EPA Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Changes to List of Impaired Waters for Missouri (MO)
Environmental News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Kansas City, Kan., May 2, 2011) - EPA has
released its proposed decision on Missouri’s 2010 list of
impaired waters. EPA is approving Missouri’s listing of 241
waters as impaired, and the removal from the list of 35 water
bodies. The Agency is requesting public comment on its proposed
decision to add, remove or restore a total of 35 water bodies and
corresponding pollutants to Missouri’s 2010 impaired waters
list.
"We look forward to receiving feedback on the
proposed modifications to Missouri's Impaired Waters List,”
said Karl Brooks, regional administrator. “Transparency and
public involvement are two of the most important components of this
process and we need to hear from those that are affected by our
decisions."
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources
submitted its 2010 impaired waters list to EPA for review and
approval. The Clean Water Act and federal regulations require EPA
to review the state’s list to determine if the state
reasonably considered existing and readily available water
quality-related data and information, and reasonably identified
waters to be listed.
EPA is proposing to add several water bodies
that were excluded from listing or removed from Missouri’s
list. These proposed additions to the list include waters found to
be impaired by inorganic sediment, low dissolved oxygen and other
pollutants. EPA is removing water bodies where Total Maximum Daily
Loads were established after the state’s list was
submitted.
The 60-day public comment period on EPA’s
proposed decision begins today. The comment period ends July 5,
2011.
EPA’s decision letter is available
at www.epa.gov/region07/newsevents/legal. A link to the public notice is available on the EPA
Region 7 website at www.epa.gov/region07/public_notices. Additional supporting documentation is available
upon request by contacting Carol Taylor-Curth, Water Quality
Management Branch, EPA Region 7, 901 N. 5th Street, Kansas City,
Kan., 66101,
[email protected], (913) 551-7638 or (800) 223-0425.
EPA will consider written public comments in
reaching its final decision on the additional water bodies
identified for inclusion on Missouri’s final 2010 impaired
waters list.