MO DNR cited city for 3 violations
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Hannibal, MO- The Hannibal Parks and Recreation Department has a problem, and it needs to correct it fast.
The Hannibal Marina's underground fuel system was ruined during last summer's flooding. We checked in with the Director of Parks and Recreation, Chris Atkinson, to find out more about this problem for this KHQA FactFinder report.
Atkinson told us the department just found out it's in violation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources because of corrosion and rusting in that fuel system. The Hannibal Parks Department will have to replace that system, or it could face hefty fines.
Atkinson told KHQA it could cost between $12,000 to $20,000 just to remove the tank and piping. Atkinson also told us he thought about how necessary a fuel system was for the city.
"That's the question I took before city council. We offer a marina because we feel like we need to offer gas, not just to boaters around here, but transient boaters who come up and down the river, but it doesn't generate a lot of revenue," Atkinson said.
Atkinson says if the department decides to remove the gas tanks permanently, it would lower the number of boat rentals. Right now, the parks department is looking at the best way to offer gasoline. Atkinson hopes FEMA will cover part of the cost, since the problem is the result of flood damage.
The department plans to take bids to remove the tank next week.
