construction sediment is pollution

[Phil Lilley]

I got into a long conversation with Fox Statler at the conclave. Haven't seen him since last year's conclave and all he could talk about is the chicken-debacle. He knows ALOT of the subject- had my head spinning with all the politics and facts about chicken droppings and such. I'll drop him an email and see if he'd share some of it with us- it's really interesting stuff.

[RiverRunner]

Terry,

You are 100% right. Almost everyone that is raising chickens is a small-time family deal that is totally dependent on that big-time chicken processor. These people really live under the thumb of that unnamed corporation since they supply both the chickens and the feed. When I lived in Alabama, I had chicken houses on both sides of my home (great smell!) And I can tell you, those chicken farmers were anything but rich. Whether they made any money or not totally depended on the processor. This company has a long history of influencing poltitcs in Arkansas. When I was at ASU, I took a class in Arkansas politics. One of the things I learned was that big companies such as Tyson, Wal-Mart, AP&L, Farm Bureau, and etc not only have paid lobbyist, they also have actual members of the legislature on their offical payroll. All of this is perfectally legal in AR. So instead of Rep. John Doe from Anytown, AR, you have Rep. Jane Doe from Wal-Mart. At least that is how it seems to work. They are bought and paid for.

I like your idea "The Wildlife and Wilderness Council". Just my two cents, but I think that we should also get the Bass fisherman involved in these issues as well. I am a member of the BASS national federation, which at one time sued a # of major polluters and won. They have good conservation resources available and they are not afraid to pick a fight. They have had extensive coverage of the Illinois River (OK) lawsuit in their monthly publication, Bass Times over the years. Unfortunatley, they have had a major split this year with a # of members leaving and going to a rival organization.

Mr. Statler does have a good two-part article on this, I just can't remember where the link is. I know that he took aim at a North Arkansas politican pretty hard on another board.

[Terry Beeson]

Phil,

If you get Fox started, you better increase your bandwidth and server storage capacity... and yes... VERY full of information on the subject.

RR,

That's what I'm talking about... getting ALL those type of organizations under one umbrella. Don't take anything away from them, just make them ALL more powerful.

TU

FFF

BASS

QU

RMEF

DU

NWTF

PF

And any other organization condusive to fishing, hunting, hiking, bird watching, tree hugging, etc, etc...

[rebelman]

Maybe the GREEN Party would appease all those groups. And where is this Fox Statler, we need him on board. Why isn't he sitting down for a televised one on one with Mike Beebe?

[Quillback]

To throw in my 2 cents, I lived in the Pacific Northwest for 17 years and many of the same issues with fish habitat are similar to the issues are going on down here. What really scares the ranchers, power generators, developers and local politicians are Federal judges stepping in and dictating habitat and other requirements. This usually is a result of conservation or environmental groups bringing lawsuits in defence of "threatened" or "endangered" species. I have a book "Fishes of Arkansas" that shows species distribution in Arkansas watersheds, there are all kinds of unique minnow speices that are confined to individual river systems or even just small area of a specific stream. I would think that if any of those unique species were threatened with extinction due to development of pollution that a lawsuit could be brought against the offending parties. Unfortunately minnows aren't as glamorous as say slamon and steelhead in the Northwest so it's hard to get big conservation organizations interested in saving some obscure minnow species.

[Terry Beeson]

Unfortunately minnows aren't as glamorous as say slamon and steelhead in the Northwest so it's hard to get big conservation organizations interested in saving some obscure minnow species.

I don't know about that... some cave dwelling creatures in the Ozarks come to mind that are now protected for that very reason.

As I have stated on some forums... Until we actually get into the pocketbooks of the local businesses and individuals, this is not going to go much of anywhere. Most people who do not trout fish have no "vested interest" (or so they think) in sustaining a trout habitat. But if you prove that the lack of a trout habitat were to reduce, say, lodging revenue by an arbitrary figure like 20%, then you might get some non-fishing motel owner's attention... Water quality that kills fish also drives 50% of the ducks to the east and west... I think DU would chime in then.

This is an issue that affects SO many of us... it's just a matter of educating EVERYone on how it affects them... and their pocketbook....

[rebelman]

There is an ongoing watershed dispute in central Arkansas where this timber company wants to build a subdivision in I believe lake Maumelles watershed and everybody is like that would pollute the reservoir. They are working out a special construction method to divert runoff. I'm like why don't all construction projects, large and small, have special construction methods-mandatory? The extra expense would be absorbed in higher values. Riparian zones should be mandatory. Property owners are temporary. Many do more damage to the planet in their short time at the helm than is wise.

[skeeter]

This is sort of tongue-in-cheek and not, but our rice buyer told me that the rice farmers in Arkansas are experiencing water supply problems as the water table their wells tap into has drastically dropped. Of course, you don't grow rice without adequate water supply.

To remedy this problem a pumping station either was built or is planned, I'm not sure which, on the White River exactly in the immediate area where the claimed sighting of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker occurred. Guess what ? The pumping station has been denied operation by the Fed's as the noise could possibly disturb the remaining population of this "thought to be extinct" species.

Where I'm going with this is there are laws to protect our irreplaceable and pristine remaining natural resources. The trick seems to be finding a well heeled source who will fund court actions ( not pleasant but apparently necessary) to enforce the existing laws. Unfavorable press coverage is avoided at all costs by today's Corporate America and the press will report in both electronic and print media any lawsuits brought against polluters and public opinion will turn quickly against that entity. Do not waste your time complaining to politicians, most are " for sale " to the highest bidder, go directly to the courts.

[Danoinark]

Skeeter

Its not tongue in cheek..its reality. You are absolutely right on in saying the Courts and legal system are the only things the politcos and the COE understands.

Dano

[rebelman]

So protecting the Ozark Hellbender is the best way to force developers into adopting serious best management practices? The Strawberry Darter, if not already gone, seems to have done little to protect Strawberry River. Huge erosion banks, cattle farms with no buffer, and outright trash dumps are common. Many species than we know are probably endangered. Canoe the streams in the rain, it's easy to see serious sediment source points. I believe a stream with Arkansas Extraordinary Waterway Resource designation can be protected without the endangered species act. Water law could be a new specialty, I mean if we're gonna fill up the courts with frivolous cases why not sue a few developments on point source pollution violation.