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ST. LOUIS - Missouri's key funding source for its water protection program is set to expire at the end of this year.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that routine fees paid by businesses and municipalities for permission to discharge wastewater or divert storm runoff into Missouri rivers and streams will expire unless they're renewed by state lawmakers.

The Legislature is working on a proposal to boost fees and give a citizen water regulatory commission the authority to increase the fees as necessary.

The state Department of Natural Resources collects about $4 million annually from the water permit fees. The water protection program issues permits, conducts inspections and monitors water quality.