Nixon to address DNR review in Friday press conference

COLUMBIA – Gov. Jay Nixon will hold a press conference 10 a.m. Friday in Jefferson City to address why two Lake of the Ozarks beaches were not closed this summer.

The conference is in response to a two-week review into the Department of Natural Resource's decision to keep some Lake of Ozarks beaches open when they should not have been after heightened levels of E. coli were found in the lake.

According to previous Missourian reporting, water samples were taken by the DNR in May. The results indicated high levels of E. coli at two public beaches, but the beaches remained open until June and were closed on and off throughout the month, with both open again by early July. The increased bacteria levels were considered a safety risk for beach-goers.

The review was conducted by Department of Natural Resources Director Bill Bryan and Inspector General Chris Pickering. The internal investigation came after Nixon placed department director Mark Templeton on administrative leave on Sept. 30.