The department proposes to issue a variance for the Jefferson County Public Sewer District (JCPSD) House Springs Pump Station. The department invites the public to review and offer written comments on the proposed variance conditions. All comments must be received or postmarked by March 27, 2024. The public can review the proposed variance conditions below.
Written comments may be submitted by mail to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Protection Program, ATTN: Alex Bielefeldt, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or by email to alex.bielefeldt@dnr.mo.gov. The department can only consider comments about issues relating to the proposed action and the potential effect on emergency operations and water quality.
On Dec. 22, 2023, the variance application for the Lower Big River Regionalization Project indicated that it would not be feasible for the JCPSD to acquire the necessary easements to install the required two-hour emergency storage due to the location of the pump station and its proximity to a major center of commerce and the Highway 30 backbone. According to the proposed design, if the system is properly operated and maintained, an overflow or basement backup is unlikely to occur.
On the basis of preliminary staff review and the application of applicable state and federal regulations, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as administrative agent for the Missouri Clean Water Commission, has found that an individual variance pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute 644.061.1, RSMo is warranted. The department proposes to recommend approval of the variance CWC-V-1-2024. The proposed recommendation is tentative pending public comment.