Attorney General's News Release

November 25, 1996

Nixon gives notice to campground owner that state will be suing over water pollution caused by ATVs

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon has informed the owner of a campground on the Black River that his office will file a lawsuit against her in federal court, alleging violations of state and federal water pollution laws. Such notice is required by law 60 days before filing in federal court.

Nixon will charge that Jayme Parks, owner of the Parks Bluff Campground, is responsible for pollution of the Black River and its tributaries at and near the campground site because she allows, encourages and purports to authorize the operation of off-road vehicles in the river by customers who pay her to drive in or within “designated crossings.”

Last summer, several thousand people converged on the campground in Reynolds County during holiday weekends to run all-terrain and other off-road vehicles in or within the river. Permitting the vehicles in the river caused turbidity in the water and adversely impacted the river for the protection of aquatic life and its uses for fishing, swimming and boating, Nixon said. He added that new evidence showed that running the vehicles in or within the river caused harm even after Parks, under pressure from the state, agreed to limit the number of designated crossings.

“We believe these violations are ongoing and that Ms. Parks' actions are destroying a resource that belongs to all Missourians,” Nixon said. “Because of the environmental harm her actions are causing, we are seeking a court order to prevent future violations.”

Violations of the Missouri Clean Water Act can carry a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day per violation. Violations of the federal Clean Water Act can carry a penalty of up to $25,000 per day per violation.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818