District 7 State Representative Peggy McGaugh discussed a comprehensive environmental protection bill, recently passed by the Missouri House, which will safeguard state water resources in her capitol report. House Bills (HB) 2134 and 1956 have the goal of preventing companies from storing and spreading meatpacking waste on rural Missouri farmland. This bipartisan initiative gained support from both rural and urban lawmakers, said Mc Gaugh. “Under the legislation, companies intending to construct storage lagoons for animal byproducts would be required to conduct monthly tests on waste for heavy metals and pathogens,” said McGaugh. “Additionally, the bill mandates the installation of groundwater monitoring wells to prevent any material seepage into water bodies.” She explained large animal feeding operations are exempt from these provisions, with the overall intention of addressing environmental concerns while supporting the meat processing industry. “Originating from complaints in…