Attorney General's News Release

February 3, 2012

Attorney General Koster sues Dallas County man for open burning violation

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster has filed a lawsuit against John P. Bennett, of Buffalo, for violating Missouri’s air conservation laws.

Koster said an inspection by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) revealed that Bennett was burning tires, construction waste, and demolition waste without a permit.

“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 an injunction requiring Bennett to comply with the Missouri Air Conservation Law, to assess civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for each violation of the law, and to require Bennett to pay all court costs.