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

JUNE 2004

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUES AIR PERMIT TO HOLCIM

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources issued an air pollution permit known as a Prevention Significant Deterioration permit to Holcim (US) Incorporated. This air pollution permit is required under federal and state law for Holcim to construct and operate a proposed cement manufacturing plant, on-site quarry, coal preparation plant and materials handling harbor on the Mississippi River.

The permit is the culmination of a rigorous process of evaluating the permit application and extensive technical information and analysis pursuant to state legal requirements. State law requires the department to issue a permit when proposed emissions and controls comply with certain legal and technical requirements, particularly the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The permit requires Holcim to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, especially in the summer time.

Nitrogen oxide pollution is a significant concern because of the long-term problems in the St. Louis area with meeting federal air quality standards for ozone, which is the result of certain pollutants reacting in the atmosphere. The department has made every effort to ensure the conditions placed in the permit are protective of public health and air quality standards, including achieving significant reductions in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from Holcim's original proposal.

This is the last in a series of permits required before Holcim can begin construction and operations of the cement plant. The final air permit is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/PermitPublicNotices.htm.

Citizens should send any notice of appeal to the Missouri Air Conservation Commission at P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or fax to 573-751-2706 by 5 p.m. on July 9, 2004.

For more information concerning the permit, please call the Air Pollution Control Program's New Source Review Unit at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817.

ST. CHARLES WEST WINS STATE ENVIROTHON COMPETITION

Lucky seven must have been in the cards for the team from St. Charles West High School as they participated in the 7th annual Missouri State Envirothon competition held May 6 at the University of Missouri's South Farm in Columbia, Mo. St. Charles West was one of the 10 teams that participated and won the very first state competition that was held in May 1998. For them, seven is a lucky number, as it was also their team number at the state event this year.

Nineteen teams competed in the areas of soils, aquatics, wildlife, forestry and the 2004 conservation issue, Natural Resources in the Urban Environment.

The state event features the top three teams from each of Missouri's seven regional competitions. At the state level, the teams rotate through five out-door challenge stations, as well as an oral presentation station.

After a morning of hands-on resource testing and problem solving, the students relaxed with their teammates for a catered lunch. Then it was back to the rotation schedule to finish testing.

After the scores were all totaled, the winners were announced. The 2004 Missouri State Envirothon champion is the team from St. Charles West High School. Little Creek Nature Area in Ferguson placed second and Chilhowee High School from Johnson County took third place honors. The winners will advance to the Canon Envirothon in Buckhannon, West Virginia at the end of July.

"This is an excellent opportunity for the students to have fun and learn at the same time. Not to mention the chance at a $3,000 scholarship from Canon for each member of the winning team at the national competition," said Peggy Lemons, Missouri Envirothon chair and executive director for the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

St. Charles West High School team with their 1st Place Missouri Environthon awards. Pictured (left to right) are Dana Willbrand, Kaitlyn Faries, Catie Polta, Melanie Veale and Liz Zerr.

The Envirothon is North America's largest high school natural resource competition with more than 40 states and seven Canadian provinces competing at the national level. Next year's state competition will be held May 5. Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District office for regional competition dates. Missouri will host the Canon Envirothon national event July 18-24, 2005, on the campus of Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield.
Sponsors for this event include
. Missouri Department of Natural Resources
. Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
. local soil and water conservation districts
. Missouri Department of Conservation
. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
. University of Missouri Extension
. American Fisheries Society
. Show-Me Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society
. Bass Pro Shop

For more information contact Judy Stinson at 573-751-4932.

MISSOURI RESIDENTS URGED TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR DRINKING WATER

Missouri public water customers will soon be receiving information on the quality of their drinking water. The annual Consumer Confidence Reports are due out to consumers by July 1 each year and enable Missourians to make practical, knowledgeable decisions about their health and environment. The reports describe the water sources used by the systems, identify any contaminants found during routine drinking water testing and provide general information on drinking water and health.
To assist the utilities in producing the reports, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has developed an informational packet containing a template and tips on developing an informative report and making it available to customers. The Consumer Confidence Reports also provide suppliers with an opportunity to explain how the community's drinking water supplies are protected and build on their relationship with the customer.

