DNR director discusses Taum Sauk reservoir breach

Attorney General Jay Nixon's acceptance of campaign donations from the Ameren Corp., a target of litigation in the Taum Sauk reservoir breach, would get any other lawyer disbarred, Department of Natural Resources director Doyle Chilers said Thursday in Cape Girardeau.

"This was a blatant conflict of interest."

The DNR relieved Nixon of his duties Monday after it was disclosed that the attorney general had accepted $19,000 in campaign contributions originating with Ameren.

"We asked the attorney general to recuse himself, and he said no, he wouldn't do that, and he also said he would take more money from Ameren if he was offered. So I said, 'Is this just the first installment of more payments?'" Childers said. "Then he wrote another letter that said we cannot tell anyone what we found out about the Ameren deal, and that was the last straw."

Childers asked Nixon to recuse himself on June 7. Nixon returned the Ameren money the next day but refused to step aside. As state attorney general, Nixon is authorized to represent agencies such as the DNR, but agencies can choose other representation.

Nixon has announced his intentions to run for governor in 2008 and has denied the contributions affected his objectivity in the case.

Cape Girardeau was the second stop on Childers' two-day tour of Southeast Missouri to discuss efforts to make the Department of Natural Resources more efficient and responsive.

Childers met with approximately 25 local government officials, including Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson, state Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, and Cape Girardeau city manager Doug Leslie. Residents were also invited to air concerns during the town hall forum.

"I found out that people don't call my office unless they're upset, unless there's a fire to put out, so I like to go on these tours and meet with people so I can hear their concerns before they become fires," Childers said.

When he was appointed to the position by Gov. Matt Blunt in 2005, Childers said, Blunt gave him three priorities: Streamlining the DNR permitting process, having better relationships with citizens, and preventing problems rather than reacting and remediating.

Childers said the DNR is automating 70 percent to 80 percent of all permits, a move he says will free up personnel to deal with the more complicated paperwork.

The DNR is also taking steps to reduce what he calls "windshield time" for his agents. "We decided if we put more people in regional offices we could cut down on the time they spend in cars driving from place to place," he said. "If he have someone within 1.5 hours of any place, we'll see a gain of 5 to 10, even 30 percent gain in productivity in some places."

Childers said the DNR is working toward opening a regional office between Cape Girardeau and Farmington. The closest regional office to Cape Girardeau is now in Poplar Bluff.

During questions from the audience, Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Center, asked if the DNR would take over the inspection and certification of on-site septic tanks in Missouri counties. Childers said this is a strong possibility, but the change would be at least a year off.

"I don't think it's a very good idea," said Craig, whose health center staff currently does all the inspections. She is worried the DNR wouldn't have sufficient staff or proximity to do the job in Cape Girardeau County.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245