EPA Region 7
The EPA is responsible for protecting the air, water and land. In order to carry out that mission, it has set up 10 regional offices so that protection efforts can be tailored to the problems and resources in particular areas. Missouri is in Region 7, along with Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. These four states cover 286,000 square miles that include 374,000 miles of rivers and streams, 1,145,000 acres of lakes, and 3,000,000 acres of wetlands.
Air - The EPA currently has health-based standards for 6 air pollutants. These “criteria” air pollutants are carbon monoxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead and particulate matter. In the last 30 years these have significantly decreased, with lead and sulfur dioxide at nearly half the levels they used to be in Region 7. However, there continue to be problems with ozone in urban areas, and with the effects of ~ 200 other toxic substances regularly released into the air from industrial, small commercial, transportation and domestic uses.
Water - There are EPA standards for more than 80 contaminants that may cause problems in public drinking water systems. Previous efforts had focused on testing and fixing the problem at water plants, but newer efforts try to prevent contamination in the first place. For surface water sources, this means focusing on practices in a watershed that will cause contaminants to accumulate in lakes and rivers. For groundwater sources, the EPA has established the Underground Injection Control program to prevent contamination by injection wells (used to dispose of wast materials) of ground water. Other programs help industry pretreat industrial water to remove hazardous wastes before waste water is sent to municpal wastewater treatment plants.
Solid Waste - Region 7 has two main goals with respect to solid waste. The first is to reduce overall municipal solid waste. Besides reducing demand for landfill space, source reduction and recycling reduce energy use and indirectly reduce production of greenhouse gases. The second goal is to clean up past hazardous waste sites (Superfund) and reduce the use and misuse of hazardous materials that can contribute to hazardous waste problems. Region 7 has 100 facilities with hazardous waste ranked high for cleanup (36 in Missouri).
Communities - Recognizing that industries that generated, stored or disposed of hazardous waste were disproportionately located in poor and minority communties, and that they significantly affected the health of children in these areas, Executive Order 12898 (1994) required all federal agencies to ensure that Environmental Justice became a part of their mission. Environmental Justice programs seek to ensure that the costs of prosperity (like living with hazardous wastes) are shared as uniformly as the benefits. In Region 7, the single largest problem is lead poisoning from paint used in pre-1950 homes, and lead contamination of homes and yards from lead smelting in Joplin, and more recently, Herculaneum. Another EPA initiative is development of Brownfields (brown as in abandoned industrial sites). While not suitable for housing or schools, these sites are good candidates for other industrial or commercial operations.
Ecosystems - Region 7 covers 3 eco-regions, the prarie, the forested Ozark hills, and the alluvial plains of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. It also contains parts of important migratory waterfowl flyways. Wetlands, critical for flood control, ground water recharge, water quality (filtering pollutants, sediment), and wildlife, have significantly decreased since historical times- 89% in Iowa and 87% in Missouri. While conversion of wetlands has slowed considerably, they can still be harmed by runoff and changes in the water cycle. On a positive note, Bald Eagles, an indicator of wetland health, have increased from 2 to 150 nesting pairs since the 1950’s.
Future - While there has been significant improvement in environmental quality since the EPA was established over 30 years ago, continued population growth, economic growth and urban sprawl mean that past efforts may be overwhelmed. To find out more about specific issues in Region 7 and what the EPA is doing to address them, check out: http://www.epa.gov/rgytgrnj/. For the complete report “30 Years of Environmental Progress” on which this article is based go to: http://www.epa.gov/region07/annual_report/report_30.htm
BioRegional Quiz: Is soil erosion a serious problem in Missouri?
Job Opportunity:Living Lands and Rivers - RIVER CLEAN UP CREW: Salaried positions as crew on river clean up campaigns. Positions run mid-February to mid-December. Principle responsibilities include digging, pulling, carrying trash from river banks and islands to barge, sorting and recycling trash, and interacting with public and media. Hours are long and irregular. Crew members must be self-motivated, positive, flexible, able to work under stress, have good communication skills, a strong work ethic and a commitment to the environment. Crew members live communally on a houseboat and must share cooking and general housing maintenance tasks. Must be 21. Desirable skills include equipment maintenance, ability to drive boats, trucks, heavy equipment, day to day operations management. In addition to salary, housing, meals, and health benefits provided. Contact Chad Pregracke, Living Lands & Waters, 17615 Great River Road, Route 84 North, East Moline, IL 61244. Phone: 309-496-9848. Fax: 309-496-1012. Email: chad@cleanrivers.com
Special Events/Classes/Programs/Talks:
MU ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Answer to BioRegional Quiz: Unfortunately, Missouri has the fourth highest rate of erosion in the United States. Agriculture is one of Missouri's most important industries and soil erosion is detrimental to the long-term future of agricultural production. Soil erosion also causes environmental problems by filling rivers, lakes and streams with sediment and soil erosion is a major cause of non-point source pollution which can contaminate community water supplies and degrade wildlife habitat.
Feedback - Got an opinion about something we’ve written, or about a current environmental issue? If we have space, we will consider publishing it; submit it by email (envstudy@showme.missouri.edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry Memorial Union, MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU’s Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.