U.S. GOVERNMENT PURCHASES GREER SPRINGS, NEARBY LAND

ST. LOUIS The U.S. Forest Service has purchased 6,900 acres of land surrounding, and including, Greer Spring in southern Missouri.

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson joined officials at the Old Courthouse in St. Louis Wednesday where officials exchanged the deeds to the property.

Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican, and Harold Volkmer, a Democrat from Hannibal, sponsored legislation in the 102nd Congress so the federal government could acquire and manage Missouri's second largest spring, located in Oregon County.

"This has been a long time coming, but it is well worth the wait," said Emerson during the dedication ceremony. "Greer Spring is one of the most spectacular areas in all Missouri and perhaps all of the nation. Indeed it is one of the Ozark area's crown jewels. Now it will have the rightful designation as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and as a Special Management Area."

Under Emerson's legislation, the forest service purchased 2,800 acres along the Eleven Point River in Oregon County, including the spring.

Among those joining Emerson at the dedication Wednesday were Leo Drey, who contributed $500,000 for the purchase of the land; Steve Lambright, representing the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, which donated another $500,000; Phil Wallin, River Network director; Ralph Bauman, an Agriculture Department representative; and Jim Jordan, a U.S. Forest Service representative.

"I am pleased that this chapter of the Greer Spring story has a happy ending," said Volkmer. "The people of this nation all benefit from the cooperative efforts of Bill Emerson, the Anheuser-Busch Corporation, Leo Drey, the River Network and others involved in the acquisition and protection of these unique resources."

Volkmer chaired the House Forests, Family Farms & Energy Subcommittee that held hearings on the issue in the 102nd Congress.

"There is a strong agreement among the people here today, all with divergent interests about our common goals of protecting the unique beauty of this simple spring and surrounding properties," said Emerson. "I want to thank the Anheuser-Busch Foundation for its generosity, my colleague Harold Volkmer for his leadership and skill in bringing divergent points of view into accord.

"I am so pleased to finally see Greer Spring become part of the Mark Twain National Forests and National Scenic Riverways so that the people of this state and country can further enjoy this majestic piece of nature for generations to come."