Comments sought for Village Creek water quality

Residents of the Village Creek and other interested citizens are invited to comment on a Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) document dealing with water quality.

The draft of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) document describes pollutant reductions needed to improve water quality in the Village Creek study area near Fredericktown in Madison County. A TMDL is a study of  impaired water and it establishes the maximum amount of a pollutant the water can absorb before its quality is affected.

The DNR has determined Village Creek is impaired due to inorganic sediment and lead and as a result does not meet water quality standards. The department included Village Creek on Missouri’s 2004/2006 303(d) list of impaired waters.

The federal Clean Water Act requires DNR to develop TMDLs for water segments included on final 303(d) lists. 

The DNR believes the TMDL process works best when local citizens come together to understand and identify problems in their watershed. They can help develop the most effective solution for reducing water pollution.

Citizen participation and cooperation is crucial for successful watershed management and is the key to protecting  natural resources, according to DNR Communications Director Susanne C. Medley.

The draft Village Creek TMDL proposes targets for inorganic sediment and lead to improving the water quality of the creek. The TMDL information sheet also includes background information on the creek, provides an overview of the situation and typically includes a data sheet and map of the body of water.  

Copies of the Village Creek TMDL and supporting documents are available from the DNR’s Water Protection Program. Call 800-361-4827 or 573-751-6623 or go to the TMDL Web site at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/tmdl/PN-villagecr-TMDL.pdf.

The public is encouraged to participate in this process if they have concerns about the content of the document or if they would like to provide written support for the process. The program will accept written comments regarding the Village Creek TMDL through Aug. 26.

Comments should be sent to the Department of Natural Resources, Water Protection Program, Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. Send e-mail comments, with your contact information, to john.hoke@dnr.mo.gov.