ST. JAMES—Meramec Regional Planning Commission, working on behalf of Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD), is seeking public input on solid waste needs and future projects of the solid waste management district. MRPC is assisting Ozark Rivers with the development of a strategic plan identifying the most pressing solid waste needs in the district and action plans to address those needs. For over 30 years, ORSWMD has served Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington counties and their respective cities with populations of 500 or more. 

Ozark Rivers was established by state statute with the goal of reducing the amount of solid waste sent to our landfills by 40 percent. The strategic plan provides a prioritized list of projects for the district to focus on. The Ozark Rivers board is looking for public input to ensure efforts are being focused on the areas that residents feel are most important. Currently, ORSWMD works to provide education, special waste collections, household hazardous waste disposal and illegal dump clean-ups among other things. The strategic plan will provide a vision for meeting the needs of residents, businesses, and local governments within the district.

The public survey is available at https://ozarkrivers.org/plans-and-studies/. The strategic plan is expected to be completed in May.

MRPC provides administration of the district and assists with a variety of implementation projects.

For more information about ORSWMD or waste reduction and recycling opportunities in the Ozark Rivers area, contact Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC environmental programs manager, or Jill Hollowell at 573-265-2993. Follow Ozark Rivers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ORSWMD or on our website at ozarkrivers.org for future collection dates and waste management grants.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Steve Vogt, representing the city of Belle, serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 36 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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