News Release No. 338

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES RELEASES
2004 STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT

Volume 32-338

Contact: Connie S. Patterson

(For immediate release)

573-751-1010

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 21, 2004 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources today released a report on the current state of Missouri's natural, cultural, energy and historic resources.

The report, "State of Missouri's Environment: Trends, Challenges and Achievements," provides a detailed look at the quality of Missouri's air, land and water as well as its natural, cultural, energy and historic resources. The report examines the many challenges that remain, such as the growing demand placed on water treatment and public drinking water systems, nonpoint source pollution, soil erosion and the loss of the waste tire fee, which funded cleanups of approximately 13 million waste tires in illegal dumps across Missouri.

"When considering the quality of Missouri's resources, we typically think of natural resources," said Steve Mahfood, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. "But our cultural, energy and historic resources play a significant role in Missouri as well, particularly for our economy. This report details the role that state parks and historic preservation have played in generating revenue in Missouri and explores what we can do to support these important programs."

Research continues to link a clean environment to the overall health of the citizens that use these resources. Poor air quality, for example, has been shown to cause a variety of respiratory diseases, and impaired water quality not only poses a threat to the fish and wildlife it supports, but to citizens who may drink this water as well.

"Every Missouri citizen living in every corner of this state deserves safe water and clean air," said Mahfood. "Unfortunately, this hasn't always been the case. In the past, families in our large urban areas, for example, have had to keep children with asthma inside during much of the summer due to poor air quality. Homeowners near lead smelters have been forced to move due to lead contamination in their homes and yards. Those who once enjoyed taking a dip in the local creek now must consider run-off from many sources of pollution."

These natural, cultural, energy and historic issues must be addressed while Missouri strives to support a strong economy. The 2004 State of Missouri's Environment Report is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/publ332.pdf. Because of the size of this document, some dial-up Internet users may not be able to access it. For a copy of the report on CD-ROM, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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