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

JULY 2004

DEPARTMENT INVITES PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON
AQUILA AIR PERMIT

The Department of Natural Resources has placed a draft air pollution permit for Aquila Inc. on public notice. The proposed facility will be located in Cass County.

The draft permit is for authority to construct three natural-gas-fired simple cycle combustion turbines and associated equipment. Aquila would use the three turbines to generate a nominal electrical power output totaling 341 megawatts during peak electricity demand periods. The draft air pollution permit is a Prevention of Significant Deterioration permit and is required under federal law in order to construct the new turbines.

The department is soliciting public comment on this draft air permit until 5 p.m. on July 29. Please send written comments to Leanne Tippett Mosby, Air Pollution Control Program director, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, or fax comments to 573-751-2706.

The department has scheduled a public hearing on the draft air pollution permit at 7 p.m., July 29, at the Missouri National Guard Armory, 1503 Jefferson Parkway, Harrisonville. Requests to speak at the hearing should be sent to Leanne Tippett Mosby at the address or fax number above. The department must receive requests to speak by noon on July 28. If the department does not receive any requests by that time, it will cancel the public hearing.

The draft permit is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/PermitPublicNotices.htm. A copy of the application, the preliminary determination, and other related materials are also available for public review at the following locations:

Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Air Pollution Control Program
Jefferson Building, First Floor
205 Jefferson
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone 573-751-4817
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Kansas City Regional Office
500 NE Colbern Road
Lee's Summit, MO 65086-4710
Phone 816-622-7000
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Cass County Public Library
400 East Mechanic Street
Harrisonville, MO 64107

People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4817. Hearing-impaired individuals may contact the program through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

For more information concerning the permit process or the hearing, call the department's Air Pollution Control Program at 573-751-4817.

CLEAN THE AIR BY KEEPING YOUR TRASH OUT OF CAMPFIRES

Each year Missouri residents travel throughout the state to spend time in the great outdoors. Camping is a great way for you to relax and enjoy fresh, clean air and the beauty of your surroundings. But is the air you are breathing really that clean? Not if you are burning your trash in your campfire.

When you burn trash in a campfire or in a burn barrel, the most visible by-product of the fire is the smoke. However, by-products that aren't as visible are of greater concern to our health and our environment. Chlorine-containing chemical compounds known as dioxins and furans are a serious threat to public and environmental health. These toxins are formed when some plastics, treated wood and wood products are burned at lower temperatures in such places as campfires, grills, burn barrels and outdoor fireplaces. In these low-temperature fires, there is less efficient combustion of the materials, allowing chemicals to form toxins instead of breaking down.

Although dioxins and furans cannot be seen by the naked eye, they can have drastic long-term effects on human health and the environment. These toxins have been shown to be carcinogenic (cancer-forming) and may also increase reproductive and developmental problems, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory problems. Exposure to fire smoke containing dioxins and furans can also cause a skin rash called chloracne. In addition to being in the air, these toxins are also found in the soil, in water and in animals.

Dioxins and furans are most often formed through the burning of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Products containing PVC include clear food and non-food packaging, wire and cable insulation, siding, floor tiles, carpet backing and window frames. PVC-containing products may also contain a symbol with the number 3 in an arrowed triangle and the letters V, PVC, PVDC, or vinyl underneath.

An example is shown here:
Both plastics and wood products that can contribute to the formation of dioxins and furans are recyclable. For more information, contact your local recycling company or the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827.

DEPARTMENT GIVES 'CITIZEN SALUTE' TO KANSAS CITY MIDDLE SCHOOLER

Michael Bradford, an eighth grade student at Center Middle School in south Kansas City, received a special 'Citizen Salute' award from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Karl Fett, with the department's Kansas City Regional Office made the presentation during graduation ceremonies June 1.

Earlier this spring, the 14-year old Boy Scout was hiking along Boone Creek when he noticed that the water was discolored and full of sediment. "Michael didn't just shrug his shoulders and hope somebody else would take care of the problem," said Fett during the graduation assembly attended by 1,200 students, parents and teachers. "He took it upon himself to track the pollution to its source, a blocked sewer main with sewage spilling out of the manhole." Bradford returned to his school and reported the situation to his science teacher, Ron Scott, who alerted city officials and the department. Kansas City crews immediately began working to clear the sewer blockage while department staff checked on the condition of the stream.

