Our Political Process Works.....But Sometimes in Mysterious Ways!

David Casaletto

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) issues permits through their Water Protection Program. These permits are for land disturbance, confined animal feeding operations, wastewater treatment plants, operator certifications, etc. The permit fees collected are a large portion of the revenue needed to fund the program and pay for the salaries for the inspectors and other support staff. The state statue that allowed MDNR to charge permit fees had been in effect for 10 years and expired December 31, 2010. The fee extension bill introduced during the 2010 legislative session did not make it into law and MDNR has not collected permit fees in 2011. The Federal Clean Water Act requires states to perform these water protection activities and if a state fails to do so the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be required to step in and take over, a solution that most people in Missouri did not want to happen.

Permit required for land disturbance

Early in the 2011 legislative session, House Bill 89 was introduced. As introduced, it was 3 pages long and the only actual changes to the existing statue were to extend the dates that permit fees could be collected to 2013 and to extend the public notice requirement of the Clean Water Commission also until 2013. HB89 did pass the House with only a few changes from the bill as introduced. After some lengthy debate and public comment, a process in which I participated in, the Senate did pass HB89, but with some additional provisions added on. In fact, the final version ended up a full 45 pages. I am going to cover some of the more interesting and pertinent additions but I encourage anyone interested to click the link above to view the entire bill. Remember, what is listed below is not the exact language nor is it complete.
 

Permit required for wastewater treatment plants

Permit Fees: Permit fees are extended through September 1, 2013 which means the issue will again need to be addressed during the 2013 legislative session. It was felt by some legislators that not only should permit fees be extended, but they should also be evaluated to see if changes are needed in the fee structure. To accomplish this, the law now states that the director of the Department of Natural Resources shall conduct a comprehensive review of the fee structure and shall include stakeholder meetings in order to solicit stakeholder input. The director shall submit a report to the general assembly by December 31, 2012, which shall include its findings and a recommended plan for the fee structure. The plan shall also include time lines for permit issuance, provisions for expedited permits, and recommendations for any other improved services provided by the fee funding.

Transparency: It shall be the policy of each state department to carry out its mission with full transparency to the public. Any data collected in the course of its duties shall be made available to the public in a timely fashion. Data, reports, and other information resulting from any activities conducted by the department in the course of its duties shall be easily accessible by any member of the public. Each department shall broadly interpret any request for information; even if such request for information does not use the words "sunshine request", "open records request", "public records request", or any such similar wording; even if the communication is simply an inquiry as to the availability or existence of data or information; and regardless of the format in which the communication is made, including electronic mail, facsimile, internet, postal mail, in person, telephone, or any other format. Any failure by a department to release information shall, in addition to any other applicable violation of law, be considered a violation of the department's policy under this section and shall constitute a breach of the public's trust.

E coli testing: The department of health and senior services shall examine the feasibility of implementing a real-time water quality testing system for measuring the bacterial water quality at state-owned public beaches and shall issue a report of its findings to the general assembly by December 31, 2011.

Consolidation of Services: The governor shall convene a committee of representatives of the Departments of Health and Senior Services, Natural Resources, Economic Development, Agriculture, and Conservation. The committee shall evaluate opportunities for consolidating services with the goal of improving efficiency and reducing cost while optimizing the benefits to the citizens of Missouri. As part of its evaluation, the committee shall specifically consider the transfer of the Division of Energy from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Economic Development and the consolidation of water quality laboratory testing under the Department of Health and Senior services for purposes of meeting water testing requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The committee shall provide recommendations to the governor and general assembly no later than December 31, 2011.

Stakeholder Meeting on On-site (septic) Systems: The Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Health and Senior Services shall jointly hold stakeholder meetings for the purpose of gathering data and information regarding permits and inspections for on-site sewage disposal systems. The departments shall evaluate the data and information obtained and present their findings and recommendations in a report to be submitted to the general assembly by December 31, 2011.

As I said there are many other things covered in this bill, but I think I have covered the ones that have the greatest impact on our waters of the state. I plan on being an active participant in this process including attending the stakeholder meetings on permit fees and septic systems. While we rely on our elected officials, it is very important that we the public all stay informed and active in this process.

Water Watch Week packed with activities

News-Leader.com, May 18, 2011

With water, water everywhere an ongoing news topic, several Ozarks organizations are working together on an event next month that will put the spotlight on water quality.

Water Watch Week, coming up June 11-21, includes a variety of events -- seminars on water quality issues, river cleanups, fishing tournaments for serious anglers and kids, and many more. To read more...

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110519/LIFE06/105190330/Water-Watch-Week-packed-activities?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Cimg%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp

Event draws over 1,200 kids

Cassville Democrat, May 18, 2011

Cold, dreary weather did not keep families from attending Roaring River State Park's annual spring Kids' Fishing Day on Saturday. Free fishing tags were distributed to 1,267 children during the event.

Last spring, the youth fishing day attracted 1,018 children, and in the spring of 2009, the event drew over 1,400 kids.

"I think everything went really well considering we were only three weeks out from the devastating flood we had in the park," said Paul Spurgeon, Roaring River Hatchery manager. "We got the park put back together, the people came out, and everyone seemed to really have a good time." For more...

Corps: Half of campsites at Table Rock Lake are closed

KY3 News, May 18, 2011

Table Rock Lake is gradually receding, but not far enough to re-open all the campgrounds around the lake, and Memorial Day weekend is just over a week away.

At Long Creek Campground, the sites are high and dry.  For full-time campers Pati and David Phillips, it's the perfect spot to relax with some friends. To see video & more...

Use shock chlorination to disinfect contaminated wells

Delta Farm Press, May 18, 2011

Heavy rains and rising rivers may flood wells. Water from a flooded well should not be used for drinking or food preparation until the well and plumbing system have been disinfected and the water has been tested for safety. In addition to dangerous pathogens, floodwater can carry abrasive sediment, debris and other contaminants that can damage well equipment.

"Wells could be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites that can make you ill," said Van Ayers, an MU Extension agriculture and rural development specialist. More...