On Aug. 2, 2022, Missouri Prime Beef Packers submitted a wastewater operating permit renewal application, and associated antidegradation application on Nov. 17, 2022. Missouri Prime Beef Packers was requesting permission to conduct slaughter and processing of live cattle for wholesale as well as storage and discharge of wastewater and land application of sludge as fertilizer to agricultural fields located near the basin location at agronomic rates. On the basis of preliminary staff review and applying applicable standards and regulations, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as administrative agent for the Missouri Clean Water Commission, proposes to deny the operating permit application and modification request. The department invites the public to review and offer written comments on the proposed application denial until Jan. 8 2024. All comments must be received or postmarked by 5 p.m. The public can review the draft Notice of Intent to Deny below. Other information is available for review on the department's Water Pollution Control Sites of Interest webpage.
Written comments may be submitted by mail to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Protection Program, ATTN: MO-0113204 Missouri Prime Beef Packers Public Notice Comments, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or by email to publicnoticenpdes@dnr.mo.gov. Please include the permit number in the comment letter. The department can only consider comments about issues relating to the proposed action and permit and the effect on water quality. The department cannot consider comments or objections to a permit based on issues outside the authority of the Missouri Clean Water Commission (see Curdt v. Mo. Clean Water Commission, 586 S.W.2d 58 Mo. App. 1979).
The proposed determinations are tentative pending public comment. The department will consider all written comments including emails, faxes and letters in the formulation of all final determinations regarding the applications. In response to recent requests, several public hearings have been scheduled. One "in-person" public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2024. Two "virtual" hearings will be held by Webex on Dec. 12, 2023 and Dec. 19, 2023. Please follow the hearing links below for more information.