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River Life

Protecting Missouri's
Lakes, Rivers And Streams

Safe, clean water is crucial to both environmental stewardship and Missouri’s economy. Missouri's 5.8 million residents must have confidence that the water we drink and the water our children play in can be trusted at all times. For these reasons, we must protect this vital resource from all forms of dangerous biological and chemical contaminants.

Water is critical to the economic future of our state. Our key location at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers has blessed us with an abundance of water that allows industry to flourish. Our rivers must be protected for their scenic beauty and their value as a resource.

To protect our environment and to assure that we provide our children with a future of abundance, the Attorney General's Office will protect our streams, rivers, and groundwater from chemical and bacterial contaminants. We will keep our waters from being choked with contaminants that destroy a sound ecosystem. As Missourians, we share the opportunity and the obligation to protect this valuable resource.


Return to the Divisions of the Office



Recent Clean Water Enforcement Actions


  • Dixie Country Acres (Resolved: 10/19/09)
    • The developer conducted land disturbance activity, causing erosion and stream damage in violation of its permit. The court assessed a penalty of $20,000.
  • Natural Biodiesel Plant, LLC (Resolved: 9/21/09)
    • Company land-applied glycerin on farm ground which entered state waters. The company was assessed a penalty of $81,835.31
  • Sun Valley Subdivision (Resolved: 8/28/09)
    • The subdivision had violations of both its water supply and sewer systems. The court ordered the developers to pay $11,000 in penalties and to fix both systems.
  • Branson West (Resolved: 8/11/09)
    • The City conducted land disturbance activity, causing erosion and stream damage in violation of its permit. The City was assessed a penalty of $8,000 and paid $10,000 toward a supplemental project to prevent contaminants from entering the James River.
  • Shilo Company (8/5/09)
    • The company's waste water discharge violated its permit. The company was assessed a $3,000 penalty.
  • Cross Roads Store (Resolved: 7/16/09)
    • The owner failed to properly test and report test results for drinking water. The owner was assessed a penalty of $12,250.
  • First Venture, LLC (Resolved: 7/7/09)
    • The developer conducted land disturbance activity, causing erosion and stream damage in violation of its permit. The developer was assessed a penalty of $25,000.
  • City of Arbyrd (Resolved: 6/25/09)
    • The City sewer system had a bypass. The City agreed to fix the bypass and pay penalties if it missed the deadline for completing the work.
  • Branson Hills Development Company, LLC (Resolved: 4/30/09)
    • The developer conducted land disturbance activity, causing erosion and stream damage in violation of its permit. The developer was assessed a penalty of $40,000.
  • Ft. Leonard Wood (Resolved: 4/27/09)
    • The United States Army agreed to $7.5 million in upgrades to Ft. Leonard Wood's sewage treatment plant.
  • Atlasta Motel and Conoco (Resolved: 3/27/09)
    • The property had a waste treatment lagoon that failed to meet state standards. The owner was assessed a penalty of $1,400.
  • Carman Chemicals, Inc. (Resolved: 3/19/09)
    • Defendant's mishandling of chemicals resulted in discharges to waters of the state. Defendant was enjoined to comply with the law and assessed a $10,000 penalty.

View More Recent Clean Water Enforcement Actions

Report Clean Water Complaints

Mission Statement

The Agriculture and Environment Division aggressively protects Missouri’s natural resources and agricultural productivity. The division’s attorneys take legal action to stop pollution, to seek monetary fines and penalties,
and in the most serious cases, to criminally prosecute those who violate Missouri’s environmental laws.

The division works to protect and enhance agriculture and the quality of life for rural Missourians by enforcing Missouri’s agricultural laws and advocating responsible public policy. The Attorney General protects the state's interests in the Missouri River and other valuable resources, such as the waterways of the White River basin and Church Mountain.

Division attorneys represent the Department of Natural Resources and its constituent boards and commissions, as well as the Department of Agriculture, in hundreds of active enforcement cases and administrative appeals. The division also cooperates with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s office to enforce state and federal environmental laws.

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