Conservation Department officials claim a dispute over dead fish at the Lake of the Ozarks has ended up pitting them against another branch of state government. Conservation officials say $3-Million worth of fish at Bagnell Dam at the Lake of the Ozarks were killed because of the actions of AmerenUE the state’s largest utility. But Attorney General Jay Nixon says because of the nature of the problem, any litigation falls into the realm of his office’s responsibility. That has prompted Conservation officials to pursue another legal action, this time against the Attorney General to establish their authority. Conservation Director John Hoskins says they’ve asked a Cole County Court to decide the issue with the Attorney General. Nixon says he’s frustrated and disappointed as well. Both Hoskins and Nixon hope the issue can be resolved but neither have any idea when that might happen.