Director Steve Mahfood said it was important for the department to recognize Bradford's help. "Michael took the time to do the right thing, right away. It's because of his efforts that we were able to prevent any further damage to the environment," said Mahfood. "The Citizen Salute is our way of showing our appreciation for a job well done."

MISSOURI NEWSPAPERS USE MORE RECYCLED PAPER

The Department of Natural Resources has learned that 85 Missouri newspapers reported 52 percent average usage rates of recycled content newsprint in 2003. This indicates that the state's publishers are closing the recycling loop. This also encourages subscribers to recycle their old newspapers.

"Newsprint users are to be congratulated for surpassing the 50 percent recycled content goal that was established by their peers and the state legislature 10 years ago," said Department of Natural Resources Director Steve Mahfood. "This support for recycling should encourage Missouri citizens to increase their recycling of old newspapers. Paper products are still the largest percentage of solid waste that goes to landfills."

2003 Recycled Newsprint Usage
85 Missouri publications reported their recycled content newsprint usage rates. Of these, 67 publications, or 79 percent met or exceeded the 50 percent goal set by the legislature.
47 publications reported using 100 percent recycled content usage.

2002 Recycled Newsprint Usage
81 publications reported recycled content newsprint usage rates; of those, 71 publications, or 88 percent met or exceeded the 50 percent goal.
51 Missouri publications used 100 percent recycled-content newsprint.

2001 Recycled Newsprint Usage
75 publications reported their recycled content newsprint usage rates to the department; of those, 52 publications or 69 percent of those reporting met or exceeded the 50 percent goal.
Six publications used 100 percent recycled-content newsprint.

2000 Recycled Newsprint Usage
70 publications reported their recycled content newsprint usage rates; of those, 80 percent met or exceeded the 50 percent goal.
41 publications used 100 percent recycled-content newsprint.

Under Missouri law, newspapers with an average daily distribution of 15,000 or more must report how much recycled content newsprint they use.

A complete report on recycled content newsprint used by Missouri publications is available online at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/rrr/newspaperRecycling.htm.

For more information please call Debbie Sessler at 573-751-5401 or 800-361-4827.

PUBLIC AVAILABILITY SESSION HELD AT ST. LOUIS' FOREST PARK

On July 13, the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted a public availability session in St. Louis to inform the community about the cleanup of Forest Park and plans to keep the community safe from ordnance that may remain buried. The session was held in the evening at the Education Center in Forest Park and consisted of posters and informal questions and answers.

Forest Park in St. Louis is well known as the home of the 1904 World's Fair, but many residents of the St. Louis area do not know that Forest Park also hosted Army war reenactments and training demonstrations during World War I and II.

In rare instances, when the reenactments and demonstrations were completed, military munitions would be left at the site. The five ordnance items discovered between May 1988 and July 2002 include one smoke bomb and four World War I Stokes mortar shells, often referred to as a Trench mortar. A bulldozer uncovered the five ordnace items northwest of the Grand Lagoon. The smoke bomb, also known as a Livens Projector, was filled with dirt and according to the Corps' Environmental Protection Specialist, would not have caused any injury. Two of the mortar shells were live rounds and had to be destroyed by the St. Louis Police Department Bomb and Arson Squad.

The shells were possibly used as smoke cover devices during mock battles and training exercises staged around Art Hill during both World Wars. Because of the resemblance to common objects, such as an old car muffler, the Corps cautions people to notify the St. Louis Police Department of any suspicious objects found in the park.

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the World's Fair, many special events are planned throughout the park. Renovations on the multi-million dollar Norman K. Probstein Golf Course and Golf Education Center were completed in fall 2003. The Kansas City District of the Army Corps of Engineers provided ordnance support during the renovation of the golf course. The Corps provided educational materials to construction crews to assist in the recognition of old munitions and developed an emergency plan in case ordnance was discovered.

For more information on the Forest Park site or other federal facility sites in Missouri, contact Ramona Huckstep with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program at 573-751-3907 or by e-mail at ramona.huckstep@dnr.mo.gov.

