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A History of our Clean Water/Great Rivers State Day at the Capitol

As an effort to build awareness and appreciation of  clean water in the state of Missouri, Stream Teams United hosted its first "Clean Water Day" at the Missouri state capitol on May 4, 2021. Clean water partners from around the state joined together as an opportunity to meet and network with our state legislators. Additionally, the first class of graduates from the Missouri Rural Water Association's inaugural apprenticeship program were recognized for their achievements. The apprenticeship program graduates will be future water/wastewater operators in the state of Missouri, helping to treat water for our communities. 

Stream Teams United also recognized the individuals and organizations that were instrumental in the passage of SB210, which passed in 2019 and recognized the hellbender salamander as the official endangered species of Missouri, which helps bring attention to the importance of this unique aquatic animal and its stream habitat. Stream Teams United recognized Senator Karla May, former Representative Jeffery Justus, the St. Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Ron Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation, and undergraduate student Cameron Gehlert for their work to  support the legislation naming the hellbender salamander as Missouri's official endangered species.  Stream Teams United also recognized Senator Andrew Koenig, for his sponsorship and support of the 2021 SB22 which sought to protect taxpayers money from being used for development within floodplains. 

Participating organizations for Clean Water Day 2021 included Missouri Rural Water Association (MRWA), the Missouri section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Missouri Prairie Foundation, MOST Policy Initiative, Lincoln University Aquaculture Program, Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, James River Basin Partnership, and the Missouri Cave and Karst Conservancy.

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2022

In 2022, we hosted our 2nd Clean Water Day at the Missouri State Capitol and recognized several lawmakers who are taking positive actions for water in Missouri: Stream Teams United recognized Representative Lisa Thomas for sponsorship of HB 1863 and HB 2503, which seek to increase boating safety in Missouri; Stream Teams United recognized Representative Trish Gunby for sponsorship of HB 2549, which provides a state tax credit for planting native plants; and Stream Teams United recognized Representative Robert Sauls for sponsorship of HB 2059, which restores a majority of public representation on the Missouri Clean Water Commission.

2023

Our 2023 Clean Water Day at the Missouri State Capitol recognized Representative Ingrid Burnett for sponsorship of HB 772, which proposed to repeal the prohibition of local governments to regulate paper and plastic bags, and Representative Rick Francis for sponsorship of HB 982 which proposed to allow a local county to enact reasonable ordinances applicable to mining in the Lamotte Sandstone geologic formation.  Clean Water advocates hosted informational booths on the 3rd Floor Rotunda, wore "Great Rivers State" t-shirts, and made visits to their local representative offices to share information about clean water issues. 

2024

In 2024, we renamed our advocacy day to "Great Rivers State Day" to increase awareness about this existing state slogan for Missouri, and further highlight the great rivers of our state!  We recognized Senator Jason Bean for his sponsorship of SB599 during 2023 and SB782 during 2024 to create a permit system for water exports outside of the state of Missouri.  We also recognized Senator Doug Beck for his sponsorship of SB1419 during 2024, that proposed to restore the public majority on the Missouri Clean Water Commission.  Our team of advocates visited legislator offices, asking them to not support efforts that erode the definition of Missouri "waters of the state", specifically not supporting SB981 and HB1691, which proposed to legalize pollution of Missouri intermittent streams and most of Missouri's groundwater.  We asked that such damaging legislation not be supported now, or in the future.

2025

In 2025, we recognized Senator Jamie Burger for his sponsorship of SB82, which proposed to create a system to review and provide a permit system for water exports outside of the state of Missouri. We also recognized Senator Tracy McCreery, for her advocacy for Missouri's water resources, including her sponsorship of SB400 that proposed to reinstate the ability of counties to enact local ordinances for the protection of human health and the environment. We also thanked Senator McCreery for her long-standing support of mandatory country of origin labeling for meat, to increase the transparency of our food system and support local farmers.  Our team of advocates visited legislator offices, asking them to support efforts to review and provide a permit system for water exports from the state, and asking them to support the reinstatement of the public majority to the Missouri Clean Water Commission.  We also provided informational material about the impact of plastics on the environment and human health.