News Release No. 459

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LAUNCHES NEW COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE

Initial assistance visits will help citizens, facilities understand requirements of their environmental permits

Volume 33-459

Contact: Connie Patterson

(For immediate release)

573-751-1010

JEFFERSON CITY, NOV. 7, 2005 -- The Department of Natural Resources has launched a new compliance assistance initiative to assist citizens, communities and businesses that receive permits, licenses, certifications and registrations from the department and to improve environmental compliance.

In the first phase of the new initiative, the department will visit land disturbance sites, newly permitted air sources, drinking water facilities where permit actions are anticipated, limestone quarries and hazardous waste generators. The department will walk permittees through their unique permit requirements and provide compliance assistance rather than conduct formal inspections.

"Our goal is to enhance environmental compliance by assisting permitted facilities that have not had a previous visit or inspection," said Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers. "Because this is not a formal inspection, compliance assistance will be provided with the expectation that corrections will be made if we discover any problems. However, the department will initiate formal enforcement actions if violations of a very serious nature are found." Very serious violations are those that are immediately or imminently harmful to human health or the environment, such as a hazardous waste release.

Working on compliance up front is more beneficial for everyone, said Childers. "First and foremost, it protects the environment because it's preventative rather than an after-the-fact cleanup," said Childers. "This saves time and effort for citizens, communities and businesses while our air, land and water resources are protected."

The Department of Natural Resources expects to conduct about 250 assistance visits in November. The experiences from this startup phase will be reviewed, and changes will be made where warranted. This type of visit will become routine starting in January 2006. The department is also actively pursuing other improvements to its permitting and enforcement processes. "We believe a faster, more comprehensive permitting process, in combination with our compliance assistance efforts, will enhance environmental protection and result in improved service to Missouri citizens, communities and businesses," said Childers.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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