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The state is considering lower standards for some streams if it's shown that no one uses the streams for recreational activities. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is evaluating a number of streams around the state to find out which ones are used for recreational activities like swimming and fishing.
For streams where there is no recreational activity, there's a chance they WON'T be subject to higher standards that will ONLY be applied to streams where people ARE in contact with the water.
Under the Clean Water Act, Missouri must make all waters in the state safe for these activities where possible.
Phil Schroeder is the Chief of the Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section of the Water Protection Program, which is part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
He says Missouri has had to change its approach to protecting streams.
Schroeder says without giving exemptions to streams where people are not fishing and swimming, sewage treatment plants will bear unnecessary costs.
Schroeder says the state is conducting what's called a