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

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

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

DEPARTMENT OFFERS TIPS TO COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY SEVERE WEATHER

Recent severe weather and flooding have caused destruction in many communities across Missouri. Victims of severe weather often are left with compromised water systems, homes and buildings needing repairs, and vegetation and other debris requiring proper disposal. Due to this situation, the governor has authorized the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to temporarily waive or suspend certain environmental rules in order to facilitate quick, safe and proper disposal of storm-related debris.

Communities, businesses and homeowners will find several fact sheets and resources providing information for cleanup located on the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/disaster.htm. These fact sheets include information on debris disposal, proper handling of hazardous materials and household hazardous waste, safety of drinking water in affected areas and tips for repairing historic properties that have been damaged by natural disasters. Fact sheets also are available by calling the department toll-free at 800-361-4827.

"Picking up the pieces after weather like we've experienced recently can be overwhelming," said Steve Mahfood, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. "Our department is happy to provide technical assistance to affected communities."
The Department of Natural Resources also has published guidelines to help public water system operators determine whether boil orders should be issued.

The Department of Natural Resources also has created a door hang-tag that may help operators of public water systems communicate with their customers. This hang-tag also is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/boil/boilnotice-example.pdf. Public water system staff or volunteers can use this by making copies and then folding and punching holes where indicated. Slip rubberbands through the holes and hang them on the doorknobs of affected residences.

Those needing further assistance are encouraged to contact the department's regional offices.

Visit www.dnr.mo.gov/regions/regions.htm for a complete listing of numbers and locations. In case of an environmental emergency, please contact the department's Environmental Emergency Response office at 800-361-4827 or 573-634-2436. For more information, the Department of Natural Resources' Air and Land Protection Division at 800-361-4827.

DEPARTMENT PUBLISHES EASTERN MISSOURI WATER USE REPORT

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Geological Survey and Resource Assessment Division recently released the state water plan report, Topics in Water Use: Eastern Missouri. Now available on the Web, this report is the fifth and final in a series of regional reports.

The report identifies water quantity and quality issues associated with water use in eastern Missouri. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for developing, maintaining and periodically updating a long-range, comprehensive, statewide water plan. This plan helps guide the state's use of surface water and groundwater resources, including existing and future needs for drinking water supplies, agriculture, industry, recreation, environmental protection and related needs.

This report is the final regional report in a series that the department has prepared to identify water use problems and opportunities throughout Missouri. The eastern report follows four previous reports that cover five Missouri regions: northeast, northwest, central, southeast and southwest. The eastern report area includes the city of St. Louis and the six adjacent counties - Jefferson, Franklin, Warren, Lincoln, St. Charles and St. Louis counties.

Work has begun on a state water plan, phase II, summary, which will highlight the significant findings of the individual regional reports.

Copies of Topics in Water Use: Eastern Missouri as well as the four other regional reports are available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/geology/wrp/wrphp.htm. Other state water plan publications can also be viewed at this Web site or purchased by contacting the division's publication desk in Rolla at 573-368-2125.

FEES EXTENDED IN SENATE BILL 1040
Solid Waste Tonnage Fee Reallocated, But No Tire Fee

Senate Bill 1040, passed on May 13, provides solid waste tonnage fees for one year to enable the state to continue implementing solid waste management efforts. This includes permitting new landfills, expanding existing landfills, and enforcement, planning and distribution of recycling and waste-diversion grants.

Having environmentally sound disposal facilities throughout the state means affordable trash service to citizens and businesses.
The bill revises the allocation of the tonnage fee without raising the fee, and provides revenue to make up for general revenue lost during the state's budget shortfall. The revised allocation is effective for one year (Aug. 28, 2004 to Aug. 28, 2005). The interim distribution of funds would be as follows:

Up to $800,000 will be available to the department's Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority to promote the development and maintenance of markets for recovered materials, Up to 42 percent of the remaining funds may be appropriated to the department to eliminate illegal solid waste disposal, identify and prosecute persons disposing of solid waste illegally, conduct permitting activities, administer grants and perform statewide waste reduction and planning duties required by statute. At least 58 percent will be allocated upon appropriation to solid waste districts, with each district receiving a minimum of $75,000.

