Great Rivers Environmental Law Center

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID St. Louis, MO Permit No. 0257

G R E AT RIVERS

Environmental Law Center Lawyers for the Environment 319 North Fourth Street Suite 800 St. Louis, MO 63102

Spring 2018

G R E AT RIVERS

REPORTER

Great Rivers Environmental Law Center 319 North Fourth Street • Suite 800 • St. Louis, MO 63102 • (314) 231-4181 • www.greatriverslaw.org

(314) 231-4181 phone (314) 231-4184 fax www.greatriverslaw.org

GREAT RIVERS WATER QUALITY PROGRAM HAS VICTORY! MISSOURI BANS DESTRUCTIVE COMMERCIAL TRAPPING OF WILD TURTLES

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

GREAT RI V E R S I N T H E C O MM UNIT Y This year, our staff have been visiting cities such as Kansas City, Kirksville, Rolla, and Springfield, MO to hear about your environmental concerns. We have also had the opportunity to speak in classrooms and community groups. Thank you for spending time with us! If you’d like Great Rivers to speak in a classroom or at an event, please contact Sarah at [email protected].


(314) 231-4181 phone (314) 231-4184 fax www.greatriverslaw.org 319 North Fourth Street Suite 800 St. Louis, MO 63102

Lawyers for the Environment

Environmental Law Center

G R E AT RIVERS


Community event in Kirksville.

Sarah Willey in Kansas City.

Henry Robertson in Kirksville.

Common Snapping Turtle – Close Up in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. L. Dakota.

In response to a petition filed by Great Rivers Environmental Law Center and the Center for

Biological Diversity, the Missouri Department of Conservation banned commercial collection of the state’s wild freshwater turtles in March.

Letter from Letter from the President: the President:

✍

Great Rivers Environmental Law Center

Lawyers for the Environment (a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation)

The Sixth Mass Extinction Presents

Missourians Deserve an Agency Enormous Challenges Focused on Clean Air, Land, and Water

Mission Statement

We provide free and reduced-fee legal services to citizens’ groups, organizations and individuals who seek to protect and preserve the environment.

Founding President

Missouri is backtracking furiously on its duty to protect the environment.

Lewis C. Green (1924 - 2003)

Board of Directors

Prior to the current administration, the mission of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources was “to protect our air, land and water; preserve our unique natural and historic places; and provide recreational and learning opportunities for everyone.” Following the installation of the new governor and appointees in 2017, the DNR changed its mission to be “to protect Missouri’s natural resources while promoting the environmentally sound operations of businesses, agriculture and industry in our interactions with the public.”

Richard D. Lageson, Chairman Joyce Armstrong David R. Bohm Garrett Broshuis Beatrice Clemens Kay Drey Wayne Goode Cynthia Holmes Hugh Law Ron Kucera Matthew P. McCauley Ken Midkiff Cathy Primm John A. Rava Sandy Rothschild Ben Senturia James J. Wilson

The new DNR has announced it will not emphasize pursuing enforcement against polluters, but instead seek “compliance;” it has told the EPA to stay out of state operations unless the area clearly falls within federal jurisdiction, such as a Superfund site. In 2017, the DNR brought only 32 enforcement actions, which is less than half the number of 70 brought in both 2015 and 2016; in 2018, the DNR has brought only 6 enforcement actions making us on track to have a total of 24 this year.

Board Member Emeritus Thomas “Yusha” Sager

Staff

Kathleen Green Henry, President Dianne Klein, Office Manager Bob Menees, Staff Attorney Bruce A. Morrison, General Counsel Henry B. Robertson, Climate and Energy Program Director Sarah Willey, Director of Development and Community Outreach

The legislature has proposed radical changes to important laws and regulations, such as allowing large concentrated animal feeding operations to operate with no permits and no notice to the public that they will be built. Great Rivers has spoken out against changes when there is opportunity for the public to be involved; the only opportunity to change the mission of the agency back to one concerned with the environment will be at the ballot box in November. Missouri can and should do a better job of protecting the air and water for its citizens.

Advisory Law Committee Charles R. Abele Timothy V. Barnhart David R. Bohm Richard L. Constance Maurice B. Graham Elkin L. Kistner Hugh R. Law

Kathleen Henry

Francis Oates Stephen Reynolds John G. Roach Sharon Turlington Deborah Wafer Patricia L. Wendling Doug Williams

Office Address

B O ARD N EW S

319 North Fourth Street, Suite 800 St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 231-4181 (314) 231-4184 (facsimile) e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.greatriverslaw.org

Board News

Great Rivers pays tribute to Tom “Yusha” Sager who retired from our board in March, and to Louise Green who passed away in March. Read more about these board members on page 7.

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Great Rivers Center Presented C. Green Environmental Service Awards Great RiversEnvironmental RecognizesLaw Two Former BoardLewis Members to Dr. Jeffrey Bonner, CEO of the St. Louis Zoo for their Contributions to Great Rivers Dr. Bonner has chaired the Association of Zoos and down the State Missouri getting Great Rivers out Aquariums, theofAmphibian Ark, the name International Species before the public. Thisand is a dimension that until recently Information System the Madagascar Fauna andGreat Flora Rivers lacked. Group. He has served on the board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and currently serves Some thoughts about the future of Great Rivers: I would like several includingtothe Conservation Breeding toonsee Greatboards, Rivers continue diversify in all possible ways: Specialist Group, BioSTL, Higher Education Channel TV, professionally, racially and geographically. The environment Forest Park Forever and St. Louis Regional Chamber of belongs to us all, and Great Rivers should reflect the entire population of the State (RCGA). of Missouri. Growth Association He is a member of The Explorers Club, the Academy of Science, FOCUS St. Louis and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In addition, he is a steering committee member of the Eisenhower Fellowships—a private, non-profit, nonpartisan organization created in 1953 to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Dr. Bonner received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York. He is a Burgess Fellow, Traveling Fellow, Fulbright Scholar, President’s Fellow and a recipient of the National Research Service Award. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including Sailing with Noah, Stories from the World of Zoos.

On October 5, 2014, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center presented Great Rivers Board Member Tom “Yusha” Sager served Lewis Upon C. Green Environmental on our board from 2001 its to 2018. his retirement, he submitted a letter of resignation the to Board recognized Serviceand Award Jeffrey Bonner, Ph. him with a Resolution in his excerpts from D.,honor. Dana Below Brownare President and CEO his letter. of the St. Louis Zoo, at its 9th Annual Awards Party. Great Rivers 17 Years with Great presents Rivers Environmental Lawto this award annually Center: A Summary individuals or programs that have by Yusha Sager shown long-time commitment to the preservation of the When Lewis Green asked me to serve on environment. the Board of Directors of Great Rivers Environmental Law Center 17 years In April 2002 Dr. Bonner was ago, my first thought was why me? I’m not a lawyer and I don’t appointed & CEO of the have any strong connections with St.President Louis. I don’t recall his Saint Louis Zoo. In 2009 his exact words, but he said something like “That’s why I position want endowed byDirectors.” the Dana As Brown Charitable Lewis Trust.said Under youwas on the Board of with everything and there was a lot of wisdom behindZoo his decision that Dr.did, Bonner’s leadership, the St. Louis has developed theaDirectors of Great Rivers should be a diverse group. its field new conservation education program and focused conservation initiatives under a single WildCare Institute—a Over the past 17 years I’ve watched Great Rivers double the force for saving animals across the globe. In Missouri, the size of its legal staff from two to four attorneys. I’ve watched Institute reintroduced endangered Ozark Hellbenders it chalk up has victory after victory from saving Buehler Park in and American burying beetles and begun working to save Rolla from commercial development in 2007 to winning the pollinators earlier and river requirement thisturtles. month that the Bridgeton Landfill test outfalls and leachate for radiological contamination. One of the most positive recent events for Great Rivers was Sarah Willey joining the staff as Director of Development and Community Outreach. Sarah has been traveling up and

