Jersey County Board Vice Chairman Mark Wagner provides statement regarding creation of National Park
By Steven Spencer
Jersey County Board Vice Chairman Mark Wagner shared portions of a prepared statement Tuesday, Oct. 8, as the board approved a Resolution of Opposition to the creation of a National Park.
Wagner’s full statement reads:
“I am opposed to the Alton Works proposal. Although the Alton Riverfront looks promising, the National Park is a terrible idea for Jersey and Calhoun Counties. I will not advocate for the Alton Riverfront, because the decision should be up to the Alton mayor and the city council on whether they believe the idea is a good fit for them. Alton Works’ proposal would combine lands from the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACOE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
The National Park Service’s mission is to preserve the natural and cultural resources of the national park system for the education, enjoyment, and inspiration of current and future generations. Montezuma Castle National Monument, the Indian cliff dwellings is a good example. We have an area close to us, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. A bill was introduced to make it a national park, but it was never called for a vote. The national park service has 84 million acres. It has 325 million visitors per year. The budget is $3.8 billion.
The USFWS mission is to work with others to protect, conserve, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the benefit of the American people. Federal Duck Stamps are conservation revenue stamps; 98 percent of the purchase price goes directly to help acquire and protect wetland habitat and purchase conservation easements. Since 1934, over $1.1 billion dollars have been raised from sales of Federal Duck Stamps conserving over 6 million acres of land within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Wetlands acquired with Duck Stamp dollars help purify water, aid in flood control, reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.
The USACOE mission is to deliver vital engineering solutions, in collaboration with our partners, to secure our Nation, energize our economy, and reduce disaster risk. Corps manages almost 12 million acres of land and water; 4.3 million acres provide significant waterfowl use. The budget is $8.681 billion. It has 172 million visitors. So USCOE have less land and a bigger budget then the national park service.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources mission is to manage, protect and sustain Illinois’ natural and cultural resources; provide resource-compatible recreational opportunities and to promote natural resource-related issues for the public’s safety and education.
As you can see, each agency has a different mission. The national park service does not fit our needs. It is a common misconception that a national park would beautify our current state park, however it would be competing against other national parks with no additional funding. National Park Service’s maintenance backlog is nearly $22 billion, whereas three years ago it was at roughly $13 billion.
Alton Works says the national park will boost the economy. I think a national park will have the reverse effect. All these areas are free now. A $40 fee would be required to visit the visitors center, hunt, fish, bird watch, hike, bicycle, horseback ride, and camp on public islands.
Duck hunters may still be able to hunt, but no blinds are allowed on National Parks, and everything must be picked up every day. This would lead to a loss of hunting heritage. It is unsafe for grandpa, dad, and son to hunt from the bank or out of a boat blind. Deer stands would need to be taken down every day; again affecting older and younger hunters. Only a few national parks allow trapping.
And lastly, Jersey County would lose tax revenue from farm leases, hotel/ motel tax, and loss of public safety tax from Pere Marquette State Park. It would be tax exempt, because it is a national park.”
Vice Chairman Wagner spoke more on the subject with Calhoun County Commissioner Hayden Sievers on the WJBM Local Spotlight Show hosted by Chris Lorton. Wagner and Sievers discussed how the creation of a National Park would impact hunters, farmers and others in the region.
Their conversation can be found online at wjbmradio.com/listen-on-demand.
