South Central Missouri 13 County National Heritage Area Proposed 

    Thirteen  south central Missouri counties are being considered for inclusion in a proposed National Heritage Area designation by a West Plains group.  Members of the Ozarks Property Rights Congress were made aware of  a  government funded  feasibility study initiated by Ozark Action at their recent meeting.
     The targeted counties are Texas, Wright, Douglas, Carter, Dent, Howell, Iron, Oregon, Ozark, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Wayne.
     According to available information  on an Ozark Action letter head, grant money obtained by Ozark Action is being used to hire a Kansas City firm, Jeffrey L. Bruce and Co. to do the study. Mike McGrew of that company says in a release that his company is working with Ozark Action to create an official feasibility document that the National Park Service will review. He says that, “NPS does have specific  criteria to follow including resource inventories that document the significant features in a potential National Heritage Area.”
     The National Park Service oversees the NHA program and funnels money to a local governing board which regulates the area with Park Service approval.  Inclusion in the national program requires an act of Congress and support of the congress person from the district involved.
     While supporters of the effort tout it as a way to preserve cultural heritage, opponents see NHA designation as a  form of Federal land use zoning.  Nationwide, property rights groups oppose the program as a conduit for imposing outside restrictions on private land use.
     According to Ozark Action information, The Ozarks Heritage Project is a collaborative effort between the West Plains Council on the Arts, Ozarks Action  and Missouri State University-West Plains. The organizers are funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division. There is also funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
 MSU-West Plains is providing personnel to fill key positions.

Umbrella Group Planned and Candidates Endorsed at
Private Property Rights Conference

    A group of private property rights protectors adopted a proposal  for a state wide umbrella organization and endorsed two candidates for the U.S. Congress at their gathering Saturday in Cabool. They also heard speeches outlining what can be done to “make a difference” in determining rules and regulations placed on the use of their land and influencing the people making those rules.
    The tenth annual Conference on Private Property Rights, sponsored by the Ozarks Property Rights Congress, heard from candidates running for offices to be decided in the upcoming elections. The OPRC group announced their endorsement of Bob Parker for the 8th congressional district seat and State Senator Chuck Purgason for the U.S. Senate.
    OPRC president Russell Wood proposed an action presented to the group by Ray Cunio to create an inclusive body to speak as one voice for the several property rights advocacy groups scattered throughout the state which were represented at the gathering. “The new entity will enable the various groups to speak with a larger voice on common matters when appropriate,”  Cunio said.
    Carolin and Bill Burch were honored with  the group’s REAL Conservationist award, given each year for extra ordinary work in the effort to preserve private property rights. Wood said their recognition was long overdue after years of tireless effort to the cause.
    Carolin Burch, when announcing the endorsement of Parker and Purgason,  pointed out that OPRC had never endorsed a candidate before, but felt they “are our people and deserve our support.”  On the state level, OPRC member Mike Lind is seeking nomination in the 143 state representative race.
    Featured speakers at the all day event, which was opened with a greeting by State Representative Don Wells, were Ray Cunio, Paul Hamby,  Doreen Hannes and Ron Calzone

DVDs of the 10th Conference on Private Property Rights are available
from Recording Masters – Rt. 1, Box 816, Cabool, Missouri 65689 
417-962-5688
Thanks Art Hoover of Recording Masters for doing the video this year.
DVDs are $20 each for the first and
$10 each for the next  when delivered to the same address,
payable in advance by Visa, Mastercard, or
checks made payable to Recording Masters.
Contact Art for special pricing on larger orders
The DVDs will also be available at the Mountain Grove meeting in August and at Gainesville in September.

9th Conference on Private Property Rights
Saturday - August 1
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cinema II Theatre, S. Highway 181, Cabool, Missouri

Sponsored by Ozarks Property Rights Congress

The theme for this year’s Conference is How Local Citizens Can Deal With Intrusive Governmental Agencies & Non-Governmental Organizations

Speakers:

State Senator Chuck Purgason will give his inspirational perspective on protecting ourselves from agencies.

