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Fox Valley Lake on List of Impaired Waters

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A couple more pollutants have been found in a lake in Northeast Missouri  that was already on the state’s list of impaired waters.Fox Valley Lake in Clark County had already been on the list for high levels of phosphorous since 2010.

 
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Now it’s being listed for high levels of nitrogen and chlorophyll as well.

Missouri DNR Spokeswoman Gina Terlizzi, says just because a lake or river is on the list, it does not mean cleanup is under way.

"Step one is identifying the contaminant, and sharing that information, so the next step can be taken, but in terms of what action will be taken because of this? This is just the proposed list so we're not quite there yet," Terlizzi said.

She said even though Chlorophyll itself is not harmful, it’s on the list because it could be an indicator of a problem in a body of water.

Terlizzi said the list comes out every two years as the DNR goes through the data it collects. She said as problems are dealt with, waters can be de-listed as well.

The new list goes into effect in January. The public has until then to submit comments and questions.

Terlizzi said an open house for the public to make comments on the proposed list will be help December 11th in Jefferson City at the Lewis and Clark office building.
 

Scott Stuntz is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.