Abstract |
The subject action of this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the approval of the Facilities Plan prepared in accordance with Section 201 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended (P.L. 92-500) by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has prepared this EIS to evaluate the potential impacts of this proposed action upon the Lower Meramec River Basin and the Metropolitan St. Louis area. The project study area includes both the St. Louis and Jefferson County portions of the Meramec River Basin and its watershed areas from the vicinity of Ellisville to the Mississippi River. In 1975 the Lower Meramec River was classified by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as 'water quality limited' because of severe pollution problems associated with rapid urban growth in the area within the last decade. The Lower Meramec River also serves as a source of potable water for southern St. Louis County and as an areawide recreation resource. Each of the alternative treatment techniques is described in terms of its potential impact on the environment. All of the alternatives, except the 'no action' alternative, will improve the water quality in the study area. Primary and secondary impacts will occur, however, and these are summarized in the document. |