News Release No. 002

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HOSTS INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON JOHNSON'S SHUT-INS RESTORATION JAN. 12

Volume 34-002

Contact: Connie Patterson

(For immediate release)

573-751-1010

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 6, 2006 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will hold the second in a series of monthly informational meetings Thursday, Jan. 12, to outline the progress made in the restoration of Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Lesterville High School, Highway 21 and Elm. Area residents and those interested in the park will have the opportunity to talk to Department of Natural Resources officials and others about work that has occurred since the Dec. 14 breach of Taum Sauk Reservoir. The breach released 1.3 billion gallons of water and caused significant damage to the park and the East Fork of the Black River.

The Department of Natural Resources has established a project office onsite to oversee efforts related to mitigating the environmental damage caused by the breach and restoring the popular state park.

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.

###