM CLEANS UP MISSOURI

The Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Section (B/VCP) of the department's Hazardous Waste Program provides oversight for voluntary cleanups of properties contaminated with hazardous substances. Many of the sites entering the B/VCP are not heavily contaminated, and are contaminated by sources not addressed by any of Department of Natural Resources' regulatory programs such as Emergency Response, Superfund, RCRA or Petroleum Storage Tanks.

Property owners, business operators, or prospective buyers who clean the property receive certification from the Department of Natural Resources. This certification can greatly reduce the environmental liability associated with such properties.

CHAMPION CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH SITE, JACKSON COUNTY

This dealership sought oversight to close and remove underground tanks such as hydraulic lifts and an underground oil-water separator. Hydraulic oil contamination in the soil was revealed to be above the department's cleanup guidelines. Five hydraulic lifts were removed to clean up some of the soil contamination. There was some additional hydraulic oil contamination under the floor of the service building, which was delineated. Since the contamination is not affecting groundwater or migrating, the Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program approved closure with no active remediation.

LOU FUSZ DODGE SITE, ST. LOUIS COUNTY

Chrysler Realty Corporation received a Certificate of Completion for the Lou Fusz Dodge property from the Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program after conducting an environmental assessment of the property. The two-acre property is the location of an automotive sales and service facility. Chrysler Realty Corporation entered the B/VCP in December 2003. The assessment of the property revealed no contaminants attributable to activities conducted on the property were present above soil or groundwater cleanup criteria. The property is safe for unrestricted use.

SOUTHWESTERN BELL - PARK HILLS

Southwestern Bell has completed cleanup of an underground heating oil storage tank at its Flat River Central Office in Park Hills. Southwestern Bell removed the tank, along with a small amount of contaminated soil, from its property at 222 W. Main Street. The department requested additional sampling because the tank was very close to the building's foundation and petroleum staining in the wall of the excavation next to the building could not be removed as a result. The sampling found no significant contamination left, so the department issued a Certification of Completion for the site.

Although tank owners are responsible for cleanup of releases from heating oil tanks, the tanks are usually not regulated under Missouri regulations, and closure is not available through the department's tank section. Owners wishing to obtain a "no further action letter" for an unregulated tank can enroll the site in the Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program for closure. To date, over 40 sites with heating oil contamination used the B/VCP program.

MLK PLAZA/SAV-A-LOT SITE, ST. LOUIS

The Department of Natural Resources' Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program has issued a certificate of completion for the MLK Plaza site in St. Louis. The site consists of two city blocks bounded by Martin Luther King Drive, North Grand Avenue, Page Avenue and North Spring Avenue. This area is economically depressed, with numerous vacant lots, abandoned buildings and substandard housing. The MLK frontage had several vacant commercial buildings including an old gas station, and several old homes also remained.

Koman Properties purchased the site and developed it into a retail center including an anchor grocery store. The city was very supportive of a new grocery store, since there were none in the immediate neighborhood, and offered financial incentives for the project.

The B/VCP assisted Koman Properties in getting the grocery store built at the earliest possible time by giving an interim environmental clearance on the majority of the site where no environmental issues were found. Construction proceeded while further investigation was done in the gas station area, which lay in one corner of the site.

The B/VCP determined that the historical soil and groundwater contamination from the gas station did not pose a health threat and could be managed through restrictions on excavation, drilling and use of groundwater in that area of the site. A final Certification of Completion has been issued for the site. This brings the total number of sites cleaned up under Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program to 185.

For more information, call the department's Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.

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DEPARTMENT'S FEDERAL FACILITIES SECTION CLEANS UP DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROPERTIES

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Federal Facilities Section works to accomplish four main goals: long-term stewardship, site closeouts, site investigations and community involvement. Federal Facility sites and radioactive sites remain unique due to the types of long-lived contaminants and property uses.

Long-Term Stewardship

Long-term stewardship encompasses all activities necessary to protect human health and the environment at sites that have residual contamination present after cleanup is complete. Extensive long-term stewardship planning continues at Weldon Spring, where the state is optimistic that an agreement can be reached with the Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the affected community on clear roles, responsibilities and commitments. Similar efforts are occurring with the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program sites and the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works to look at long-term management. Section staff also participated in the first five-year review on the latter sites, giving the state an opportunity to evaluate remedies determining if they remain protective of human health and the environment. With these reviews, some components of long-term stewardship are put into action.

Closing Federal Facility Sites

After the cleanup or remediation is complete, closing the federal facility site goes hand in hand with long-term stewardship. As a site is remediated, actions are taken to protect citizens of Missouri now and in the future. Once a site has been deemed closed but contamination is left in place, the federal agency involved in the cleanup often moves on to the next site. It is up to the department to work with the federal agency early and often to ensure appropriate closeout documentation occurs and limited questions remain for the future, regarding the site. The section assisted in the closure of the Nike Battery Kansas City Defense Area 30 and a Formerly Used Defense Site at the Jefferson Barracks. The section is also in the process of closing out environmental issues at the Former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base.

