Mo. delayed report on bacteria in lake

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., July 17 (UPI) -- A Missouri state agency says it delayed releasing a report on high levels of E. coli bacteria in a lake because officials did not want to cause "panic."

The Department of Natural Resources refused to allow residents who live near the Lake of the Ozarks to see the report for a month, The Kansas City Star reported Thursday. The E. coli spike just before Memorial Day was caused by heavy rains in May that washed into the lake.

"We wanted to make sure we understood the problem," said Susanne Medley, a department spokeswoman. "Business and tourism was a consideration. We didn't want to panic the people."

By the time the department reported on E. coli levels in the lake June 26, the levels had gone down.

"All the reasons DNR gave for not releasing the report have to do with the economy," said Ken Midkiff, an environmental writer and activist. "The Department of Natural Resources is supposed to protect water quality and the environment."

E. coli bacteria, usually spread by eating tainted food, causes an infection that can be life-threatening.