The EPA is proposing to add 50 waters to Missouri's list as impaired by low dissolved oxygen. In its public notice of the state's final 2004/2006 impaired waters list, MDNR explained that numerous waters were not listed because there were "no apparent pollutant sources." MDNR believes low levels of dissolved oxygen are naturally-occurring for streams in certain parts of the state. EPA is required to list waters that are not meeting their designated uses; this evaluation is made by comparing the state's criteria to its monitoring data. Missouri intends to gather and provide data to EPA to demonstrate that the observed dissolved oxygen levels are naturally-occurring. EPA is committed to working with MDNR to further refine its water quality standards.
While reviewing Missouri's bacteria data, the EPA found multiple assessment errors and, in many cases, found that Missouri had assessed its waters that are designated for whole-body contact against an E. coli criterion that has not been approved by EPA for Clean Water Act purposes. After reevaluating Missouri's data against the state's only approved E. coli criterion, EPA is proposing to add 19 waters as impaired by bacteria.
The EPA also identified other water bodies that were inappropriately excluded from listing or inappropriately removed from Missouri's list. These proposed additions to the list include waters found to be impaired by chloride, metals, sediments, and unknown pollutants.
For the complete report go here: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/r07_2008-9-24_epa_seeks_comments_MO_impaired_waters
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