Missouri
Sunshine Law Requests
The Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes, says records of public governmental bodies are open unless the law provides otherwise. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources says it applies to the department and its related commissions and boards, and that the department works from a presumption that records are open. This is the department's route for copies of its files.
In a Phase I ESA
A listing or map entry says a record exists. The reports and letters are in the file. The pages on each Missouri program send you here for the file. The department's Sunshine Law page has a section headed "Phase 1 Request" that describes a Phase I ESA and lists tools on the department's website that can help, among them the E-Start map, a Missouri PFAS Viewer, Consumer Confidence Reports and the Data and e-Services page.
How to ask
The department takes a request online through its Public Records Center, or by mail to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Custodian of Record, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102. The page asks that a request include:
- the requester's name, organization if any, and contact information;
- whether the records are to be reviewed in person or sent as paper or electronic copies;
- how much the requester will pay for production costs, or a request for an estimate above a set amount;
- identifying information such as facility name, company address or permit number;
- a list or description of the specific information wanted.
The Custodian of Records line is 573-751-9857, and the mailbox is custodianofrecord@dnr.mo.gov. The department says that if you have not heard from it within three business days, you should contact the Custodian of Record to confirm it received the request.
Time and cost
The department says it gets a high volume of requests, that some take longer, and that while many records are electronic it may ask a requester to review paper records in house. It may invoice for costs of staff research, review and duplication. The rates it lists include $15 an hour for clerical or technical staff time, $0.10 a page for paper copies under 9 by 14 inches, and $3 for a CD. Records may be furnished free or at reduced charge if the information is likely to contribute to public understanding or benefit the general public and is not primarily for the commercial interest of the requester. Ask for an estimate when a request is broad.
The department also offers a searchable archive of past Sunshine requests.
Where requests are made specific
- For hazardous waste registration forms from before March 11, 2026, the department asks that the site's EPA ID be included. See Missouri RCRA (MoRCRA) Data System.
- For the Registry annual report, the department says a request can bring it on CD for $3. See Registry of Abandoned or Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Sites.
Sources
Missouri Department of Natural Resources pages, read October 8, 2026, no modified date shown: