KANSAS CITY, KS, Aug. 6, 2009 -- EPA has released its proposed decision on Missouri's 2008 list of impaired waters. EPA is approving Missouri's listing of 273 waters as impaired, and the delisting of 10 water bodies. The Agency is requesting public comment on its proposed decision to add or restore a total of 17 water bodies and corresponding pollutants to Missouri's 2008 impaired waters list.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources submitted its 2008 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 relist 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 bacteria, chloride, metals, sediments and other pollutants.
The 60-day public comment period on EPA's proposed decision begins today, when the public notice link appears on the EPA Region 7 Web site, http://www.epa.gov/region07. The comment period ends October 5, 2009.
The cover letter to the state and the decision document are available at http://www.epa.gov/region07/news_events/legal/index.htm. The public notice is available at http://www.epa.gov/region07/laws_regulations/CWA/2009/MO_303d_public_notice_8_06_09.pdf. Additional supporting documentation is available upon request by contacting Carol Taylor, Water Quality Management Branch, EPA Region 7, 901 N. 5th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101, [email protected], (913) 551-7638 or toll-free (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 2008 impaired waters list.
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