Issue on The Buffalo

[Canoe_Codger]

It does give a glimmer of hope that if the commercial enterprise cannot be stopped by interested parties, at least it may be, or fears allayed due to review and oversight, by the intervention of the Feds via interests of the NPS since they have now been made aware of the permit. I am surprised that they were not made aware of the application from the start. But then again...

[Half Ton]

@ hollohead, hey man sorry to dash your hopes of changing this particular outcome there for a day, but I hope you mean that you had almost given up on this one sensational issue, and not the much larger issues that are still out there beyond the scope of large animal agriculture operations.

The issues that have been ignored for decades (the ones responsible for so much algae in the river for instance) and for which outcomes are still way much more within all of our abilities to address before they get worse. On a side note, for every couple thousand people that are made to believe I guess having a few that don’t like/want to see the other side and get weary at heart will happen. So I am glad you are back in the game, if it means helping to address all of the other issues out there and not jumping on the anti-large animal ag bandwagon. To me, this issue about the farm is about CAFO’s in ARKANSAS and not the Buffalo. The Buffalo is just getting used here as a spring board for the CAFO issue to me from my perspective. Lot’s of props to you no matter what either way hollohead, having folks like you out there that care is awesome, just getting that care to be directed to the right outlet to work with people to make a difference is the next step.

@Sig, yeah buddy, Cargill and Tyson Kool-Aid!!!!!!! It pays for more of my stewardship activities than ACC or Ozark Society combined. And their volunteers are just as numerous if not more so than ACC or OS at many of the events I carry out by myself and with others in the water quality education and outreach profession.

Now with all of that kool aid money (Which is still about 0.012 % of the money that comes from the EPA and which pays for my work.) : ) Is a very big reason to look at Ag in a more positive light than what is occurring with all of this sensationalism LOL). Sign me up for ag coolaid any day because I like to eat and value the farmer whether at an organic mom and pop farm or a corporate farm, that a ma or pa run. Not to mention, have you ever seen the guvment subsidies for sugar for the cool aid.

FYI – the reason I relate to the local population of farmers in Newton County, and much of the Ozarks is because I grew up on a farm, I’ve worked on farms, and I’ve seen a log of agricultural producers/communities take big hits for not being stewards when in most cases they are paying $10,000 or more to put BMPs into place to protect water quality. All at the same time, much of the general public does not even know what a water quality BMP is, how they work, or that farmers have been using them for a long time. Being from Johnson County, just south of Newton County, I tend to understand the locals (prior to hippie/environmental move-in folk) perspective. Right now the farmer is the underdog, and the sensational river killing is well, Sensational. And it is sensational because people are ganging up against CAFO’s, but not because CAFO’s really pose a danger to the Buffalo. The Buffalo is just getting used here to attempt and stop CAFO’s in Arkansas from my perspective.

So this farmer and Jp (decision maker on the local scale that impact decisions for another two decades) is the type I’m talking about winning over with a slightly different approach than what is being used currently. The type you can’t win over by causing a stink like is happening now, if anything he and the entire Mount Judea Community are going to dig in deeper and be more convicted than ever to bring in more CAFO’s. So not only is this sensational issue, sensational but it is going to have a completely opposite effect of the so called intended one. By the way, I’ll still throw you a line and run your shuttle any day SIG.

http://newtoncountytimes.com/news/jp-ji ... f887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; local Jp Perspective just goes to show, the approach made them feel they were the problem, and they don’t care to listen. So, not going to withdraw permit, which is the only outcome that could likely stop this thing now, because the other avenues out there just ain’t gonna happen.

In this one here, a local water manager is talking about the fact that the river has been under attack for the last 20 years (he fails to mention that anyone has proactively been working to prevent this with exception of dog-patch septic). He is a local that disagrees with the outsiders on the hog farm, but everyone can agree the river is under stress (although not all realize this stress will become even greater from other sources that have not yet been addressed)
http://newtoncountytimes.com/news/carl- ... f887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; local water manager perspective, is accurate. The river is already showing symptoms of 20 yrs or more of no watershed management. Outsider conservation coalition and he actually agree on this point)

http://newtoncountytimes.com/news/none- ... 963f4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; jp has no authority in this case at this time. Could though, have authority in future. And this is why always trying to work with these folk rather than attack is one heck of a good move.

http://newtoncountytimes.com/news/quoru ... f887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Buffalo River Chamber of Commerce - a little sensational and video shows clearly that the local (pre-enviro movement) population is opposed. Word selection of “kill the river”, “eco-system” , “CAFO”, and “in other states” kind of solidified the fact that none of the local decision makers really heard any of that. On a side note I was speaking with someone from there and I just mentioned some of the phrases, and this person that has been out of the loop could name the individuals that those statements came from....Telling??? I think so.


OK – NOW FOR AN ESSAY ON THE HISTORY BEHIND SOME OF THE LOCAL LOGIC AND NPS LOGIC- Written by a long time Newton County Resident (oddly enough this is a role reversal of sorts as compared to the past)


