The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has set a Nov. 15th deadline for the city of Columbia, Boone County and University of Missouri to submit their plans to mitigate impacts from homeless encampments on water quality. This comes according to a report from KOMU 8, which obtained a letter addressed to city and county officials.

Negotiations between the entities to renew their Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permit have been dragging on without a resolution since last year, with the last permit expiring on June 30th, 2025.

A renewal application by the city of Columbia, Boone County and MU was filed on Dec. 23, 2024.

The DNR has investigated some of the numerous complaints it has received regarding trash and other waste from homeless encampments near waterways in Columbia and Boone County.

The letter from the DNR said Hinkson Creek, Grindstone Creek and Hominy Branch contain E. coli bacteria from urban stormwater and nonpoint sources, and directed the parties involved to submit draft ordinance language, or similarly enforceable regulations, to the department for review by Nov. 15, or face the possibility of fines under Missouri Clean Water Law