A group of approximately 30 stakeholders (local officials, waste industry representatives, solid waste district officials) met in September and October 2003 and recommended a reallocation of the fee similar to Senate Bill 1040. The group agreed that it is important to keep a viable solid waste management program without an increase in the fee.

A joint legislative committee will be appointed to study and recommend distribution of funding for the department's solid waste management activities. The Interim Committee's recommendations are due to the Governor and General Assembly by Dec. 31, 2004.

Legislative efforts to reinstate the 50-cent-per-tire fee charged when motorists purchase new tires again failed to become law. The General Assembly considered two versions of a waste tire bill in the 2004 session. Both extended the fee that expired Jan. 1, 2004. Over 12 million tires have been removed from the environment. One version went beyond a simple extension of the fee and included grants for innovative projects that turned waste tires into usable products. Unfortunately, despite wide support, neither version passed in the waning hours of the session.

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

Hazardous Waste Category And Land Disposal Fees Extended

Hundreds of hazardous waste sites in Missouri require cleanup. Thousands of Missouri businesses generate, transport and manage hazardous waste. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' duty is to protect the health and safety of Missourians and their environment from these situations. The Hazardous Waste Category Fee and Land Disposal Fee fund the department's prevention and cleanup efforts. Fortunately these fees, which were due to expire Jan. 1, 2005, were extended this legislative session until June 30, 2006.

Senate bill 1040 was truly agreed to and finally passed on May 13, 2004. In addition to extending the fees, this bill changes the percentages of revenue collected that will be deposited to the Hazardous Waste Remedial Fund and the Hazardous Waste Fund. With this change, forty percent of Category Fees and Land Disposal Fees will go to the Hazardous Waste Remedial Fund and sixty percent to the Hazardous Waste Fund. The bill also allows Missouri's hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities that receive hazardous material from out-of-state generators to submit registration and reporting information to the department. The TSDs are allowed to pay the registration fees on behalf of the out-of-state generator.

The bill also creates a joint committee appointed by the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tem of the Senate to examine the present hazardous waste fee structure. This interim committee will make a recommendation on restructuring the fees to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2004.

For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176 or visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp.

DEPARTMENT STAFF ATTEND GOVERNOR'S METH SUMMIT

Gov. Holden recognizes Chief Bill Gillette, Nevada Fire Department, at the Governor's Meth Summit, as an operator of one of the State of Missouri's Clandestine Drug Lab Collection Stations.

On April 25-28, staff from the Department of Natural Resources attended the Governor's Meth Summit at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Kansas City. The Summit was held in conjunction with the Missouri Police Chiefs Association annual conference.

Over 300 law enforcement officials, educators, prosecutors, firefighters, treatment specialists, Department of Corrections officials and other local, state and government officials attended the Summit. With the explosion of methamphetamine and its associated problems in Missouri, Gov. Holden has pushed for a comprehensive campaign to fight the use and manufacturing of it.

The summit provided an excellent forum for the diverse group of attendees to share experiences and build a strong, coordinated plan to attack Missouri's meth problem. To build on the successes of an existing task force, Holden created two new task forces: one focused on education and prevention and one focused on treatment.

Holden commented that the task force had done an excellent job in the past and the goal is to build on that success with better coordination, education, treatment and stronger laws. Missouri has led the nation the last three years in the number of meth lab incidents. In 2003, Missouri accounted for 2,860 meth lab incidents, approximately 17 percent of all meth lab incidents in the United States.

Holden attended the summit and discussed his vision on meth in Missouri. At the end of his remarks, he recognized the operators of the 21 clandestine drug lab collection stations. This unique and innovative program, operated by local fire service and law enforcement agencies, has drawn the interest of the Drug Enforcement Administration and many states across the country, and is responsible for saving over $16 million in meth lab cleanup costs.

