Nixon sues developer; lake pollution cited

The lawsuit is against Jedi Corp. and its president, Charles Bonnot, for development of the 40-acre Tuscany Village subdivision on Joe Bald Road, located north of Kimberling City in Stone County. Nixon says the company ignored environmental laws to obtain necessary permits and adequately prevent erosion.

According to Nixon, a June 2004 Missouri Department of Natural Resources inspection revealed that Jedi Corp. had distributed more than 15 acres without obtaining the necessary permit from the state, and effective erosion controls were not in place to keep the site’s sediment from entering the West Fisher Creek cove of Table Rock Lake.

Subsequent inspections showed that attempts to control erosion by Jedi Corp. have been inadequate.

The lawsuit asks the Stone County Circuit Court to issue an injunction against the company to require it to submit a complete application for the appropriate permit and to prohibit them from further violations of the Missouri Clean Water Law.

The suit also seeks appropriate penalties and court costs from the defendants.

Nixon’s action is part of his zero-tolerance initiative against polluters in the White River basin. The program, started in December 2002, has cut down pollution from improperly treated sewage, runoff from developments, leaking underground storage tanks and improperly drilled water wells.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s May 5 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.