Speaking up for Missouri...."The Great Rivers State"

This Week's News: Riverways have big economic impact, casino to be on fall ballot, study to curtail Missouri River flooding, vegetation control on the Upper Missouri, a drought status update, using sheep, natives, and fire to manage invasive species on the Blue River, survey of Latinos shows concern for environment, history of the Moreau River, 4th Graders on the Missouri in Columbia, plastic pollution as an environmental justice issue, and plastic "hitchhikers" reach Antarctica

Critter of the Week: the Neosho Madtom

(Noturus placidus)

Photo courtesy of the MDC Online Field Guide:

Missouri's smallest catfish, the Neosho Madtom, is found in the Spring River watershed of southwest Missouri. It is a species of conservation concern in Missouri, as a federally threatened species and a state endangered species. Adults are commonly 1.8 to 2.7 inches in size, with a maximum length of 3 inches. In Missouri, it is found in Jasper County. Most madtoms possess a mild venom that is associated with the pectoral and dorsal spines. The venom is not considered dangerous to people, but may be painful at the site of puncture. The madtom buries itself in gravel substrate during the day, but emerges at night to forage on aquatic insects. It has only been found in a very small part of Missouri, and it has suffered a decrease of its range and abundance in Oklahoma and Kansas. It has been extirpated from much of its former range in Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. A variety of factors, including low flows, reservoirs, gravel dredging, and deteriorating water quality is believed to have impacted this species. You cannot collect or possess endangered or threatened species, including the Neosho madtom and Mountain madtom.

• September 7 - Missouri Conservation Corps Fall Work Day, Columbia
• September 7 - Pesticide Collection Event, Mount Vernon, MO
• September 7 - Grow Native Plant Sale - Columbia, MO
• September 7 - Grow Native Plant Sale - St. Louis
• September 7 - Kayak the Cuivre Race, Old Monroe
• September 10 - Big Muddy Speaker Series, Columbia
• September 12 - Pomme de Terre Cleanup
• September 12 - Missouri Conservation Corps Fall Work Day, Columbia
• September 14 - Kayak Meet Up with LOWA - Ha Ha Tonka Spring
• September 14 - Grow Native Plant Sale - Kansas City
• September 14 - Grow Native Plant Sale - Springfield
• September 14 - CANCELLED Current River Cleanup - Cedar Grove, Akers, and Pulltite
• September 14 - AmeriCorps Seniors River Cleanup, Current River, Van Buren
• September 14 - Missouri River Cleanup with Missouri River Relief, St. Charles
• September 14 - Keeping it Clean Dutchtown Neighborhood, Marquette Park Fieldhouse
• September 14 - St. Charles County Park Rangers Cleanup, Veterans Tribute Park
• September 14 - Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring training, Level 1, Step 2, Kansas City
• September 14 - Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring training, Level 1, Step 2, Rolla
• September 15 - Stream Team Volunteering with Missouri State Parks, Babler Memorial State Park
• September 15 - Missouri Conservation Corps Fall Work Day, Columbia
• September 17 - Missouri Conservation Corps Fall Work Day, Columbia
• September 19 - Missouri Conservation Corps Fall Work Day, Columbia
• September 21 - Missouri Conservation Corps Fall Work Day, Columbia
• September 21 - Microplastic Madness Documentary Film, Chesterfield Community Theater, 4:30 PM
• September 21 - Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring training, Level 1, Step 2, Columbia
• September 21 - Bike With Your Boots On, St. Louis
• September 21 - Great River Rendezvous Paddle, Maryville, Illinois
• September 25 - Missouri Conservation Corps Fall Work Day, Columbia
• September 26 - Grow Native Plant Sale - St. Louis
• September 27 - 29 - H2Ozarks Annual Shoreline Cleanup - Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Lake Taneycomo
• September 27 - Paddle with a Purpose, Dardenne Blueway
• September 28 - Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring training, Level 1, Step 2, Springfield
• September 28 - National Public Lands Day Riverfront Clean-up, St. Louis
• September 29 - Grow Native Plant Sale - St. Joseph
• September 30 - St. Charles County Park Rangers Cleanup, Indian Camp Creek Park
• September 30 - Missouri Conservation Corps Fall Work Day, Columbia
• October 4 - Pearson Creek Monitoring (Springfield)
• October 5 - Pesticide Collection Event in Carrollton, MO

Advocacy Updates and Opportunities 

Public Notice of Regulatory Impact Report for Water Protection Program Rules in Development 10 CSR 20-6.015 No-Discharge Operations and Land Application Requirements. Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. November 5, 2024, by email to Susan Mills, susan.mills@dnr.mo.gov, by mail at Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Protection Program, ATTN: Susan Mills, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, or by RATS at the link above. Contact information in all comments should include your name, email address, and phone number. 

The updated draft 2024-2026 Listing Methodology Document, public comments, and the department’s responses are now available on the department’s Impaired Waters website. The department will bring the updated draft 2024-2026 LMD to the Missouri Clean Water Commission for their decision at the October 9, 2024, meeting.

Comments due by Sept. 26th for Clean Water Commission Variance Recommendations for:

Cup Tree Road Wastewater Treatment Facility Variance CWC-V-4-24

Windfall Estates Wastewater Treatment Facility Variance CWC-V-5-24

Oasis at Lakeport Variance CWC-V-6-24

Missouri DNR Water Quality Standards Workgroup meeting will be held on October 11, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to discuss ammonia criteria.

Become a Stakeholder for the Table Rock Lake Watershed Management Plan

Newly Released: 2024 Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River's Comprehensive River Management Plan

See the Missouri DNR Water Pollution Control Sites of Interest website

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