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

DEPARTMENT NO LONGER ISSUING LETTERS OF APPROVAL FOR
ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Water Protection Program will no longer issue Letters of Approval (LOAs) for Animal Feeding Operations. The LOA program was a voluntary program that producers used to demonstrate they have appropriate controls in place to protect the state's water resources. It was used to show financial institutions that the appropriate protections were in place. LOAs were issued to operators who submitted their designs and operation plans for facilities that contained less than a thousand animal units.

The state's water resources will not suffer any degradation as a result of the action. "This program has allowed the department to have input into the environmental controls at the farms," said Stephen Mahfood director of the Department of Natural Resources. "The LOA program has provided the producers and engineers with the expertise to maintain the current level of protection." Mahfood said that it is also important to note that Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) are still required to obtain construction and operating permits. "Our department will continue to review and issue CAFO permits in the usual manner."

Possible alternatives to LOAs that producers and financial institutions could use include private engineering certification or possibly Natural Resource Conservation Service approval.

For more information, contact Randy Kixmiller with the department's Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300. For more information about the Water Protection Program, please visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpcp.

LEAWOOD APARTMENT COMPLEX CLEANUP COMPLETED

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program (B/VCP) has issued a certificate of completion for the Leawood Apartment site in St. Louis for the cleanup of soil contaminated with lead and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

The 3.6-acre Leawood apartment complex was built in the early 1970s. A pending property transaction in 2002 precipitated a property assessment. The assessment revealed that contaminated materials, from off-site unknown sources, were used as fill on the site before the apartment complex was built. In October 2002 the owners of the apartment complex entered the B/VCP.

The owners retained Kingston Environmental Services Inc. to complete remedial actions in accordance with the department-approved remedial action plan. Kingston excavated soil to a minimum depth of 18 inches in the grassy areas around the apartment complex and backfilled with a compacted clay barrier and clean fill. Approximately 5,068 tons of contaminated soil were excavated and disposed of off-site. Major renovation of the apartments is now underway. This brings the total number of sites cleaned up under Brownfields/VCP program to 197.

Brownfields are abandoned or underused industrial or commercial sites that are either contaminated or thought to be contaminated. Through the voluntary cleanup program, private parties agree to clean up a contaminated site and are offered some protection from future state and federal enforcement action at the site in the form of a "no further action" letter or "certificate of completion" from the state.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Section at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-8913.

DEPARTMENT ORGANIZING CESQG RULEMAKING WORKGROUP

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is currently organizing a workgroup to develop a rule allowing for greater freedom for the collection and treatment of conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) waste. The workgroup will consist of department staff, household hazardous waste facilities, treatment, storage and disposals (TSDs), small business associations and any interested parties.

Federal and state laws require businesses to meet standards for handling hazardous waste. Businesses that generate or accumulate very small quantities of hazardous waste, may be exempt from many of these requirements. According to federal law, CESQGs are allowed to treat or dispose of their hazardous waste on-site or transport it to an off-site TSD, resource recovery facility, sanitary landfill, or a facility approved by the state. However, state law has banned CESQG waste from Missouri sanitary landfills since 1994. The ban has helped lower the amount of toxic and otherwise dangerous materials going into garbage trucks and Missouri landfills. As a result of the ban, CESQGs pay costly fees for proper management using permitted commercial TSD facilities, dispose of their waste in out-of-state landfills or dispose of their waste illegally in Missouri landfills.

The workgroup will develop a rule for the safe and economical handling of CESQG waste that will encourage public and private entities to establish CESQG facilities throughout the state. This new rule would create a licensing or certification process for businesses to accept CESQG waste, instead of the current, more burdensome permitting process. The goals of this rule are to:

• provide more alternatives than the current laws,
• promote recycling of CESQG waste,
• assist businesses who generate CESQG waste,
• eliminate illegal disposal in Missouri landfills, and
• reduce disposal in out-of-state landfills

The workgroup would like to meet every other month, beginning in late July. The department hopes to have a rule by December 2005. For more information please contact Heidi Rice of the departments' Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3553.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION ISSUED AT FIDDLE CREEK SITE

The Superfund Co-Operative Program has issued a certificate of completion for the cleanup of the Fiddle Creek Site (Former Shell Oil Oetter Station Site) near Labadie, Mo. The cleanup involved the closure of a former crude oil waste lagoon and removal of an above ground storage tank and contaminated soil.