Great Rivers honored Dr. Bonner at a party held on a replica of a riverboat atKathleen the estate Sarah Willey, Henry and Yusha Sager at Buehler Park inof2016. Yusha’s perseverance and 10-year battle saved this David Mesker, on park becoming a barbecued rib restaurant. thefrom Missouri River. Over 100 guests enjoyed the fabulous Remembering Louise Green, Board Memberviews, fromdelicious 2003-2018 food, cocktails, and ragtime music performed by Vera Parkin, a keyboardist with the and Open Space Council in the 1960s, and she Great Rivers was founded in 2002 by Lewis Green, St. Louis Symphony. supported national groups such as the Natural but his wife Louise hand-typed the first brochure in Resources Council, Worldof Wildlife Fund The award isDefense named after the founder Great Rivers 2001. She was with Lewis every step of the way in and Earthjustice manythe years. She C. was a great Environmental Lawfor Center, late Lewis Green, a his founding of this Law Center, for she knew the environmentalist. leading environmental litigator in Missouri for many importance of the free legal services he had been decades. providing for over thirty years. After Lewis’ death in *We are grateful to the many people who have made 2003, Louise agreed to join the Board of Directors, contributions to Great Rivers in her memory and will and served until 2015 when she became an Honorary acknowledge them in a later Reporter. Director, which she remained until her death in Great Rivers Environmental Law Center Held its Spring Cocktail Party at the Busch Family Mansion March, 2018. Louise was an active proofreader of Great Rivers’ newsletters forheld a dozen years,Spring diligently In May, 2014, Great Rivers its annual Cocktail Party at the Busch Family Mansion. Over 100 people marking were and incomprehensible to food and drinks. The Community Music School of Webster enjoyedparagraphs the beautifulthat Mansion grounds, and fine non-lawyers. University Prep Program provided classical string musicians and people got to get up close to a Clydesdale. Great was Rivers its sincereadvocate appreciation to Adolphus Busch for his generosity in making this event possible. Louise anextends environmental all her life. She became a life member of the Sierra Club in 1950, and those 68 years of membership made Rivers Extendsofitsthe Appreciation to All of Its 2014 Donors her the second longestGreat serving Life Member Sierra Club in Missouri, following only Peter Raven, We could not provide legal services without your help, as we are dependent on contributions from individuals and who joined in 1949.

foundations to do our work. We will list our donors for the year 2014 in the Spring 2015 newsletter so that we can thank everyone for the year at one time. Along with others, Louise was a founding member Anne Green Romig, Mary Green, Louise Green and Rick of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment Lageson at the Tribute Dinner for Lewis Green in 2004.

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GREAT RIVERS’ CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY AND CLEAN AIR PROGRAMS More Renewable Energy Needed

Empire District Electric’s Bold Plan is in Trouble

Scientists agree that to avoid the worst climate impacts, we need to stop burning virtually all fossil fuels and transition to clean, renewable energy by 2050. (Nat’l Academy of Sciences: www.nasonline.org.) Missouri lags behind most other states in the nation — we get 78% of our electricity from burning coal, down from 80% two years ago. This is pathetic and dangerous.

Empire District Electric in southwest Missouri is under new, more progressive ownership. Empire asked the PSC to approve a plan to build 800 MW of wind (proportionately many times what Ameren proposes) and retire its one Missouri coal plant. Great Rivers intervened on behalf of Sierra Club to support the plan.

Henry Robertson is Great Rivers’ Climate and Energy Program Director. He wrote the Renewable Energy Act that the voters overwhelmingly passed in 2008.

As I write, the plan is unravelling. OPC and other parties are pressuring Empire to slash its wind investment and keep the Asbury coal plant running. Retiring coal plants is what the Sierra Club is all about. On their behalf we’ll be objecting to the forthcoming settlement and taking it to hearing.

If Missouri’s electric utilities wanted to serve their customers right, they’d add cheap wind energy and close coal plants that are simply not economical. Around the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC), where I work, their plans to do so are mostly feeble.

Great Rivers is the only law firm regularly representing environmental interests at the PSC. It’s our job to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency programs to halt pollution, including greenhouse gas pollution. Missouri’s utilities have done quite well for themselves by burning coal for over a hundred years. The PSC Staff and the other regular suspects who appear at the PSC, like the well-funded commercial and industrial energy users, can’t shake the fossil fuel mindset either, even when renewable energy has the economic advantage.

The Wind Stops in 2020 Kansas City Power and Light has increased its wind power to 18% of its portfolio, but like the other utilities they plan to stop when a federal tax credit expires in 2020.

The coal industry is dying but its death is slow. We’re keeping the pressure on.

Ameren plans to add 700 megawatts (MW) of wind, but not enough to jeopardize their coal plants. On behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and NAACP, we continue to argue in the Public Service Commission for it to require Ameren to use more wind and hasten coal plant retirements.

City of St. Louis 100% Clean Energy Plan In October, 2017, the St Louis Board of Aldermen passed a resolution urging the City to move to 100% renewable electricity by 2035. In January 2018, Great Rivers represented the Missouri NAACP in a planning process for the City of St. Louis’ 100% Clean Energy Plan.

Major companies have set renewable energy goals as high as 100%. Ameren can’t ignore this demand, so it has filed a “green tariff.” A green tariff allows a company that wants more access to renewable energy to obtain it despite being subject to a monopoly utility like Ameren. This is a positive step but it’s being contested by the Office of Public Counsel (OPC), which is supposed to represent residential ratepayers. Climate change? What’s that? Amazingly, the words are never spoken around the PSC. We’ll be at the hearing, supporting Ameren for once.

This would be a great occasion to take Ameren up on their green tariff. Cities as well as companies are eligible. If you’d like to do something about this, urge your mayor to sign the “Ready for 100” pledge, then press them to follow through.

Ameren has also filed a pilot plan for electrifying transportation by encouraging electric vehicle charging stations and converting certain other kinds of vehicles like forklifts and airport baggage haulers. This is a step in the right direction if these vehicles would charge with renewable electricity, but in Ameren’s hands this is really a plan to burn more coal.

