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New Water Quality Standards are Necessary to Protect the Mississippi River for Recreation

Release Date: 12/15/2008
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, [email protected]

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Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 15, 2008) - EPA has determined that new or revised water quality standards are necessary to protect the Mississippi River in Missouri.

Missouri designated about 3,600 stream segments and all of its lakes for recreational uses in March 2006. However, Missouri did not assign the highest level of recreational use to a 195.5-mile segment of the Mississippi River that flows from St. Louis to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.

This EPA action directs the state to address approximately 160 miles of the Mississippi River to ensure that swimming, water-skiing and other recreational uses are protected.

EPA Region 7 Administrator John B. Askew said, "EPA recognizes and applauds Missouri's past and ongoing work to meet the national goals of the Clean Water Act. The Mississippi River is of local and national significance and we appreciate the efforts of the state to protect water quality."

EPA oversees the protection of water quality as required by the Clean Water Act. The Agency is working with the public, community leaders, local and state agencies to meet the growing needs and demands of our water resources.

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The decision letter is available at: https://www.epa.gov/region07/news_events/legal/index.htm