Missouri Laws 569.137 – Polluting cave or subsurface waters — penalty
1. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
(1) “Cave system”, the caves in a given area related to each other hydrologically, whether continuous or discontinuous from a single opening;
Attorney's Note
Under the Missouri Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $2,000 |
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 569.137
- following: when used by way of reference to any section of the statutes, mean the section next preceding or next following that in which the reference is made, unless some other section is expressly designated in the reference. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020
(2) “Sinkhole”, a hollow place or depression in the ground in which drainage may collect with an opening therefrom into an underground channel or cave including any subsurface opening that might be bridged by a formation of silt, gravel, humus, or any other material through which percolation into the channel or cave may occur.
2. A person commits the offense of polluting cave or subsurface waters if he or she purposely introduces into any cave, cave system, sinkhole or subsurface waters of the state any substance or structure that will or could violate any provision of the Missouri clean water law as set forth in chapter 644, or any water quality standard or effluent limitation promulgated pursuant thereto.
3. The provisions of this section do not apply:
(1) Where natural subsurface drainage systems including, without limitation, caves, cave systems, sinkholes, fissures and related openings are used for purposes of storm water drainage, artificial recharge of aquifers, and irrigation return flow, and where modifications of natural drainage systems are made for purposes of improving natural drainage relationships; or
(2) To vertical or horizontal underground mining operations.
4. No additional appropriations may be made for the enforcement of this section.
5. The offense of polluting cave or subsurface waters is a class A misdemeanor.