environmental protection agency

Scientists check Corn Belt waters for effects of ag runoff

Abbie Fentress Swanson — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:13:44 +0000

Eleven miles northeast of Centralia, Mo., five U.S. Geological Survey scientists don waders and bright reflective life jackets to wade into Goodwater Creek. Plenty of fish live in the stream’s murky slow-moving waters, along with snakes, crayfish, mussels and snapping turtles. On this overcast morning, the team collects water samples and checks submerged cages of fathead minnows for eggs.

Why EPA and USDA are tweaking standards

Kristofor Husted — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:20:00 +0000

Later, we check in with a revised Environmental Protection Agency standard that could help some wastewater treatment facilities struggling to comply with part of the Clean Water Act’s deadline.

EPA approves change to state water quality standards rules

Kristofor Husted — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:14:13 +0000

The change to state water quality standards rules provides greater flexibility in Missouri’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program.

The state's regulations previously allowed no more than three years for a permittee to come into compliance with its NPDES permit.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources submitted proposed changes, allowing longer than three years, to EPA in December for review and approval. The decision to approve the changes was recently announced.

Southeast Mo. air pollution comes from miles away

Associated Press — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:18:32 +0000

Government and civic leaders in southeast Missouri believe reducing ozone levels is largely out of their control because the pollutions drifts in from hundreds of miles away.

A committee of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission met Friday in Perryville to review data from the Environmental Protection Agency. The committee is fighting to keep the region from being designated a "nonattainment area," with pollution readings that routinely exceed EPA standards.

Route 66 State Park passes dioxin tests

Véronique LaCapra — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:42:49 +0000

The EPA says a new round of dioxin sampling at Route 66 State Park confirms it poses no risk to park workers and visitors.

Federal rule to reduce air polution overturned

Véronique LaCapra — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:37:51 +0000

A federal appeals court has overturned a federal rule that would have reduced air pollution from power plants and kept it from drifting across state lines.

In a 2-to-1 decision, the panel of judges said the Environmental Protection Agency exceeded its regulatory authority when it approved the Cross-State Air Pollution rule last summer.

Sierra Club Missouri Chapter Director John Hickey says the rule would have reduced emissions of soot, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants that drift from state to state.

Report: Mo, Ill. still among top power plant air pollution states as emissions reduce

Updated at 6:30 p.m.

New testing at Times Beach site

Associated Press — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 21:40:15 +0000

Nearly 30 years after Times Beach, Mo., was evacuated in one of the nation's most notorious environmental disasters, scientists with the Environmental Protection Agency are returning to the site for a new round of soil sampling.

Federal, state, and local officials agree to reduce Hinkson Creek pollution

Associated Press — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:26:09 +0000

Columbia area residents and officials have started developing recommendations for cleaning up a local waterway.