Friday, Dec. 23, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Directs DNR to Issue Third Order in Reservoir Restoration Efforts
JEFFERSON CITY–Through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Gov. Matt Blunt today directed AmerenUE to continue developing a restoration plan for the damages caused by the failure of the Taum Sauk Reservoir.
Today’s order directs AmerenUE to move forward on debris and sediment removal and to monitor for impacts to water quality in the Black River.
"While the State of Missouri is in no way responsible for this incident, we are responsible for ensuring that citizens in the area are safe and the environment is protected," said Blunt. "We are taking a very close and careful look at the restoration activities to ensure the Black River and Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park are protected."
DNR has expedited its efforts to restore the natural and cultural resources of Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park and the Black River. "We hope to have some services available at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park by this summer," said Director Doyle Childers. "We first have to get the debris removed and determine what water quality impacts the Black River has suffered. We are moving quickly but carefully; we want to make sure we don’t further affect the natural resources in that area any more than they already have been."
Missouri has no regulatory oversight of the reservoir, which is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The state is, however, involved in overseeing recovery efforts. Since the reservoir failed last Wednesday, DNR’s Environmental Emergency Response team has been on site to coordinate the response.
The department issued two previous orders to AmerenUE on Dec. 21 and Dec. 18. These orders required AmerenUE to stabilize sediment and to address debris that dammed the Black River.
Today’s order is available at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/taumsaukorder3.pdf.
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