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

Joplin