Missouri ePermitting program gains recognition
Missouri receives national recognition for new online permitting system
Missouri’s efforts to streamline and simplify the permitting process for Missouri businesses have earned national recognition, Gov. Jay Nixon announced today. Earlier today, the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) announced that the Department of Natural Resources’ new ePermitting program is one of three State Program Innovation Award winners for 2013.
“Missouri’s low taxes and trained workforce make our state a great place to do business, and our continued efforts to improve efficiency are helping to make it an easier place to do business as well,” Gov. Nixon said. “We will continue to look for new ways to simplify processes and make it easier for businesses to focus on creating jobs and growing the economy, instead of getting tied up in red tape. The Department of Natural Resources’ ePermitting system is another example of a smarter and more efficient government.”
Recently, the Department of Natural Resources issued its 1,000th online permit through ePermitting, a milestone that represents time and cost-savings for Missouri businesses. Land disturbance permits are required by law before a company can begin construction on projects in excess of one acre, and ePermitting reduces the wait time for permit approval by several weeks, compared to the previous, paper-based permitting system.
ECOS is a national non-profit association of state and territorial environmental agency leaders. The purpose of ECOS is to improve the capability of state environmental agencies to protect and improve human health and the environment.
“We had high hopes for ePermitting when it started last year, and it has met every one of those expectations,” said Sara Parker Pauley, Department of Natural Resources Director. “Our goal is to use the technology available to us to simplify processes for users while continuing to protect the environment and Missouri’s citizens.”
Building on the success of ePermitting, the department has recently implemented eDMR to streamline reporting for wastewater plants. The goal of the system is to improve accuracy and efficiency over the earlier hard-copy reporting process.