Conflict Resolution in the Buffalo River Watershed
Newton County, Arkansas

Newton County is a small mountainous county located in Northwest Arkansas. It is one of the most rural counties in the state and is the home of the Buffalo River National Park, the Ozark National Forest and the only free roaming elk herd in the central United States. 63% of Newton County’s land base is managed by government, with the U.S. Forest Service being the major landowner by far.
Much of the conflict in Newton County is based on the establishment and management of this public land.
In the mid 1960’s the Federal Government developed plans to dam the Buffalo River, an Ozark stream known for its canoeing and fishing opportunities. This was on the heels of several projects in the Ozarks that formed lakes for recreation and hydro power, including Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork. A battle developed between local interests that were in favor of a lake and outside interests that were in favor of preserving the Buffalo River. A detailed account of this process can be found in Dr. Neil Compton’s book, Battle for the Buffalo.
In 1972, The federal government established the Buffalo River National Park. This was through intense land purchase negotiations and condemnations. Stories still abound about the tactics of the federal government to obtain land for the park. The establishment of the park is one of the foundations of all conflict in Newton County today, establishing a clear and distinct line between Natives ( anti park) and Newcomers (pro river).
Timber harvest off the Ozark National Forest was considered to be the foundation to a prosperous timber industry. In the early 1970's, an influx of people began to immigrate into Newton County. This new population, drawn by the remoteness and natural beauty of the county, tended to be educated, environmentally aware, and very different from the native population. One major change brought on by these newcomers was a concern over how timber was managed in the National Forest. Efforts to affect timber harvest in the National Forest by these newly arrived environmentalists were viewed by the local population as a direct assault on their way of life. The population polarized into several “camps” and the tense environment made compromise difficult.
Local environmentalists formed “The Newton County Wildlife Association”, with the main objective of eliminating timber harvest altogether from the Ozark National Forest. With this objective in mind, the organization began to file lawsuits to stop the harvest. They were supported in their efforts by the National Serra Club, which in turn elevated the conflict from a local problem to a national issue. Although court decisions eventually went against the Newton County Wildlife Association, timber harvest stopped altogether during the proceedings.
Angered by loss of jobs and direct attacks on their way of life, local citizens, loggers, and sawmill operators formed “The Society for the Preservation of our Ozark Culture” (SPOC).
Tempers flared, random acts of violence and vandalism took place, and the polarization of the community found its way even to the four school districts in the county, where “disruptions” increased over previous years.
County stakeholders, including environmentalists, loggers, sawmillers, the county judge and other government officials came together to participate in a collaborative process between the U.S. Forest Service and the University of Arkansas called “Building Common Ground”. Through this process, these diverse interests decided to attempt dialogue for their own protection and for the future generations of Newton County. As the ####, I was asked to lead the effort.
Currently, this diverse group of county residents meet monthly to discuss issues affecting the natural resources and people of Newton County. Dialogue has allowed everyone to put a face on their adversary, and to work person to person instead of group to group. It has improved the comfort zone for discussion, making it possible to talk “to” someone as opposed to “at” someone. Because of a commitment to dialogue, compromises between the Newton County Wildlife Association and the Forest Service now enable timber sales to take place without threat of lawsuit or demonstration.
In bringing these groups toward constructive dialogue, I found that there are some basic things that are necessary before attempting conflict resolution, especially in Newton County, Arkansas:
Buy in From the Group
Everyone participating in the process must have ownership in the group. When you hear participants referring to group as “OUR” instead of “ THIS or THEIR” group, you are well on your way. There also needs to be a willingness to commit to the process. Participants must be willing to try. Notice that I didn’t say, “desire” to commit. Sometime willingness is the best you can get.
Balanced Representation
NEVER, give anyone the ability to say that they were excluded from the process. Make sure all stakeholders, regardless of how obnoxious you think they may be, are at least invited to participate. If they make the decision not to participate, then that was their decision to make. This is the only way to build ownership in the process. Maintain an atmosphere of openness in everything you do, because even the perception of secrecy can completely eliminate participation.
There are also things that many people think are necessary, but really aren’t. Don’t lose faith if you don’t have:
Resolved Conflict
The term “conflict resolution” is really a misnomer. Conflict reduction and organization would probably be more accurate. The objective of conflict resolution as practiced in Newton County is to redirect it into a positive way to achieve mutually acceptable objectives. We don’t eliminate conflict, we try to use it for good.
Money
We all look for ways of providing revenue for our organizations and programs, and conflict resolution work is a great topic to pitch, but let’s be serious. You don’t have to have money to reduce conflict, you simply have to want to reduce conflict. There are resource professionals available from numerous organizations that would be glad to help. Don’t let lack of funds stop a good idea.
Projects and Time Tables
Stay focused on your objective. If dialogue is the critical concern, don’t throw all your efforts into completing a project and staying on schedule. Dialogue in itself is a very justifiable objective. Many of us are “project” oriented, and do not feel fully whole unless working on a “project”. Keep your eye on your ultimate objective.
There are some things to avoid as well. These are things that can drag a process to failure:
Labels
Avoid labels, and avoid being labeled yourself. We are usually identified by the groups with which we affiliate. We are assumed to have the same attitudes, goals and objectives as these groups. One of the first steps toward positive constructive dialogue is to separate individuals from the interest groups they represent. In Newton County, this was accomplished by giving everyone an opportunity to tell the group who they were, who they represented, and their hopes for the future. People began to realize that most had the same hopes and dreams for the future. The main cause of conflict was in how to make it happen.
Loaded Words
You need to have a general knowledge of the groups involved in your process. Every group and locality has their own vocabulary of “loaded “words. Many a project has been held up or lost completely because someone placed the wrong meaning to something that was said.
Examples of Newton County loaded words and their local definitions:
* Eco - System - I’m from the government and I want to take your job.
* Any word that has “Bio” as a prefix (biosystem, biosphere) - I’m from the government and want to take your land.
* Facilitate - Governmental process for eliminating public input and information.
* Multi-Use Management - Everything but timber.
* Public Hearing - Governmental process for convincing naive people that they had input in a decision.

The fact is that perception equals reality. If the use of a locally loaded word makes you appear to be something you are not, it may take months, if ever, to over come the damage.
We are still talking among ourselves in Newton County. One of the participants of our group stated, with agreement from the rest, that the intensity and level of conflict in the past is not possible in Newton County today. Why? Because we are talking among ourselves.
Conflict resolution is worth the effort.
Don’t make the Ag Community any more of an enemy than has happened so far. They own most of the land in the state behind the government, and are in control of how that land is managed, and they make up a vast majority of our states economy. Make friends with them and get them to work with us to protect our waterways. Don’t make them our enemies so that they will never listen to us.

By the Way, THE ONE ARTICLE that I’ve read and accurately describes the situation, but does also have some of the sensational links people have been feeding off of is here: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com ... 8myk5aI%3D" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

P.S. – If you side that CAFO’s are bad.....don’t buy your food from anyone other than an organic or small farm, because most of the stuff in your local supermarket comes from large AG operations that are attempting to help feed the world for which there is not enough food for the hungry.

