News Release 515

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SEEKS PUBLIC
COMMENT ON ANTIDEGRADATION IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE

Volume 34-515

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 17, 2006 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on a proposed procedure to implement a water quality standard called "antidegradation."

Antidegradation, in addition to water classification for beneficial uses and Water Quality Criteria, make up the three required regulatory elements of the state's Water Quality Standards. All three of these review elements must work together as a whole to protect water quality in Missouri.

The department developed the proposed procedure in conjunction with stakeholders representing municipalities, industry, environmental groups, engineering consultants and other state agencies. The advisory group held 11 meetings from February through September 2006.

The antidegradation procedure will require people applying for wastewater discharge permits to justify discharging to Missouri waters and evaluate feasible and cost-effective control measures for preventing or limiting the amount of pollutants in the discharge.

The department will consider this additional information to ensure a greater level of protection of water quality. The procedure will ensure that high quality waters are maintained and their quality is affected only to accommodate economic or social development. Any permit that may degrade water quality would be available for public review before the department would make a decision.

The deadline for public comment on this draft procedure is Jan. 16. Comments can be mailed to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Phil Schroeder, Water Pollution Control Branch, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176; faxed to 573-522-9920; or e-mailed to phil.schroeder@dnr.mo.gov.

A copy of the draft procedure is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/cwforum/adv-antidegradation.htm. A copy can also be requested in writing or by calling the department's Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300.

The department plans to present final procedure to the Clean Water Commission at its March 7, 2007 public meeting and submit it EPA for approval by April 2007.

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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