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GREAT RIVERS’ WATER QUALITY PROGRAM Missouri Bans Destructive Commercial Trapping of Wild Turtles Requiring Groundwater Monitoring

the Missouri and Mississippi rivers with no closed season. Missouri opened 1,100 river miles to commercial turtle collection. People caught and sold thousands of Missouri’s turtles over the past 10 years.

In response to a petition filed by Great Rivers and the Center for Biological Diversity, in March the Bruce Morrison Missouri Department of is Great Rivers’ Conservation banned General Counsel. commercial collection of the state’s wild freshwater turtles. This follows a national trend of ending unsustainable turtle trapping.

Scientists know that freshwater turtles cannot sustain any significant level of wild collection without leading to population declines. In a 2014 Missouri study, researchers found softshells can withstand no commercial collection, and common snappers could withstand only minimum rates of juvenile collection and no adult collection. The US exports millions of turtles classified as wild-caught every year to supply food and medicinal markets in Asia, where soaring consumption has already depleted native turtle populations. We’re grateful this practice is no longer legal in Missouri. (Read more at: goo.gl/6uKnco)

Prior to this ban, holders of commercial fishing permits could take unlimited numbers of common snappers, spiny softshells and smooth softshells from portions of

GREAT RIVERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS Radioactive Waste at West Lake Landfill Poses Serious Health Risk Bob Menees is Great Rivers’ staff attorney working on water, wetlands, and floodplain protection issues.

Great Rivers Urges EPA to Remove as much as is Technologically Feasible of the West Lake Landfill Radioactive Waste; Partial Removal is Inadequate and Irresponsible

Success in Requiring Groundwater Monitoring

In April, Great Rivers filed comments on behalf of the NAACP, urging the EPA to pursue removal of as much of the radioactive waste as is technologically feasible. The EPA had proposed removing wastes only down to 16 feet below ground level, which would leave many tons of radioactive material in an unlined landfill in the Missouri River floodplain for billions of years. This is an unacceptable burden for us to leave our children, grandchildren, and descendants virtually forever. (Read more at: goo.gl/7u6bMB)

The environmental issue in the St. Louis area with the most serious potential harm to public health is the radioactive waste dumped at West Lake Landfill. The radioactive waste sits adjacent to a landfill which is called the Bridgeton Landfill. On behalf of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, we filed Comments with the Department of Natural Resources on a draft stormwater permit last August. The draft permit allows stormwater discharges from Bridgeton Landfill. These discharges originate at West Lake Landfill, and could contain radiooactive materials. The DNR proposed to not require sampling for radioactive materials. At a public hearing last fall, Great Rivers testified that the permit should require monitoring for radioactive material and that the permit should have stricter monitoring requirements for leachate releases due to the historical violations at the facility. In March, 2018, the DNR issued a final permit adopting our suggestions. The waste at the West Lake landfill will be radioactive for billions of years, so unless the waste is removed, the Bridgeton landfill will have to be tested seemingly forever. (Read more at: goo.gl/21635T)

Some of the radioactive materials at West Lake landfill have halflives of billions of years. Leaving these in an unlined floodplain above the drinking water source for millions of people is a dangerous legacy.

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THANK YOU, 2017 FRIENDS OF GREAT RIVERS! We depend on our Friends to carry out our mission. We are so very grateful to all of you.

IN HONOR OF

Sarah Willey

Joyce Armstrong Richard & Jill Claybour

SPONSORS AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS, JANUARY 1-DECEMBER 31, 2017 Platinum $15,000 and above Anonymous Kay Drey

Gold $10,000 - $14,999 Nancy Day ** Pat Jones

Ruby $2,500-$4,999 John & Penelope Biggs Hugh & Katherine Law Joe Logan James Wilson & Mary Beth Layton

Sapphire $1000-$2,499 David & Joan Bohm Dan & Connie Burkhardt* Eleanor Drey & Rennie Saunders Sara Epstein Susan Flader Joe & Nancy Giljum Wayne & Jane Goode Mary Green & Wallace Thoreson Esley Hamilton Roger & Nancy Hershey Ward & Carol Klein Ron Kucera Rick & Laura Lageson Phoebe Love John Madras Pat & Brigid McCauley Guy & Peggy McClellan Paul & Angie McKnight Erin Noble Gordon & Susan Philpott Cathy & Alex Primm John & Susan Rava Sandy & Sue Rothschild Yusha & Helen Sager Walter & Marie Schmitz Ben Senturia & Bronwen Zwirner Carolyn Wolff

Emerald $500-$999 Anonymous David & Nancy Bedan Steve Brewer John & Judith Buchheit Jutta Buder Marie Casey & Kenn Entringer Bob Criss Joyce Edinger

Kathy Green David & Kathleen Henry Cynthia Hobart Clint Hofer Cynthia Holmes & Al Tretter Alan Hopefl Lesley Knowles Kenneth & Nancy Kranzberg Mary Lehmann David Martin John & Connie McPheeters David Orthwein Mark & Lynn Sableman Kenneth Schechtman & Caroline Pufalt Bob & Doris Sherrick Jim & Mary Michael Shrewsbury Jill Silverstein Joe & Anne Tolan Michael & Pat Wolff

Up to $499 Charlie & Ellie Abele Diane Albright John Allen Audrey Anderson ** Anonymous (20) Hilary Appelman Chris Applegate Robert & Susan Appleton Joyce Armstrong Brian Arnold Gary Arora Gary & Catherine Ault Charles Avery Jennifer Backer Debra Balaco Lindsey Balaco Tina Ballhorn David Barger David Barr Cynthia Bauer Roger & Margaret Beaman Louise Belt Dan Berg Michael Bobroff Angela Boettcher & Taylor Courchaine Bram Boettge Michael & Vicki Bolger Jack & Ellen Bowles Joan Bray Garrett Broshuis James & Susan Brown William Brown Christopher Brozyna Jessica Burke Spencer & Phoebe Burke Judith Campbell Tom & Lisa Carnahan Michael Carper Ron Carter Ken & Carole Chackes Barbara Chicherio Richard & Jill Claybour Beatrice Clemens Jean Cody Gerald & Helga Cohen Laura Cohen Ralph Cohen

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Thomas & Sarah Cohn Ron Coleman Winifred Colwill Bert & Karen Condie Jennifer Conner Colette Conover & Parker Quinn Don & Sue Corrigan Linda Cummings Dolly Darigo Judy Dasovich Richard & Lynne Davis Michael Dee Robert Denlow Maggie DeWees Tom & Barbara Diehl Cathy Ditraglia Kathy Dolson William & Carla Dowd Quintus Drennan, Jr. Dale Dufer & Jean Ponzi Mathew & Melissa Elliott Thomas Elrod, Jr. Tom & Kath Engelhardt Jeanne Farmer Carolyn Ferdinand Adam Field & Bomi Park D. Frank Fox Christine Frank Mike Fredholm Leigh & Judith Fredrickson Linda Fried Eugene & Nancy Gabianelli James & Susan Gamble David Garin David & Agnes Garino Fred & Carol Gaskin Christa Gayle & John MacKenzie John & Dora Gianoulakis Gary & Lillian Giessow Margaret Gilleo & Chuck Guenther Roger & Stephanie Goldman Kendall Gosch & Kelsey Johnston Pat Grace Frank Gregg Thomas Griesedieck Damon Ground Carol Grove Nancy Grove Elaine Grover Frank & Susan Hackmann Kevin Hahn Mark Haim Stephanie Hair Reenie Hale Brandon Hall Betsy Hamra David Harris Rachel Harris Ted Heisel Austin & Sara Henry Robert & Charlotte Herman Peggy Hermes Alice Hezel Harriet Hezel Ronald & Mary Ann Hill Nellie Hohnsen Clare Holdinghaus-Ireland Michelle Howard Victoria Howard Daniel & Catherine Human Ross Hunt