Conducting thorough site investigations

Last year, in conjunction with EPA, department staff evaluated 11 formerly used defense sites that may need further investigation Staff also provided oversight of investigations at the Former Fort Crowder, where potential chemical warfare materiel was not present. The section continues to provide oversight at the St. Louis Army Ammunition Plant, where the Army plans to sell the property to a private entity who will be responsible for the remediation of the site.

Community outreach and involvement

Great strides are occurring with proactive community involvement. Staff actively participate in many public meetings and site specific community groups. The state participated in the adjournment of the first Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) in Missouri. A RAB, a military lead board, consists of local citizens and the various federal and state agencies involved in the cleanup at the base. The purpose of a RAB is to provide a forum for public input and the constructive exchange of information. The board agreed to adjourn in November 2003 since most of the work at the site was complete. The Air Force and the Army Corps of Engineers will continue to engage the public as needed. The Department of Natural Resources is coordinating with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in addition to other parties, in conducting numerous public meetings and outreach efforts at the Hematite Radioactive Site and the Mallinckrodt - Columbium Tantalum facility.

In addition, the department continues to provide oversight at more than 30 federal facility sites located around the state to ensure that the cleanups are conducted in the safest and most appropriate manner.

For more information on federal facilities in Missouri or the Federal Facilities Section of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, contact Ramona Huckstep at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176 or by e-mail at ramona.huckstep@dnr.mo.gov.

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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:

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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The Sullivan Fire Department applys foam to reduce explosion risk while road crews work to keep spilled gasoline from leaving the highway.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT RESULTS IN RELEASE OF GASOLINE ON INTERSTATE 44

On Jan. 26, 2004, the Missouri State Highway Patrol contacted the department's Environmental Emergency Response (EER) section to request assistance at an accident involving a tanker truck laden with gasoline.

A sports utility vehicle reportedly crossed the median on Interstate 44 near Sullivan, Missouri, and struck a tanker truck operated by Flora Trucking, Fayetteville, Illinois. The accident produced two large tears in the tanker resulting in a release of nearly 6,000 gallons of gasoline.

The Department of Natural Resources immediately dispatched an on-scene coordinator to the scene to provide technical assistance and oversee response actions.

The quick response by Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) road crews prevented a greater amount of gasoline from migrating off the highway right-of-way. Bitter cold temperatures with wind chills approaching -10oF made for miserable work conditions for emergency response officials.

An empty tanker was used to remove the remaining gasoline from the tanker, which was subsequently removed from the median. A hazardous materials cleanup contractor was brought in to vacuum all free product from the environment and stabilize the areas contaminated with gasoline. Eastbound and westbound traffic lanes on Interstate 44 were closed for 10 hours and 14 hours, respectively, while crews cleared the accident scene.

Weather conditions prevented further remedial actions on Tuesday. By Wednesday afternoon, however, soil excavation began in earnest and continued around the clock until Friday afternoon at which time the site was determined to be fully cleaned up. Final site restoration will be done in accordance with MoDOT specifications in the near future.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Services Program at 800-361-4827 or
573-526-3315.

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Aviation fuel spilled from this overturned tanker along Interstate 55 in New Madrid County.

AVIATION FUEL SPILLED DURING ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 55

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, Portageville Dispatch contacted the Environmental Emergency Response (EER) Section to report an accident involving a tanker truck loaded with aviation fuel. The tanker truck overturned on Interstate 55 at the 39 mile-marker near the city of Marston, Missouri.

A State On-Scene Coordinator from the Southeast Regional Office was dispatched to the scene to provide technical assistance and cleanup oversight.

The tanker was leaking around a dome lid. Despite the best attempts by emergency response officials, including fire department personnel from Marston and Portageville, efforts to seal the dome lid were unsuccessful. Empty tankers were brought to the scene from Sikeston and Cape Girardeau to offload the damaged tanker before it was righted and removed from the scene. The southbound lanes of the interstate were closed until 4:30 p.m.

Approximately 250 gallons of aviation fuel was spilled to the environment. A hazardous materials cleanup contractor removed all contaminated soil the following day.

The State on-Scene Coordinator commented how well all local and state officials at the scene worked together to safely resolve the incident. The additional resources brought to the scene by the Bootheel Local Emergency Planning Committee proved useful to the emergency responders.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Services Program at 800-361-4827 or
573-526-3315.

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GRANTS AND LOANS

DEPARMENT MAKES GRANT APPLICATION PACKETS AVAILABLE TO FIGHT WATER POLLUTION

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for grant funding of projects that will protect Missouri's waters from certain types of pollution.

