FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 37

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES LOEHNER (Sponsor), SCHAD, FRANZ, BRUNS, HOBBS, SMITH (150), SCHLOTTACH, JONES (117), SATER, WALLACE, KUESSNER, SELF, HOSKINS (121), GUERNSEY, ALLEN, DETHROW, OXFORD, WILSON (119), SCHARNHORST, SANDER, McGHEE, POLLOCK, SUTHERLAND, BROWN (50), ENGLUND, MUNZLINGER, RUZICKA, COOPER, VIEBROCK, SMITH (14), SHIVELY, QUINN, FISCHER (107), FALLERT, FISHER (125), WALSH AND DAY (Co-sponsors).

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            Whereas, the rivers and streams of the State of Missouri are a great natural resource and benefit to the citizens of Missouri and the aquatic life therein; and

            Whereas, these rivers and streams run through the heartland and fertile bottom lands that produce our abundant food supply; and

            Whereas, the farmers and landowners who have lived and farmed on these stream banks for generations have the right to protect and preserve their precious soil; and

            Whereas, these streams need to be managed in a manner that is beneficial to the stream's aquatic life as well as the farmer's interest in protecting private property; and

            Whereas, the federal and state agencies in charge of regulating in-stream activities, including stream bank stabilization, gravel removal and excavation, willow removal, or a combination thereof, and their commenting groups should use unbiased scientific studies and evidence of projects completed in the past by agencies or individuals; and

            Whereas, the federal and state agencies as well as their commenting groups that are in charge of protecting the aquatic life and environment of these streams and rivers should base their decisions and practices on unbiased scientific studies or facts and not undertake actions to achieve policy goals:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fifth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby promote the use of sound scientific research and data that is produced from unbiased university studies; and

            Be it further resolved that federal and state agencies as well as their commenting groups base past and future decisions and practices involving any stream activity inside the high banks on unbiased scientific university studies along with practices that have been proven effective over generations of landowner implementing; 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 the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service within the United States Department of Interior, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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