The department received complaints from local residents concerning the lagoon. Residents' pets had become covered with crude oil sludge after falling into the lagoon. Area hunters reported harvesting deer covered with a black tar-like substance. In addition, the lagoon emitted odors offensive to local residents on hot summer days.

Investigations by department Superfund staff concluded the lagoon and a leaking above ground storage tank created hazards to the environment and public health. However, the department could not correct these hazards under the Superfund regulations due to the petroleum exemption. A different approach was used. The department asked Shell Oil to enter into a cooperative agreement to remove the hazards.

Shell Oil agreed to remove the hazards that remained as a result of their former use of the site. Shell Oil removed a total of 133,526 gallons of liquid and approximately 3,059 tons of solid waste from the site and properly disposed of them. All effected areas were filled with clean soils. Shell Oil used topsoil for the final graded cover and seeded the areas with rye. The department deemed the areas clean for any future land use.

This site is an example of cooperating with industry to achieve a cleanup that may have otherwise taken years to accomplish.
For more information, please contact Don Van Dyke of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program, Superfund Section at P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102 or by phone at 573-751-8629 or 800-361-4827.

MULFORD WINS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROFICIENCY AWARD

Scott Totten, Director of the Department's Water Protection and Soil Conservation Division, presents the Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management Award to Tera Mulford from Aurora High School.

Future Farmers of America (FFA) students from across the state met in Columbia, April 15-16, 2004 to honor fellow members, conduct business, elect new officers, participate in leadership workshops and celebrate 76 years at the annual Missouri FFA convention. "Living the Legacy" was the theme for this year's event, which attracted over 7,000 students to the Hearnes Center.
Tera Mulford of the Aurora FFA Chapter was named the winner of the Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management Proficiency Award presented by Scott Totten, Director of the department's Water Protection and Soil Conservation Division. Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on experience. Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management is one of 50 proficiency awards presented at the state level and is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources.

Mulford, a senior at Aurora High School, is the daughter of Rusty and Vicki Mulford. Her FFA advisors are Craig Grishman and Jim Spencer, Jr. She began her experience in natural resource management after her family built two poultry houses. The Mulfords worked to protect waterways from runoff and later, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Tyson Foods, implemented a formal Nutrient Management Plan. Fields are sampled to test nutrient levels and poultry litter is used or sold as fertilizer. Mulford also has responsibilities with the rotational grazing of the farm's beef cattle. Today the Mulfords' operations include 10 poultry houses and 50 beef cattle on 120 acres.

Mulford competed in the Agronomy and Poultry Career Development events, was a member of the 2003 State Livestock Judging Team and attended the National FFA Convention. She has served as Area 9 FFA president and was a 2002 participant in the Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Mulford is a member of the National Honor Society, Speech and Debate Club, Science Club, Literary Club and has been a band member. She also has been active in her church youth group.

Mulford says she plans to major in agricultural education at Southwest Missouri State University beginning in the fall of 2004. Mulford has plans to eventually become an agricultural loan officer and help producers find efficient ways to manage a farm.
The Missouri FFA has more than 21,500 members. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Congratulations Tera!

DEADLINE TO REGISTER ABANDONED DRY CLEANER SITES FOR STATE BENEFITS IS JULY 1

The statutory deadline for notifying the Missouri Department of Natural Resources of an abandoned dry cleaning facility is July 1. This notification is necessary for any site to receive clean up benefits under Missouri's Dry cleaning Environmental Response Trust (DERT) fund, which was established in 2000 to assist in the revitalization and reuse of contaminated dry cleaner properties.

You do not have to be the past operator or owner of the dry cleaning facility to inform the Department and make the site eligible for cleanup money. Anyone can fill out a notification form and inform the department of a former dry cleaning facility.

Abandoned dry cleaner sites, existing in many places throughout Missouri are not being used due to soil and groundwater contamination. Banks and lending institutions are wary of extending loans on these properties. Environmental cleanups associated with dry cleaning facilities can be very costly and even exceed $1 million.