Susana Huntoon Jillian Hyink Greg & Katie Iffrig Stephen Johnson Vicki Johnson Vergean Joiner Sue Kaiser Lillian Katzenmeyer Brian Kearney Larry King & Jeanne Kirkton Elkin & Beth Kistner Nancy Kistler Gerald Kleba Dianne Klein Robert & Nancy Klepper Charles & Rose Klotzer Newell & Janet Knight Andy Knott & Denise Baker Charles & Sally Kopman Ronald & Ann Krone Joseph & Lucinda Krutzsch Betsy Lageson Lauren Lageson Warren & Susan Lammert Richard & Rita LaMonica Joseph & Cynthia Lane Kate Lane Jennifer Lashinsky Deb Lavender Anna Leavey Devin Lee Sheng Tin Leslie Lihou Maxine Lipeles & Joel Goldstein Bill Loesch Maurice & Ernesta Lonsway Nathalie Love Charles & Rosalyn Lowenhaupt Elizabeth Macheca Ann Mack Dan Maher Steve Mahfood & Elizabeth Petersen Steve & Jeanne Maritz Scott & Annie Marshall John Martin & Kristin Zapalac Joy Martin Lee & Penny Martin Michael & Kelly Mason Marsha Mathews Dan McFarlane Patricia McHugh Bill McKay Thomas & Sharon McPherron Ross & Karin Melick Susan Mello Tom & Jane Mendelson Hardy & Kathy Menees Mary Kay Menees Bob & Susanna Menees David & Sandy Mesker Dorothy Meyerson Claire Meyners Ken & Julie Midkiff Paul & Amy Mittelstadt Greg Moore Ricardo Morales Bruce & Susan Morrison Jeanette Mott-Oxford Linden Mueller Robert Mullen Sean Murphy

Brianna Nadler Heather Navarro Samati Niyomchai Francis & Peggy Oates Megan O’Brien David & Jitka Olander Jim & Diana Oleskevich Patrick & Nancy Osborne Chris Owen & Victoria Bonvento Chris & Sandra Padgett Robert & Christine Pecher Alan & Sunny Pervil Margaret Phillips David Pickerill Jon Porter Norman & Katheryn Prenger Martin & Madelon Price Raychel Proudie Ronald Rain Steven & Sandra Rappaport Ségolène Renazé & Benroy Shimotani Madalyn Reymond Thomas & Suzanne Rhodenbaugh Florence Rice Ruth Rich Jon Ritter & Hannah Krigman Mathew Ritter Henry Robertson Anne Green & Ken Romig Pam Ross William & Margaret Rowe Arlene Sandler Ana Grace Schactman Michael Schilling Robert & Jackie Schirn Gary & Janet Schmidt Beverly Schmitt Paul & Suzanne Schoomer Edward & Mary Schroeder Bob Sears William Seibert Nancy Seiler Glen & Lisa Selligman Rob Shepherd Peggy Sheppard Allen & Elizabeth Shimotani Moisy & Bonnie Shopper

Robert C. Bedell Cynthia Bauer

Daniel Singer Raymond Slavin Bruce Sommer Geraline Spiros & Robert Boedges Austin Spraetz Jessie Steffan Rebecca Stith & Gen Obata Judy Stix David Stokes Barbara Stole Lee Streett Evelyn Strubinger Maurita Stueck Gloria Tefft Tyler Thompson Stephanie & Craig Todd Mark & Pamela Todorovich Sarah Trulaske Patricia Tummons & Don Hall Stephen & Barbara Turley Georgia Van Cleve Colwell Bruce & Lucinda Vantine Ralph & Debby Wafer Brian & Connie Walsh Simon Warren Robert & Pat Waterston Jan Weaver Joan Weeks David Weiss Todd & Brittany Wells Elizabeth West Grace West James & Timmie Wiant Louise Wienckowski Dave & Marcie Willey Keith & Joan Willey Sarah & Brian Willey Doug Williams David & Karla Wilson Mary Wochner Shirley Wolverson Ross Woolsey Edward & Susan Wrasmann Rebecca Wright Tony Zebrowski Caitlin Zera Amy Ziegler

Susan Brown Mike Fredholm Kathleen Henry Richard & Lynne Davis Kathy Green

Matthew (“Pat”) McCauley David & Agnes Garino Carolyn Wolff David & Sandy Mesker Beatrice Clemens Warren Burnet Outten Elizabeth West Henry Robertson Winifred Colwill

FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS AND DONOR ADVISED FUNDS Adorjan Family Foundation The Boeing Company Gift Match Program Boeing Employees Community Fund The Milford & Lee Bohm Charitable Foundation EFS Energy Company Great Rivers Habitat Alliance L-A-D Foundation Christine Gempp Love Foundation Martin Leigh PC Lillian & Andrew Meyers Philanthropic Fund

Missouri Environmental Fund Charlie & Mary Beth O’Reilly Family Foundation The Patriot Foundation Philpott Family Foundation The Prufrock Foundation R.V. Sager & Beatrice M. Sager Foundation STLRB Family Foundation Trio Foundation of St. Louis Twain Finance Partners Holding Gift Match Program The von Gontard Family Foundation

* Special thanks to our Cornerstone Society Friends: those people who have made a three-year commitment at any of our sponsorship levels. ** Deceased

THANKS TO OUR IN-KIND DONORS!


Jim Joiner Vergean Joiner

Charles Banks Belt, Jr. Louise Belt

Harry Langenberg Ron Carter

Leo Drey Lillian & Andrew Meyers

Yvonne Logan Beatrice Clemens

Alpine Shop Anonymous Audrey Anderson** Ballpark Village Billy Goat Chip Co. Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier Blueprint Coffee Amelia Cikota Climb So Ill Contemporary Art Museum Earthdance Organic Farm School Folk School of KDHX Fox Associates, L.L.C. Ginger Harris

John R. Green, II Kathy Green

Warren Burnet Outten Elizabeth West

Thanks also to individuals who donate through Goodsearch and AmazonSmile.

Elisabeth Green Hair Stephanie Hair

Emily Rubenstein Kay Drey

IN MEMORY OF

Cynthia Holmes & Al Tretter Joseph McFarlane National Blues Museum Old Bakery Beer Company Pi Pizzeria Cathy & Alex Primm Tawn Richardson Ben Senturia and Bronwen Zwirner Swampcat Holler Tesla Motors Think About Tables Urban Chestnut Brewing Company Yoga Six

We have made every effort to include all donors for 2017. Please notify Sarah Willey at [email protected] of any changes so that we can correct our records. Thank you.

