Gov. Jay Nixon says he's put Department of Natural Resources director Mark Templeton on two-week unpaid leave because of incorrect information provided to the governor's office regarding E. coli problems at the Lake of the Ozarks.

   He's also ordered an investigation into the department's actions surrounding elevated E. coli bacteria levels at the Lake in May.

    "I have placed DNR director Mark Templeton on unpaid administrative leave for two weeks," Nixon said in a conference call.

   Later: "It is clear to me that there are serious questions about institutional controls within the department of Natural Resources...A deep look into DNR is absolutely necessary."

   "Mistakes were clearly made here," Templeton said.  "Accountability is important."

   He did not, however, offer to resign, he said.

   Nixon said he was told a beach at the Lake was closed in May after E. coli levels were determined to be too high.  He repeated that claim in an interview with Kansas City reporters Monday.

   (To see video of the exchange, click here.)

   Today, Nixon said the information was in error, and that the beach wasn't closed despite E. coli levels five times higher than the standard.

   The governor said he is ordering a review of DNR information and that he regrets misleading reporters and the public.  He also said he's instructed the interim DNR head to take whatever actions are appropriate in punishing those responsible for the incorrect beach closure information.

   More to come.