For abandoned dry cleaning facilities to qualify for eligibility to the DERT Fund, a notification form must be postmarked and sent to the Department of Natural Resources by July 1. The abandoned site notification form can be downloaded from www.dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/hwpvcp-dryclean.htm or call 573-526-8913 to obtain the form.

The form must be accompanied by any available evidence to show that the site once contained a dry cleaner site, such as title records, local governmental records, local historical records, business receipts, a copy of old phone book listings, etc.

Senate Bill 577 establishes and Section 260.920, Revised Statutes of Missouri authorizes the DERT Fund. Operators of active dry cleaning facilities are required to submit surcharges for solvent used at a dry cleaning facility and solvent suppliers are required to submit surcharges to the department for gallons of solvents provided to a dry cleaning facility. These moneys are used for the investigation, assessment and remediation of releases of solvents from dry cleaning facilities.

If the department is not informed of a former dry cleaning site by the July 1 deadline, then the site cannot receive benefits for cleanup under the DERT fund. Notification does not guarantee benefits, but failure to notify will disqualify the site from receiving benefits.
The notification forms should be mailed to the Department of Natural Resources, DERT Fund, Hazardous Waste Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0176.

For more information, call Ken Koon with the Department's Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-8913.

GOVERNOR SEEKS MISSOURI BUSINESSES LEADING ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS

Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, with help from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Bridging the Gap and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, is looking for businesses, municipalities and institutions that exemplify Missouri's top environmental stewardship efforts.

The Governor's Environmental Excellence and Pollution Prevention Awards honor businesses, organizations and communities that have shown an outstanding commitment to improving Missouri's environment. All Missouri businesses, municipalities, organizations and schools are eligible for this award, which honors those who have been involved in pollution prevention activities, innovative technologies, improvements in energy efficiency, recycling and education and outreach activities.

Nominations are due to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce by Friday, June 18. Applications will be accepted in several categories, including a comprehensive environmental excellence/pollution prevention category, for the project that embodies all aspects of environmental excellence; pollution prevention; energy efficiency; technology innovation; environmental management systems; technical assistance provider; land use; market development; education and outreach; and recycling.

To obtain an application, call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827.

For more information contact David Goggins at the Department of Natural Resources' number above or Michael Grote at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 573-634-3511.

EPA OPENS PRESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH AWARDS COMPETITION

Presidential Environmental Youth Awards recognize individuals or groups who complete an environmental project. This program is open to Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska students through EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan.

The program has two components: The regional certificate program and the regional award winner. Regional certificates are awarded by the regional offices of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A first place project is selected as the regional award winner by the regional office. The sponsor and winner travel to Washington to receive a Presidential plaque at an award ceremony.

Projects must be postmarked by 5 p.m. Information outlining how the program works, how to apply, eligibility and application procedures are available by contacting Denise Morrison at 800-223-0425 or on theWeb at www.epa.gov/enviroed/awards.html.
The regional award winner will be notified by late fall.

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;
• 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. To report a hazardous substance spill call 573-634-2436.

BAGS OF ASBESTOS WASTE DISCOVERED IN CREEK IN BATES COUNTY

On Monday, March 15, 2004, the Bates County Emergency Management Agency called the department's Environmental Emergency Response (EER) Section regarding four bags of asbestos waste discovered in a small creek near Butler.

The labeled bags had debris consistent with asbestos. Although it is unknown who dumped the bags in the creek, it appeared obvious that the party wished to possibly avoid the fees associated with proper disposal. The bags were found to be in tact and no material was released to the environment.

A State On-Scene Coordinator from the department's Kansas City Regional Office was dispatched to the scene to provide technical assistance. Thanks to the generosity of the officials at the Deffenbaugh Landfill, the bags were removed from the creek and transported by the State On-Scene Coordinator to the St. Joseph facility for disposal.

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

KEROSENE SPILLED AT ABOVE GROUND STORAGE TANK FACILITY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

Damage to pipes at an above ground storage tank resulted in the release of 200 gallons of kerosene in Herculaneum.

