Missouri Environment & Infrastructure Roundup

Lead Contamination Continues in Herculaneum

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is considering a range of enforcement actions against the Doe Run Resources Corporation, now that recent tests have shown more than one-third of a group of properties situated within a mile of the company's lead smelter in Herculaneum, contain lead at levels exceeding 400 parts per million (ppm), EPA's threshold for removing and replacing such soils.Of 372 properties sampled, 129 had at least one area exceeding the 400 ppm action level for lead. A total of 104 of those 129 "action level" properties have already undergone soil remediation within the past nine years, under work previously ordered by EPA. EPA intends to work with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) to correct the problem by requiring Doe Run to implement a solution.Doe Run's facility at 881 Main Street in Herculaneum has been in operation for more than a century and is the largest smelter of its kind in the United States.

Both EPA and MDNR have taken a number of enforcement actions against Doe Run over the years, including EPA's July 2009 unilateral administrative order, directing the company to sample and test gravel driveways and surface yard soils from all homes within one mile of the smelter. Those tests, completed by a contractor hired by Doe Run, were completed last month, after which the company sent confidential letters to property owners and residents, informing them only of the test results from their respective properties. EPA received a full report of the sampling activity on October 8, 2009. A redacted copy of that report is available at www.epa.gov/region07/news_events/legal/.

See the original EPA news release here.

Stimulus Funds Aid Clean Up of Madison Co. Mine Superfund Site

EPA Region 7 has awarded a contract to an Ohio environmental firm to proceed with the cleanup of lead-contaminated soils at approximately 800 residential properties within the Madison County Mines Superfund Site in southeast Missouri. The contract is supported by more than $9.8 million in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.Environmental Quality Management, Inc., of Cincinnati, has a two-year base period with one option year, and a maximum possible award of $13,915,694, under the contract. Total ARRA funding for the contract is $9,885,000.The funding will enable EPA to proceed with the cleanup of an estimated 800 residential properties at the site over a two-year period, with additional funding to clean up 200 more residential properties in the third year of the contract.Madison County Mines Superfund Site is located in southeast Missouri near Fredericktown, in the Old Lead Belt where heavy metal mining has occurred since the early 1700s. Past mining operations have left at least 13 major tailings and chat deposits from mineral processing operations within the county. Wind and water erosion has moved the lead-contaminated material to residential surface soils, sediments, groundwater and surface water, posing threats to human health and the environment.

See the original EPA news release here.

Governor Makes Environmental & Infrastructure Nominations

Gov. Jay Nixon has announced several nominees to boards and commissions.

Jack Baker, Air Conservation Commission (reappointment) - Baker is a cattleman who was first appointed to the Air Conservation Commission in 2002 and has served as chairman and vice-chairman of the committee. He sits on the state board for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives and has served on several cattle-related boards. Baker has received several awards and honors for his Angus cattle. His term ends Oct. 14, 2013.

Thomas B. Bradley, State Soil and Water Districts Commission - Bradley is a farmer who is currently serving his fifth term as treasurer for New Madrid County. He earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture, with a minor in geology, from Southeast Missouri State University. Bradley also has served as a member and treasurer of the New Madrid County Soil and Water District. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Aug. 15, 2012.

Steven B. Martin, Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority - Martin is the division manager for Crop Production Services for Missouri and Arkansas and has worked in the agricultural industry since 1980. He has also worked for United Agri Products Inc. and for Terra Industries in sales and management. Martin also is involved in the operation of a family farm. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending June 30, 2014.

William J. Schumake, Dam and Reservoir Safety Council - Schumake has owned Town and Country Motors in Sedalia for 42 years. He has served as director of the Sedalia Pettis County Development Corporation, the Thompson Hills Investment Corporation, and the Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center Inc. His term ends April 3, 2010.

You can read the original news release here.

Environmental, Energy Bills Introduced in Congress

H.R. 3727 - Drinking Water Adaptation, Technology, Education, and Research (WATER) Act
This bill would support research of the effects of climate change on drinking water systems.

S. 1711 - Water Efficiency and Conservation Investment Act of 2009
This bill would create tax incentives to support water conservation improvements in residences and public works.

S. 1713 - Water Efficiency via Carbon Harvesting and Restoration (WECHAR) Act of 2009
This bill would support the development of markets for biochar and the assessment of feedstock for biochar production from federal lands. Biochar is charcoal.

Water Roundup

Appropriations Bill Includes Money for Levee Improvements at St. Joseph, MO

The energy and water appropriations bill included funds for levee improvement projects in Kansas and Missouri in the St. Joseph area.

