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DNR Discussing Bacteria Standards in Streams COLUMBIA, MO (KBIA) - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources held its seventh and final public discussion last night in Jefferson City on removing bacteria standards in a number of Missouri streams. KBIA's Matt Jefferies has more:

About a dozen mid-Missouri residents came out to discuss a proposal to eliminate protection standards at a number of state streams.

If approved waste facilities would not have to disinfect the water they release into the streams if the streams are not being used for swimming, fishing or recreation.

As the floor opened to comments tensions were high in the audience.

Ron Johnson owns a farm near Jefferson City. He's concerned about the protection standards possibly being removed.

If you pollute this stream its going to go into Burbers its going to pollute the Burbers and the Burbers are going to go somewhere else just like I said earlier the big river down in Fenton its nothing but a sewer hole so if let things go its just going to get worse its not going to get better.

John Hoke an Environmental Specialist with the DNR's Water Protection Program says it's normal for people to come to the meetings with lots of questions.

Yeah normally there's some confusion and perhaps some misinformation out there but due to our presentation and through our meetings we explain the Federal Clean Water Act and Missouri Clean Water Law and what we're doing and by the end of the meeting folks are generally comfortable with the subject matter.

The DNR is proposing to remove the bacteria standards at more than one hundred Missouri stream.

The public comments period ends this weekend.
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