I have a great deal of respect for the office of the Governor of Missouri. I tend not to get upset or take personal the decisions the executive branch makes.

The governor has endorsed a plan put forth by the Department of the Interior. I find it unbelievable that our governor would endorse a plan by a federal agency over the recommendations of his own Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the lieutenant governor, Congressman Jason Smith, Missouri senators and representatives from the area, local officials, and the Missouri Farm Bureau. More importantly he is going against the citizens of the area.

The issue deals with the Ozark Scenic Riverways, which the Current and Jacks Fork rivers run through. Every 20 years the local park staff is required to submit a review to plan for the future of the park. The plan then goes to Omaha, Neb., Denver, Colo., and is then forwarded to Washington, D.C. Public comments are encouraged and four public meetings have been held on this matter so far.

There are three plans, (plan A, B, and C) with a “no action” option also submitted. Park Superintendent Bill Black requested Plan B and it was also endorsed by the governor. However, this plan would close numerous points along the riverways and access to them. Tourism and the livelihood of those living and working in the area will be greatly affected, not to mention the amount of revenue that will be lost from tourism. Money spent by visitors from across the state and country on gas, food, lodging and more will dwindle as words spreads about the restricted access to the riverways. The decision about the riverways plan does not just affect our area, but nature enthusiasts who love to come to this area for their recreational outings.

About 65 miles of undesignated horse trails will be closed and it is very possible that a permit for a use system will be added for any groups hoping to take a horseback ride. Camping in primitive locations could be done away with and only allowed in designated areas. Access to gravel bars will be sparse, undesignated roads, trails and river access could be closed. The horsepower on motorized boats will be limited in certain parts of the river. Plan B calls for about 3,400 acres of Big Spring natural area to become a federal wilderness area, which limits or closes public access. The list of restricted activities continues, and includes the upper regions of the rivers being closed off to trout stocking by the MDC. By limiting the access of everyday or tourist users on the riverways, there will also be limited access by law enforcement and conservation staff.

I am sponsoring and have introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 22. The measure also had a hearing and was voted “do pass” by the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee. It should be heard on the Senate floor in the near future; once passed by the Senate it will move to the House for its consideration.

The SCR has three parts. The first, take no action and leave the park with the plan that has been in place for more than 20 years. The second is entering into a discussion with MDC and state parks to return the land to the State of Missouri. The third part of my resolution calls for entering into a discussion with MDC and state parks to operate the park for the Department of Interior. The MDC is No. 1 in the U.S., and when combining that with our excellent state parks system, there is no doubt we would operate it for less than the federal government and be more in tune with the citizens of Missouri.

However, I need help with this fight and I encourage you to call the governor’s office at (573) 751-3222; send him an online message, or write him a letter and mail it to: Gov. Jay Nixon, P.O. Box 720, Jefferson City, Mo, 65102. Please encourage him to reconsider and join us to encourage the Department of Interior to enter into conversation about returning the area to the state or to retain it as state park and allow the state to take over the operations of the park. 

Welcoming Guests to the Capitol
This week three area FFA students came to visit me: Morgan Coday, state vice president of area 12; Grant Talburt, state vice-president, area 13, both of Seymour; and Carlee Buckner, state vice president of area 16, Walnut Grove.