Brian Sloss Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 There has been a proposal to sell off parts of Mark Twain National forest and that includes a pristine area, The 11 Point river. I sincerely hope if they decide to do it that riverside property is not included. The Eleven Point is the only river left to be as wild as possible in Missouri and I would hate to see it developed in anyway (ie cabins and such). Has anyone heard more on this topic? Any opinions? www.elevenpointflyfishing.com www.elevenpointcottages.com (417)270-2497 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainT16 Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 WOW, that would be a shame. I have been in that area, but have never fished there. I can't imagine them doing that, but nothing surprises me anymore. I would hate to see that though! "He told us about Christ's disciples being fisherman, and we were left to assume...that all great fishermen on the Sea of Galilee were fly fisherman and that John, the favorite, was a dry-fly fisherman." - Norman Maclean-A River Runs Through It Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted February 26, 2006 Root Admin Share Posted February 26, 2006 I'll ask my father-in-law about it. He works for DNR and has contacts in Jeff City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Agnew Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Supposedly the parts that are being considered for selling off are isolated parcels that have no great significance. Whether this is actually true or not, I don't know. I suspect it is a trial balloon thrown up to see how big of an outcry it causes. If it slides under the radar, they may go farther with it. I wouldn't be opposed to it IF, instead of just selling parcels of land, they were attempting to work out trades to consolidate the national forest areas...in other words, trade an isolated parcel for one that adjoins land they already own. But it sounds to me like somebody just sees an opportunity to profit at the expense of all of us. It boggles my mind that anybody who doesn't stand to directly gain from something like this can be anything but opposed. It's OUR land, and it ain't like we're gaining in hunting, fishing, and other recreational land all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted February 26, 2006 Root Admin Share Posted February 26, 2006 Who's district is the land in? US Congress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Sloss Posted February 27, 2006 Author Share Posted February 27, 2006 If it is part of the MTNF it is possible that it could be sold. They are doing it to raise money for rural schools, which would be a one time band aid instead of fixing the school problems. Also, isn't casino tax money supposed to go to schools? It has been looted time and again by our politicians. As for whose district is it in? Just about everyone in Missouri lives around MTNF land. They are supposed to post more info on the sales on 2/28/06. Then there is to be a 30 day public comment period and then the politicians vote. I have emailed Jim Talent just because he was mentioned in an article about this subject, but I have not heard back from anyone that works there. Jo Ann Emerson represents the Eleven Point area and I will be emailing her as well. I don't know how the politicians are leaning on this subject, and not knowing makes me nervous because I have a hard time trusting them anyway. This proposal effects national forest land in a number of other states as well. I did stop by the Winona, Mo office of the forest service and they seemed very concerned. You can find more info at www.fs.fed.us. That is where they are supposed to post more info 2/28/06. www.elevenpointflyfishing.com www.elevenpointcottages.com (417)270-2497 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forsythian Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Guys, I agree that this process needs to be very transparent, and I strongly agree that there should be significant tracts left alone... these would include the river corridors, significant drainages, and parcels with unique features (caves, glades, whatever)... maybe the MDC could participate in the process(?) Now, that being said, there is some misinformation floating around. The fact is that most rural school districts are for some measure of this. It is not a one-time-and-out money windfall, it is long term sustainable help in the form of property taxes collected. Brian, I believe you live in Alton? Ask the school superintendent and/or the board there about their understanding of this. There is some general support for it here in my county, especially the schools in the eastern half. Oh, and what did happen to that lottery money? Cenosillicaphobiac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members peegee12 Posted February 27, 2006 Members Share Posted February 27, 2006 Missouri Congressional districts that have Mark Twain National Forest within their boundaries are 4 (Rep. Ike Skelton), 7 (Rep. Roy Blunt), 8 (Rep. Jo Ann Emerson), and 9 (Rep. Kenny Hulshof). A link to the state map with boundaries of the districts: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/maps/uscongress/ I would urge you to write your congressperson -- this administration has a long record of not providing the "whole truth," and it would be a shame to sell off any public land that is available for sportmen's use. I would be willing to bet that those rural school districts won't see much of the money ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forsythian Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 I would urge you to write your congressperson -- this administration has a long record of not providing the "whole truth," and it would be a shame to sell off any public land that is available for sportmen's use. I would be willing to bet that those rural school districts won't see much of the money ... Oh yeah, compared to the long record of complete honesty from all previous administrations of the past 100 years Yeah, this administration is pretty unique I'll tell you what a shame would be, to dig in your heels and make up your mind before you know all the facts. I don't yet know, and I intend to find out the scope of the deal before I'm "willing to bet" anything... pragmatism my friends, pragmatism. Cenosillicaphobiac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne SW/MO Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 The reasoning behind it is somewhat bogus. The reasoning is that the land takes the place of what would be private enterprise which in turn would provide taxes. The problem with that is that most of this land has been worthless for anything bit hunting and fishing, that is until people decided to retire on rocky tree covered slopes. The feds need to continue to provide funds to help the rural schools. They wanted to be involved in the schools bad enough to wiggle in passed the Constitution, so now they need to give more than lip service. If we can rebuild Coliseums and Superdomes, we can help out rural schools. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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