Legislature failing us

It appears our Arkansas Legislature doesn’t know if it’s pitching or catching. To be specific, it doesn’t know a farm when it sees one, and it doesn’t know a national river when it sees one. I commend the governor in his handling of the huge mess he inherited. He sought to end the immediate threat to the Buffalo National River, be fair to all parties involved, and provide more permanent protection. The Legislature, however, has failed for now in that last goal.

First, the Legislature appears to call it a farm if Farm Bureau says it’s a farm, even if it’s a large commercial feeding operation owned by a foreign corporation—as in the case of C&H Hog “Farms”—that couldn’t care less about Arkansas. They also appear to be heavily influenced by Farm Bureau, because I see no other explanation for their action that makes sense.

Second, for many generations the Buffalo River has been lauded for the recreational, economic, and spiritual provisions she has offered to millions—so much so that it became America’s first national river. It was a designation given at a time when there was no such designation. But the Legislature appears to see the Buffalo as any other state stream and is afraid other watersheds would demand the same protection. At least that’s the reason given. No consideration of science (the nature of the surrounding soil), economic benefits (tourists, jobs, money), the opinions of thousands of Arkansans, the recommendation of the governor, or anything else.

DAVID JONES Heber Springs