Environmental lawsuit could delay Taum Sauk rebuilding

According to a Columbia Missourian article:

The proposed restoration of the Taum Sauk reservoir after its December 2005 collapse could be delayed over environmental concerns and a likely lawsuit against the project. . . . on Friday, a St. Louis environmental advocacy group announced its intention to sue over what it called the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s failure to properly monitor the reconstruction project.

"This is one of the most catastrophic failures of any reservoir in the country," said Susan Flader, a past president of the Missouri Parks Association, the plaintiff in the pending suit by the Great Rivers Environmental Law Center. . . .

The likely legal battle would only further complicate Ameren’s rebuilding plans. The company has previously said it can’t begin the project until it settles a lawsuit with the state over liabilities from the reservoir’s breach.

It is unclear what effect, if any, this potential lawsuit may have on the pending settlement between the State of Missouri and Ameren over damages related to the Taum Sauk disaster.

All indications are that settlement will include some form of agreement to allow trail use of the Ameren-controlled Rock Island railroad corridor to connect the Katy Trail to the Kansas City area.