JERSEY: Missouri Department of Conservation expresses concerns with AltonWorks’ interest in National Park designation

By Steven Spencer

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has expressed their concerns with the AltonWorks vision for the “Great Rivers National Park.”

In a letter dated October 15, 2024, the MDC stated that while they appreciate the interest in providing outdoor recreational opportunities in the confluence area of Missouri and Illinois they are concerned with the National Park proposal which includes public land in Missouri.

The MDC said they heard about the park proposal this past May and shared many of the concerns held by others that were present at the May meeting.

“A park designation is too restrictive, does not include a wide range of recreational, economic and land ownership interests, and is not appropriate as an approach for the area for many reasons,” the MDC’s letter states. “Additional concerns from the Department include how conservation areas and other land ownership interests would be included in a park designation. Many of the conservation areas in the proposed area are popular for hunting, fishing, other recreational activities, and management efforts which are not included in the management approach of the National park Service. The proposal also includes staff offices and other facilities owned or managed by the Department. It is unclear how these facilities would be managed in the future in the proposal.”

The letter also states that MDC believes a new approach is needed that includes “all concerns and interests.”

“For the future, a wide variety of partners must be included in the discussion about the confluence area,” the MDC’s letter states. “The many interests include a wide range of missions, funding sources and objectives, and expectations, all of which must be included and addressed for any proposal for the area. A shared picture of success for a great rivers confluence future should be the unifying outcome of enhancing, protecting, and promoting the confluence area, the resources, and opportunities. A new approach is needed that includes all concerns and interests.”