Groups criticize plan to rebuild Taum Sauk

ST. LOUIS -- Environmental regulators and activists criticized parts of Ameren Corp.'s plan to rebuild the Taum Sauk reservoir in public comments submitted to federal regulators this week.

The comments were filed Monday and Tuesday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is deciding whether to let Ameren rebuild the mountaintop reservoir in Southeast Missouri.

The comments focused on FERC's assessment of the environmental impact of Ameren's plan to rebuild the 55-acre reservoir, which feeds water into a nearby hydroelectric plant. This week marked the deadline to submit public comments.

FERC regulates the reservoir, which collapsed in December 2005, devastating the nearby Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park and injuring a family of five. FERC is considering Ameren's plan to tear down and rebuild the reservoir in a way the St. Louis company says will meet modern safety standards.

Ameren's plan calls for the reservoir's earthen walls to be replaced by a concrete dam. The design also calls for overflow release valves in the dam that could prevent catastrophic overtopping.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Department of Conservation submitted letters saying they would like to see tweaks to FERC's assessment of the environmental impact before Ameren is allowed to rebuild.