CORPS BATTLES TRADITION

There are thousands of men and women who enjoy hunting and fishing at Wappapello Lake, a Corps of Engineers flood-control and recreation project in Wayne County. Several hundred of them are upset with what are perceived as confrontational policies that limit access to the lake and its surrounding woodlands.

At stake here is a longstanding tradition that the woods and streams of the Ozarks foothills are open to all for hunting and fishing. It hasn't been that many years since the same land was open range, which meant farmers could let their livestock roam free to graze. For many farmers, this was an important part of making a living. Hunting and fishing helped to supplement meager diets in those days. And while most hunters and anglers now do it for fun, there are many meals of wild game and fish still served on those Ozarks dinner tables.

At the same time, the Corps of Engineers is looking for ways to manage lake property so that it can be enjoyed by everyone. "Everyone" now includes hundreds of thousands of visitors from towns and cities who have none of the tradition of living off the land that is still remembered by so many folks from the Wappapello area.

The Corps says it tried to seek out suggestions and comments from area residents as it began to implement its stricter policies regarding access and use of lake property. In many instances the residents didn't show up at meetings or didn't voice strong objections to the proposed rules.

Now a Wayne County man has been sentenced to federal prison for assaulting a Corps ranger. Assault is wrong and must be punished. But there are generations of feelings and a sense of freedom undergirding the opposition to the sentencing, which has left supporters of the convicted man angry and set on changing the way the Corps does business.

It is likely that in a contest of butting heads, the Corps will prevail with the aide of law enforcement agencies and the courts. It isn't easy to undo years and years of customs and habits. It would behoove the Corps and the disgruntled hunters and anglers to find ways to communicate and thrash out their differences without resorting to strong-arm remedies.