Rep. Robert Ross will continue his defense of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways when he travels to Washington, D.C. to testify in support of two House Resolutions offered by Congressman Jason Smith. Ross will testify before the Subcommittee on Public Land and Environmental Regulation on Tuesday.
HR 4029 would require the Secretary of the Interior to transfer all Federal land, facilities, and any other assets associated with the Ozark National Scenic Riverways to the State of Missouri for the purposes of maintaining a State park. HR 4182 would provide that the Ozark National Scenic Riverways be administered in accordance with the general management plan for that unit of the National Park System. Ross said both pieces of legislation are extremely important to the state’s efforts to prevent the federal government from overregulating an area that is vitally important to the livelihood of many Missourians.
“This is a great opportunity to work with Congressman Smith to push back against the federal government’s efforts to enact overly burdensome regulations. We believe the state of Missouri knows best how to manage the park and ideally we would see the federal government relinquish control to the state,” said Ross, R-Yukon, who was responsible for securing funding in the state budget where money is now available for the operation and maintenance of the ONSR.
“In the event that the ONSR is not transferred back to the state, we want to make certain that the federal government at the very least proceeds with the general management plan that will cause the least disruption to our economy and our way of life. I am hopeful the members of the committee will be receptive to our ideas as we propose ways to responsibly manage and preserve this state treasure.”