On Nov. 13, 2012 , US EPA Region 7 issued the final decision on the Missouri list of impaired waters. EPA restored eight water bodies to Missouri’s list and removed one water body due to an EPA-approved pollution reduction plan. The EPA decision brings the total number of impaired waters in the state to 258.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) submitted its impaired waters list to EPA for review and approval as required by the Clean Water Act (CWA). 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. 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 the water body is approved by EPA. The waters that are removed may remain impaired until the pollution reduction plan is implemented. Beneficial uses in Missouri include human recreation, water supply, and maintaining healthy aquatic life.
The EPA decision letter provides a more detailed description of EPA’s review and the basis for this action.