The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service, acting as trustees for Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (Trustees), are seeking public input on draft restoration plans and invite the public to an informational meeting and public availability session on November 14, 2023. The meeting will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Steelville City Library at 210 S. 4th St, Steelville, Missouri.
Members of the trustee agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service, will provide information about two proposed projects aimed at restoring fish, wildlife and their habitats across broad areas of the southeast Missouri Ozarks. Agency representatives will discuss proposed restoration projects described in the draft restoration plans. The proposed projects include glade, fen and woodland restoration, control of invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species , using prescribed fire, and establishing native vegetation in and around Iron and Reynolds counties.
The Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for Terrestrial and Aquatic Habitat Restoration in the Viburnum Trend is centered in Iron and Reynolds counties, but also includes surrounding counties of Dent, Crawford, Washington and Shannon. The projects are designed to restore resources that were injured by contaminants released into the environment during mining and smelting activities in the Viburnum Trend. Proposed aquatic projects include: stream, riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian and floodplain restoration through conservation agricultural practices; stabilization of eroding stream banks; and reforestation of riparian and floodplains in priority sub-watersheds in the Meramec, Upper Black River and St. Francis River watersheds. These projects will benefit surface water, stream sediments, floodplain soils, benthic organisms, migratory birds and their supporting ecosystems.
The Natural Resource Restoration in the Meramec River Basin: Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment provides matching funds for the Meramec River Basin Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) which is a Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) grant. The RCPP funding is similarly focused on conservation practices for private land-owners who are agricultural producers. The Trustees are providing funds for a Community Restoration Project Coordinator to work with landowners to identify restoration opportunities along the Big River and provide funding to supplement landowner’s cost-share obligations on eligible conservation practices in the Crooked Creek and Huzzah Creek sub-basin. Funding for the proposed restoration projects comes from a settlement with ASARCO, LLC, for natural resource damages associated with the Federal Mine and Mill Complex in St. Francois County and a settlement with Cyprus Amax Minerals Company for natural resource damages associated with releases from the Buick Mine, Mill and Smelter in the Viburnum Trend.
Public participation is an important part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration process. You may submit your comments either by email (leslie_lueckenhoff@fws.gov) or by mail (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 101 Park DeVille Dr., Suite A, Columbia, MO 65203, Attn: Leslie Lueckenhoff) The public comment period begins November 7, 2023, and ends on December 07, 2023.
Funding for the proposed restoration projects comes from multiple settlements in the Viburnum Trend for natural resource damages associated with the release of hazardous substances from the Buick Mine, Mill and Smelter, Magmont Mine and Mill, Sweetwater, West Fork and Glover facilities. Funding for the Meramec RCPP projects comes from the ASARCO settlement for the Big River and Viburnum Trend facilities.
The Viburnum Trend is an active mining district comprised of a string of mines and associated facilities that span multiple counties in southeast Missouri. Mining in the Viburnum Trend is ongoing and the district remains a major producer of metals.
Learn more about Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration in Southeast Missouri