At 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2004, Bauman Oil Co. contacted the Environmental Emergency Response (EER) Section to report a release of 200 gallons of kerosene from a facility located at 1503 Commercial in Herculaneum.

Reportedly, a school bus operated by Husky Bus Service struck piping associated with the above ground storage tank system releasing kerosene inside the secondary containment. A damaged secondary containment wall allowed kerosene to impact the ground.

A State On-Scene Coordinator from the Route 66 EER Office was dispatched to the scene to provide technical assistance and oversight. The responsible party secured the services of a contractor to remove kerosene from inside the secondary containment and excavate contaminated soil.

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

EXPLOSIVES DISCOVERED DURING AN INVESTIGATION IN IRON COUNTY

The Department's environmental emergency response section, along with local fire, police and federal agencies, investigated the discovery of 25 one-pound tubes of explosives found in Iron County.

At 4:28 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2004, the State Fire Marshal's Office requested assistance from the Environmental Emergency Response (EER) Section regarding the discovery of silver tubes that reportedly contained mercury.

A State On-Scene Coordinator from the Southeast Regional Office was dispatched to the scene to investigate. The silver tubes were located on private property near Ironton.

A State On-Scene Coordinator determined that the silver tubes did not contain mercury. However, what was discovered were 25 one-pound tubes labeled Dupont Tovex High Explosive, a material commonly used in quarrying. Several of the tubes had broken open, releasing the contents to the ground.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol Bomb Squad was immediately contacted. Ultimately officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to remove the tubes from the scene and safely neutralize the explosives.
Officials are investigating the source of the explosives. The Iron County Sheriff's Department suspects the material may have been stolen from a quarry several years ago.

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

DEPARTMENT GRANT WILL FOCUS ON STREAM EDUCATION
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a $28,531 grant to the Missouri Department of Conservation for the Stream Educational Workshops and Product Development Project. This portion of the grant covers the first year of a four-year project totaling $68,105. The Missouri Department of Conservation will provide a match contribution of $116,870 over the life of the project, bringing the overall cost of the water quality project to $184,975.

The project will develop educational tools and products for use in workshops for volunteers and various government agencies that have the potential to impact streams. For instance, staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, urban land developers, Department of Transportation, county road and bridge crews, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and volunteer groups like Missouri Stream Teams, could all benefit from learning how their activities impact the environment.

"We're trying to reach volunteers and agencies with the most direct contact with our water resources," said Stephen Mahfood director of the Department of Natural Resources. "They can make a real difference for our citizens by applying what they learn about stream dynamics towards protection and restoration techniques that they can use in their own projects." According to Mahfood, it takes a well-informed public to make good stream management decisions. "Educating people about the environment is the foundation we must continue to build on," said Mahfood. "Using our grant dollars to make this information available through workshops, on the Internet and via compact disc, will help us make a difference in our water protection efforts."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, has provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The department will administer the funds. For more information, contact John Knudsen with the department's Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-1386 or John Fantz, stream biologist with Missouri Department of Conservation at 660-530-5500.

For more information about 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 JULY 7
The Missouri Solid Waste Advisory Board will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m., July 7, at the Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City. A subsequent meeting will be held on Aug.4.

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

ASSET MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP JULY 7
A Workshop in the Resource Management Institute (RMI) Series
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Outreach and Assistance Center will hold a workshop in the Resource Management Institute series at the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood, MO.

Call 800-361-4827 for details.

MISSOURI METHAMPHETAMINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TASK FORCE MEETING IS JULY 9
A Missouri Methamphetamine Enforcement and Environmental Protection Task Force Meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. on July 9, at the Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.

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

WATER QUALITY COORDINATING COMMITTEE JULY 20
The Water Quality Coordinating Committee will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m., July 20, at the Governor's Office Building, 200 Madison St., Jefferson City.

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

LAND RECLAMATION COMMISSION TO MEET JULY 22 IN JEFFERSON CITY
The Missouri Land Reclamation Commission will meet July 22 to discuss mining permitting, reclamation activities, mining enforcement and commission policies.The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.

People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4041. Hearing-impaired individuals may contact the program through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Land Reclamation Program at 573-751-4041.

