Attorney General's News Release

December 27, 2007

Nixon takes action to stop pollution of Table Rock Lake

Galena, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon has filed a lawsuit to stop ongoing pollution problems from a small motel near Lampe that intermittently discharges wastewater, threatening the water quality of Table Rock Lake. The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring Harold and Jo Cresswell, the owners of Shoreline Resort, to construct a new wastewater treatment plant to replace the single-cell lagoon that currently receives wastewater from the 15-unit motel. The Cresswells do not have a permit for the lagoon, which illegally discharges wastewater.

“Protecting the water quality of Table Rock Lake is intertwined with protecting tourism, the economic engine of this part of Missouri,” Nixon said. “I have stepped forward many times in the past to stop pollution problems that have threatened Table Rock Lake. I’m taking this action to ensure that wastewater treatment plants serving motels, resorts and other developments on the lake do so in an appropriate and adequate way.”

The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday (Dec. 26) in Stone County Circuit Court, also alleges the Cresswells violated the Missouri Clean Water Law at another motel near Lampe that they formerly owned, Cedar Haven Resort. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources cited the 14-unit motel several times since 1998 for compliance problems related to a substandard wastewater treatment plant, including problems with disinfection treatment, with the discharge monitoring reports that must be submitted to the DNR, and with permit renewal and operating fees.

The lawsuit asks the court to assess a civil penalty against the Cresswells for past violations of the law and to compel them to upgrade the Cedar Haven wastewater treatment facility.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

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