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THANK YOU, 2017 FRIENDS OF GREAT RIVERS! We depend on our Friends to carry out our mission. We are so very grateful to all of you.

IN HONOR OF

Sarah Willey

Joyce Armstrong Richard & Jill Claybour

SPONSORS AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS, JANUARY 1-DECEMBER 31, 2017 Platinum $15,000 and above Anonymous Kay Drey

Gold $10,000 - $14,999 Nancy Day ** Pat Jones

Ruby $2,500-$4,999 John & Penelope Biggs Hugh & Katherine Law Joe Logan James Wilson & Mary Beth Layton

Sapphire $1000-$2,499 David & Joan Bohm Dan & Connie Burkhardt* Eleanor Drey & Rennie Saunders Sara Epstein Susan Flader Joe & Nancy Giljum Wayne & Jane Goode Mary Green & Wallace Thoreson Esley Hamilton Roger & Nancy Hershey Ward & Carol Klein Ron Kucera Rick & Laura Lageson Phoebe Love John Madras Pat & Brigid McCauley Guy & Peggy McClellan Paul & Angie McKnight Erin Noble Gordon & Susan Philpott Cathy & Alex Primm John & Susan Rava Sandy & Sue Rothschild Yusha & Helen Sager Walter & Marie Schmitz Ben Senturia & Bronwen Zwirner Carolyn Wolff

Emerald $500-$999 Anonymous David & Nancy Bedan Steve Brewer John & Judith Buchheit Jutta Buder Marie Casey & Kenn Entringer Bob Criss Joyce Edinger

Kathy Green David & Kathleen Henry Cynthia Hobart Clint Hofer Cynthia Holmes & Al Tretter Alan Hopefl Lesley Knowles Kenneth & Nancy Kranzberg Mary Lehmann David Martin John & Connie McPheeters David Orthwein Mark & Lynn Sableman Kenneth Schechtman & Caroline Pufalt Bob & Doris Sherrick Jim & Mary Michael Shrewsbury Jill Silverstein Joe & Anne Tolan Michael & Pat Wolff

Up to $499 Charlie & Ellie Abele Diane Albright John Allen Audrey Anderson ** Anonymous (20) Hilary Appelman Chris Applegate Robert & Susan Appleton Joyce Armstrong Brian Arnold Gary Arora Gary & Catherine Ault Charles Avery Jennifer Backer Debra Balaco Lindsey Balaco Tina Ballhorn David Barger David Barr Cynthia Bauer Roger & Margaret Beaman Louise Belt Dan Berg Michael Bobroff Angela Boettcher & Taylor Courchaine Bram Boettge Michael & Vicki Bolger Jack & Ellen Bowles Joan Bray Garrett Broshuis James & Susan Brown William Brown Christopher Brozyna Jessica Burke Spencer & Phoebe Burke Judith Campbell Tom & Lisa Carnahan Michael Carper Ron Carter Ken & Carole Chackes Barbara Chicherio Richard & Jill Claybour Beatrice Clemens Jean Cody Gerald & Helga Cohen Laura Cohen Ralph Cohen

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Thomas & Sarah Cohn Ron Coleman Winifred Colwill Bert & Karen Condie Jennifer Conner Colette Conover & Parker Quinn Don & Sue Corrigan Linda Cummings Dolly Darigo Judy Dasovich Richard & Lynne Davis Michael Dee Robert Denlow Maggie DeWees Tom & Barbara Diehl Cathy Ditraglia Kathy Dolson William & Carla Dowd Quintus Drennan, Jr. Dale Dufer & Jean Ponzi Mathew & Melissa Elliott Thomas Elrod, Jr. Tom & Kath Engelhardt Jeanne Farmer Carolyn Ferdinand Adam Field & Bomi Park D. Frank Fox Christine Frank Mike Fredholm Leigh & Judith Fredrickson Linda Fried Eugene & Nancy Gabianelli James & Susan Gamble David Garin David & Agnes Garino Fred & Carol Gaskin Christa Gayle & John MacKenzie John & Dora Gianoulakis Gary & Lillian Giessow Margaret Gilleo & Chuck Guenther Roger & Stephanie Goldman Kendall Gosch & Kelsey Johnston Pat Grace Frank Gregg Thomas Griesedieck Damon Ground Carol Grove Nancy Grove Elaine Grover Frank & Susan Hackmann Kevin Hahn Mark Haim Stephanie Hair Reenie Hale Brandon Hall Betsy Hamra David Harris Rachel Harris Ted Heisel Austin & Sara Henry Robert & Charlotte Herman Peggy Hermes Alice Hezel Harriet Hezel Ronald & Mary Ann Hill Nellie Hohnsen Clare Holdinghaus-Ireland Michelle Howard Victoria Howard Daniel & Catherine Human Ross Hunt

Susana Huntoon Jillian Hyink Greg & Katie Iffrig Stephen Johnson Vicki Johnson Vergean Joiner Sue Kaiser Lillian Katzenmeyer Brian Kearney Larry King & Jeanne Kirkton Elkin & Beth Kistner Nancy Kistler Gerald Kleba Dianne Klein Robert & Nancy Klepper Charles & Rose Klotzer Newell & Janet Knight Andy Knott & Denise Baker Charles & Sally Kopman Ronald & Ann Krone Joseph & Lucinda Krutzsch Betsy Lageson Lauren Lageson Warren & Susan Lammert Richard & Rita LaMonica Joseph & Cynthia Lane Kate Lane Jennifer Lashinsky Deb Lavender Anna Leavey Devin Lee Sheng Tin Leslie Lihou Maxine Lipeles & Joel Goldstein Bill Loesch Maurice & Ernesta Lonsway Nathalie Love Charles & Rosalyn Lowenhaupt Elizabeth Macheca Ann Mack Dan Maher Steve Mahfood & Elizabeth Petersen Steve & Jeanne Maritz Scott & Annie Marshall John Martin & Kristin Zapalac Joy Martin Lee & Penny Martin Michael & Kelly Mason Marsha Mathews Dan McFarlane Patricia McHugh Bill McKay Thomas & Sharon McPherron Ross & Karin Melick Susan Mello Tom & Jane Mendelson Hardy & Kathy Menees Mary Kay Menees Bob & Susanna Menees David & Sandy Mesker Dorothy Meyerson Claire Meyners Ken & Julie Midkiff Paul & Amy Mittelstadt Greg Moore Ricardo Morales Bruce & Susan Morrison Jeanette Mott-Oxford Linden Mueller Robert Mullen Sean Murphy

