(LISTEN): Missouri DNR director Schaefer discusses Columbia homeless camps on "Wake Up Missouri"

04/08/2025 13 min

Listen "(LISTEN): Missouri DNR director Schaefer discusses Columbia homeless camps on "Wake Up Missouri""

Episode Synopsis

Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) director Kurt Schaefer says the agency is waiting for Columbia to submit a plan for how they’ll stop human waste and trash from homeless camps from getting into the Hinkson creek. DNR director Schaefer appeared live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Missouri”, saying there are about 60 homeless residents in the camp near I-70 and Highway 63, near Bob Evans. Director Schaefer says Columbia has a growing homeless population for its size. He also says DNR receives numerous complaints about the needles, human excrement and trash from the homeless camp near Bob Evans. He says they’ve had several good meetings with Columbia officials. Columbia spokeswoman Syndey Olsen says the city remains committed to protecting water quality for its residents: