KINDER NAMED TO WETLANDS COMMITTEE

JEFFERSON CITY - Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, has been named to a joint legislative committee on wetlands by Senate President James Mathewson.

The committee is co-chaired by Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, and Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett. It was formed in 1991 to help the state comply with changing federal regulations pertaining to wetlands.

Kinder said he is pleased to receive the assignment because of the importance of the wetlands issue to people in the 27th district.

"Being on this committee will give me a key role in seeing that Missouri returns to a common sense wetlands policy," said Kinder. "It's a vital property rights issue for Southeast Missouri and farmers. We need sound, sensible wetlands policies that preserve true wetlands, but also acknowledge that not every backyard puddle or farm pond is a wetland."

Kinder stressed during his campaign, especially in an appearance at a Sierra Club candidates forum, that he supported a sensible approach to the wetlands issue.

"Wetlands are an important natural resource that should be protected, however, we must also establish a sensible policy that does not penalize farmers or others who depend on wetlands for their jobs," remarked Kinder.

"We can preserve our fertile soil without burying farmers in red tape, bureaucracy and paperwork."

The joint committee will continue through 1995. The main goal of the panel is to study problems concerning wetlands in the state and to make recommendations on new wetlands regulations. One of the key areas of concern expressed by the committee thusfar, is that different federal agencies have different definitions of what a wetland is.

Committee members have been urging federal officials to develop a uniform definition of wetlands.

"I am honored to be on this committee, and to be in the middle of developing policy," said Kinder. "Hopefully we can mitigate what the feds are doing ... that's where the real crazy regulations are coming from."