Brianna Nadler Heather Navarro Samati Niyomchai Francis & Peggy Oates Megan O’Brien David & Jitka Olander Jim & Diana Oleskevich Patrick & Nancy Osborne Chris Owen & Victoria Bonvento Chris & Sandra Padgett Robert & Christine Pecher Alan & Sunny Pervil Margaret Phillips David Pickerill Jon Porter Norman & Katheryn Prenger Martin & Madelon Price Raychel Proudie Ronald Rain Steven & Sandra Rappaport Ségolène Renazé & Benroy Shimotani Madalyn Reymond Thomas & Suzanne Rhodenbaugh Florence Rice Ruth Rich Jon Ritter & Hannah Krigman Mathew Ritter Henry Robertson Anne Green & Ken Romig Pam Ross William & Margaret Rowe Arlene Sandler Ana Grace Schactman Michael Schilling Robert & Jackie Schirn Gary & Janet Schmidt Beverly Schmitt Paul & Suzanne Schoomer Edward & Mary Schroeder Bob Sears William Seibert Nancy Seiler Glen & Lisa Selligman Rob Shepherd Peggy Sheppard Allen & Elizabeth Shimotani Moisy & Bonnie Shopper


Daniel Singer Raymond Slavin Bruce Sommer Geraline Spiros & Robert Boedges Austin Spraetz Jessie Steffan Rebecca Stith & Gen Obata Judy Stix David Stokes Barbara Stole Lee Streett Evelyn Strubinger Maurita Stueck Gloria Tefft Tyler Thompson Stephanie & Craig Todd Mark & Pamela Todorovich Sarah Trulaske Patricia Tummons & Don Hall Stephen & Barbara Turley Georgia Van Cleve Colwell Bruce & Lucinda Vantine Ralph & Debby Wafer Brian & Connie Walsh Simon Warren Robert & Pat Waterston Jan Weaver Joan Weeks David Weiss Todd & Brittany Wells Elizabeth West Grace West James & Timmie Wiant Louise Wienckowski Dave & Marcie Willey Keith & Joan Willey Sarah & Brian Willey Doug Williams David & Karla Wilson Mary Wochner Shirley Wolverson Ross Woolsey Edward & Susan Wrasmann Rebecca Wright Tony Zebrowski Caitlin Zera Amy Ziegler

Susan Brown Mike Fredholm Kathleen Henry Richard & Lynne Davis Kathy Green

Matthew (“Pat”) McCauley David & Agnes Garino Carolyn Wolff David & Sandy Mesker Beatrice Clemens Warren Burnet Outten Elizabeth West Henry Robertson Winifred Colwill

FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS AND DONOR ADVISED FUNDS Adorjan Family Foundation The Boeing Company Gift Match Program Boeing Employees Community Fund The Milford & Lee Bohm Charitable Foundation EFS Energy Company Great Rivers Habitat Alliance L-A-D Foundation Christine Gempp Love Foundation Martin Leigh PC Lillian & Andrew Meyers Philanthropic Fund

Missouri Environmental Fund Charlie & Mary Beth O’Reilly Family Foundation The Patriot Foundation Philpott Family Foundation The Prufrock Foundation R.V. Sager & Beatrice M. Sager Foundation STLRB Family Foundation Trio Foundation of St. Louis Twain Finance Partners Holding Gift Match Program The von Gontard Family Foundation

* Special thanks to our Cornerstone Society Friends: those people who have made a three-year commitment at any of our sponsorship levels. ** Deceased

THANKS TO OUR IN-KIND DONORS!


Jim Joiner Vergean Joiner

Charles Banks Belt, Jr. Louise Belt

Harry Langenberg Ron Carter

Leo Drey Lillian & Andrew Meyers

Yvonne Logan Beatrice Clemens

Alpine Shop Anonymous Audrey Anderson** Ballpark Village Billy Goat Chip Co. Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier Blueprint Coffee Amelia Cikota Climb So Ill Contemporary Art Museum Earthdance Organic Farm School Folk School of KDHX Fox Associates, L.L.C. Ginger Harris

John R. Green, II Kathy Green

Warren Burnet Outten Elizabeth West

Thanks also to individuals who donate through Goodsearch and AmazonSmile.

Elisabeth Green Hair Stephanie Hair

Emily Rubenstein Kay Drey

IN MEMORY OF

Cynthia Holmes & Al Tretter Joseph McFarlane National Blues Museum Old Bakery Beer Company Pi Pizzeria Cathy & Alex Primm Tawn Richardson Ben Senturia and Bronwen Zwirner Swampcat Holler Tesla Motors Think About Tables Urban Chestnut Brewing Company Yoga Six

We have made every effort to include all donors for 2017. Please notify Sarah Willey at [email protected] of any changes so that we can correct our records. Thank you.

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GREAT RIVERS’ CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY AND CLEAN AIR PROGRAMS More Renewable Energy Needed

Empire District Electric’s Bold Plan is in Trouble

Scientists agree that to avoid the worst climate impacts, we need to stop burning virtually all fossil fuels and transition to clean, renewable energy by 2050. (Nat’l Academy of Sciences: www.nasonline.org.) Missouri lags behind most other states in the nation — we get 78% of our electricity from burning coal, down from 80% two years ago. This is pathetic and dangerous.

Empire District Electric in southwest Missouri is under new, more progressive ownership. Empire asked the PSC to approve a plan to build 800 MW of wind (proportionately many times what Ameren proposes) and retire its one Missouri coal plant. Great Rivers intervened on behalf of Sierra Club to support the plan.

Henry Robertson is Great Rivers’ Climate and Energy Program Director. He wrote the Renewable Energy Act that the voters overwhelmingly passed in 2008.

As I write, the plan is unravelling. OPC and other parties are pressuring Empire to slash its wind investment and keep the Asbury coal plant running. Retiring coal plants is what the Sierra Club is all about. On their behalf we’ll be objecting to the forthcoming settlement and taking it to hearing.

If Missouri’s electric utilities wanted to serve their customers right, they’d add cheap wind energy and close coal plants that are simply not economical. Around the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC), where I work, their plans to do so are mostly feeble.

Great Rivers is the only law firm regularly representing environmental interests at the PSC. It’s our job to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency programs to halt pollution, including greenhouse gas pollution. Missouri’s utilities have done quite well for themselves by burning coal for over a hundred years. The PSC Staff and the other regular suspects who appear at the PSC, like the well-funded commercial and industrial energy users, can’t shake the fossil fuel mindset either, even when renewable energy has the economic advantage.

The Wind Stops in 2020 Kansas City Power and Light has increased its wind power to 18% of its portfolio, but like the other utilities they plan to stop when a federal tax credit expires in 2020.

The coal industry is dying but its death is slow. We’re keeping the pressure on.

Ameren plans to add 700 megawatts (MW) of wind, but not enough to jeopardize their coal plants. On behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and NAACP, we continue to argue in the Public Service Commission for it to require Ameren to use more wind and hasten coal plant retirements.

City of St. Louis 100% Clean Energy Plan In October, 2017, the St Louis Board of Aldermen passed a resolution urging the City to move to 100% renewable electricity by 2035. In January 2018, Great Rivers represented the Missouri NAACP in a planning process for the City of St. Louis’ 100% Clean Energy Plan.

Major companies have set renewable energy goals as high as 100%. Ameren can’t ignore this demand, so it has filed a “green tariff.” A green tariff allows a company that wants more access to renewable energy to obtain it despite being subject to a monopoly utility like Ameren. This is a positive step but it’s being contested by the Office of Public Counsel (OPC), which is supposed to represent residential ratepayers. Climate change? What’s that? Amazingly, the words are never spoken around the PSC. We’ll be at the hearing, supporting Ameren for once.

