Fletcher Bone, an environmental program specialist with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Missouri Geological Survey, has been selected as the department’s Team Member of the Month for August 2025. He was selected for his service to the department and his efforts to assist a Missouri community with potential issues related to the wastewater treatment facility.
In November 2024, Bone was conducting a site visit at a facility as part of a routine geohydrologic evaluation. He noticed a what were probably a set of sinkholes along the corner of the berm near one of the three lagoons in the wastewater facility. The location of the anomalies carried the potential for catastrophic collapse of the lagoons.
Bone quickly contacted the city engineer and the department’s Southwest Regional Office and provided technical assistance while the regional office conducted an inspection. In addition, he assisted with a follow up geophysical analysis with a team of fellow geologists from the Missouri Geological Survey. During the follow up investigation, where Electrical Resistivity Tomography was used, additional potential sinkholes were identified near the area the first were observed. Finally, the department’s Environmental Emergency Response team also visited the site to conduct ground-penetrating radar tests.
The city was advised of the findings, which helped it make informed decisions about how to best proceed with already-planned infrastructure improvements, including decisions about through the department’s Financial Assistance Center for funding related to the upgrades.
“Fletcher’s willingness to collaborate, share information and work as part of a team are greatly appreciated,” said Brenna McDonald, the environmental program supervisor who nominated Bone for the award. “His work is ultimately in service to Missouri citizens and reflects his continual commitment to the core values of his program, division and the department.” Bone joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in November 2010 and resides in Rolla.