DEPARTMENT AND OWNER AGREE TO CLOSE RYE CREEK DEMOLITION LANDFILL IN ADAIR COUNTY

Due to violations of the Missouri Solid Waste Management Law and regulations at the Rye Creek Sanitary and Demolition Landfills, Circuit Judge Russell Steele recently ordered defendant Charles A. Tharp of Kirksville, Mo., to properly close both landfills by Nov. 1.

Under the consent judgement, Tharp agreed to stop accepting waste in the demolition landfill on June 30. Tharp stopped accepting waste in the sanitary landfill last year. Tharp also agreed to obtain a financial assurance instrument (FAI) upon entry of the judgement. The FAI can be used by the state of Missouri if he fails to close the demolition landfill as outlined in the judgement.

FAIs are a form of insurance that landfill owners are obligated to establish during the years of operation so the costs of closing and maintaining the closed landfill does not become a future burden for the taxpayers of Missouri. FAIs may take the form of insurance policies, bonds, letters of credit, contracts of obligation, trust funds or escrow accounts.

All landfills in Missouri are required by law to meet certain state and federal design and operating guidelines and Missouri's Solid Waste Management Law and regulations. Applying a soil cap and plant vegetation on the landfill surface is required after a landfill has been filled. This closure requirement helps to stabilize the site and reduces the amount of water that infiltrates into the waste, decreasing the chance of contaminated water leaving the waste and entering a nearby stream or aquifer.

Federal Subtitle D regulations for landfills call for at least 30-years of groundwater monitoring, checking for landfill gas migration and maintaining the soil cap and vegetative cover as post-closure activity after a landfill stops accepting waste. The department retains the option of long term stewardship of landfills to extend the post-closure period beyond 30-years if it is necessary to protect the environment and human health.

Although the landfill is closing and waste will have to be diverted to other permitted facilities in northeast Missouri, this judgement will help ensure the Rye Creek Landfills do not harm the environment or public health.

"We are pleased that Mr. Tharp has agreed to close the landfills properly because it helps protect the environment", said Roger Randolph, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste Management Program. "We will work with Mr. Tharp to assure he will meet his deadline of Nov. 1," he said.

For more information on landfills, please call Craig Abbott with the department's Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401. For other solid waste management issues such as recycling or stopping illegal dumping, visit the Web at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp.

HIGHER CRUDE OIL STOCKS REDUCE PRICE PRESSURES

Higher levels of crude oil inventories should help add flexibility to the U.S. oil market and reduce price pressures, according to the Missouri Energy Bulletin, released today by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center.

U.S. crude oil stocks are now at 305.4 million barrels, the highest level since Aug. 2, 2002. While higher crude inventories should help reduce price pressures, high demand and high refinery operating rates limit a build in gasoline and distillate inventories. Crude oil spot prices were seven percent lower than a month ago, falling to $37.63 on June 21.

According to a bimonthly survey of fuel retailers, June 21 gasoline prices reached a Missouri average price for regular unleaded gasoline of $1.74, a decrease of 19 cents from a month ago. The average retail price paid for regular unleaded gasoline in the United States was $1.94 per gallon. The agency's bimonthly fuels survey polled a selection of service stations throughout the state on the price of regular unleaded gasoline, diesel fuel, B-20 biodiesel fuel and E-85 ethanol.

The department's biweekly energy bulletins are available online from the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/transportation/fb.htm. The June 24 Energy Bulletin is available at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/transportation/EB062404.pdf.

For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center at 573-751-3443 or the department toll free at 800-361-4827.

DEPARTMENT'S BROWNFIELDS/VOLUNTARY CLEANUP PROGRAM COMPLETES 200TH SITE

The Department of Natural Resources has issued certificates of completion for six new Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program (B/VCP) sites.

Brownfields are abandoned or underused industrial or commercial sites, located primarily in urban areas, that are either contaminated or thought to be contaminated. Through the B/VCP, 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.

