THE BATTLE AGAINST THE BLUEWAY IS NOT OVER! CALL TO ACTION: HEARINGS WILL BE HELD!
Jul. 12, 2013 news-leader.com article by Deirdre Shesgreen
If you thought the battle over the federal Blueways initiative was over, think again.
Reps. Billy Long, R-Springfield, and Jason Smith, R-Salem, have asked leaders of the House Natural Resources Committee to hold a field hearing examining the scope of the program and why the White River was initially included.
The Obama administration launched the Blueways program to promote a “whole river” approach to conservation, recreation and economic opportunities.
The White River won a Blueways designation in January after a coalition of 26 national and local groups—from the National Wildlife Refuge Association to the Arkansas Canoe Club to the Missouri Department of Conservation—applied for the status.
But opposition to the designation mushroomed, with local residents fearing it would lead to increased federal regulation and an infringement on property rights.
The Department of Interior rescinded the designation last week, after a request from Smith and others.
Now, Smith and Long want a House hearing—to be convened in Missouri—to “learn how the National Blueways System designation was initially imposed on the White River watershed in Missouri and how future designations can be prevented.”
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As you’ve read from our previous email, a new MOU regarding Arkansas and Missouri has been found! Secure Arkansas calls on you AND our senators and congressmen to continue fighting the Blueway (and any programs similar to it) in Arkansas and Missouri. Actually, there have already been positive results in other states fighting the Blueway designation. We must oppose this newly-found MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) as well. We are fighting for our private property and water rights!
1) There will be a hearing in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. (room 1334 – Longworth House Office Building) of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Subcommittee on Water and Power entitled “A Washington DC-Based Bureaucratic Invention with Potential Water Conservation and Property Rights Impacts: The National Blueways Order“. Click here to read the Hearing Notice.
2) There will be a hearing in West Plains, Missouri, on Monday, July 29, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the Theater of the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St., to learn how the National Blueways System designation was initially imposed on the White River watershed in Missouri and Arkansas and how future designations can be prevented. The hearing will be titled, Stopping Federal Land and Water Grabs: Protecting Property Rights from Washington, DC Edicts. The hearing will be open to the public on a first come, first serve seating basis. Click here for more information.
U.S. Senators and Congressmen: we ask that you notify us of what you send to the Department of Interior Secretary and any replies that you receive. This is very important to the public.
Secure Arkansas & Secure The Republic Supporters: Contact your U.S. Senators and Congressmen, and make sure that they are sending letters of opposition regarding the NEW MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to the Department of Interior Secretary, Sally Jewell. WE CANNOT STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS!
We need to back off COMPLETELY from these MOUs. This is a states’ rights issue, and we need to keep our constitutional law intact (not regionalize it).
Contact information for the senators & congressmen is below.
Remember, OTHER states are fighting the Blueway designation in their areas, too!
(a few snippets from the article – regarding THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER in WYOMING)
**Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Rep. Cynthia Lummis had previously said the National Blueways System was a federal power grab. But in a statement Tuesday, they said that they received a letter from U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that promised rivers won’t get the federal designation unless states first OK it.
. . .
“What may seem like a harmless federal designation today could have significant impacts down the road on water rights, responsible development and locally-determined conservation efforts,” Lummis said in the statement. “
. . .
Enzi will also hold future Interior Department secretaries to Salazar’s words.
“Wyoming has learned over the years that when the federal government wants to designate something, there are always strings attached,” he said in the statement.
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U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (Ark.) |
U.S. Senator John Boozman (Ark.) |
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Washington D.C. |
Washington D.C. |
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Phone: 202-224-4301 |
Phone: 202-224-4843 |
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Phone: 202-224-5713 |
Fax: 202-228-1371 |
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Rogers |
Little Rock |
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3333 Pinnacle Hill Ste 120 |
1401 W. Capitol Ave., Plaza F |
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Rogers, AR 72758 |
Little Rock, AR 72201 |
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Phone: 479-464-0446 |
Phone: 501-372-7153 |
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Fax: 479-464-0063 |
Fax: 501-372-7163 |
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Mountain Home |
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1001 Hwy. 62 East, Suite 11 |
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U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (Ark.) |
Mountain Home, AR 72653 |
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Washington D.C. |
Phone: 870-424-0129 |
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Phone: 202-225-4076 |
Fax: 870-424-0141 |
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Fax: 202-225-5602 |
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Mountain Home |
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1001 Hwy. 62 East, Suite 11 |
U.S. Senator Mark Pryor (Ark.) |
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Phone: 870-424-2075 |
Washington D.C. |
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Fax: 870-424-3149 |
Phone: 202- 224-2353 |
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crawford.house.gov |
Fax: 202-228-0908 |
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Little Rock |
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U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin (Ark.) |
500 Clinton Ave |
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Washington D.C. |
Little Rock, AR 72201 |
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Phone: 202-225-2506 |
Phone: 501- 324-6336 |
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FAX: 202-225-5903 |
Fax: 501-324-5320 |
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Little Rock |
http://www.pryor.senate.gov/public/index.cfm? |
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1501 NorthUniversity, Ste 150 |
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Little Rock, AR 72207 |
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Phone: 501- 324-5941 |
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Fax: 501- 24-6029 |
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info@timgriffinforcongress.com |
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U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton (Ark.) |
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WashingtonD.C. |
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Phone: 202-225-3772 |
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Clarksville |
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JohnsonCounty Courthouse |
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215 W. Main St., Room 300 |
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Clarksville, AR72830 |
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Phone: 479-754-2120 |
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info@cottonforcongress.com |
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt: Phone: 202-224-5721
U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (MO-08) Phone: 202-225-4404
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From an email we sent on July 4, 2013 regarding the new MOU:
” “Seeking to quell a public backlash, the U.S. Department of the Interior dropped the White River [Watershed National Blueway designation] on Wednesday from a new federal program that recognizes conservation and recreation efforts along waterways.” Click here for the rest of the ABC News article “Feds Rescind White River’s Blueway Designation”.
U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.) issued this response:
“We all agree that we should work to protect our waterways, but a new federal Blueway program is not necessary to improve the cooperation of federal and state agencies on the management of the White River. This designation occurred without a formal process – no public comment, lack of transparency from the federal government, and without the broad support of Arkansans. We are happy to see that Secretary Jewell reviewed the program and heard the concerns of our citizens.”
** Click here to read the entire email/article & get informed. **
You may also find past articles regarding the same topic at our website SecureArkansas.com .