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Christian County adopts resolution urging Congress to double Mark Twain National Forest payments

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Summary

The commission adopted a resolution asking Congress to amend the cited '19 o 8 act' (text references include 'public law title 16 USC 5,000') to increase the county share from 25% to 50% for revenues tied to Mark Twain National Forest, citing 52,260 forest acres affecting the county and structural fiscal impacts on poor, forested counties.

Christian County commissioners on Feb. 19 adopted a resolution asking the U.S. Congress to increase payments tied to the Mark Twain National Forest.

In a resolution introduced by the presiding commissioner, the text cites that Mark Twain National Forest spans 1,500,000 acres across 29 counties, and states that 52,260 acres of the forest affect the eastern side of Christian County (Chadwick area). The resolution asserts that extensive federal land reduces the county tax base and that current payments under the referenced "19 o 8 act" (the resolution text also references "public law title 16 USC 5,000") and a 25% payment share do not adequately fund local services. The resolution directs county staff to communicate with other affected counties and federal representatives and formally petitions Congress to amend the statute to increase the county share from 25% to 50%.

The presiding commissioner named Missouri officials and federal contacts (Senator Josh Hawley and Congressman Jason Smith were mentioned as instrumental partners in advocacy) and said the county will work with other counties to collect data and testimony to support the requested legislative amendment. A motion to adopt the resolution was made and passed by voice vote; commissioners agreed to sign and forward the resolution to state and federal officials.