Dec. 1 is the first day of filing new legislation to be heard this next legislative session beginning Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.

One of the bills I will file this year addresses landowner concerns along the new Rock Island Trail State Park. A prior law passed by the former Senator Mike Kehoe requires the state to maintain fencing along the 144-mile section between Windsor and Beaufort, however the Senate bill does not address the annual appropriation of funds needed to cover the cost for the fencing requirement.

The bill I will file on December 1st will create a funding mechanism with each appropriation for the Rock Island Trail State Park to include money for agricultural fencing, agricultural crossings, drainage, signage, safety, and security. The actual bill proposed reads: Section A. Chapter 253, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 253.178, to read as follows: 253.178. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department of natural resources shall use not less than ten percent of any state or federal moneys appropriated for the development of the Rock Island Trail State Park to address adjacent landowner concerns such as agricultural fencing, agricultural crossings, drainage, signage, safety, and security.

The goal of this legislation is to provide some assurances a revenue source is available to satisfy some of the adjacent land owner needs. Private funds or grants used to build the trail are not subject to the appropriation process and may not include funds for fencing. With this new legislation, all state and federal appropriations must make at least 10 percent of the funds available for fencing and other landowner needs. The money to cover the cost of trail building and fencing is an annual appropriation that begins each year in the Missouri House of Representatives.

The Rock Island Trail State Park became the 93rd State Park and Historical Site in Missouri on June 30, 2023. The land that is now a park was donated to the State of Missouri in December of 2021 by Ameren UE.

Missouri State Parks has developed a Master Plan of the former Rock Island railroad corridor that can be accessed by going to: https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/4RIT_BOOK_Master%20Plan_060823.pdf.

The new state park will be an important compliment to the Katy Trail State Park and will bring new opportunities and economic development through the heart of magnificent Missouri.

You can email us at bruce.sassmann@house.mo.gov or call Jill Ryals at 573-751-6668. We look forward to hearing from you.