More information:
St. Joseph included in water resources bill
St. Joe included in water resources bill

Drinking Water and Wastewater Funding Included in Agriculture Bill

The agriculture appropriations bill that passed Congress in October included $568.7 million for the water and waste program that provides grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater and solid waste projects in rural areas.

More information:
Farm Bill Includes Environmental Funding
Rural water appropriations pass both houses
Water Legislation — recycling, research, efficiency

EPA Calls for Missouri to Revise Mississippi R. Standards Near St. Louis

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 7 has requested that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) revise water quality standards for a 28.6-mile section of the Missouri River upstream of its confluence with the Meramec River. The change is intended to protect the river for use for whole body contact recreation, though a MoDNR proposal to implement the standard was previously rejected by the state Clean Water Commission.

More information:
EPA Calls on State of Missouri to Set New Water Quality Standards for St. Louis Segment of Mississippi River
EPA Calls on State of Missouri to Set New Water Quality Standards for St. Louis Segment of Mississippi River (EPA news release)

Missouri Comes Out Swinging Over River Diversion Plan

Missouri politicians at both the state and are opposing a Bureau of Reclamation plan to divert water from the Missouri River for irrigation purposes in North Dakota. This is recent flare up in the longstanding fight for water among the states along the river that predates the act from 2000 that established North Dakota’s allotment of water from the river.

More information:
Governor Objects to Missouri River Water Diversion to Red River Valley
McCaskill wants Interior Secretary out of long-running Missouri River ruckus
Missouri Governor Encourages U.S. Secretary of Interior to Reject Diversion of Missouri River Water to Red River Valley
Missourians oppose river diversion by North Dakota Water war revival
Missourians Oppose River Diversion by North Dakota Water War Revival

Farm Bill Includes Environmental Funding

The agriculture appropriations bill that passed Congress earlier this month included funding for water, waste and environmental programs. Some of the major environment-related program funded by this bill are

-Rural Utilities: Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program - $568.7 million
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program - $1.18 billion
-Water quality research - $12.6 millio
-Natural Resources Conservation Services - $887.6 million

More information:
Rural water appropriations pass both houses
Water Legislation — recycling, research, efficiency

Missouri Governor Makes Environmental Appointments

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has announced appointments to several state boards and commissions with responsibilities in environmental policy and programs.

Dr. Raymond E. Bailey, Seismic Safety Commission - Bailey is construction management/services manager for ABNA Engineering. He holds a bachelor's degree in geological engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and an MS and doctorate from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He was appointed to a term ending July 1, 2012.

Dr. Jeffrey D. Cawlfield (D), Dam and Reservoir Safety Council (reappointment) - Dr. Cawlfield is a professor of civil engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, and has been at the university since 1987. He currently is chair of the freshman engineering program at the school. Hew was appointed to a term ending April 3, 2011.

LaRee DeFreece, State Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority - DeFreece, who holds a law degree from Washington University, is vice president and director of global sustainability consulting services for the architectural firm HOK. He was appointed to a term ending Jan. 1, 2011.

Bruce E. Manning, Safe Drinking Water Commission - Manning, who holds a Missouri "A" operator's license and a Missouri DSIII drinking water distribution operator's license, is the principal water treatment technologist for CH2M HILL. He has more than 30 years' experience in water quality management. He was appointed to a term ending Sept. 1, 2012.

Dianna R. Reed, Air Conservation Commission - Reed, a 27-year-old who holds a civil engineering degree and a law degree from the University of Missouri, serves on the program committee of the U.S. Building Green Council - St. Louis chapter and on the environmental and legislative committee of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry. She is an associate with the law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale. She was appointed to a term ending Oct. 13, 2012.

You can read the original news releases here and here.

Clean Energy and Drinking Water Bills Working Way through Congress

Sen. John Kerry’s (MA) conglomerate climate bill (S. 1733) is working is one of the contenders for reducing carbon emissions, pumping money into energy technologies and helping drinking water systems adapt to a drier climate. Sen. Harry Reid (NV) has introduced bill to fund water system adaptations to climate change (S. 1712), which fellow Nevadan Rep. Shelley Berkley has introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 3747).

Related articles and posts:
Bill Watch—111th Congress

National Chokepoint Congestion Relief Act

Rep. Michael Castle (DE) has introduced the National Chokepoint Congestion Relief Act (H.R. 3725). The bill would require the Department of Transportation to identify congestion causing chokepoints regions. The department could then award grants to states for project to relieve congestion in these regions.

University of Missouri to Hold Open House for New Engineering Labs

The University of Missouri’s College of Engineering will hold an open house to celebrate the opening of new undergraduate laboratories and research space. The event will take place at Laferre Hall on the university’s Columbia, MO, campus. It will begin at 2 p.m. on November 5, 2009. The highlight of the event will, no doubt, be the blessing of St. Patrick, long recognized at the university as the patron saint of engineers.

