While our legislative delegation agrees we need to protect the ONSR, we must not overlook our citizens’ heritage and livelihood. We were disappointed that your initial review period had only two open houses for citizens to give their input. Only one of those meetings is located in the region; the other was in St. Louis, which is 150 miles away.
Providing directly impacted citizens with an opportunity to have input on this critical issue is essential for the success and future management of the ONSR. The economic and cultural importance of the ONSR to families and small businesses in Missouri will be threatened if the “NPS Preferred Alternative” is implemented. It appears that the goal of this plan is to shut down public access points to the rivers, eliminate motorized boat traffic from certain areas, further restrict boat motor horsepower in other areas, close several gravel bars, and propose additional areas to be designated as federal wilderness. We are adamantly opposed to all of these proposals, as are our constituents and business owners.
We support the “No-Action Alternative” to the current operating system. The ONSR value to the region is unparalleled. Do not adopt a GMP that is contrary to our wishes, those of our constituents, and the other folks who depend on access to the Riverways and cannot operate with additional government regulations. In our opinion, the ONSR is already over-managed with burdensome federal regulations. The Riverways support a vibrant and growing tourism industry that is critical to our region and state.
We will continue to strongly advocate against further encroachment by the National Park Service limiting our citizens’ access to public lands.
As you continue with the process, we hope you will consider our comments and those of the directly impacted citizens who will be affected by your actions.
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