Missouri Prime Beef Packers LLC is a closed beef processor located one mile north of Pleasant Hope, Missouri, in Polk County. The facility had been permitted to land apply wastewater from its operations on fields controlled by the facility. The facility stopped operating in spring 2024. As of April 2025, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has not received a wastewater operating permit renewal application. The facility does not have a valid operating permit to discharge or to land apply wastewater. This webpage will be updated when the department receives an application and supporting documentation. The department will hold a public hearing before any permitting decision is made on this facility.

Notice

On March 28, 2025, the department posted for public comment a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to address the chlorophyll-a impairment in Pomme de Terre Lake. The TMDL proposes wasteload allocations for both total nitrogen and total phosphorus for all point sources in the watershed, including Missouri Prime Beef. Information about the status of the TMDL is available on the department's Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) webpage, on the "Under Development" tab.

Permit Review

Missouri Prime Beef Packers does not have a wastewater operating permit renewal application pending with the department. Missouri Prime Beef Packers' withdrew its August 2022 application on Jan. 2, 2024. The ability to discharge or land apply will require a department-issued operating permit, which goes through a public review and commenting process.

Permitting

Operating Options

In order to restart operations, the facility has three options for handling any wastewater:

  1. Pump and Haul - Pump and Haul is pumping off all wastewater onsite and hauling it to a permitted wastewater treatment facility. A permitted wastewater treatment facility could be a discharging system or a permitted land application facility. Pump and Haul activities do not require an operating permit from the department, according to 10 CSR 20-6.015(3)(B)12.
  2. Land application of wastewater - For a new owner, land applying wastewater would require developing and approving a Land Application Management Plan (LAMP) and a department-issued operating permit that has undergone the public participation process, including public hearing. LAMPs are based on nutrient management and land application practices and must meet the requirements established in Missouri Revised Statute 644.041.2, RSMo. The plan identifies the nutrient and pollutant content of the material, soil assessments, planned vegetation (pasture, crops, hay), nutrient needs based on crop yields or field usage, land application rates, locations of land application, sensitive feature locations and setbacks, land application practices, equipment, operations and maintenance, recordkeeping and reporting. For more information, visit Land Application of Wastewater and Wastewater Treatment Residuals.
  3. Permitted discharge - A permitted discharge would require a department-issued operating permit that has undergone the public participation process, including a public hearing. A permit for discharge would incorporate Antidegradation Review effluent limits and recommendations. See below for additional information on the Antidegradation process. 

Innovative Technology

Any proposed treatment alternative for discharging must meet the requirements in 10 CSR 20-6.010 and 10 CSR 20-8.110 if the technology proposed is not:

  • An established technology that has design standards and
  • At least three full-scale operations in climate similar to Missouri and treating wastewater of similar characteristics as Missouri Prime Beef.

The regulatory requirements are summarized in the department’s Approval Process for Innovative Technology - PUB2453 fact sheet.

Antidegradation

The draft Water Quality Review Sheet below is based on comments and changes received during the 2023-2024 public notice of the previous draft Antidegradation Review. For a new application, the permit applicant would likely need to update and revise their Antidegradation Report, based on any new proposed treatment options, cost updates and other relevant information. The department will continue to provide assistance to facility owners, potential buyers and their engineers to design and construct a wastewater treatment system that meets all applicable regulatory and water quality requirements. The facility is not allowed to discharge wastewater unless a permit is issued, following the public participation process for a Missouri State Operating Permit and Antidegradation Review.

Additional Information 

Below is additional information regarding the Pomme de Terre River, Pomme de Terre Lake and its watershed.

Administrative Order

On Jan 10, 2024, Missouri Prime Beef Packers and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources entered into an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) to respond to, and resolve, land application and permit-related Missouri Clean Water Law violations. The provisions of the AOC apply to the parties executing the AOC (Missouri Prime Beef Packers LLC and the department) and any persons acting under, through, or for the parties. The provisions of the AOC do not transfer to any new owner of the facility or property.

The AOC includes penalties for the land application violations, requirements to submit a permit application, and a legal mechanism establishing temporary operational controls and land application requirements, including ramifications of continued noncompliance (including cessation of land application activities). The AOC does not authorize discharge to Pomme de Terre River or any other waters of the state. Discharge will only be authorized following issuance of a Missouri State Operating Permit that has undergone the public participation process. The department will continue to provide assistance to the facility and its engineer to design and construct a wastewater treatment system that meets all applicable regulatory and water quality requirements.

Popular Links

Boil Water Orders
Current Lake Levels
Issued Site-Specific Wastewater Permits
Operator Certification
Permits, Certification, Engineering, Fees
Water Data and e-Services
Water Monitoring and Data
Wells and Drilling
Commissions, Boards and Councils
Water Public Notices
Report an Environmental Concern or Submit a Question
About Us

Contact Information