Volume 21, No. 2 May, 2003 Bonnie Stepenoff, Editor Most Threatening Bills Stopped Back to the Current In 2003 State Legislature by John Karel by David Bedan, MPA Legislative Chair The official slogan these days of Current trends in the Missouri ended on May 16, nearly all of the our Division of Tourism is General Assembly are very worst bills were defeated. Some “Missouri...Where the Rivers disturbing for anyone concerned of the worst were defeated in the Run”. Although most such slogans about the conservation of Senate on the last day of the are largely salesmanship, this one Missouri’s natural resources. legislative session. The most happens to be a bona fide Dozens of bills and budgetary damaging bills that passed related reflection of the central role of proposals were introduced which to DNR’s General Revenue freshwater streams in the human would have rolled back the gains Budget and to its earmarked and natural history of our in environmental protection and environmental funds. crossroads state. From the continent-draining giants of the the conservation of natural Cuts to DNR’s Budget Missouri and Mississippi, to the resources that Missourians have rivulets of clean clear water made over the last 30 years. The budget process is being bubbling from thousands of hidden Some of these bills threatened the used to drastically weaken the springs, Missouri’s rivers and Missouri Division of Parks; others DNR which is responsible for the streams have defined our would have weakened the implementation of most of landscapes, shaped our vegetation Missouri Department of Natural Missouri’s existing environmental and wildlife, and determined the Resources (DNR) and the protection laws. There is no doubt patterns of settlement, exploration, Missouri Department of that Missouri, like many other and transportation ever since Conservation (MDC). However, humans ventured onto this land. It when the 2003 legislative session (See "Bills" on Page 4) is arguable that no state has a more intimate relation to its rivers or retains a more impressive abundance of free flowing streams than Missouri. Of this wealth of streams, many would argue that none are more emblematic, beloved, or beautiful than the Current River and its tributary, the Jacks Fork. Known even in colonial times to French trappers as La Riviere Courante, “the Running River”, the Current River is a classic and choice embodiment of the deep Ozarks: largely spring fed, flowing through a steep valley cut into the tesy of Greg Iffrig ancient Ozark plateau, curving between sharp meanders defined by tall sheer bluffs of dolomite and limestone, with caves, shelters and Photo cour (See "Current" on Page 3) Looking downstream at the Current River from Bee's Bluff Page 2 The Missouri Parks Association “Meramec” Miracles & Milestones –The Rebirth of a River By Ron Coleman and Dan Drees Twenty-five years ago on Vilander Bluffs, the tallest and Sullivan, at (573) 468-6072. The 7th August 8, 1978, Missouri voters most spectacular bluffs along the Annual Meramec River Watershed made the decision to allow the river. In Meramec State Park Celebration is scheduled for Meramec River to remain a free near Sullivan, the 90-foot-tall Saturday, July 26, 2003 at flowing stream and de-authorized a riverside entrance to Green’s Meramec State Park. The project to impound the river. Cave, is now protected. celebration includes educational Stopping the dam project has led to The 6,225 acre Huzzah programs, exhibits, award the permanent protection of some Conservation Area managed by presentations and family activities of the Meramec River’s most the Missouri Department of to recognize Stream Team significant natural wonders and has Conservation near Leasburg offers volunteers and greenway created an emerging greenway an abundance of outdoor supporters’ hard work and rich in conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities such as dedication over the past year. A recreation benefit. hunting, fishing and hiking. The special evening program, 6:00-9:00 This summer Missouri citizens Department of Conservation also p.m., “Meramec-Past, Present & of all ages will have a special manages many conveniently Future,” this year will include opportunity to hear the truly unique located river accesses along the entertainment, refreshments and a and historic story from experts of Meramec making the river inviting program on how a dam was how a dam was stopped and a and accessible to all users. stopped and a river saved. Call river was saved. They will also be Just a short distance from the 866-983-9900 to register for the able to get their feet wet and doorsteps of millions of evening event participate in numerous river Missourians, the Meramec • Aug. 2: Mussels in the related activities and events to Watershed has become a backyard Meramec, Castlewood State Park, celebrate the renaissance of the playground that accommodates a Ballwin, (636) 227-4433. Meramec and its natural qualities. wide variety