Summary of Transportation Stimulus Oversight Findings

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has been watching the use of transportation funds provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). Here are some of their major findings.

-Bids for projects have often come in lower than expected because of the number of contractors looking for work.

-State selection of distressed areas to receive priority for stimulus projects may be based on criteria other than those specified in ARRA.

-States are emphasizing pavement rehabilitation and repair because these projects require less design work and environmental review.

-States are modifying their systems to track stimulus funds.

-States are concerned about the ability of other funding recipients to track stimulus funds.

-States may have trouble complying with the requirement to not reduce their levels of effort in areas covered by ARRA because of fiscal constraints (and the temptation to not put money where you have money).

-States vary in how they intend to assess the impact of stimulus funds, but many are concerned about hot to assess the impact on jobs.

You can find out more about these findings from these GAO reports:
Recover Act: Initial Results on States’ Use of and Accountability for Transportation Funds (GAO-09-597T)
Recovery Act: States’ and Localities’ Current and Planned Uses of Funds while Facing Fiscal Stress (GAO-09-831T)
Recover Act: States’ Use of Highway Infrastructure Funds and Compliance with the Act’s Requirements (GAO-09-926T)

Missouri Water Conference Scheduled, Call for Papers

The Missouri Water Environment Association and the Missouri Section of the American Water Works Association will be holding a joint meeting March 28-31, 2010 in Osage Beach, MO. They are seeking submissions of papers related to the following drinking water and wastewater topics:

-Advanced treatment technologies
-Automation and controls
-Biological treatment
-Biosolids and land application
-Collections systems, combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows
-Customer service
-Disinfection
-Distribution issues
-Filtration and membrane systems
-Health and safety issues
-Management and operations
-Nutrient control
-Odor control and VOCs
-Industrial waste systems
-Instrumentation
-Laboratory issues
-Public relations and education
-Regulatory issues
-Residuals management
-Security and emergency response
-Small systems
-Source water protection
-Water conservation
-Water resources and reuse
-Water utility management
-Watershed management

You can find more information about the conference, the call for paper and a submission for and instructions here or here.

Louisiana Transportation Official No Longer Required to be a Professional Engineer

This summer, the State of Louisiana dropped its requirement that the Assistant Secretary in its Office of Public Works and Intermodal Transportation be licensed as a professional engineer. The new law also dropped the assistant secretary’s responsibility to approve plans, specifications and estimates.

Infrastructure Watch Internal News

I’ll be working full-time for a new employer through the end of the year. My main project will be a utility waste landfill. Because of this, I’ll probably be posting on Infrastructure Watch less often and giving more attention to solid waste and energy. I’m still a water geek, so I’ll keep an eye on drinking water, wastewater, water resources and related subjects, too. I hope you’ll find plenty here to keep you reading and coming back. Thanks.

Infrastructure Watch Now on Twitter

If you’re a Twitter user, you can now follow Infrastructure Watch at http://twitter.com/InfrastrucWatch.

Missouri, Arkansas Meet to Discuss Water issues

Missouri and Arkansas environmental officials discussed water issues with their counterparts from Arkansas in the first meeting under a bi-state agreement signed by the states' governors last year. Representatives from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR), Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, and the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission met in Rogers, AR, to exchange information about water quality and water quantity concerns for both states.

The agencies moved forward with plans to issue a report on the two states' shared water resources next year. The agencies will meet again in 2010 in Missouri.

You can read the original MoDNR news release here.

Related posts and articles:
Missouri Department of Natural Resources Meets with Arkansas Environmental Officials to Discuss Water Quality and Quantity
Missouri Water Resources News

New Missouri Transportation Commissioner Sworn In

Stephen R. Miller of Kansas City was sworn in this week as Missouri's newest Highways and Transportation Commissioner by Supreme Court Chief Justice William Ray Price, Jr. He was appointed earlier this month by Governor Jay Nixon.

Miller is an attorney with the law firm of Miller Schirger and has more than 25 years experience in construction law. He fills the vacancy left by the resignation of Mike Kehoe of Jefferson City and will complete his term, which runs through March 1, 2011.

You can see the original post from Missouri Department of Transportation blog here.

Brownfield Grant Workshops on EPA Region 7

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will host five free workshops in September 2009 for the 2010 Brownfields grant competition. Each half-day workshop is designed to cover the basics of submitting a proposal to the EPA Brownfields Program and offers guidance for improving the quality of a proposal. Major topics include the types of EPA Brownfields grants, who is eligible to apply, the grant application process, what makes a good application and grant writing tips. The deadline to apply for fiscal year 2010 Brownfields grants is Oct. 16, 2009.