These nonpoint source grants are often referred to as "319" grants in reference to the section of the federal Clean Water Act that established the program. Nonpoint source pollution occurs when pollution is released from many locations making it difficult to identify and control. For instance, storm water runoff, snowmelt and irrigation can carry pollutants like garden fertilizers, construction debris and pesticides into nearby waters.

Universities and colleges, local governments and not-for-profit organizations are eligible for the funding. Grant awards typically range from $5,000 to $400,000 and projects can last up to four years. "This funding provides a wonderful opportunity for communities to work on waters that they've decided need help," said Department Director Steve Mahfood. "The 319 grants are all about protecting the environment at the local level, by the very people who have the best understanding of water resource protection issues. They know what needs to be done. This money helps them do it."

Eligible projects for funding include those that address nonpoint source pollution through information, education, demonstration and technical assistance. Projects that include specific monitoring, improving habitat along streambanks and a watershed-based approach to protecting rivers, lakes and streams are also eligible. Research projects are not eligible.

Funding for the grant program comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The deadline for optional one-page pre-proposals is April 5. Final applications are due by July 1. For a copy of the request for proposals or an application packet, contact Michelle Luebbert, Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or
573-526-1599. For more information or questions about the application, contact Greg Anderson with the Water Protection Program at 573-751-7144.

For more information on the Water Protection Program, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpcp.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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 ADVISORY BOARD TO MEET APRIL 7

The Missouri Solid Waste Advisory Board will hold a public meeting at 1 p.m., April 7 at the Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City. A subsequent meeting is scheduled for May 5.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or
573-751-5401.

WATER QUALITY COORDINATING COMMITTEE TO MEET APRIL 20

The Missouri Water Quality Coordinating Committee will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m., April 20 at the Columbia Environmental Research Center Conference Building.

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

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EARTH DAY CELEBRATION APRIL 23 IN JEFFERSON CITY The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is sponsoring an Earth Day event at the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site and Carnahan Memorial Garden from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 23. For more information, call Sarah McMichael of the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817.

CLEAN WATER COMMISSION TO MEET APRIL 28

The Missouri Clean Water Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m., April 28 at the Capital Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City. For more information, call the department's Water Pollution Control Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300.

SMALL BUSINESS COMPLIANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

The Missouri Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting May 13 in Springfield. Future Meetings will be held as follows:

• July 08, 2004 - Jefferson City, MO
• Sept. 23, 2004 - St. Louis, MO
• Nov. 18, 2004 - Kansas City, MO

For more information, please contact Byron Shaw, Staff Coordinator for the Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee, at
800-361-4827.

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AWARD-WINNING TRAINING PROGRAM EXPANDS

The Environmental Management Institute (EMI) won the Governor's Award for Quality and Productivity in 1999. Since it's inception in 1998, EMI has trained over 850 local government leaders and their assistance providers in environmental issues. The program has been so successful that several of the topics have outgrown the two-day workshop. The EMI name no longer fits. It's time to reorganize and rename.

The department is pleased to announce the formation of the "Resource Management Institute" (RMI). Starting in 2004, under the RMI umbrella, the entire department's Outreach and Assistance Center's (OAC) existing and soon-to-exist workshops will be brought together under the RMI umbrella and included in a catalog of courses. The catalog will soon be available both in printed form and posted on the department's Web site.

The topics formerly taught in the two-day EMI workshop will now be taught in two separate workshop sessions. On the first day, the Environmental Issues workshop will focus on the key issues for local government leaders. On the second day, the Environmental Infrastructure workshop will focus on the interests of utility managers and operational staff. We recommend that everyone who attends one of those sessions attend the other session, too.

Some of the other workshops offered in the RMI series will include the Show-me Ratemaker, storm water, asset management and issues related to business, historic preservation and more. Ratemaker and asset management will be given on consecutive days because they are so closely related.

The 2004 schedule for OAC's workshops has not yet been finalized. However, the schedules for four of the workshops look like this:

Environmental Issues and Infrastructure Asset Management and Ratemaker
April 1 - 2 in Kansas City	July 7 - 8 in Kirkwood
April 28 - 29 in Branson	Aug. 18 - 19 in Macon
May 5 - 6 in Sikeston	Sept. 8 - 9 in Hannibal
May 12 - 13 in Jefferson City	Sept. 29 - 30 in Poplar Bluff
May 19 - 20 in Warrensburg	Oct. 20 - 21 in Springfield

Confirmed schedules and registration information will soon be posted on the department's Web site. The most convenient way to keep up-to-date on our training opportunities, funding opportunities and other items of interest is to sign up for our broadcast e-mail 'listserv' service at www.dnr.mo.gov. Or, call us at 573-526-6627 and we'll tell you about them.

Over the past six years, nearly 2,000 local government leaders and assistance providers have attended department workshops to improve their environmental and assistance performance. With RMI we hope to expand that reach even more.

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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.

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