- Air Information
- Broadcast E-mail Lists
- Commissions and Boards
- Contact Us
- Energy
- Environmental Issues
- Grants and Loans
- Land and Geology Information
- News Releases
- Online Services
- Organizational Chart
- Preservation
- Report an Environmental Problem
- Rules in Development
- Small Business Assistance
- State Parks
- Water Information
News Release 470
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES' FIELD SERVICES DIVISION PUTS ASSISTANCE WITHIN EASY REACH
Volume 34-470 |
Contact: Kerry Cordray |
(For immediate release) |
573-526-4220 |
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 24, 2006 -- North, south, east or west, wherever you are, chances are, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is nearby.
The Department of Natural Resources has ramped up its compliance assistance efforts, working to put tools, information and support within easy reach of citizens, communities and businesses. The department has implemented many of these efforts through its Field Services Division, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.
Creation of this division brought together the department's regional and satellite offices, Environmental Services Program and environmental education efforts. In the first year since its creation, this division has added several programs and services designed to help Missourians take a proactive approach to protecting the state's natural resources. Expansion of its network of satellite offices, for example, has reduced staff travel time and expenses, while also ensuring that the department is able to fully participate in local environmental efforts to protect and improve the environment.
"The addition of satellite offices in Rolla, Portageville, Maryville, Warsaw, Willow Springs and Carthage puts our staff where it's most needed," said Doyle Childers, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. "It is a continuing priority of our department to improve and maintain customer service to our clients, and these satellite offices help us accomplish that."
The department's Field Services Division also recently implemented initial assistance visits, which have become another important component of the agency's compliance assistance efforts. During these visits, staff from the department visit permitted sites and walk permittees through their unique requirements. During these informal visits, compliance assistance is provided with the expectation that corrections will be made if the department discovers any problems. In a recent survey nearly 99 percent of respondents reported that they felt well served by Department of Natural Resources' staff who visited their operations as part of the initial assistance visits.
The Field Services Division also introduced new technology to help staff in conducting inspections. This technology has resulted in better and more timely service to the regulated community. The division also has developed an Operations Manual for staff that has helped ensure consistency in decision making. The manual allows public and staff to review the department's processes for conducting inspections, making the agency more transparent and easier to access. This manual is available to the public on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/services/opsmanual.htm. Regulated businesses and facilities also may find the department's procedures and checklists helpful for developing their own internal inspections and procedures.
"We all want our regulated partners to succeed," said Jim Macy, director of the department's Field Services Division. "It is good for Missouri and the environment to have our industrial and small business partners in compliance with our regulations."
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.
###
