Keep The Buffalo River Pristine

Recently I had the rare and wonderful opportunity to tour the Fay Jones-designed Faubus house in Huntsville.

About 30 years ago when I was a graduate student at the University of Arkansas, my mother and I stopped by the house. She was an interior designer and had heard how unique and gorgeous this house was and wanted a tour. In my youthful 20s I knew who Faubus was and expected to find an angry, bitter racist who would turn us away at the door. Instead I encountered a gracious, warm Southern gentleman who proceeded to give us an extended, unexpected tour of his residence. Years later after reading Roy Reed’s excellent biography of Faubus, I learned of a very different and important key political decision the governor made while in office. Faubus was the closer, the final influential Arkansas leader to take a position against the Corps of Engineers and saved the Buffalo River.

This is Gov. Mike Beebe’s final term in office. He has certainly done some good things for this state, but I wonder what his legacy will be. During the past year, he has allowed the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to permit the first confined animal feeding operation in Arkansas less than six miles upstream from the Buffalo River. He has allowed the head of the state agency, Teresa Marks, the remain in office even though she has made many public comments stating that she was not aware that the first feeding operation permit was going through and did not think this permit would be controversial. What state does she live in? Beebe has also authorized $340,000 in state taxpayer funds to conduct water quality testing and geological characterization for a highly toxic and polluting industry.

This is corporate subsidization on the backs of poor Arkansans. Isn’t there a better use for these funds, such as supporting education? How does Arkansas benefit from this hog factory? It is anticipated to cost the Arkansas taxpayer close to $800,000 over the next 5 years to monitor and analyze this operation. Will taxes from this hog factory recoup the cost to monitor this operation?

This river is venerated, not only for its beauty, but people from all over the country come to experience its fast clean flowing waters.

River tourism brings in revenue to all the communities that embank the river, and the state of Arkansas to an estimated $38 million per year. The risk of contamination on the river is very high. This is a fragile ecosystem and even a small seepage will be devastating. Any way you slice it, the hog factory does not make economic or environmental sense.

Will Mike Beebe’s legacy be that he allowed one of the best things in Arkansas to become yet another poster child for corporate pollution? I hope not. Now is the time to remove this operation and keep the Buffalo as clean and pristine as possible.

TERESA TURK

Fayetteville