The completed sites include
. Roosevelt Towne Apartments in St. Louis
. Ash Grove Quarry - Tract 1 in Springfield
. Team 1 Auto Body facility in Florissant
. USBA Realty Co. property in Kansas City
. Butternut Bread and Schilby's Tires and Wheels site in Columbia
. 9961-9995 West Florissant Ave. in St. Louis

Roosevelt Towne Apartments, St. Louis
The Roosevelt Towne Apartments site consisted of an aging apartment building and two parking lots near Delmar and Euclid in St. Louis. The building was occupied but in need of renovation. National Church Residents (NCR), based in Columbus, Ohio, a nationwide non-profit provider of affordable senior housing, wanted to purchase the building and renovate it. Environmental assessments performed in preparation for sale of the property found contamination under one parking lot from a former gas station and dry cleaner.

The sale was to be financed by loans guaranteed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD was concerned about the environmental issues and was unwilling to back the project without environmental assurances. NCR enrolled the site in the B/VCP to perform investigation and cleanup. Although the contamination was under a parking lot across the street from the apartments, NCR wanted a site safe for residential use should they choose to build on it later. Risk assessment indicated no remediation was required given the planned use of the property, provided certain restrictions were met.

Because of very short time frames on the HUD financing, NCR needed determinations on the need for remediation in a short time. At the same time, the site involved new risk assessment issues such as potential vapor intrusion into buildings from soil contaminated with volatiles. The department helped NCR met its deadlines with HUD, the project went forward, and this worthy housing project in the Central West End of St. Louis is a success.

Ash Grove Quarry, Springfield
The Ash Grove Quarry - Tract 1 site encompasses 9.4 acres and is located in the southwest corner of the Quarry Reserve, Marblehead Addition in Springfield. This site was used to quarry limestone rock for lime manufacturing prior to the 1950s. In the late 1960s and 1970s the quarry was used for disposal of brush, wood-chips, trees, houses, and clean fill from urban removal projects. All available records indicate no household or industrial material was disposed in the Quarry. Spontaneous combustion caused a fire in this material in 1973, which was subsequently extinguished. After the fire, only clean fill comprised of rock, soil and concrete was placed in the Quarry. Wash water from ready-mix trucks was also discharged in the Quarry. Over time, the western half of the Quarry was filled. The eastern half of the Quarry property - Tract 2 consists of a basin containing lime sediment and standing water.

In 1999, the city of Springfield enrolled the site in the B/VCP contemplating an acquisition of this property for development as part of the new Jordan Valley Park in the historic downtown Springfield. Studies performed by Ash Grove Cement Company and the city indicated that water in the Quarry was not negatively impacted above regulatory levels by chemicals of concern. In 2001, the city pumped the vast majority of water from the quarry to the city's sanitary sewer. Studies indicate sediment was not impacted above regulatory levels, however, methane gas is present in fill material in the southwest part of the Quarry property - Tract 1. Tract 1 is impacted by methane and the city of Springfield has filed a Restrictive Covenant in the property chain of title. The restrictive covenant excludes buildings on this tract. The city will allow a park or other non-building structures on the soil or groundwater at the property.

Team 1 Auto Body facility, Florissant
The Team 1 Auto Body facility in Florissant is a 1.26 acre parcel that has been used as an automotive sales and service facility since 1978.

Environmental assessments revealed that petroleum hydrocarbons attributed to the hydraulic automobile lifts had contaminated the soil beneath the Team 1 Auto Body garage. On July 31, 2001, Shifrin and Associates removed two of the seven lifts and found petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil. The contaminated soil was removed and the remaining 5 lifts were closed in-place.

In April 2004 owner Ken Behlman entered the site into the B/VCP to investigate the extent of any remaining petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. The remaining contamination is below the Missouri Risk Based Corrective Action Default Target Levels for soils, so a Certificate of Completion has been issued.

USBA Realty Co. property, Kansas City
USBA Realty Company received a Certificate of Completion for the USBA property from the B/VCP after conducting an environmental assessment of the property, which includes an office building and parking lot. USBA entered the 2-acre property in Kansas City in the B/VCP in March 2004 as part of a property transaction. USBA conducted an environmental assessment of the property. The assessment revealed that petroleum hydrocarbons from a historic dry cleaning operation were present in soil and groundwater at the southeast corner of the property. The B/VCP determined the limited contamination did not pose a health threat and could be managed through restrictions on both property use and use of groundwater. USBA Realty Company filed a Restrictive Covenant in the property chain of title.