Dr. Max Thornsberry, President of R-CALF USA will talk about the National Animal Identification System and the USDA.

Ray Cunio, Citizens for Private Property Rights, will discuss The Clean Water Restoration Act,   its connection with  Missouri DNR’s Stream Re-Classification and how these tie in with Agenda 21.  A representative from Missouri DNR has been invited to speak.

Bob Parker will be speaking on EPA and DNR plans for Missouri watersheds.

Doreen Hannes will bring us up to speed on the regulation of normal gardening and home-grown food practices. International treaties are effecting proposed legislation to control our gardens.

The afternoon schedule will culminate with a panel discussion/question and answer session.

For the 6th year, The REAL Conservationist Award will be given.  Previous recipients are: (2003)Sarah Steelman, (2004)The Texas County Commissioners: Joe Whetstine, Don Shellhammer, Linda Garrett, (2005)Wanda Benton, (2006) Ray Cunio and Derry Brownfield, (2007)Chuck Purgason and Russell Wood, (2008)Doreen Hannes, and Mary Rivera.

DVDs of the USDA/NAIS Listening Session, June 9, 2009 in Jefferson City will be available for purchase. We will also have a videographer there to video the Conference with DVDs available about after the Conference.

Admission is free, but donations are welcome!

Complimentary coffee & doughnuts at about 8:30 a.m.

A catered lunch is available on grounds. The menu includes pulled pork, or chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, cobbler, & ice tea all for $6.50.  Or you can seek lunch on your own at area restaurants.

Ozarks Property Rights Congress Meeting
March 26 – 7:00 p.m.
Hayloft Restaurant – Mountain Grove, Missouri

Come early if you care to eat, as no food is allowed in the meeting room, due to limited restaurant staff.

DNR  is on the agenda

We will be discussing more on the Missouri DNR  proposed expanded water quality regulations. The amended rules may result in expanded control on agricultural practices, such as nutrients, ammonia, sediments and bacteria. The DNR has asked for PRC involvement in discussions through participation in the Water Classification (Small Streams) Workgroup.

Reports from the January and February workgroup meetings as well as upcoming meetings of the workgroup can be found at this web address: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/cwforum/adv-uncl-waters-wetlands.htm  

Are we making a difference with our input to DNR?

Here are copies of 3 emails sent between OPRC President Russell Wood and Phil Schroeder after Mr. Schroeder and DNR’s Rob Morrison attended the February 26 Ozarks Property Rights Congress meeting in Mountain Grove. They were invited to attend the March12th Gainesville Meeting, as well.

From DNR:
Hi workgroup members -

The meeting on March 19 of the Water Classification (Small Streams) Workgroup has been cancelled.

The department is still gathering information to respond to several requests from workgroup members.  Specifically, we are gathering information on the status of various other state programs in classifying smaller streams into their water quality standards.  In addition, we are compiling information on how other states have implemented their programs and how they have handled the challenges we’ve discussed.  From this information, we wish to summarize the likely impacts of a rulemaking which classifies a wider number of streams in Missouri.  Our summary would describe the impacts to both point sources and non-point sources.

This information is essential to furthering constructive discussion on the stream classification issue.  We feel it is a requisite to identifying an appropriate regulatory path.  Therefore, we wish to complete our search for information before conducting the next meeting.

We expect to have the information gathered and compiled in time for our meeting on April 16.  Thanks for staying in touch.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
From:  ”c.Russell Wood@hughes.net” <jrwoodprc@hughes.net>
To:  ”Phil Schroeder” <phil.schroeder@dnr.mo.gov>
Date:  03/06/2009 09:49 AM
Subject:  Re: March 19 Meeting Cancelled - Water Classification Workgroup

