DNR names new head of regional office

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The new head of the local Missouri Department of Natural Resources regional office is someone familiar to Southeast Missouri as he has spent much of his nearly 23-year career with the agency here. Jackson Bostic, who took over May 1, replaces Gary Gaines, who retired in February, the Daily American Republic reported. Bostic began with the department as a soil scientist and previously served about 10 years as an on-scene coordinator for the Environmental Emergency Response section and about two years as ombudsman for Southeast Missouri. Most recently, he had been an environmental specialist.

"I have over 22 years of public service, and much of that time I have spent here in Southeast Missouri working alongside some of the most talented and special staff this agency has to offer," Bostic said. "I see every day what this outstanding group of people do to ensure the public has safe drinking water, fresh air to breathe and clean rivers and streams for all to enjoy."

DNR's goal, according to Bostic, is to provide the best customer service it can.

"We want the public to be a part of what we are doing," Bostic said.

The only "sure way," he said, to protect the environment from "ourselves is for us to build a strong partnership and become better educated on how each one of us can do our part."

Bostic said he is looking forward to "continuing to serve the 28 counties that the Southeast Regional office has responsibility for."

Every day, Bostic said, brings a new challenge, but the Southeast Regional office is "working closely with our regulated communities, as well as stakeholders and the general public, to insure we get the job done," Bostic said.

The department, he said, has a "lot of new and exciting" things going on, and "we encourage everyone to stay in touch with us by visiting our office or checking out our website at www.dnr.mo.gov.\"

If anyone has questions or has need of assistance with an environmental issue, he or she is asked to call the regional office at 573-840-9750.