Missouri
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New Leader at MO DNR
Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a new director, Mark
N. Templeton, who was appointed by Governor Nixon. Mr. Templeton is a Missouri
native, with a diverse work history. He has worked as office director of the
Human Rights Documentation Center in Bangkok, Thailand and as a research associate
in New Delhi, India. Prior to his return to Missouri he was associate dean at
Yale Law School.
There are several topics
we would like to see on his agenda. For instance, we would like to see Proposition
C, which requires utilities to use a percentage of renewable energy among their
sources, carried out by DNR. Also on the energy front, 2008 legislation required
that DNR carry out various energy efficiency programs, such as offering energy
audits. That and more will be needed for Missouri to do its share to meet the
U.S. Department of Energy’s goal for improved residential and commercial
energy conservation codes.
Confined animal feeding
operations, CAFOs, are under DNR’s directive; we hope DNR administers
its permitting process to forcefully respond to the health and environmental
pollution issues CAFOs pose. Several areas of the state still do not meet federal
Clean Air standards. DNR will continue to face tightened regulations in these
areas and will need to be both tough and willing to work with local interests
to find workable solutions.
Our State Parks are Missouri
treasures. But they face a backlog of maintenance and problems due to encroachments
from our growing population. We hope DNR will be a fierce advocate for our state
parks.
These are just a few of
the issues ahead for DNR and its new director.
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