Phil,
    Sorry you will not be with us at next week’s meeting but again I thank you and Rob for coming to Mtn. Grove. That meeting gave you a perspective of what the landowners think. And after all, they are the REAL conservationist.
    My own observation is; Wouldn`t your time and resources be better spent studying the need for or lack of need for additional regulations on small streams in Missouri, rather than what`s being done in other states? Aren`t our streams and conditions unique? Shouldn`t the determinations be made here? We`ve seen other examples of agencies copying out of state practices that have been absolute boondoggles.
    As a sovereign state we should be able to make our own decisions based on our own set of circumstances and facts. Isn`t that why we have 50 states?
Respectfully,
Russell Wood
__________________________________________________________________________________________
—– Original Message —–
From: Phil Schroeder
To: c.Russell Wood@hughes.net
Cc: Rob Morrison
Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 10:19 AM
Subject: Re: March 19 Meeting Cancelled - Water Classification Workgroup
Mr. Wood,

Rob and I brought back a clear sense of the views held by the members of the Ozarks Property Rights Congress.  We appreciate the clarity in the message made by the members.    

The department agrees that rules should serve a meaningful purpose and that the purpose be specific to benefiting the people of Missouri.  Much of our discussion that evening revolved around how the department could respond to the demands of a federal law while serving the state’s needs.  Your group reminds us of the importance of carefully examining the options for regulatory action, as well as searching for options to avoid new rules, especially when the stated need for action initiates at the federal level.  

Thanks again for the opportunity to share thoughts on this emerging issue.  We look forward to our future discussions with you and your members.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Updates on the renewed push in Congress to mandate NAIS

We are doing everything possible to get legislators to understand what NAIS is and what it is not! It is not a solution for food safety problems. Increased incidence of meat recalls are from contamination at the meatpacker level, not producer level. The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill included $14.5 million for NAIS.

R-CALF USA is constantly in touch with members of Congress attempting to get the message across to them.  Max Thornsbury, R-CALF USA president, testified on March 11  before the  U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. After his testimony, he commented “Rather than listen to the recommendations of actual livestock producers, Congress and USDA are listening to the eartag companies and meatpackers that stand to make millions of dollars, if not billions, off NAIS,” Thornsberry said. For a complete look at what was said in that hearing go to the R-CALF link and then click on Animal ID.

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bills to keep your eyes on

Some disturbing bills are floating through Congress. Check them out.

HR 875 (Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009)

This bill sends up a red flag on the ability to grow our own food.  Check out Section 3, Definitions, Section 14. (14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term `food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation. I take this to mean, this bill will regulate everything we grow, including our backyard gardens. Go to this website and type in HR 875 to read the complete bill:  http://thomas.loc.gov/
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Also, on the red flag list are the “Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act” and  “Serve America Act”

At best these are overly expensive pieces of legislation that spread more government ideas throughout the nation’s school systems. Read about them and read the bills themselves. Then call your legislators and give them your conclusions.

Click on the link to read the entire article about these bills (an excerpt is provided below the web address):  http://www.prisonplanet.com/house-passes-mandatory-national-service-bill.html

Thursday, March 19, 2009
The House passed a bill yesterday which includes disturbing language indicating young people will be forced to undertake mandatory national service programs as fears about President Barack Obama’s promised “civilian national security force” intensify.
 The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, known as the GIVE Act, was passed yesterday by a 321-105 margin and now goes to the Senate.
 Under section 6104 of the bill, entitled “Duties,” in subsection B6, the legislation states that a commission will be set up to investigate, “Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.”
 Section 120 of the bill also discusses the “Youth Engagement Zone Program” and states that “service learning” will be “a mandatory part of the curriculum in all of the secondary schools served by the local educational agency.”
 “The legislation, slated to cost $6 billion over five years, would create 175,000 “new service opportunities” under AmeriCorps, bringing the number of participants in the national volunteer program to 250,000. It would also create additional “corps” to expand the reach of volunteerism into new sectors, including a Clean Energy Corps, Education Corps, Healthy Futures Corps and Veterans Service Corps, and it expands the National Civilian Community Corps to focus on additional areas like disaster relief and energy conservation,” reports Fox News. The Senate is also considering a similar piece of legislation known as the “Serve America Act,” which also includes language about “Youth Engagement Zones”.