News Release No. 450

MISSOURI CLEAN WATER COMMISSION REQUESTS
INFORMATION ON SWIMMING IN COON CREEK

Volume 33-450

Contact: Susan Bloomer

(For immediate release)

573-526-1825

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 28, 2005 -- The Missouri Clean Water Commission is seeking information on swimming in Coon Creek in Monroe and Randolph counties east of Moberly. The commission invites the public to comment on the use of Coon Creek for swimming or other whole body recreation, where it takes place, and the specific dates or times of year, if known. The comment period ends Nov. 28.

Information should be sent to Stacia Bax, Use Attainability Analysis Coordinator, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or by e-mail. Questions regarding this public comment period may be directed to Bax at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300.

On Sept. 7, the commission approved draft changes to the state's Water Quality Standards, increasing the protection of Missouri's waters from pollution. Among the changes approved, the commission voted to establish bacteria standards on an additional 15,780 miles of streams to protect the health of people who swim in these streams. This action increased the length of stream segments protected for swimming in Missouri from 5,531 miles to 21,311 miles.

The commission determined, however, that Coon Creek is not suitable for swimming because of its shallow depth. Therefore, bacterial standards will not apply to the creek and wastewater treatment plants discharging to Coon Creek will not be required to upgrade the plants to disinfect its effluent. However, the commission will reconsider this determination if swimming or other whole body recreation occurs in the creek. The commission will review and consider information received from this public comment period at its January commission meeting.

The commission's action does not reduce any of the protections currently required under state or federal clean water law. Plants that discharge to any water body operate under permits from the Department of Natural Resources that require treatment to reduce or remove many chemical and physical pollutants. This is to protect uses of the stream including aquatic life and livestock watering.

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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