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Category Archives: Uncategorized

New Video Highlights Historic Route 66 Revitalization

The department today premiered a new video created to help support the efforts of the Historic Highway Revitalization Project focused on Route 66. This video highlights how the interstate took the place of the original highway and in turn caused many businesses to close and eventually become abandoned. Several of these abandoned businesses were gas stations with underground storage tanks that could be leaking and causing damage to the environment.

To help remedy this potential issue the department will be using funds made available by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks. It is hoped that these assessments will lead to the clean-up and the eventual safe reuse of these abandoned station properties.

 

The department is looking for potential sites and is asking for suggestions from residents in communities along the historic roadway. To inform the department of any projects that your community may have, please contact the department at 573-751-6822 or e-mail Ken Koon directly, prior to Sept. 15.

 

For more information about underground storage tanks in Missouri and what the department is doing to prevent and clean up leaks from tanks is available on the
Tanks Section’s webpage.

See how this program helped create the Webb City Route 66 Information Center.

Posted on Sep 10, 2012

Back to School Shopping – Going Green

Back to school shopping is very exciting, but before heading out to the stores there are a few things to consider.

  • Take inventory of all your remaining school supplies from last year and cross what you still have off of your shopping list.
  • Remember to choose environmentally friendly school supplies, such as recycled paper and pencils, soy crayons, BPA free water bottles and reusable lunch packs.
  • Look for natural fibers or recycled material in the clothes you buy. Recycled and environmentally friendly products are at the top of fashion and are easy to find.
  • Choose items with little or no packaging. Items that are overly packaged create unnecessary waste that ends up in landfills.

Just remember, we impact our environment by the choices we make every day.
To find more tips on being eco-friendly all year long, visit our Green Tips website.

Posted on Sep 10, 2012

Free pesticide collection program for Marshall area residents

If you have gotten rid of pests but are plagued by left-over pesticides, this collection program may help what’s bugging you. The department is providing Missouri residents with a convenient, free opportunity to properly dispose of pesticides. Proof of residence may be requested.

Bring your waste to the City of Marshall - Recycling Drop-off Facility, located at 765 West North Street, Marshall, MO 65340 on Saturday, Sept. 8 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

What will be accepted?

Fungicides.
Herbicides.
Insecticides.
Pesticides.
Rodenticides.
Fertilizers containing herbicides or pesticides.
De-wormers & fly-tags.
Only material that is clearly identifiable as a pesticide or herbicide will be received.

What will not be accepted?
Explosives.
Fire Extinguishers.
Smoke Detectors.
Cylinders.
Asbestos.
Trash.
Yard Waste.
Electronics.
Pesticides from businesses, pesticide production facilities, pesticide distributors or pesticide retailers.

Any other chemicals or waste other than pesticides or herbicides.

Collection services will be processed by the Environmental Quality Company and overseen by the department’s Environmental Services Program  and Hazardous Waste Program staff. For more information on the pesticide collection program, contact Ricardo Jones at 573-526-3214.

 

Posted on Aug 24, 2012

Department of Natural Resources to host meeting on plans to protect St. Louis waterways

The Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting Sept. 12 to discuss draft plans to improve water quality in five metropolitan waterways in St. Louis County. The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the St. Louis County Library – Daniel Boone Branch, 300 Clarkson Road in Ellisville

The plans are part of total maximum daily load studies, which describe pollutant reductions needed to improve water quality in the targeted waterways.  The five waterways addressed by the studies include

  • Watkins Creek.
  • Gravois Creek.
  • Creve Coeur Creek.
  • Fishpot Creek.
  • Coldwater Creek.

The federal Clean Water Act requires the department to establish a list of impaired waters and to develop improvement plans for those waterways included on the list. The department determined these five waterways do not meet water quality standards due to bacteria levels and placed them on the 2010 list of impaired waters.

The study process works best when local citizens come together to understand and identify problems in their watershed, and help develop the most effective solution for reducing water pollution and developing a successful watershed management plan.

Links to the studies and supporting documents are available online at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/tmdl.  The public is encouraged to participate in this process if they have concerns or if they would like to provide support for the process. For more information, call the department’s Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-7428.

Posted on Aug 23, 2012

DNR, USFWS finalize Springfield Plateau Regional Restoration Plan, call for projects

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has finalized a guide for the process of restoring natural resources injured by the release of hazardous substances in southwest Missouri and has issued a call for projects that will aid in the restoration of damaged areas.

The guide, known as the Springfield Plateau Regional Restoration Plan, addresses damages to natural resources done by lead and zinc mining within the Tri-State Mining District, an area that includes southwestern Missouri, southeastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma.

The department and FWS has issued a request for proposals for restoration projects within the Tri-State Mining District. Funds totaling $235,000 are available for projects related to injuries to migratory birds and endangered species resulting from Eagle Picher mining and smelting activities around Joplin, Mo.   Priority will be given to projects that improve or protect riparian migratory bird habitat.

The request for proposals and the plan can be found on the website of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at: the website of the Department of Natural Resources, as well as the FaceBook page “Springfield Plateau Restoration.”

The scoring matrix, maps and additional information can be found on these sites as well.

 

The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on Sept. 21.

Posted on Jul 23, 2012

Ozone – Something you can easily reduce!

