Church Mountain / Taum Sauk

I received the following email recently and thought it might be of interest to all who read this blog.

If Church Mountain Matters to you, please help!

As you may know, the DNR State Park Division has begun developing plans for Johnson’s Shut-ins State Park, but they are giving no consideration to the need to protect Church Mountain. Negotiations may be in progress between the State and Ameren toward a settlement for the damages done: we hope you agree that any settlement must include provisions for protecting Church Mountain and Taum Sauk Valley . Prior to the reservoir break, Ameren had revived plans to construct a second hydroelectric plant on Church Mountain , a proposal that received wide-spread public opposition years ago. Early this year, conservationists around the state began calling for permanent protection of Church Mountain and Taum Sauk valley as mitigation for the damage done to Johnson’s Shut Ins. Even Governor Blunt called upon Ameren to put Church Mountain into permanent protection, but nothing has happened. It is time to remind Governor Blunt that Church Mountain needs protection, and it is very important that he hears from local residents.

DNR has had a lease on 1300 acres of Ameren property on Church Mountain since 1993 for trail development, but they have yet to develop any trails. Now is the time to secure and provide access to these superb resources in recompense for the damage caused by the collapse of Ameren’s Taum Sauk Reservoir. It is essential that those of us who care about protecting the aesthetic and biological resources of the region give voice to our concerns about the need to protect Church Mountain and the Taum Sauk Creek Valley.

Please write a letter to Governor Blunt, with a copy (or separate letters) to Attorney General Jay Nixon and DNR Director Doyle Childers. We suggest you address the following:

Thank Governor Blunt for proposing that Ameren protect Church Mountain as mitigation for the damage done to Johnson Shut Ins.

Ask why has there been no further action to protect Church Mountain and Taum Sauk Creek Valley? At more than 7,000 acres, this natural area is the largest in the state, and Church Mountain and Taum Sauk Creek are at its core. These areas are geological gems with high scenic values and important biological diversity.

Mention that you are a rural resident who supports permanent protection of these areas. It is completely unacceptable that a hydroelectric plant be permitted on Church Mountain : a new lower reservoir would destroy the pristine creek, and the denuded mountaintop would be visible from Taum Sauk Mountain . Express concern about illicit ATV traffic, trash dumping, poaching and arson activities that have proliferated into Taum Sauk State Park and on nearby private lands because of poor management by Ameren of their property. Developing low-impact hiking trails on Church Mountain and along Taum Sauk Creek Valley could help restore lost tourism to the broader area while preserving the fragile ecosystem.

Addresses:

Governor Matt Blunt: State Capitol, 201 West Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101

Attorney General Jay Nixon: Supreme Court Building, 207 W. High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101

Doyle Childers, Director: Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102