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Blunt Secures $450,000 to purchase 42 acres of original Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
06/22/2007
Posted Friday, June 22, 2007
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield-Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt has secured $450,000 to purchase 42.39 acres of the original Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in the 2008 Interior Appropriations Bill, which the House is scheduled to consider this month.
The funds will be used by the National Park Service to buy the land from the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation, which acquired the land for the purpose of protecting the park from the encroachment of commercial or residential developments.
"The Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation is leading the effort to bring more of the important original battlefield area under federal protection," Congressman Blunt said. "The area being added to the park is part of a pre-battle Union encampment that saw units moving along the Wire and York Roads during the battle. I am hopeful that other landowners near the park will also donate or sell their properties, sensitive to the 1861 battle, to the nation for its preservation."
"The partnership with Congressman Blunt, the administration of the Wilson's Creek National Park, and the Foundation has again yielded positive gains for the park," said Ron Elkins, President of the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation. "We are pleased to be part of securing the 42 acres so that future generations can gain a greater understanding of the Civil War battle at Wilson's Creek."
In 2006, Blunt, working with Senators Talent and Bond, secured $1.2 million to acquire more than 157 acres of privately owned lands adjoining the proposed Terrell Creek residential development on the west and south boundaries. The added land is part of the targeted 615-acre expansion of the battlefield authorized by Congress in 2004. The added lands are part of the history of the 1861 battle but were not included in the 1,750-acre park when it was created in 1960.
The newest land acquisition is another part of the Terrell Creek property. The lands bring the total protected battlefield to more than 200 acres, or about one-third of the 615-acre proposed expansion. Under the terms of the 2004 legislation, the lands can only be obtained from willing sellers and are not subject to eminent domain.
"In seeking federal funding for properties, like the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, it has been my long held view that these projects must be in the public interest and must withstand the intense scrutiny of the vetting process in the subcommittees and before the full House," Blunt said. "Funding to expand the park boundary is a responsible and appropriate use of federal funds."
Posted from:ŠOzarks Newsstand 2007
06/22/2007
Posted Friday, June 22, 2007
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield-Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt has secured $450,000 to purchase 42.39 acres of the original Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in the 2008 Interior Appropriations Bill, which the House is scheduled to consider this month.
The funds will be used by the National Park Service to buy the land from the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation, which acquired the land for the purpose of protecting the park from the encroachment of commercial or residential developments.
"The Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation is leading the effort to bring more of the important original battlefield area under federal protection," Congressman Blunt said. "The area being added to the park is part of a pre-battle Union encampment that saw units moving along the Wire and York Roads during the battle. I am hopeful that other landowners near the park will also donate or sell their properties, sensitive to the 1861 battle, to the nation for its preservation."
"The partnership with Congressman Blunt, the administration of the Wilson's Creek National Park, and the Foundation has again yielded positive gains for the park," said Ron Elkins, President of the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation. "We are pleased to be part of securing the 42 acres so that future generations can gain a greater understanding of the Civil War battle at Wilson's Creek."
In 2006, Blunt, working with Senators Talent and Bond, secured $1.2 million to acquire more than 157 acres of privately owned lands adjoining the proposed Terrell Creek residential development on the west and south boundaries. The added land is part of the targeted 615-acre expansion of the battlefield authorized by Congress in 2004. The added lands are part of the history of the 1861 battle but were not included in the 1,750-acre park when it was created in 1960.
The newest land acquisition is another part of the Terrell Creek property. The lands bring the total protected battlefield to more than 200 acres, or about one-third of the 615-acre proposed expansion. Under the terms of the 2004 legislation, the lands can only be obtained from willing sellers and are not subject to eminent domain.
"In seeking federal funding for properties, like the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, it has been my long held view that these projects must be in the public interest and must withstand the intense scrutiny of the vetting process in the subcommittees and before the full House," Blunt said. "Funding to expand the park boundary is a responsible and appropriate use of federal funds."
Posted from:ŠOzarks Newsstand 2007
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