EXECUTIVE ORDER
06-27

WHEREAS, I have been advised by the Director of the State Emergency Management Agency that a severe storm system causing damages associated with high winds and torrential rain has impacted communities in the east central part of the State of Missouri, including but not limited to, St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, the severe storm that began on July 19, 2006 has caused the loss of power to approximately 500,000 residents in the impacted areas, and has created a hazard to the safety, welfare, and property of the citizens of the State of Missouri beyond the capabilities of some local and other established agencies; 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, to respond to the emergency and to expedite the cleanup and recovery process, it is necessary to adjust certain environmental rules and regulations on a temporary and short-term basis; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order 06-25 was issued on July 20, 2006, declaring Missouri to be in a State of Emergency; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to section 44.110, RSMo the Governor may order the suspension, in whole or in part, of the activities, functions and duties of any administrative agency, officer or employee of the state or of any political subdivision thereof and may direct the personnel of any agency and any officer and employee of the state or any political subdivision thereof to render services and to provide facilities as may be needed for the carrying out of emergency management functions within or without this state. In the event of any such order, any law requiring specific performance of civil duties by any officer or employee shall be suspended as long as the officer or employee is engaged in emergency management functions.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATT BLUNT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Chapter 44, RSMo, do hereby issue the following order:

The Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is vested with full discretionary authority to temporarily waive or suspend the operation of any statutory or administrative rule or regulation currently in place under his purview in order to best serve the interest of the public health and safety during the period of the emergency and the subsequent recovery period. The authority granted by the Order shall terminate on August 19, 2006 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 21st day of July 2006.

ATTEST:

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