KANSAS CITY, KS, Oct. 11, 2011 -- EPA has made a final decision on Missouri's 2010 list of impaired waters, putting the total number of impaired waters in the state to 245.
EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks said, "EPA fully supports Missouri's efforts to develop pollutant reduction plans, which will restore water quality in the state. The impaired waters list helps the Missouri Department of Natural Resources set priorities for restoration activities in Missouri's lakes, streams and rivers."
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources submitted its impaired waters list to EPA for review and approval as required by the Clean Water Act. The Act requires EPA to review the state's list of impaired waters to determine if the state reasonably considered available water quality-related data, and identifies waters to be listed.
EPA considered and incorporated a number of comments from local citizens and representatives of organizations in the final decision. The public is a key EPA ally in achieving the Clean Water Act's goal, which is to restore the integrity of the nation's waters.
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. Beneficial uses in Missouri include human recreation, agricultural water supply, and maintaining healthy aquatic life.
EPA's Oct. 6, 2011, decision letter provides a more detailed description of the EPA's review and the basis for this action. The decision letter, including the 2010 impaired waters list, is available at www.epa.gov/region7/newsevents/legal.