Defense of Place News Updates: November 2008 Archives

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November 30, 2008

Oklahoma State Park Threatened

Oklahoma recreational lands on Lake Texoma are on the docket for sale to a private developer as part of a misguided attempt to privatize public parklands. The Oklahoma Demonstration Lakes Program was instituted by the 2007 Water Resources and Development Act and encourages the Army Corps of Engineers to promote private development on its lakefront lands in the state. This Demonstration Program could soon be implemented in other states if citizens do not stand up to demand the protection and preservation of their valuable recreational lands.
Oklahoma Department of Tourism has already sold two tracts of the former Lake Texoma State Park to a private developer, Pointe Vista. The developers claim the property will be used for public recreation, but the planned four and five star resorts, residences, golf courses and boat slips will price out most locals and long time visitors. Any major activity on public lands requires an Environmental Impact Statement to determine what if any impacts will occur. This study has not yet been initiated yet the developer continues with plans to move ahead on construction. Citizens must stand up to this egregious assault on public lands and require that the proper procedures be followed and careful scrutiny be given to this potential land sale.
A group of Lake Texoma residents and park users has formed the Friends of Lake Texoma State Park to fight this sale of public recreation lands. To find out more, go to the Defense of Place Current Projects page or visit www.friendsoflaketexomastatepark.org to see how you can prevent this loss of public trust lands. If the OK Demonstration Lakes Program goes ahead unchallenged in this state, it will likely be repeated across the country and more and more public trust recreational lands will be converted to private homes and resorts and lost to public use forever.

Posted by dop_editor at 06:42 PM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2008

New Executive Director for DOP

My name is Shannon Meyer and I took over as Executive Director of Defense of Place in mid-October. I come to DOP with a background in environmental policy. Most recently I served as Associate Director of Aspen Valley Land Trust for the last 8 years. With my hire, DOP has moved its headquarters to Carbondale, CO - just downvalley from Aspen.

This is a very important time for DOP. Our mission of ensuring the perpetual protection of parklands, open spaces and wildlife refuges will only become more crucial during these economic hard times. In the face of budget shortfalls, all too often states, municipalities, private individuals and even nonprofit organizations may turn to their protected lands and see a different kind of green than just grass and trees. Selling protected lands may seem like a easy short term source of money but the long term implications are much more dire. When we tolerate the sale, development or misuse of our parks, wildlife refuges, and open spaces, we set a dangerous precedent that threatens all the public estate.

Though funding for nonprofits is understandably thin during these times, DOP is one conservation group whose objectives are even more important than ever now!

Posted by dop_editor at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)




	« September 2008 \| Main \| December 2008 » November 30, 2008 Oklahoma State Park Threatened Oklahoma recreational lands on Lake Texoma are on the docket for sale to a private developer as part of a misguided attempt to privatize public parklands. The Oklahoma Demonstration Lakes Program was instituted by the 2007 Water Resources and Development Act and encourages the Army Corps of Engineers to promote private development on its lakefront lands in the state. This Demonstration Program could soon be implemented in other states if citizens do not stand up to demand the protection and preservation of their valuable recreational lands. Oklahoma Department of Tourism has already sold two tracts of the former Lake Texoma State Park to a private developer, Pointe Vista. The developers claim the property will be used for public recreation, but the planned four and five star resorts, residences, golf courses and boat slips will price out most locals and long time visitors. Any major activity on public lands requires an Environmental Impact Statement to determine what if any impacts will occur. This study has not yet been initiated yet the developer continues with plans to move ahead on construction. Citizens must stand up to this egregious assault on public lands and require that the proper procedures be followed and careful scrutiny be given to this potential land sale. A group of Lake Texoma residents and park users has formed the Friends of Lake Texoma State Park to fight this sale of public recreation lands. To find out more, go to the Defense of Place Current Projects page or visit www.friendsoflaketexomastatepark.org to see how you can prevent this loss of public trust lands. If the OK Demonstration Lakes Program goes ahead unchallenged in this state, it will likely be repeated across the country and more and more public trust recreational lands will be converted to private homes and resorts and lost to public use forever. Posted by dop_editor at 06:42 PM \| Comments (0) November 08, 2008 New Executive Director for DOP My name is Shannon Meyer and I took over as Executive Director of Defense of Place in mid-October. I come to DOP with a background in environmental policy. Most recently I served as Associate Director of Aspen Valley Land Trust for the last 8 years. With my hire, DOP has moved its headquarters to Carbondale, CO - just downvalley from Aspen. This is a very important time for DOP. Our mission of ensuring the perpetual protection of parklands, open spaces and wildlife refuges will only become more crucial during these economic hard times. In the face of budget shortfalls, all too often states, municipalities, private individuals and even nonprofit organizations may turn to their protected lands and see a different kind of green than just grass and trees. Selling protected lands may seem like a easy short term source of money but the long term implications are much more dire. When we tolerate the sale, development or misuse of our parks, wildlife refuges, and open spaces, we set a dangerous precedent that threatens all the public estate. Though funding for nonprofits is understandably thin during these times, DOP is one conservation group whose objectives are even more important than ever now! Posted by dop_editor at 05:33 PM \| Comments (0)

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