[hollohead]

Halfton, sometimes when one lectures endlessly it might be wise to know who you are lecturing. I was at the meeting, I sat with the hog fans intentionally to get a feel for the situation, and after sizing up the crowd, decided it would be better to lay low. Again, this issue is not about CAFO in Arkansas, it is about CAFO in the Buffalo National River watershed. Here's another question for you, perhaps you will actually address this one. Why was Gov. Faubus able to stop the US Corp of Engineers, the most powerful federal agency of the day, with one letter, and yet Mike Beebe cannot stop a state agency who's job is to look out for the state's environmental issues? I live 3 miles from Hemmed In Hollow, but we are in the Osages watershed, my neighbor is spreading manure on his fields this week, definitely smell it, definitely going into the Osage, pouring in over the beautiful waterfall above the Mushroom rocks. I wished I owned his land so this didn't happen, but I don't, and it's not the Buffalo, I don't give it a second thought. Of course I'm aware that this is happening all along the Buffalo's watershed as well, and this is a problem with water quality. Newton County has two awesome things going for it, small farm culture, and the Buffalo River. CAFO will destroy both.

[Half Ton]

Hollow head, I respect you and your viewpoints. Just can't agree with em all. To be honest I thought there might be a chameleon or two in the local non conservation no cafo coalition.

I get that you live next to a farm of some kind where manure of some kind is land applied. Now is a great time to apply manure as fertilizer. Little rain in the forcast for the next week, and was not applied just before the last heavy rain. Most folks don't know, manure is a much better and environmentally friendly fertilizer as compared to commercial fertilizer. Manure increases the soils infiltration capacity, encourages vigerous forage growh, and is only partially water soluble. That means that it does not readily dissolve into runoff water as much as commercial fertilizer which can all dissolve into water and does not increase water infiltration into the soil.

I'll bet a little still runs off, but not as much as if it wer ammonium nitrate or triple super phosphate. Granted manure doesn't smell good to many. Bad smell doesn't always translate into bad water quality though, but most people think that is the case for sure. Everyone pollutes a little bit, and everyone is responsible for helping to protect. I don't recommend anyone to make a stink until they have made sure they don't stink a bit too.

Otherwise progress is not made very well or is even possible.

Most of all of the small farms feed into large animal at operations at some point, so unless most of the farmers in rural arkansas raise their beef jus for themmor their family and friends you can bet it goes to a large cafo at some point in time. You also might not be aware that even small farms can fit into the cafo reg according to the letter of the law.

I have never paddled the Osage but want to badly one of these days. Hopefully you have not black listed me yet for the fairly vigorous though fair opposite position on this one. I'll agree to disagree, but had some points that needed to be made. I only keep chiming in to set the record straight for each of the points that were made and I did not believe to be accurate. Balancing the dialogue do to speak.

I listened to everyone and kept quiet as long as I could stand it, and then it was just to much to hold back anymore. This is where my head is 99% of the time, so I've thought about it all very deeply and understand it all very well. Although, I am still learning and will never come close to knowing it all.

I'll hold off on the politics of it all, but you must admit that the dam with no doubt had very straight forward consequences, where the cafo does not. The cafo has maybe potential impacts that might harm the river rather than definite impacts "that will kill the river". Then look at the political climate of the day, the role agriculture plays in our state, and to top it off people that don't want to interfere with what is already perceived as "over regulation".

[MissEllie]

"The Story" will play tomorrow (Tuesday) / The report is scheduled to air March 12th at noon on “Ozarks at Large” the daily news hour on KUAF National Public Radio 91.3fm, repeated at 7pm. Or find it on line or stream the station at KUAF.com

We want to keep the poop out of the Buffalo!

More & more information is coming out. Yes paddlers may or pay not "cloud" the waters but 6,000+ piggies poop a lot more than we do & they poop every day where we may not paddle every day.

Listen to this story - I will post some links tomorrow that might be of interest .

[jclaudii]

Has there been any further info or follow up to this? I miss a few week or so and I'm back to combing the internet for information.