This would be a great occasion to take Ameren up on their green tariff. Cities as well as companies are eligible. If you’d like to do something about this, urge your mayor to sign the “Ready for 100” pledge, then press them to follow through.

Ameren has also filed a pilot plan for electrifying transportation by encouraging electric vehicle charging stations and converting certain other kinds of vehicles like forklifts and airport baggage haulers. This is a step in the right direction if these vehicles would charge with renewable electricity, but in Ameren’s hands this is really a plan to burn more coal.

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GREAT RIVERS’ WATER QUALITY PROGRAM Missouri Bans Destructive Commercial Trapping of Wild Turtles Requiring Groundwater Monitoring

the Missouri and Mississippi rivers with no closed season. Missouri opened 1,100 river miles to commercial turtle collection. People caught and sold thousands of Missouri’s turtles over the past 10 years.

In response to a petition filed by Great Rivers and the Center for Biological Diversity, in March the Bruce Morrison Missouri Department of is Great Rivers’ Conservation banned General Counsel. commercial collection of the state’s wild freshwater turtles. This follows a national trend of ending unsustainable turtle trapping.

Scientists know that freshwater turtles cannot sustain any significant level of wild collection without leading to population declines. In a 2014 Missouri study, researchers found softshells can withstand no commercial collection, and common snappers could withstand only minimum rates of juvenile collection and no adult collection. The US exports millions of turtles classified as wild-caught every year to supply food and medicinal markets in Asia, where soaring consumption has already depleted native turtle populations. We’re grateful this practice is no longer legal in Missouri. (Read more at: goo.gl/6uKnco)

Prior to this ban, holders of commercial fishing permits could take unlimited numbers of common snappers, spiny softshells and smooth softshells from portions of

GREAT RIVERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS Radioactive Waste at West Lake Landfill Poses Serious Health Risk Bob Menees is Great Rivers’ staff attorney working on water, wetlands, and floodplain protection issues.

Great Rivers Urges EPA to Remove as much as is Technologically Feasible of the West Lake Landfill Radioactive Waste; Partial Removal is Inadequate and Irresponsible

Success in Requiring Groundwater Monitoring

In April, Great Rivers filed comments on behalf of the NAACP, urging the EPA to pursue removal of as much of the radioactive waste as is technologically feasible. The EPA had proposed removing wastes only down to 16 feet below ground level, which would leave many tons of radioactive material in an unlined landfill in the Missouri River floodplain for billions of years. This is an unacceptable burden for us to leave our children, grandchildren, and descendants virtually forever. (Read more at: goo.gl/7u6bMB)

The environmental issue in the St. Louis area with the most serious potential harm to public health is the radioactive waste dumped at West Lake Landfill. The radioactive waste sits adjacent to a landfill which is called the Bridgeton Landfill. On behalf of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, we filed Comments with the Department of Natural Resources on a draft stormwater permit last August. The draft permit allows stormwater discharges from Bridgeton Landfill. These discharges originate at West Lake Landfill, and could contain radiooactive materials. The DNR proposed to not require sampling for radioactive materials. At a public hearing last fall, Great Rivers testified that the permit should require monitoring for radioactive material and that the permit should have stricter monitoring requirements for leachate releases due to the historical violations at the facility. In March, 2018, the DNR issued a final permit adopting our suggestions. The waste at the West Lake landfill will be radioactive for billions of years, so unless the waste is removed, the Bridgeton landfill will have to be tested seemingly forever. (Read more at: goo.gl/21635T)

Some of the radioactive materials at West Lake landfill have halflives of billions of years. Leaving these in an unlined floodplain above the drinking water source for millions of people is a dangerous legacy.

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Letter from Letter from the President: the President:

✍

Great Rivers Environmental Law Center

Lawyers for the Environment (a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation)

The Sixth Mass Extinction Presents

Missourians Deserve an Agency Enormous Challenges Focused on Clean Air, Land, and Water

Mission Statement

We provide free and reduced-fee legal services to citizens’ groups, organizations and individuals who seek to protect and preserve the environment.

Founding President

Missouri is backtracking furiously on its duty to protect the environment.

Lewis C. Green (1924 - 2003)

Board of Directors

Prior to the current administration, the mission of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources was “to protect our air, land and water; preserve our unique natural and historic places; and provide recreational and learning opportunities for everyone.” Following the installation of the new governor and appointees in 2017, the DNR changed its mission to be “to protect Missouri’s natural resources while promoting the environmentally sound operations of businesses, agriculture and industry in our interactions with the public.”

Richard D. Lageson, Chairman Joyce Armstrong David R. Bohm Garrett Broshuis Beatrice Clemens Kay Drey Wayne Goode Cynthia Holmes Hugh Law Ron Kucera Matthew P. McCauley Ken Midkiff Cathy Primm John A. Rava Sandy Rothschild Ben Senturia James J. Wilson

The new DNR has announced it will not emphasize pursuing enforcement against polluters, but instead seek “compliance;” it has told the EPA to stay out of state operations unless the area clearly falls within federal jurisdiction, such as a Superfund site. In 2017, the DNR brought only 32 enforcement actions, which is less than half the number of 70 brought in both 2015 and 2016; in 2018, the DNR has brought only 6 enforcement actions making us on track to have a total of 24 this year.

Board Member Emeritus Thomas “Yusha” Sager

Staff

Kathleen Green Henry, President Dianne Klein, Office Manager Bob Menees, Staff Attorney Bruce A. Morrison, General Counsel Henry B. Robertson, Climate and Energy Program Director Sarah Willey, Director of Development and Community Outreach

The legislature has proposed radical changes to important laws and regulations, such as allowing large concentrated animal feeding operations to operate with no permits and no notice to the public that they will be built. Great Rivers has spoken out against changes when there is opportunity for the public to be involved; the only opportunity to change the mission of the agency back to one concerned with the environment will be at the ballot box in November. Missouri can and should do a better job of protecting the air and water for its citizens.

Advisory Law Committee Charles R. Abele Timothy V. Barnhart David R. Bohm Richard L. Constance Maurice B. Graham Elkin L. Kistner Hugh R. Law

Kathleen Henry

Francis Oates Stephen Reynolds John G. Roach Sharon Turlington Deborah Wafer Patricia L. Wendling Doug Williams

Office Address

B O ARD N EW S

319 North Fourth Street, Suite 800 St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 231-4181 (314) 231-4184 (facsimile) e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.greatriverslaw.org

Board News

Great Rivers pays tribute to Tom “Yusha” Sager who retired from our board in March, and to Louise Green who passed away in March. Read more about these board members on page 7.

