What is the difference between environmental concerns and environmental emergencies?

An environmental concern is a situation that you observed that raises a question or concern that what was observed may threaten public health or the environment, such as a trash dump or discarded waste tires in a stream. An environmental emergency is a situation you observed that you believe poses an immediate threat to public health or the well-being of the environment. Examples of environmental emergencies include:

  • Oil and chemical leaks or spills
  • Radiological and biological discharges
  • Accidents causing releases of pollutants
  • Algal blooms
  • Fish kills
  • Hazardous material incidents
  • Imminent dam failure

If you are involved in or witness an environmental emergency, please call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 573-634-2436. For more information, visit Environmental Emergency Response.

If you would like to report an odor concern, please use the indicated online form below for the area you are reporting:

If you would like to report an environmental concern you believe threatens Missouri’s natural resources, please use the form below. To report an environmental concern over the telephone, please contact the regional office in your area. You may also call 800-361-4827 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Contact Information