EXECUTIVE ORDER
16-02

WHEREAS, I have been advised by the State Emergency Management Agency that severe storm systems have caused damages associated with heavy rains, flooding, flash flooding and high winds in communities across the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, there has been loss of life, interruption of public services, infrastructure damage and damage to private property, as a result of the severe weather that began on December 22, 2015; and

WHEREAS, the severe weather has created conditions of distress and hazard to the safety, welfare and property of the citizens of the State of Missouri beyond the capabilities of same local jurisdictions and other established agencies; and

WHEREAS, I issued Executive Order 15-10 declaring a State of Emergency for the protection of the safety and welfare of the citizens of the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, I issued Executive Order 15-11 ordering the Adjutant General of the State of Missouri to call into active service such portions of the organized militia deemed necessary to aid the executive officials of Missouri to protect life and property; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is charged by law with protecting and enhancing the quality of Missouri's environment and with enforcing a variety of environmental rules and regulations; and

WHEREAS, in order to respond to the emergency and expedite the cleanup and recovery process, it is necessary to waive certain environmental rules and regulations on a temporary and short-term basis.

NOW THEREFORE, I, JEREMIAH W. (JAY) NIXON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, including Section 44.100 and 44.110, RSMo, order the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to use full discretionary authority to temporarily waive or suspend the operation of any statutory or administrative rule or regulation currently in place under her purview in order to best serve the interests of the public health and safety during the period of the emergency and the subsequent recovery period.

This order shall terminate on January 22, 2016, unless extended in whole or in part.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 6th day of January, 2016.

[Jay Nixon's signature]
Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon
Governor

ATTEST:

[Jason Kander's signature]
Jason Kander
Secretary of State

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