By Adam Allington, KWMU
Reynolds County, MO – Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder toured Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park on Monday.
Kinder said the visit was meant to encourage State Attorney General Jay Nixon into making a decision on whether or not criminal charges will be brought against Ameren UE, which owns the Taum Sauk Reservoir.
Kinder says it has been 500 days since the collapse of the reservoir, which is more than enough time to determine if crimes were committed.
"The purpose of this was to call him out publicly and say enough is enough, make a decision and publish it to the world."
Ameren has indicated its willingness to settle with the state but will not agree on a sum as long as criminal charges are pending.
Repair work at the park has also been slow as long as a settlement remains unresolved. Ameren has stated that they feel the park could be partially open by this summer.
"My thought is that if Ameren stepped up and worked as hard as they did just after the reservoir burst, they could get the park open," said Doyle Childers, Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
"The campground probably wouldn't be finished yet, but the river could be cleaned up and the sewage treatment and clean drinking water systems could be fixed."
Scott Holste, a spokesman for Nixon's office says their department only received accident reports from the state highway patrol last week.
"At this point we are certainly reviewing that, but it is again, very important to reiterate that the final report was given to the attorney general's office six business days ago," said Holste.
Holste says any criminal charges will likely be based on information in that report.