The workshops will be held at these locations and times:
Sept. 9 - St. Louis, Mo., Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront, 315 Chestnut St., 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 - Salina, Kan., Community Learning Center, 308 West Elm St., 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 - Springfield, Mo., Missouri Career Center, 1514 South Glenstone Ave., Dogwood “C” Room, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 - Ames, Iowa, Story County Conservation Center at the McFarland Park Conference Center, 56461 180th St., 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 - Lincoln, Neb., Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, 2717 South 8th St., 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

To register for free, contact Tom Dermody, SRA International, Inc. at (703) 284-6107 or send an e-mail to Region7workshop@sra.com.

There will be two additional online training sessions at the Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN) Web site. The dates for the CLU-IN training sessions are:
Sept. 2, 10:00 a.m. - Noon; register at: http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/r7bfguidelines/.
Sept. 30, 10:00 a.m. - Noon; register at: http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/r7bfguidelinesq&a/.

Brownfields are real property where the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants, controlled substances, petroleum or petroleum products or mine-scarred lands.

You can read the original EPA news release here.

Georgia Loses Lake Lanier Battle

A federal judge recently ruled that Georgia had illegally taken more water from Lake Lanier than was permitted under the federal law that authorized creation of the lake. Much of this water was used to supply drinking water to Atlanta.

The court gave Georgia three years to negotiate new allocations with Alabama and Florida. Alternatively, Congress may set new allocations by law.

Related articles and posts:
Court rulings could settle water war
Ruling leaves North Georgia with water crisis
Takin' Atlanta to the Woodshed
Water Resources News (Aug. 27, 2008)
Water Resources News (Aug. 19, 2008)
Question of right to water central in Lanier case

Missouri River News Bulletin

• The Corps of Engineers has been holding a series of public meetings to discuss concerns about the Missouri River and plans to modify its management to better protect fish and wildlife.
  More on this:
  Corps sets Missouri River study meetings
  Feds plan Missouri River meetings
  Input is sought
  NCGA: Waterway Meetings Provide Opportunity For Grower Input
  Planning For River Future

• The Senate version of a funding bill for the Corps of Engineers includes $25 million for a Missouri River study. Proponents say its time for a new look at the uses of the rivers while opponents say it’s a waste after the Corps completed a $35 million study in 2004.
  More on this:
  Study for river gets initial OK

Missouri Receives Stimulus Funds for Drinking Water and Wastewater

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $146,503,800 to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The funding was authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Recovery Act funds will go to the state's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF and DWSRF) programs.The CWSRF program will receive $108,641,800. It provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. The DWSRF program will receive $37,862,000. It provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.

You can read the original EPA news release here.

Related articles and posts:
Missouri Plans for SRF Funds from the Recovery Act
Missouri Receives Stimulus Funds for Water Quality Management Planning
Missouri Wastewater Financial Assistance Draft Plans Available

Book Review: When the Rivers Run Dry by Fred Pearce

Pearce, Fred. When the Rivers Run Dry: Water—The Defining Crisis of the Twenty-first Century. Boston: Beacon, 2006.

Mankind’s attempts to harness rivers have had unintended consequences. Schemes to make land more productive have created deserts. Crops on drained land have produced less food and value than the swamps they displaced. Rivers hemmed in to prevent flooding have flooded more frequently and worse than before.

Pearce isn’t against technology. He sometimes expresses admiration for the dams, canals and other engineering feats about which he writes. However, he’s not impressed when this technology deprives people of the water and wealth it was intended to provide.

Water and wealth is a connection Pearce often makes. For all the lip service paid to the social benefits of grand water schemes, the water tends to go where the money is.

Overall, the world has become more water poor. The poorest have generally lost the most.

In spite of the history, Peace sees hope in the potential of technology that works with the water cycle instead of against it. It is already happening on a small scale where ancient where people are reviving ancient methods of capturing rainwater. Indian farmers are adapting dessert containers for use as a cheap, and more efficient, drip irrigation pipe. On the large scale, river engineers are cutting levees, restoring wetlands and allow river to return to curvy courses. In agriculture, the biggest user and waster of water in much of the world, there is a move to crops that are more appropriate to the locally available rainfall and less dependent on irrigation. Even in Los Angeles, a city known for the lengths it has gone to in order to quench its great thirst in a dry land, activist are seeking to create a more porous city that captures and uses the water that falls there naturally.

To illustrate his points, Pearce travels the world to see the disastrous results of bad water management, the extreme example being the disappearing Aral Sea. He also points out what works, like a restored qanat in Iraq.



If you’re interested in this book, you may also be interested in Water by Marq de Villiers.