News Release No. 429

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO HOST OPEN HOUSE ON NIANGUA RIVER, BENNETT SPRING WATER QUALITY ISSUES

Volume 33-429

Contact: Victoria Lovejoy

(For immediate release)

417-891-4300

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 14, 2005 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is hosting a water quality open house Oct. 23 at Bennett Spring State Park for residents living in the Bennett Spring recharge area and the Niangua River watershed.

The purpose of the event is to give residents within the watershed and recharge area the opportunity to meet with water quality experts and to express any concerns they have about threats to the watershed. The goal of encouraging such discussion is to develop a community-based, citizen-driven plan to protect the watershed from growing water pollution threats and preserve the pristine nature of the river and Bennett Spring.

In addition to the Department of Natural Resources, representatives from the Missouri Department of Health and the Laclede County Health Department will participate. The meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the park's Bennett Spring Lodge. Bennett Spring State Park is located on Highway 64A, west of Lebanon, Mo. For more information, contact Victoria Lovejoy with the department's Southwest Regional Office, 417-891-4300.

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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