News Release 486

MEDIA ADVISORY:
DEPARTMENT TO HOST
KANSAS CITY MEETING ON STREAM USE RECOMMENDATIONS

Volume 36-486

Contact: Sarah Garoutte

(For immediate release)

573-522-9913

Aug. 15, 2008

WHO: The Department of Natural Resources

WHAT: Public meeting to discuss department's recommendations for swimming use designations and water quality criteria on area streams and rivers.

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Department's Kansas City Regional Office, 500 NE Colbern Road, Lee's Summit

WHY: Due to the high level of public interest concerning the Recreational Use Attainability Analyses, or UAAs, the department has extended the deadline for submitting comments to Aug. 31 and is hosting several public meetings across Missouri to discuss the recommendations.  The information received will help the department determine whether or not a stream can or does support swimming or other recreational activities.  This use designation will affect the water quality standards that apply to the waters.

All Missouri waters are designated for swimming and other recreational uses unless information shows those activities are not possible.  For example, many streams are too shallow to allow for swimming during most of the year.  To make the determination whether or not a stream can or does support a recreational use, a UAA is conducted for the stream.  To learn more about the information requested by the department and the procedure for conducting a UAA, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/wqstandards/uaa/index.html.

For more information about the designation process or the department's Water Protection Program, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/index.html or call 573-751-1300 or 800-361-4827.

For news releases on the Web, visit http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/index.html. 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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