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Great Rivers Center Presented C. Green Environmental Service Awards Great RiversEnvironmental RecognizesLaw Two Former BoardLewis Members to Dr. Jeffrey Bonner, CEO of the St. Louis Zoo for their Contributions to Great Rivers Dr. Bonner has chaired the Association of Zoos and down the State Missouri getting Great Rivers out Aquariums, theofAmphibian Ark, the name International Species before the public. Thisand is a dimension that until recently Information System the Madagascar Fauna andGreat Flora Rivers lacked. Group. He has served on the board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and currently serves Some thoughts about the future of Great Rivers: I would like several includingtothe Conservation Breeding toonsee Greatboards, Rivers continue diversify in all possible ways: Specialist Group, BioSTL, Higher Education Channel TV, professionally, racially and geographically. The environment Forest Park Forever and St. Louis Regional Chamber of belongs to us all, and Great Rivers should reflect the entire population of the State (RCGA). of Missouri. Growth Association He is a member of The Explorers Club, the Academy of Science, FOCUS St. Louis and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In addition, he is a steering committee member of the Eisenhower Fellowships—a private, non-profit, nonpartisan organization created in 1953 to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Dr. Bonner received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York. He is a Burgess Fellow, Traveling Fellow, Fulbright Scholar, President’s Fellow and a recipient of the National Research Service Award. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including Sailing with Noah, Stories from the World of Zoos.

On October 5, 2014, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center presented Great Rivers Board Member Tom “Yusha” Sager served Lewis Upon C. Green Environmental on our board from 2001 its to 2018. his retirement, he submitted a letter of resignation the to Board recognized Serviceand Award Jeffrey Bonner, Ph. him with a Resolution in his excerpts from D.,honor. Dana Below Brownare President and CEO his letter. of the St. Louis Zoo, at its 9th Annual Awards Party. Great Rivers 17 Years with Great presents Rivers Environmental Lawto this award annually Center: A Summary individuals or programs that have by Yusha Sager shown long-time commitment to the preservation of the When Lewis Green asked me to serve on environment. the Board of Directors of Great Rivers Environmental Law Center 17 years In April 2002 Dr. Bonner was ago, my first thought was why me? I’m not a lawyer and I don’t appointed & CEO of the have any strong connections with St.President Louis. I don’t recall his Saint Louis Zoo. In 2009 his exact words, but he said something like “That’s why I position want endowed byDirectors.” the Dana As Brown Charitable Lewis Trust.said Under youwas on the Board of with everything and there was a lot of wisdom behindZoo his decision that Dr.did, Bonner’s leadership, the St. Louis has developed theaDirectors of Great Rivers should be a diverse group. its field new conservation education program and focused conservation initiatives under a single WildCare Institute—a Over the past 17 years I’ve watched Great Rivers double the force for saving animals across the globe. In Missouri, the size of its legal staff from two to four attorneys. I’ve watched Institute reintroduced endangered Ozark Hellbenders it chalk up has victory after victory from saving Buehler Park in and American burying beetles and begun working to save Rolla from commercial development in 2007 to winning the pollinators earlier and river requirement thisturtles. month that the Bridgeton Landfill test outfalls and leachate for radiological contamination. One of the most positive recent events for Great Rivers was Sarah Willey joining the staff as Director of Development and Community Outreach. Sarah has been traveling up and

Great Rivers honored Dr. Bonner at a party held on a replica of a riverboat atKathleen the estate Sarah Willey, Henry and Yusha Sager at Buehler Park inof2016. Yusha’s perseverance and 10-year battle saved this David Mesker, on park becoming a barbecued rib restaurant. thefrom Missouri River. Over 100 guests enjoyed the fabulous Remembering Louise Green, Board Memberviews, fromdelicious 2003-2018 food, cocktails, and ragtime music performed by Vera Parkin, a keyboardist with the and Open Space Council in the 1960s, and she Great Rivers was founded in 2002 by Lewis Green, St. Louis Symphony. supported national groups such as the Natural but his wife Louise hand-typed the first brochure in Resources Council, Worldof Wildlife Fund The award isDefense named after the founder Great Rivers 2001. She was with Lewis every step of the way in and Earthjustice manythe years. She C. was a great Environmental Lawfor Center, late Lewis Green, a his founding of this Law Center, for she knew the environmentalist. leading environmental litigator in Missouri for many importance of the free legal services he had been decades. providing for over thirty years. After Lewis’ death in *We are grateful to the many people who have made 2003, Louise agreed to join the Board of Directors, contributions to Great Rivers in her memory and will and served until 2015 when she became an Honorary acknowledge them in a later Reporter. Director, which she remained until her death in Great Rivers Environmental Law Center Held its Spring Cocktail Party at the Busch Family Mansion March, 2018. Louise was an active proofreader of Great Rivers’ newsletters forheld a dozen years,Spring diligently In May, 2014, Great Rivers its annual Cocktail Party at the Busch Family Mansion. Over 100 people marking were and incomprehensible to food and drinks. The Community Music School of Webster enjoyedparagraphs the beautifulthat Mansion grounds, and fine non-lawyers. University Prep Program provided classical string musicians and people got to get up close to a Clydesdale. Great was Rivers its sincereadvocate appreciation to Adolphus Busch for his generosity in making this event possible. Louise anextends environmental all her life. She became a life member of the Sierra Club in 1950, and those 68 years of membership made Rivers Extendsofitsthe Appreciation to All of Its 2014 Donors her the second longestGreat serving Life Member Sierra Club in Missouri, following only Peter Raven, We could not provide legal services without your help, as we are dependent on contributions from individuals and who joined in 1949.

foundations to do our work. We will list our donors for the year 2014 in the Spring 2015 newsletter so that we can thank everyone for the year at one time. Along with others, Louise was a founding member Anne Green Romig, Mary Green, Louise Green and Rick of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment Lageson at the Tribute Dinner for Lewis Green in 2004.

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G R E AT RIVERS

Environmental Law Center Lawyers for the Environment 319 North Fourth Street Suite 800 St. Louis, MO 63102

Spring 2018

G R E AT RIVERS

REPORTER

Great Rivers Environmental Law Center 319 North Fourth Street • Suite 800 • St. Louis, MO 63102 • (314) 231-4181 • www.greatriverslaw.org

(314) 231-4181 phone (314) 231-4184 fax www.greatriverslaw.org

GREAT RIVERS WATER QUALITY PROGRAM HAS VICTORY! MISSOURI BANS DESTRUCTIVE COMMERCIAL TRAPPING OF WILD TURTLES


GREAT RI V E R S I N T H E C O MM UNIT Y This year, our staff have been visiting cities such as Kansas City, Kirksville, Rolla, and Springfield, MO to hear about your environmental concerns. We have also had the opportunity to speak in classrooms and community groups. Thank you for spending time with us! If you’d like Great Rivers to speak in a classroom or at an event, please contact Sarah at [email protected].


(314) 231-4181 phone (314) 231-4184 fax www.greatriverslaw.org 319 North Fourth Street Suite 800 St. Louis, MO 63102

Lawyers for the Environment

Environmental Law Center

G R E AT RIVERS


Community event in Kirksville.

Sarah Willey in Kansas City.

Henry Robertson in Kirksville.

Common Snapping Turtle – Close Up in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. L. Dakota.

In response to a petition filed by Great Rivers Environmental Law Center and the Center for

Biological Diversity, the Missouri Department of Conservation banned commercial collection of the state’s wild freshwater turtles in March.