News Releases from Region 07
EPA Issues Partial Decision on Missouri’s 2016 Impaired Waters List
Environmental News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Gasconade River, one of Missouri's public waters and natural resources(Lenexa, Kan., July 15, 2016) - EPA has released its partial decision on Missouri’s 2016 list of impaired waters. EPA is approving Missouri’s listing of 307 waters as impaired by one or more pollutants, and the removal of 16 water bodies from the list. EPA welcomes public comment on its proposal to add a total of four water bodies and corresponding pollutants to Missouri’s 2016 impaired waters list.
"Public waters are among the most valuable of natural resources that EPA and our state partners are dedicated to protect,” said Mark Hague, EPA Region 7 Administrator. “The public has a role in this partnership, too, and we welcome all thoughtful comments on these proposed modifications.”
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources submitted its 2016 impaired waters list to EPA for review and approval. The federal Clean Water Act and related 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.
A water body is placed on the impaired waters list when monitoring finds that pollutant levels prevent the lake, river or stream from attaining its beneficial uses. A water body can be removed from the list if it meets its beneficial uses or if a pollution reduction plan for a water body is approved by EPA. Some of the beneficial uses in Missouri include recreation, water supply and maintaining healthy aquatic life.
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 metals or biological conditions. EPA used the state of Missouri’s listing methodology to make the assessments concerning these waters in accordance with the state’s EPA approved-water quality standards.
A 60-day public comment period on EPA’s proposed decision begins today. The comment period ends September 13, 2016.
A letter which explains EPA’s rationale is available via the link in the public notice online. Additional documentation is available upon request by contacting Bruce Perkins, Water, Wetlands and Pesticide Division, Water Quality Management Branch, EPA Region 7, 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS, 66219, or perkins.bruce@epa.gov. EPA will consider written public comments in reaching its decision on the additional water bodies identified for inclusion on Missouri’s final 2016 impaired waters list.
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