BENTONVILLE — A committee of justices of the peace voted unanimously Monday to oppose the federal Department of the Interior’s designation of Arkansas’ White River as a National Blueway.
The Legislative Committee of the Benton County Quorum Court voted to ask George Spence, the county’s attorney, to draft a resolution opposing the designation of the White River as a National Blueway. The justices of the peace heard from about a half-dozen people opposing the designation, most of whom cited their fears of the federal government taking away their property or limiting their use of the land.
What's Next
White River Resolution
The Benton County Quorum Court is expected to consider the resolution regarding the White River designation as a National Blueway when the Quorum Court meets at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Quorum Courtroom at the County Administration Building, 215 E. Central Ave. in Bentonville.
Source: Staff Report
Debbie Beckerdite, chairwoman of Northwest Arkansas Citizens for Better Government, took the same resolution to the Washington County Quorum Court, which approved a resolution opposing the program last week. Beckerdite called the program “a federal land grab” and labeled the groups supporting the measure in Arkansas “usurpers” who would deprive the owners of the land of their rights and enact laws and regulations to limit the use of the land.
“They’re going to put you out of business,” Beckerdite said. “It’s just a matter of time.”
The National Blueway designation doesn’t establish a protective status or regulation, and it doesn’t guarantee any federal money, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Interior. Instead, it’s intended to recognize and support conservation and restoration by coordinating federal, state and local activities.
State Rep. Dan Douglas said he’s spoken with representatives of several state agencies about the program and was assured it will not restrict property owners and participation is voluntary. Douglas was at Monday’s meeting to brief officials on items of interest to the county that were raised during this year’s legislative session. Douglas said he was told the main purpose of the National Blueway designation is to encourage communication among government agencies.
“Actually, it doesn’t do a whole lot of anything,” Douglas said. “You do not have to participate.”
Douglas said he asked for more information and was told the designation could make the area more likely to receive some types of grants or other assistance but even that was uncertain.
“If it doesn’t do anything of significance, why do we need to have it to begin with?” Douglas asked, “”My opinion is it’s to make a warm, fuzzy feeling to justify their jobs.”
Claire Burghoff, Rep. Steve Womack’s communications director in Washington, D.C., said the congressman has been contacted about the designation and issued this statement.
“Congressman Womack’s understanding of the designation is that it does not establish any new — or expand any standing — protective statuses or regulations,” Burghoff said in an email. “However, he will continue to monitor the process to ensure that does not change.”
Kyle Weaver, from Womack’s Rogers office reiterated that position to the justices of the peace Monday. Weaver said Womack had also signed off on a letter from Sen. John Boozman’s office seeking more information about the program.
Tom Allen, justice of the peace from District 4 and chairman of the committee, said he’s concerned about the decision being made without local input and he opposes any government spending as a result of it.
“If something like this is going to be done it needs to be done in an open forum, so there’s no question of it being shoved down everybody’s throats,” Allen said.