A Conservation Battle Won

[Danoinark]

I learned today that the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality has rejected the three gravel mining permit applications for Crooked Creek. There is a 30 day public comment time period before the ban goes into effect. Finally I am beginning to feel somewhat favorable to this agency. Let's see how they follow through on the Outlook Estates Issue. I want to personally thank all of those here who may have written letters or emails during the earlier public comment period. This is trully a battle won....Dano

Here is a thread with the original story and comments.

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...amp;#entry13790

[Wayne SW/MO]

That would be quite a coup, but it sure took a long time.

Dan do you think there was any pressure from the national recognition of the problem that has emerged over the last decade or so?.

[Danoinark]

Wayne

I am unsure as to what if any national recognition was evident. I do know that Dave and Emily Whitlock and their Crooked Creek Coaltion are probably the most prominent in bringing the issue to the forefront. The Whitlocks have now moved back to Oklahoma, so this certainly has to be a victory for them. I think most importantly the Coalition was able to bring like minded people and groups including those non fishers who just enjoy the pristine waters into a collaborative effort. This naturally created local opposition which had to help ADEQ make this positive decision.

Dan

[Wayne SW/MO]

Dano I was thinking of the period in which Crooked Creek was the poster creek to illustrate the worst of the gravel mining damage.

I still can see those pictures in my mind.

[Danoinark]

Wayne, I think you are referring to 1999 when the CC Coalition led a successful fight aganst permits.

Emily Whitlock was successful in getting several state and national conservation groups involved.

I am not sure that was the case this time, but those that were around in '99 probably remembered the abundance of opposition. I just don't believe there was that kind of national involvement this time around.

I was going to illustrate this post with a picture of the earlier gravel mining damage but couldn't locate it. I am sure its the same one you were referring to.

Dano

[Wayne SW/MO]

This is the one I was thinking of, and it probably needs repeating. It, unfortunately, didn't help the effort in Missouri as much as I wish. The problem here was Sarah Steelman and the Farm Bureau, overwelming the ineffective DNR.

[Danoinark]

Yes Wayne I remember that picture also. I had a few more but for the life of me I couldn't locate them. I know it use to appear on the website of the Arkansas Nature Conservancy but I checked and they are no longer there even though it says so...Dan