of recreation pursuits Freshwater mussels were once The headwaters of the while offering tens of thousands of numerous and diverse in most Meramec River begin in the acres of healthy habitat for fish rivers in Missouri but now are one Ozarks near Salem and the river and wildlife. of the most threatened animal travels for 228 miles to join the To commemorate the river’s 25 groups in North America. Mississippi River south of St. years of hard earned freedom Freshwater mussel experts will be Louis. The Meramec’s spring-fed numerous events along the at one of the gravel bars in the waters have provided a summer Meramec River are planned this park to show visitors these haven for many canoeists, summer to recognize some of the overlooked animals that clean our fishermen and water-lovers in miracles and milestones that have streams. general. What some do not realize led to its renaissance. Participants • Aug. 8, “Meramec” is that the Meramec River is home in these events will learn more Miracles & Milestones-Rebirth to the greatest variety of aquatic about the river’s restoration and of a River, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., life in the Midwest. New native the unique character of the natural Powder Valley Conservation species are still being discovered in wonders that survive in and around Nature Center, Kirkwood. The the river. the Meramec. evening will feature an entertaining Thousands of acres of public • July 26: A Wade in the program, music, refreshments, land border the Meramec River Meramec, Meramec State Park, exhibits by local & state artists and today. Following the de- Sullivan, (573) 468-6072. The organizations and the premier of a authorization of the dam, the Meramec River contains 120 (21 new Meramec River video. Hear Missouri Department of Natural percent) of the 574 native first hand the story of how a river Resources created Onondaga freshwater fish species in North was saved by those who worked Cave State Park near Leasburg. America, including a darter that is tirelessly for years to halt the Onondaga Cave has been only found in the Meramec. Join construction of the Meramec Dam. designated a National Natural park staff in a refreshingly wet This event highlights the Landmark because of the exploration of the Meramec River renaissance of the Meramec as a abundance and quality of its cave from a large gravel bar island. valued asset for all Missourians. A speleothems. Also now protected • July 26: Watershed celebration of the miracles and in Onondaga Cave State Park are Celebration, Meramec State Park, milestones that have helped to May 2003 Heritage Page 3 shape the destiny and the future of this beautiful free flowing stream. MPA Presents Five Awards Call the Open Space Council at Four employees 866-983-9900 for more details or of the Missouri reservations. Department of • Aug. 8, Meramec Freedom Natural Resources’ Canoe Trip, Meramec State Park, Division of State Sullivan, (573) 468-6072. This five- Parks received mile interpretive canoe trip will State Park explore the rich natural and cultural Employee of the history of the Meramec River, Year Awards at including stops at Green’s Cave the MPA board and the proposed Meramec Dam meeting on site. Registration is required. February 5, 2003. • Aug. 9, What Could Have In addition, l-r Larry Newman, Susan Flader, Don Fink, Jane Lale, Been, Onondaga Cave State Park, President Ron Larry Grantham, Ron Coleman Leasburg, (573) 245-6576. The Coleman presented Susan Flader with a special award for her park will offer half-priced cave outstanding service as past president of MPA. tours. The intertwined history of Don Fink, natural resource manager at Route 66 State Park, was Onondaga Cave and the Meramec named field employee of the year. For about six months, Fink stepped in as dam will be highlighted during the superintendent at Sam A. Baker State Park, essentially doing two jobs tours. Reservations are simultaneously and handling them both in a thoroughly professional manner. recommended. Jane Lale, director of the Operations Program, was recognized as • Aug. 23, 36th Annual outstanding facility head for her work at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Operation Clean Stream, contact For more than a year, Lale left her job in the central office to run the Pam Tomasovic at (866) 983- 9900 park after the retirement of the superintendent. or e-mail her at Larry Newman, park maintenance worker at Table Rock State Park, [email protected]. The won the award for maintenance/construction employee of the year. 36th Annual Operation Clean Despite a labor shortage, Newman completed several large projects, Stream is an event that works to including construction of a boat launch and picnic area. promote clean rivers, anti-littering, Larry Grantham, archaeologist in the Cultural and Natural Resource river restoration and a higher Management Program, was singled out as the central office employee of standard of stewardship of the the year.