Environmental Compliance

Most types of businesses will require state or local permits to operate. For example, there are environmental regulations to consider if you must disturb more than an acre of land, divert storm water run-off, use a private well or wastewater system, release fumes or smoke into the air, or use or dispose of hazardous waste. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the EPA Small Business Environmental Programs have both attempted to provide comprehensive information on environmental regulations and permitting. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency has developed a Small Business Gateway that includes links to a number of federal resources.

All of these resources have tried to summarize and demystify the process for you, so that you understand that protecting the environment is a normal part of every business operation. Regulatory compliance should be part of your business plan and should fully consider the permits, time, equipment and disposal fees associated with your business operations.

The general information provided in this section may not answer all of your questions or provide the exact permit information you may need. The best way to be sure that you are in compliance with state regulations is to work with the MDNR. When your business is operational, MDNR can provide a free, non-regulatory Environmental Assistance Visit to assess your business processes and provide specific regulatory and permitting information.