Summertime definitely means fun in the sun, however, the heat and sunlight can mix with volatile organic compounds to produce ground-level ozone. Pollution from vehicles, businesses and power plants combines in the presence of sunlight creating ground-level ozone – known commonly as smog. Typically, ozone pollution is a problem in the hot summer months from late May to early September when sunlight and higher temperatures speed up the formation of ground-level ozone. Ozone levels from the combustion of fossil fuels tend to rise mid-morning, several hours after the rush-hour and peak in the late afternoon.

Simple everyday steps can help reduce the emission of harmful pollutants that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone or smog.

Ozone-reducing activities include:

  • Keep tires properly inflated.
  • Use mass transit, carpool, bike or walk.
  • Do not top off gas tanks. Stop at the first click.
  • Do not use gas-powered lawn equipment on hot, sunny days with little or no wind. Consider waiting until early evening to mow your lawn.
  • Conserve energy by turning off lights and appliances when leaving a room to reduce emissions from power plants. Purchase Energy Star® appliances.
  • Set goals to reduce utility bills by two percent. This can save money and protect air quality.

The department maintains and collects data from air monitors across Missouri to see if Missouri’s air quality meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Visit the Air Pollution Control Program for more information. 

Posted on Jul 13, 2012

Revitalizing Historic Route 66

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Natural Resources are partnering to work with communities along Historic Route 66 to provide assessments of abandoned gasoline stations for petroleum contamination.

Many services, such as gas stations, restaurants, motels and drive-in theaters, were constructed along Route 66.  As the interstate took the place of the original highway, many of these businesses closed up and became abandoned.  Several of the abandoned underground storage tanks at the gas stations were never properly addressed and may have leaked gasoline into the soil and groundwater. These issues could pose a current or future risk to human health or the environment.

To help remedy this potential issue the department will be using funds made available by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks.  It is hoped that these assessments will lead to the clean-up and the eventual safe reuse of these abandoned station properties.

The department is looking for potential sites and is asking for suggestions from residents in communities along the historic roadway. To inform the department of any projects that your community may have, please contact the department at 573-751-6822 or by e-mail to ken.koon@dnr.mo.gov prior to Sept. 15.

For more information about underground storage tanks in Missouri and what the department is doing to prevent and clean up leaks from tanks is available on the Tanks Section’s webpage.

See how this program helped create the Webb City Route 66 Information Center.

Posted on Jul 12, 2012

Free pesticide collection program for Cameron area residents

If you have gotten rid of pests but are plagued by left-over pesticides, this collection program may help what’s bugging you. The department is providing Missouri residents with a convenient, free opportunity to properly dispose of pesticides. Proof of residence may be requested.

Bring your waste to the City of Cameron’s Dog Pound located at

521 South Elm, Cameron, on Saturday, July 21 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

 

What will be accepted?

Fungicides.

Herbicides.

Insecticides.

Pesticides.

Rodenticides.

Fertilizers containing herbicides or pesticides.

De-wormers & fly-tags.

Only material that is clearly identifiable as a pesticide or herbicide will be received.

 

What will not be accepted?

Explosives.

Fire Extinguishers.

Smoke Detectors.

Cylinders.

Asbestos.

Trash.

Yard Waste.

Electronics.

Pesticides from businesses, pesticide production facilities, pesticide distributors or pesticide retailers.

Any other chemicals or waste other than pesticides or herbicides.

 

Collection services will be processed by the Environmental Quality Company and overseen by the department’s Environmental Services Program  and Hazardous Waste Program staff. For more information on the pesticide collection program, contact Ricardo Jones at 573-526-3214.

Posted on Jul 11, 2012

Drinking Water Week Poster Contest Results

In celebration of Drinking Water Week, the department, in conjunction with the American Water Works Association, held a poster contest.

  •  Addison Luetkemeyer, a fifth grade student at Immaculate Conception School in Jefferson City, took first place and will receive $300. 
  • Kelsie Backues, a fifth grade student at Immaculate Conception School in Jefferson City, took second place and will receive $200. 
  • Katie Kriz and Sara Salarno, fifth grade students at Union Chapel Elementary in Kansas City, took third place and will each receive $50. 

The winners were chosen from hundreds of entries submitted by fifth grade students across Missouri.  For more information, or to view the winning posters, visitwww.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/dw-index.htm, or call the Department of Natural Resources’ Public Drinking Water Branch at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-1825.  

Posted on May 11, 2012

Skip the bottle

In celebration of Drinking Water Week, May 6-12, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is urging Missourians to forego bottled water and choose a more environmental friendly alternative – tap water.

The benefits of tap water are numerous

  • It’s cheaper than bottled water; a gallon of tap water costs about a penny.
  • It’s better for the environment; most water bottles end up in a landfill.
  • It’s safe, and tested far more extensively than bottled water; in fact many brands of bottled water are straight-up tap water.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Public Drinking Water Branch regulates public water supplies in Missouri, and overall, public water systems in Missouri have an extraordinary compliance record.  Each water system is responsible for monitoring conditions at individual water plants and is required to employ trained operators certified by the Department of Natural Resources.  Learn more about how the Department of Natural Resources protects your drinking water by visiting http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/dw-index.htm.

Posted on May 09, 2012