The Department of Natural Resources is composed of the Office of the Director and five programmatic divisions that include Administrative Support, Energy, Environmental Quality, State Parks and Missouri Geological Survey.

The Office of the Director is the central management unit within the Department of Natural Resources. Responsibilities include coordinating, developing, and implementing the department’s strategic planning efforts, policy research, legislative initiatives and employee relations activities of the department. The Director’s Office is responsible for providing overall direction for the department.

Division of Administrative Support

The Division of Administrative Support provides services to ensure efficient and effective operations to fulfill the department’s mission, vision and values. The division includes the functions of budget development, financial resource allocations, internal audit, accounting, human resources, procurement, grants management and general services.

Division of Energy

The Division of Energy is focused on affordable and reliable energy generated in the state of Missouri. The division coordinates the state’s energy policy, houses energy-related programs and works to support a strong, comprehensive, coordinated energy plan for Missouri.

Division of Environmental Quality

The Division of Environmental Quality oversees the state’s environmental programs and regional offices to ensure clean air, land and water by cleaning up pollution from the past, addressing pollution problems of today and identifying potential pollution issues of the future. The programs include: Air Pollution Control, Environmental Remediation, Environmental Services, Waste Management and Water Protection. The regional offices are located in Kansas City, Macon, Poplar Bluff, Springfield and St. Louis.

Air Pollution Control Program

The Air Pollution Control Program provides staff support to the Air Conservation Commission which is responsible for developing policies to maintain and enhance the state’s air quality. The program works closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement the Clean Air Act. The program researches, develops and implements control strategies that help Missouri improve and maintain healthy air quality. The program also issues construction and operating permits for installations that emit air pollution; selects locations for air monitoring equipment and analyzes data collected from these monitors, and works with general public, stakeholders and the regulated public to comply with local, state and federal air quality regulations.

Environmental Remediation Program

The department’s Environmental Remediation Program oversees the cleanup and removal of hazardous waste, hazardous substances and petroleum contamination from improper management of waste materials leaked, dumped, spilled or otherwise released onto Missouri lands. The program also oversees cleanup of problem sites resulting from pre-law and pre-regulation disposal or poor past waste management practices. It also regulates underground storage tank operations and provides oversight on shipments of radioactive waste transported through Missouri.

Environmental Services Program

The Environmental Services Program provides analytical information and scientific data that supports the other programs in the department. The program also provides direct assistance to local communities and emergency responders throughout Missouri. The Environmental Emergency Response Section provides 24/7 support and response to significant and imminent hazardous substance releases, natural or man-made disaster and homeland security threats that may impact public safety and the environment. The section also supports law enforcement in managing hazardous wastes associated with illegal drug labs.

Regional Offices

Waste Management Program

The department’s Waste Management Program protects public health and the environment by working with Missouri individuals, businesses, industry, governments and schools to make sure they know how to safely collect, handle and dispose of their waste. The program regulates and oversees solid  waste  disposal and processing facilities, hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities, and hazardous waste sites requiring remediation, or cleanup. The program oversees the cleanup of illegal scrap tire dumpsites, conducts scrap tire inspections and investigations, provides funding to nonprofit groups to clean up scrap tire dumpsites. The program also promotes responsible waste management through waste reduction, reuse, recycling and proper disposal.

Water Protection Program

The department’s Water Protection Program administers clean water and drinking water responsibilities for Missouri. The program is delegated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct duties for the federal Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, and also carries out state responsibilities, such as operator certification and construction permitting. The Water Protection Program works with stakeholders, the general public and regulated facilities to comply with state and federal water regulations.

Missouri Geological Survey

The department’s Missouri Geological Survey investigates the state’s geology and determines the character and availability of the state’s energy and mineral resources. Staff provide geologic and hydrologic information and expertise to aid economic development, infrastructure considerations, and environmental decision-making regarding site remediation, contaminant migration, subsurface investigations and geologic hazards. The division oversees the proper construction of all wells, including water, oil, gas, exploration, heat pumps and monitoring.

Dam and Reservoir Safety Program

The Dam and Reservoir Safety Program provides public safety of downstream residents against dam failure as well as protects the investment and purpose of the reservoir. The program regulates nonfederal, nonagricultural dams 35 feet high and higher through inspections and issuing permits. The program also performs emergency response to dams in distress and provides engineering evaluation of conditions during natural disasters to protect life and property.

Geological Survey Program

The Geological Survey Program provides integrated earth science information and related services.The program investigates the state’s geology, providing geologic and hydrologic information and expertise. The program also oversee the proper construction of all wells and determines the character and availability of the state’s energy and mineral resources.

Land Reclamation Program

The Land Reclamation Program provides staff support and technical assistance to the Missouri Mining Commission. Undertaking remedial clean up of abandoned mining operations is a primary function of the Land Reclamation Program. In addition, the program is responsible for assuring the permitting and regulation of existing mining operations in the State of Missouri to ensure mining operations are managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

Soil and Water Conservation Program

The Soil and Water Conservation Program administers the policies and general programs developed by the Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission for saving soil and protecting water quality on agricultural lands. The primary responsibility of the program is to assist a soil and water conservation district in each of Missouri’s 114 counties as they promote voluntary soil and water conservation to their constituents.

Water Resources Center

The Water Resources Center operates a statewide groundwater observation well network with real-time water quantity data. The center collects and analyzes surface water flow data for reaction to flood and drought emergencies. The center also provides guidance, data and technical expertise in preserving and developing sustainable regional water supplies throughout Missouri.

Division of State Parks

The Division of State Parks, known as Missouri State Parks, manages the Missouri state park system and administers grant programs that provide financial assistance for a variety of outdoor recreation and historic preservation purposes. The division works to protect and interpret the state’s most outstanding natural and cultural resources while providing recreational opportunities compatible with those resources. The division manages the Missouri state park system, which contains 92 state parks and historic sites plus the trails at Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry. The State Historic Preservation Office helps facilitate the process of identifying historic properties significant to the citizens, state and nation, and planning for their preservation. Missouri’s state park system has been ranked as one of the top four state park systems in the nation on multiple occasions.

Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority

The Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority, under Chapter 260, RSMo is an independent, self-supporting, quasi-governmental agency assigned to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Due to the special independent status as “a body corporate and politic,” the authority is able to issue tax-exempt bonds and utilize fees charged for issuance of its bonds and notes. The authority is empowered to conduct environmental and energy research and development activities, develop alternative methods of financing environmental and energy projects, and assist Missouri communities, organizations, and businesses in obtaining low-cost funds and other financial assistance for projects related to the authority purpose.