http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2013/02/28/county-officials-blindsided-by-lake-maumelle-watershed-amendment Comments On: County officials blindsided by Lake Maumelle watershed amendment by David Ramsey en-us Copyright 2013 Arkansas Times. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Arkansas Times readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Arkansas Times. robert@arktimes.com (Arkansas Times Webmaster) Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:01 -0500 Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 -0500 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Posted by Cookie]]> Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:41:49 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Joseph Dorer]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:34:49 -0600 Arkansas Times There is just one person that the blog says is paid to speak at the meetings, and his name is clearly listed above: Brent Stevenson. Can you understand why folks would be suspicious of a lobbyist for the company that has been pushing for development out there for over a decade?
There are many ears that would be much more receptive of the stories of you and the other landowners were you not allied with a very charming, smooth-talking lobbyist. He is undoubtedly extremely good at what he does, and he is using his talent to advance his employer's agenda--which is at odds with that of those who want to protect their drinking water for future generations. Can you understand why his involvement is a rallying cry for them?
It would be nice to get all of the interested parties in a room without any politicians, lawyers, or lobbyists. Perhaps some real common ground could be found...
Posted by Who ate my damn cookies?!!]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 19:18:58 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Bill]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:40:57 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Joseph Dorer]]> Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:09:02 -0600 Arkansas Times Justice Denton is a concerned citizen who, unlike many others, is willing to look at both sides before making an important decision. He is man enough to stand up to the tyranny of Buddy Villines who is not used to new Justices using their own brains instead of cowtowing to his demands. Thank you again, Mr. Denton.
I have spoken to the vast majority of LANDOWNERS in the watershed and have yet to find ONE LANDOWNER in favor of the ordinance. So, yes Ms. Altof, I have already joined the other community LANDOWNERS in our struggle to protect our property and constitutional rights. The landowners in and around the watershed are and will continue to be good stewards of the land.
Posted by Barbara Penney]]> Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:53:27 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Joseph Dorer]]> Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:15:12 -0600 Arkansas Times
Wake up people!! Zoning only PROMOTES development and industry.
Conservation is our only hope to save the water shed.

Lets use the time we have to work together. Bring environmentalists, large land owners, Government officials and CAW together for a real piece of legislation that focuses on Conservation not Zoned development.

Large land owners can see the value of conservation that will raise the value of surrounding properties both existing and future developments. Should offer lowest dollar for leases and purchases to CAW. This should be a cost that the rate payers can handle and in the long run 50 60 years from now an extremely profitable investment. The citizens of pulaski county will be able to enjoy the best drinking water in the nation at a very low cost. Promoting itself as a great place to live. That will bring more tax revenues and jobs. That will allow deltic to create more communities surrounding the water shed, not in it, with much higher profits than would be gained by developing inside the water shed.

WE CAN DO THIS.
Posted by Think Outside the Box]]> Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:02:10 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Mean Gene]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:18:45 -0600 Arkansas Times Max Brantley and Buddy Villins can tell you slanted facts if they want to. They have other interests.
The area up there is PRISTINE land. BIG Money to be made folks. People in the city know nothing about the landowner's record who have worked all their lives to buy into this area and continue to be good environmental stewards. See any Arkansas Times scientific backed press releases about how landowners are causing pollution ??? It is easy emotional argument for them to say "we must protect the lake from pollution" and no data to back it up. Advantage for Villins People: in Little Rock folks think there is a big threat all of a sudden since Villins says it and the Arkansas leaning press just slants further. Why are these leaders pushing this land development scheme do you think?? Answer: It is competition before your eyes. Connections...
Hey my speculation is 10x BETTER than Brantley/Villins.