Butternut Bread and Schilby's Tires and Wheels , Columbia
Vandiver Buiding Co. elected to enroll the Columbia property occupied by Interstate Brands Corporation/Butternut Bread and Schilby's Tires and Wheels in the B/VCP.

Environmental Surveys and Services conducted a limited subsurface investigation in September 2003 and identified suspected petroleum in the vicinity of a former underground storage tank.

Site assessments revealed soil contaminated with benzene and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). Midwest Environmental Consultants (MEC) advanced numerous soil borings to delineate the extent of contamination in the soil. After the conclusion of the soil boring activities, MEC prepared a report stating the extent of contamination.

The Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program (B/VCP) and MEC determined that no further investigation was necessary. The B/VCP and MEC made this determination on comparison of the sample results to the cleanup guidelines in the Missouri Risk-Based Corrective Action document for Petroleum Storage Tanks.

9961-9995 West Florissant Ave., St. Louis
The property at 9961-9995 West Florissant in St. Louis has served as a music, grocery, audio and cellular phone store. The property at 9961 West Florissant served as an automotive service and gas station from 1949 to at least 1979. Prior to these operations, the subject site was undeveloped. Surrounding properties, as well as the subject site, have operated in the past as automotive service and gas stations. Underground storage tanks have been associated with these operations. Wellington Environmental conducted an investigation that revealed contaminated subsurface soils and groundwater. Wellington's investigation also revealed additional benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, (BTEX) and diesel range organics, but at levels well below anticipated site cleanup objectives.

Environmental Operations conducted a round of additional sampling, which consisted of eight soil borings. After comparing the contaminant levels in these borings to the cleanup levels in the Missouri Risk-Based Corrective Action Process for Petroleum Storage Tanks, the participant decided to close the site using institutional controls and that no remedial action was necessary to address the site. The applicant expects that the property will be used commercially in the future.

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

PUBLIC AVAILABILITY SESSION HELD FOR WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently participated in a public availability session for ongoing cleanup work at Whiteman Air Force Base in Johnson County. The Air Force held the public availability session on May 5, 2004, in conjunction with a public comment period from April 13 to May 13, 2004. The Air Force held the session and comment period to gather input from the community on various cleanup options for historically contaminated sites around the base.

The Air Force addressed four areas of concern in this session. They consist of two landfill areas, an area where solvent was spilled and a fire training area. The main contaminants at these sites are solvents and fuel-related products. Although the current and expected future land use is industrial, remedial alternatives were selected to be protective of future residential use in case the land use changes. The Air Force has reviewed the options available to remediate the contamination at the four sites and has determined the best course of action based on federal criteria.

The Air Force has determined that all four sites will require groundwater monitoring to ensure the contaminants are not migrating beyond set boundaries. The sites will also have institutional controls in place. These institutional controls will restrict the use of or limit access to property to prevent or reduce risks to human health and the environment. One of the landfill areas will also be capped with clay and soil. This should prevent rainwater from seeping into the landfill and carrying away contamination.

For additional information on the cleanup at Whiteman Air Force Base, all are encouraged to review documents contained within the Administrative Record located in the Government Documents Room at the Central Missouri State University Library in Warrensburg, Mo. The Air Force and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources also provide information regarding the status of the cleanup through semiannual public meetings, fact sheets and public notices published in local newspapers and other media outlets.

For additional information on the status of the cleanup at Whiteman Air Force Base or other federal facility sites located in Missouri, please contact Ramona Huckstep of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176 or by e-mail at ramona.huckstep@dnr.mo.gov.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON PROPOSED PLAN FOR WELDON SPRING ORDNANCE WORKS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)- Kansas City District, in coordination with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, prepared a Proposed Plan to address groundwater contamination at the Former Weldon Spring Ordnance Works. The Ordnance Works, located in St. Charles County, was an explosives production facility from 1941 to 1945. The Ordnance Works focused on the production of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and dinitrotoluene (DNT).

Following the end of the World War II in 1945, the property was divided up, with some portions of the land being transferred to the state of Missouri and the University of Missouri. The federal government kept approximately 2,000 of the original 17,323 acres for the Weldon Spring Training Area and a former uranium feed material plant site. The Corps cleaned up most of the contaminated soil on the site in the late 1990s with oversight from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The department continues to provide oversight as groundwater issues are addressed. The contamination remaining in the groundwater is the result of past production of TNT and DNT.

The proposed plan and accompanying documents looked at five possible alternatives to address the contaminated groundwater. The possible alternatives were

. no action,
. long term monitoring,
. monitored natural attenuation,
. groundwater extraction, and
. enhanced monitored natural attenuation.

The proposed plan also contained the Corps and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's, preferred alternative out of the five possible options. This preferred alternative is Monitored Natural Attenuation with institutional controls.

This alternative monitors the groundwater and the processes that may break down the contamination. The remedy also includes institutional controls that will minimize the potential for exposure either by ingestion, dermal contact, or inhalation of contaminated groundwater until concentrations are reduced to acceptable levels. The Corps bases their decision on criteria set out by a federal environmental law. The law requires that the Corps evaluate the alternatives based on such criteria as overall protectiveness of human health and the environment; long-term effectiveness and permanence; state acceptance; and community acceptance.

As part of the criteria requiring community acceptance, the public had an opportunity to review the document and provide comments. The proposed plan and accompanying documents can be viewed as part of the Administrative Record, located at the St. Charles City/County Library District, Middendorf-Kredell Branch located at 2750 Hwy K in O'Fallon, Mo.

The Corps also hosted a public meeting on June 24, 2004, at the St. Charles Community Center for the community to provide verbal comments on the proposed plan and the preferred alternative. After the Corps compiles comments, both in writing and verbal, they will summarize the information and document how public comments were integrated into the decision-making process. This document, known as a Responsiveness Summary, will be available for public review.

For additional information on the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works or other federal facility sites located in Missouri, please contact Ramona Huckstep of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources by telephone at 800-361-4827 or by e-mail at ramona.huckstep@dnr.mo.gov.

DEPARTMENT TO RESUME INSPECTIONS OF STATE REGULATED DAMS

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Geological Survey and Resources Assessment Division resumed the inspection of regulated dams on July 1.

Because of budget cuts last fiscal year, dam permits that came due between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004, had to be inspected by private professional engineers hired by regulated dam owners. The legislature restored the funding for the fiscal year beginning July 1, allowing engineers of the division's Water Resources Program to inspect regulated dams once again.

Staff engineers will ensure that dams regulated by the state of Missouri meet safety standards and are not putting people and infrastructure downstream of the structures at risk. Owners of state regulated dams will be notified by mail of the specific changes. The department's goal is to make the transition as easy as possible.

Should dam owners or the public have questions or need further technical assistance, staff are available to answer questions at 573-368-2175.

MISSOURI DEVELOPER CITED FOR CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATIONS

EPA Region 7 signed a settlement agreement April 28, 2004, with Innsbrook Corporation of Wright City, Mo., for two violations of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

These violations resulted in the destruction of the natural habitat along nearly three miles of streams in the North Fork of Charrette Creek in Warren County.

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act covers permitting and the deposition of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, which are for the enjoyment of all citizens.

Innsbrook violated the Clean Water Act between 1998 and 2000 when it built two dams without obtaining the required Section 404 permits. The company built the dams while developing two residential subdivisions, Alpine Lake and Konstanz Lake in Warren County.

The construction of these dams caused discharges of fill material into water and resulted in the habitat destruction along the North Fork of Charrette Creek. Such waterways are a public resource, and controlling the impacts on these resources is required by permits under Section 404. "Healthy streams are vital to our ecosystems," said Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford. "EPA will continue to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to vigorously enforce such violations of federal law."

As part of the settlement, the company has elected to pay $120,000 to the Missouri Stream Stewardship Trust Fund, which is used to restore stream habitat and ecosystems in Missouri. The amount was calculated to specifically mitigate the estimated damage caused when Innsbrook's dam construction led to the habitat destruction.
Innsbrook is also required to make a presentation to the St. Louis Builder's Association about the details of the violations and how other developers should employ best management practices to ensure compliance with federal environmental laws. Lastly, Innsbrook is required to pay a $100,000 penalty.

