Attorney General's News Release

March 8, 2011

Attorney General Koster sues Pettis County man for open burning violation

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster said today he has filed a lawsuit against Tim Ward, of Windsor, Missouri, for violation of Missouri’s air conservation laws.

Koster said in September 2009, a complaint was filed with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that Ward was burning building materials, including particle board, lumber, insulation, masonite panels, and vinyl sheet flooring, on his property without a permit. DNR inspected the property and found burned remnants of these materials. DNR referred the case to the Attorney General’s Office after Ward failed to cooperate with the agency to comply with the law.

“We all have not only a moral obligation, but also a legal obligation, to serve as stewards of our environment,” Koster said. “When people violate our laws by polluting the air and harming our quality of life, this office will not stand idly by.”

Koster is asking the court to issue a permanent injunction requiring Ward to comply with the Missouri Air Conservation Law; assess civil penalties not to exceed $10,000 per day for each violation of the law; and to require Ward to pay all court costs.