Missouri’s state parks and historic sites are more than areas for recreation and relaxation. They
are in peril, and it is important to preserve these areas.
Factory farms — concentrated animal-feeding operations — are encroaching too near these parks
and historic sites. CAFOs produce tons of manure and waste, the amount produced by a medium-
sized city. Yet, in too many cases, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has neglected to
regulate these factory farms, their toxic runoff into our streams, and the smell that can overwhelm
our parks and historic sites. Meanwhile, the list of threatened sites is growing: Roaring River,
Arrow Rock, Battle of Athens, the Harry S Truman birthplace.
The Missouri Division of State Parks has asked for citizen input into their Vision for the Second
Century. They ask that you to go online at www.mostateparks.com/
Visioning.htm and comment on ideas for the vision. The Web site will remain up through Jan. 31.
Your ideas will be incorporated into the list. Please make your voice heard. Please contact the
Division of State Parks to voice your concern that our parks not be crowded out by these factories.
Sensible neighbors, and a sensible Division of State Parks, can find ways to keep our parks and
historic sites separate from factory farms.
On a separate front close to home, the Roaring River Parks Alliance, a not-for-profit alliance of
citizens, is doing something about it. The battle against the CAFO near Roaring River and any
future attempts to build more in close proximity to state parks needs your assistance. A hearing
this spring will be decisive on the future of these operations. Donations for legal expenses are
needed. Please send contributions to: Roaring River Parks Alliance, care of Security Bank of
Southwest Missouri, P.O. Box 606, Cassville, MO 65625.
Thank you for helping save our proud heritage for future generations.
Mark Stephenson
Manure Shipped to Missouri
This is wonderful that a company turned around and started the organic thing. Uh, wait a minute.
Read down about half way into the article and manure is being shipped to Missouri. "Isn't that
special" as the little old church lady used to say. Where in Missouri and where is the DNR on the
oversight of imported waste into the state. I don't believe that we are having nutrient and bacteria
problems and out of state feces is clouding our water quality. Time to stop this bootlegging
operations moving their waste into our state. Read the complete story