News Release No. 417

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO HOST PUBLIC MEETINGS ON WASHINGTON COUNTY LEAD DISTRICT INVESTIGATION OCT. 17-18

Volume 33-417

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 7, 2005 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is hosting public meetings on Oct. 17 in Cadet and Oct. 18 in Potosi to share information on the Washington County Lead District site investigation. The department will present an overview of the investigation at 6:30 p.m. and allow a half-hour before and after the presentations for residents to ask questions, provide input, offer comments and share concerns with agency representatives on a one-on-one basis.

The first meeting is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, at the Kingston K-14 School in the Cafeteria/Multipurpose Room, 10047 Diamond Rd., Cadet. The second meeting is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Trojan Intermediate School in the Gymnasium/Cafeteria, 367 Intermediate Dr., Potosi. Both meetings will include the same presentations.

The Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Department of Health and Senior Services and Washington County Health Department will be available to answer questions and discuss future actions in Washington County.

The investigation is part of a statewide project identifying all lead, zinc and other metal mining, milling, smelting and processing sites. The purpose of the project is to evaluate and categorize sites based on its potential risk to human health and the environment and to identify sites that may not be fully utilized because of the effects of their past mining history.

The Washington County Health Department and the Department of Health and Senior Services will be providing free blood lead testing for children during both public meetings. The blood lead testing will help determine if children have elevated blood lead levels. Health staff would use a finger-stick test to test a child's blood lead levels. Those taking the test will receive results the same evening.

For more information or a complete meeting agenda, call Julieann Warren of the department's Hazardous Waste Program at 573-751-4187 or 800-361-4827.

People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling 800-361-4827 or 573-751-4187. Hearing-impaired individuals may contact the program through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

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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