State says pollution lessened at off-road park

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A recent investigation by Missouri Department of Natural Resources officials found changes made by the owners of Brick's Off Road Park were successful in preventing pollution to the Little Black River and Beaver Dam Creek during its September event.

The agency initially investigated after receiving reports about pollution to the river, which had turned brown and murky after a June weekend when an estimated crowd of 14,000 and 15,000 attended the park's Trucks Gone Wild event.

The DNR also received reports of a large amount of trash and oily sheen in the water.

Arthur Goodin, chief of the agency's water pollution control unit in its Southeast Missouri Regional Office, investigated and sent a letter to Brick's owner Jay Brickell detailing his investigation, findings and recommendations.

Brickell and his son, Scott, reportedly followed many of the changes the state recommended in its initial report to stop damage to the Little Black River and Beaver Dam Creek before its Trucks Gone Wild event Sept. 24 to 27.

Those changes included fencing to catch trash and absorb oil at low-water crossings, additional truck wash stations and installing cables to limit access to waterways.

The Brickells also agreed to allow agency officials access to their property to collect water-quality data from Beaver Dam Creek during the event.

In a letter dated Oct. 20 to Jay Brickell, Goodin reported collecting water-quality samples and making observations at various points along the river Sept. 26.

Goodin said he collected samples at five locations that were selected so the "water quality upstream, downstream and directly adjacent" the Brickells' property could be measured.

Of the 10 sample sites, Goodin said, he found the water in the streams to be clear, colorless and odorless, with slight or no turbidity, foam and sheen.

Goodin said the water in one sample was found to be "somewhat turbid," colorless, odorless, with no foam or sheen.

The "light plume of turbidity" in the Little Black River was evident for about 20 yards, Goodin said.

During Goodin's investigation, he said, he noted the steel cables, which had been installed along the Little Black River.

"I understand that these cables were installed to prevent visitors to your facility from driving their vehicles in the stream," said Goodin, who did not see any vehicles operating in or next to the Little Black River while he was on the river.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.