The terms of the settlement will become effective following a 40-day public notice and comment period.

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.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES RESPONDS TO CLEANUP A GASOLINE SPILL IN ROLLA
At 5:24 p.m., on June 24, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources immediately mobilized a staff member of the Environmental Emergency Response Team to the scene of a gasoline overfill spill in Rolla.

The department was notified by the Rolla Fire Department of a gasoline leak at a Midwest Petroleum convenience store at 1010 Forum Dr., Rolla. A tanker truck accidentally overfilled the underground storage tank causing approximately 1,100 gallons of gasoline into the underground storage tank pit. A small quantity of the overflow seeped out of the pit and into a storm drain leading to a small creek. After investigating further, the department found no significant environmental damage occurred in the creek.

The department provided oversight and technical assistance to the fire department and contractors to address the cleanup. Approximately 700 gallons of gasoline have been recovered at this time. The City of Rolla Fire and Rescue has been a valuable asset to department on the emergency response incident.

The department provides daily support and protection for the citizens of Missouri during environmental emergencies. The department's environmental emergency response system has on-scene coordinators located throughout the state and available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to hazardous substance spills.

A hazardous waste generator fee funds the system to help Missouri's citizens and resources respond to spills such as this. This fee, which was due to expire Jan. 1, 2005, was extended this legislative session until June 30, 2006.

For more information contact Renee Bungart with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4465 or visit the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov.

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GRANTS AND LOANS

DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $400,000 BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT GRANT
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently was awarded a $400,000 brownfields assessment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Missouri was one of only seven state agencies nationally to receive grant awards. The grant is to be split evenly between petroleum and other hazardous material contamination sites.

The department's Brownfield/Voluntary Cleanup Program will use the grant funds to provide sub-grants to communities and individuals to redevelop brownfield properties. "Proper cleanup of brownfields allows the property to be placed back into productive use, encourages land redevelopment, increases economic development and provides prosperity for the area," said Steve Mahfood, Department of Natural Resources director. The department has completed nearly 200 brownfield redevelopment cleanups throughout Missouri.

The criteria for the sub-grants have not been established, but two key aspects will be financial need and success potential for benefiting the local community. Several pilot projects defined in the grant proposal will be among the first projects considered.

It is anticipated that the funds will be available from the EPA in late September. The department hopes to award the first sub-grant shortly thereafter.

Six other competitive brownfields grants were awarded to Missouri organizations.
. Heartland Regional Community Foundation in St. Joseph received a $200,000 cleanup grant.
. The City of Springfield received two site-specific assessment grants of $150,000 each.
. Kansas City received a $400,000 assessment grant.
. St. Louis Development Corp. received a $400,000 assessment grant.
. St. Louis Development Corp. also received a $950,000 grant to establish a revolving loan fund.

The seven EPA grants within Missouri total $2,650,000. In 2003, four grants totaling $1,350,00 were awarded within Missouri.

Nationally, EPA awarded $74.5 million to 42 States, Puerto Rico and five tribes. In 2003, the total award of $73.1 million was made to 37 states and seven tribes.

The full details of the EPA announcement and awards can be found at www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/archive/pilot_arch.htm.

Updates and additional information will be provided on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov or by subscribing to the department's redevelopment and brownfields cleanup broadcast e-mail.

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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.

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.

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.

SOLID WASTE ADVISORY BOARD TO MEET AUG. 4
The Missouri Solid Waste Advisory Board will hold a public meeting at 1 p.m., Aug. 4, at the Department of Natural Resources' Conference Center, 1738 E. Elm St., Jefferson City. A subsequent meeting will be held Sept. 1.

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

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.

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.

WATER QUALITY COORDINATING COMMITTEE AUG. 17
The Water Quality Coordinating Committee will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m., Aug. 17, at the Columbia Environmental Research Center Conference Building, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia.

For more information, call the Department of Natural Resources' Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-7428.

AIR CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO MEET AUG. 26
The Missouri Air Conservation Commission will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m. Aug. 26 at the Governor Office Building, 200 Madison St., Jefferson City.

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

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 will be held
Aug. 18 in Macon, and Sept. 29 in Poplar Bluff.

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

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. Registration will begin in late April.

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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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