EPA Region 7 Issues Decisions on Missouris 2009 Water Quality Standards; Agency Approves Majority of Standards, Will Work with Missouri on Those Remaining (MO)
Environmental News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Kansas City, Kan., Aug. 17, 2011) - EPA Region
7 issued a series of decisions today approving the vast majority of
the State of Missouri’s 2009 Water Quality Standards package,
acting on a court-ordered deadline and in accordance with the
federal Clean Water Act. Overall, EPA is approving MDNR’s
proposed designated use changes for 244 Missouri water bodies, and
disapproving 23 others. The Agency will continue to work with the
state to ensure that rigorous science will be applied on the
remaining water bodies to ensure adequate protection of aquatic
resources and public health.
EPA’s issuance of a formal decision letter
comes in response to a complex package of water quality standards
revisions that were proposed by the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources (MDNR) in November 2009. The letter also resolves claims
from a federal lawsuit filed in August 2010 by the Missouri
Coalition for the Environment, which sought EPA’s action on
the standards.
EPA is also approving numeric nutrient criteria
for 25 Missouri lakes, affording them a level of protection
necessary to fully support aquatic life and recreational uses. The
Agency is disapproving the remaining portions of MDNR’s
numeric nutrient criteria, finding that the state was unable to
demonstrate that the criteria values and the process for
establishing the criteria is adequately protective of aquatic life
uses, as required by the Clean Water Act.
“EPA has committed to endorse state-based
plans that craft effective tools to cut the nitrogen and phosphorus
pollution fouling our waters, and this action now supplies Missouri
the advice needed to return to work protecting its vital
waters,” EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks said.
“EPA looks forward to continue partnering with Missouri,
consistent with the Agency's clear preference for state leadership
instead of federal declarations.”
EPA’s decision letter provides a more
detailed description of the Agency’s review and the basis for
this action. The decision letter, including a complete list of
approved and disapproved designated use changes for Missouri
waters, is available at www.epa.gov/region7/newsevents/legal.
Learn more about EPA’s work to protect water resources in Region 7
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7