Just finished sealing up 1516 signatures, 2 newspaper arcticles and a letter reading

May 1, 2002

Honorable Thad Cochran
United States Senate
Washington DC, 20510

Dear Senator Cochran:

As your constituent, I would like to enlist your help with a matter that has drawn attention and discontent in my area.

As of December 1, 2000, access to a large area on the north side of Arkabutla Lake was shut off to motorized recreation. This area is a part of a US Army Corp of Engineers project in both Tate and DeSoto counties. The land was very valuable in that it contained a large system of ATV trails used by hundreds of fellow ATV enthusiasts.

Enclosed with this letter is an add the Corp ran in the paper to notify people of the closing. The Corps reasoning for the closure makes little sense to me. This land has been used by ATV's since the early 1980's, and I have a hard time believing that they have all of a sudden caused a problem. In the past couple of months I have had numerous phone conversations with high and low ranking Corp members. I was appalled by reasons they gave for closing the land. I was told by Mr. Bill Flye, the commander of the Corps Arkabutla field office, that:

1) Complaints had been made by the phone and gas company about erosion on top of their lines that run across the property.
2) The Buena Vista Subdivision was complaining of noise and destruction of their private property.
3) Three incidents occurred where individuals had to be "Life Flighted" to the hospital because of accidents on the federal property.

Mr. Flye was also quoted on this in a newspaper article also enclosed with this letter.

I find these reasons to be unacceptable in that complaints by private companies/organizations and accidents have an affect on the public's right to use their land. I was also told by Mr. Flye that erosion was still taking place, and nothing more than closing the land to ATV's has been done to prevent further erosion/degradation that was considered to be so harmful. It is obvious to me that they have no intention of reopening the land to ATV use. Also enclosed are 1,516 signatures of individuals who would appreciate your assistance in resolving this matter.

I wish to thank you in advance for your anticipated support and anxiously await your reply.

Sincerely;

JOSH WILLIAMS,

Address
Senatobia, MS 38668


I will be sending these to both Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott.


Thanks for everyones help and support,

Josh Williams

 

Good work & good luck! I hope you get it opened back up!

 

Great job Kodiak! Hope it works for ya bud.

 

Kodiak whats the latest word?