Whether the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers should be on a list of polluted rivers compiled by the State Department of Natural Resources will be decided by the State Supreme Court. The Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Ag Industries, Associated Industries of Missouri, and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce have filed suit to keep the rivers off the list. They argue channelization, not pollutants, have caused habitat loss along the two rivers. Assistant Attorney General Timothy Duggan counters the argument, saying the federal government will make the ultimate decision after requiring the state to provide input. He says that makes the list moot. The groups disagree. They say the list has great weight with the EPA and they want the two rivers removed before the list triggers greatly regulation for property owners.
