FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 34

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES HAMPTON (Sponsor), BURLISON, REDMON, RICHARDSON, CRAWFORD, WALLINGFORD, HOUGHTON, WRIGHT, FRAKER, COOKSON, WYATT, LASATER, ASBURY, HIGDON, FITZWATER, CROSS AND WETER (Co-sponsors).

1392L.02I

            WHEREAS, the Mark Twain National Forest, the only national forest in Missouri, is 1.5 million acres spread across 29 counties, with 1.4 million acres open to public hunting, 14 floatable streams, and 16 lakes ranging from 3 to 44 acres; and

            WHEREAS, the Mark Twain National Forest is located in southern and central Missouri, and extends from the St. Francois Mountains in the southeast to dry rocky glades in the southwest, from the prairies lands along the Missouri River to the nation's most ancient mountains in the south; and

            WHEREAS, the Mark Twain National Forest is popular with hunters, trappers, anglers, and persons who enjoy observing, studying, and photographing wildflowers and wildlife; and

            WHEREAS, the Mark Twain National Forest has approximately 320 species of birds, 75 species of mammals, and 125 species of amphibians and reptiles; and

            WHEREAS, named after Missouri native, Mark Twain, the National Forest gets a variety of visitors through the year, including spring and fall, when color changes the forest; and

            WHEREAS, on January 8, 2009, the United States Forest Service Travel Management Rule, 36 CFR 212, Subpart B, became effective. This Rule requires each national forest or ranger district to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicles; and

            WHEREAS, the designations under the Rule include class of vehicle and, where appropriate, time of year for motor vehicle use; and

            WHEREAS, once these designations are completed, the Rule will prohibit motor vehicle use off the designated system or inconsistent with the designations; and

            WHEREAS, these designations will be made locally, with public input and in coordination with state, local, and tribal governments; and

            WHEREAS, these designations will be shown on a motor vehicle map, with any use inconsistent with those designations prohibited; and

            WHEREAS, the Travel Management Rule limits access to areas of the forest, especially for the disabled and elderly. Many disabled and elderly persons enjoy hunting, fishing, and observing nature and wildlife; and

            WHEREAS, many areas of the forest are only accessible by hiking, so further restrictions on motor vehicle usage in the National Forest will significantly reduce access to the wide range of learning and recreational opportunities available in the Mark Twain National Forest:

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-sixth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby urge the United States Forest Service to amend or rescind the Travel Management Rule, 36 CFR 212, Subpart B, and allow an increase in motor vehicle access to areas of the Mark Twain National Forest; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for Tom Tidwell, Chief of the United States Forest Service, and each member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation.

•