AIR CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO MEET JULY 22
The Missouri Air Conservation Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m. July 22 at the Drury Lodge, 104 S. Vantage, Cape Girardeau.

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

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION TO MEET AUG 5
The Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m. Aug 5, at the Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.

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

INFRASTRUCTURE ASSET MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED
Asset management can save water and sewer systems 15 to 40 percent of their capital improvement and operating costs compared to conventional planning and construction. That means user charge rates could be reduced by 15 to 40 percent for the same level of service users are now getting.

Unfortunately, water and sewer systems in the U.S. are already being underfunded. They are also being repaired and renewed too slowly to keep up with deterioration and growth. Between now and the year 2020, this cumulative shortfall will amount to about $750 billion.

Asset management is the best means of getting the most from our current and future water and sewer systems for the lowest life-cycle cost. "Asset management has the potential of saving millions of dollars annually in Missouri," said Steve Mahfood, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "At the same time, those systems will perform better and be more reliable than if they were managed in the conventional way."

Almost no systems in Missouri currently have such advanced asset management programs.

This spring the Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Assistance Office will begin presenting asset management workshops around the state to prepare systems and their assistance providers for this challenge. The workshops are scheduled as follows:

• July 7 Kirkwood - Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
• August 18 Macon
• September 29 Poplar Bluff

Details and online registration for these workshops are available by calling 800-361-4827. All water and sewer systems staff and their assistance providers are encouraged to attend.

2004 ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE JULY 28 - 30 AT LAKE OF THE OZARKS
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Missouri Bar will be hosting the 12th Annual Environmental Conference at the Lake on July 28-30, 2004. This year's event will be held at Tan-Tar-A Resort and Spa, Osage Beach, Missouri.

Last year this conference attracted nearly 400 environmental professionals and representatives from private business, as well as local, state and federal government. Exhibitor space for this event sold out in just a matter of days.

This year, Mike Leavitt, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has been invited to give the conference's keynote address. An explorer from the Lewis and Clark exhibition will join conference attendees for lunch on Thursday and an exhibit and demonstration from the World Bird Sanctuary will highlight Thursday afternoon.

For more information, contact Pat Hubbs, Missouri Chamber director of conference development, at phubbs@mochamber.com, or by phone at 573-634-3511.

An agenda and registration materials are available on the Web at www.mochamber.com/moccdocs/Seminars/EnvironmentalConference.pdf

EMS TRAINING AND IMPLEMENTATION FOR BUSINESS
The department will be one of several sponsors of training and facilitated environmental management system (EMS) implementation aimed at businesses. The sponsoring organizations are announcing quarterly training sessions to facilitate development of EMS by the employees of the businesses. The classes will provide step-by-step EMS implementation training. Following each class, employees of the business develop components of their EMS through "homework" assignments resulting in a complete EMS manual being prepared by the conclusion of the process.

Staff of the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa Waste Reduction Center, a university-based environmental training and assistance center, will present the class sessions. The classes were developed by the Iowa Waste Reduction Center with support to the US Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to these two organizations and the department, Bridging the Gap, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas State University, Small Business Environmental Assistance Program are also supporting this effort.

The classes will be Sept. 15-16, Dec. 8-9, 2004 and March 15-16, 2005. All of the sessions will be held at the Discovery Center in Kansas City. Final arrangements for the sessions are still being made. Additional information is available through Daniela Heppard at the department's Environmental Assistance Office at 800-361-4827.

DEPARTMENT EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY AT OZARK EMPIRE FAIR FROM JULY 30 TO AUGUST 8
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will have information and literature about department services available at the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield from July 30 through Aug. 8. Fairgoers are invited to stop by the department's display located in the E-plex on the fairgrounds.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-522-2343.

DEPARTMENT EXHIBITS ON DISPLAY AT THE MISSOURI STATE FAIR IN SEDALIA AUG. 12-22
The Missouri State Fair will be held in Sedalia from Aug. 12 through 22 and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will have information and literature about department services available at the fair. Fairgoers are invited to visit with staff and view the department's displays located at the Woman's Building. The department is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2004.
For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-522-2343.

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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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