No speculation before your eyes:
1.Justice Denton is the hero of the little people.
2.The little people will be hurt in the outcome if Justice Denton is not supported..
Posted by pokeyjoe]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:21:58 -0600 Arkansas Times The Zoysia farm that is on the Big Maumelle is owned by none other than CENTRAL ARKANSAS WATER and is still currently being fertilized, grown and harvested. It is only leased by the company selling the grass and CENTRAL ARKANSAS WATER receives a portion of the money made from the sale of the grass as well as the money from the lease of the property.
Maybe you need to do a FOIA for the imformation yourself. Ask for the Canterbury/DeHaven/Winrock Grass Farm deal documents and you will see for yourself.
Posted by pcpro]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:46:26 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Mrs. Kate]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:43:25 -0600 Arkansas Times
Deltic's abuse of the land (nevermind the Zoysia farm practically at the mouth of the Big Maumelle) will do far more than the few land owners in the area. They just don't need to be addressed at all. The area has expensive homes and mini-farms that do nothing compared to acres of poisoned land.
Posted by Mean Gene]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:34:07 -0600 Arkansas Times One indication of the coming growth to area is the Wal-Mart super center built only 3 miles from the east end of the lake. I am sure some of the readers remember when the Wal-Mart located on Bowmen seemed to be on the edge of the woods.
Another indication of the coming development to the area is included in this press release from Deltic Timber. http://www.deltic.com/ir/relandsale122801.…
Posted by Mrs. Kate]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:30:33 -0600 Arkansas Times 1) Small Property owners that LIVE in the watershed are not trying to pollute the lake. They will not receive any money if it is developed.
2) CAW has always had control over how many homes were built, by simply not providing water supplies to the land they don't want developed. Hard to get a mortgage on a home that does't have water
3) But now CAW has (as quickly as possible) expanded and run large supply lines into the water shed to promote development of the area which will bring in more revenues. More Homes more meters.
4) More homes also bring more taxes for Judge Vallines and the County to use for their pet projects.
5)Large property owners that don't live in the water shed should remember that most of their property was taken from individuals that had to move when the lake was made and given to them intended for forestry not development.
6)The continuous practice of clear cutting instead of select cutting has caused the most damage to the lake and silted it in.
7)The environmental studies that were done by Tetra Tech and USGS both state guide lines that allow for much more development than what the zoning allows. Without the science to back up the Ordinance leaves the County and CAW exposed for multiple law suits at the taxpayers and rate payers expense.

If CAW really wanted to protect the water shed they would stop zoning and start land accusation through leases and purchases with strict guide lines on forestry management.
Posted by Think Outside the Box]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:56:37 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by centraltime]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:34:15 -0600 Arkansas Times
My knee-jerk reaction is to be on the side of water quality protection, ostensibly CAW's goal. However, I lost any faith in the purity of that organization's motives when I read that they were going to pay $500,000 to the Chair of the Pulaski County Planning Commission for an easement on his land, located in the watershed. This "easement" apparently exempted him from the proposed ordinance, while imposing fewer restrictions on his land than the ordinance would impose on every other landowner. He was the only person offered this sweetheart deal. I think taking a step back and examining this deal more closely makes a lot of sense. Something smells, and it's not just the manure Mr. Vogelpohl is spreading in the watershed.
Posted by NZPstoller]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:20:57 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Barbara Penney]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:05:16 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by mary p]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:51:56 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Grumpy Grizzly]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:28:26 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Harlen Bell]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:54:49 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Max Brantley]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:32:36 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Concerned Democrat]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:59:33 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by I_AM_THE_NRA]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:53:41 -0600 Arkansas Times
Private Property rights extend to CAW the same as other private property.

CAW does not have to wait until harm is done to protect CAW's interests.

The only reason the Court felt "blindsided" was because the fix was in and the court thought they could get away with it. Thus, they were blindsided.

400,000 people get their drinking water from the lake. Those 400,000 are reaping the EARLIER INVESTMENT the community made in high quality affordable water service.

No one is being told to un-develope their land. Science and studies have determined the outcomes of various amounts and types of developement.

It is not a guess, actual history of outcomes in other areas have shown what will happen to the lake, its water quality and its costs to purify with various regulations.

All agree the right to swing one's fist stops where the neighbor's nose begins. The honest and logical agree the right to alter your own private property stops where neighbor's property begins.
Posted by Citizen1]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:52:57 -0600 Arkansas Times