By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Missouri officials are writing a plan that would give the state more oversight over federally regulated dams like the Taum Sauk reservoir, which collapsed in December.
Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director Mike Wells says the agency is going to give the plan to Governor Matt Blunt tomorrow.
Wells says the governor asked for a broad review of Missouri dam regulations after the Taum Sauk reservoir collapse.
The report will examine plans to add more dam inspectors or increase the number of dams regulated by the state.
Under rules approved by Missouri lawmakers in 1979, dams lower than 35 feet are exempt from state oversight. One state engineer said Missouri is the only state in the nation with a 35-foot exemption.