News Release No. 073

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HOSTS
INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON BLACK RIVER RECOVERY EFFORTS

Volume 34-073

Contact: Connie Patterson

(For immediate release)

573-751-1010

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 1, 2006 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will hold the fourth in a series of monthly informational meetings Thursday, March 16, to discuss progress made on water quality in the Black River and recovery efforts at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park near Lesterville. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Lesterville High School, Highway 21 and Elm, in Lesterville.

The meeting will focus on recovery efforts in the area following the Dec. 14 breach of the Taum Sauk Reservoir. An update will be given by Ameren UE on the lower reservoir, followed by the stream restoration plan for the portion of the East Fork of the Black River that runs through Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. Stabilization on the upper reaches of the river has to take place first to ensure that the continued work doesn't result in further sediment reaching the Black River. There also will be an update on water quality issues in the Black River. Following the presentations, there will be time to visit with individuals from the Department of Natural Resources and other partners in the restoration efforts.

The Department of Natural Resources has established a project office at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park to oversee the efforts related to mitigating the environmental damage caused by the breach in the Black River and in the 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.

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