Former Gov. Jay Nixon has kept a low profile since leaving office in January, but he made an exception Thursday to advocate for state parks.
In an interview, Nixon urged Missourians to speak out in support of a proposed trail project that could span the state.
He also defended his administration鈥檚 expansion of the state park system, during which thousands of acres of parkland were added to the state鈥檚 rolls. He said voters鈥 decision to reauthorize a parks, soils and waters sales tax in November is proof of public support for public lands.
鈥淥n the same day that Donald Trump got 57 percent in Missouri, parks and waters sales tax was re-upped with 80 percent,鈥 Nixon told the Post-Dispatch.
鈥80 percent of Missourians 鈥 especially that day 鈥 voting for taxes, I thought reflected the deep, deep feeling Missourians always had about wild spaces and about parks.鈥
People are also reading…
Nixon spoke after development on four planned parks, shifting instead to maintenance.
Missouri State Parks is debating now whether to accept a donation from Ameren of a former rail line from Windsor to Beaufort, about 144 miles. The proposed Rock Island Trail would intersect with the Katy Trail in Windsor, in western Missouri. A public .
鈥淚 want the public to reflect 鈥 as there is an open comment period 鈥 you know, their support and to look at things like Rock Island in the long-term context,鈥 Nixon said.
Nixon caught criticism as Missouri State Parks increased its acreage. Critics said the expansion was conducted secretly, taking land off the property tax rolls and diverting money away from needed maintenance at other state parks. They also said money from settlements with lead mining companies shouldn鈥檛 have been used for some of the projects.
But Nixon said he takes the long view.
鈥淲hen you get into short-term analysis about long-term assets, especially in conservation and parks, you鈥檙e just missing the question,鈥 Nixon said. 鈥淭he question is not, 鈥楬ow much money do I make this year off of this trail?鈥 The question is, 鈥榃hat do I owe future generations? What can I share with them by conserving and protecting now?鈥欌
Nixon said increased tourism revenue more than made up for any lost property tax revenue. He also said that the state had to act fast at times and quietly to snap up parcels for the best price. He said adding more land while perhaps putting off maintenance at other parks was worth it, and that the state still focused resources on lead remediation.
鈥淵ou shouldn鈥檛 use one as an excuse not to do the other,鈥 he said of the debate between maintenance and expansion. 鈥淪hould we turn this down because a shed needed to be painted at Ha Ha Tonka (State Park)?鈥
Connie Patterson, spokeswoman for the Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the state parks, said there were no plans in the works to construct or open 1,011-acre Ozark Mountain State Park in Taney County; 2,917-acre Bryant Creek State Park in Douglas County; and 4,167-acre Eleven Point State Park in Oregon County.
The state also has no plans to open 1,230-acre Jay Nixon State Park in Reynolds County, which appeared on the state鈥檚 website days before Nixon left office.
Nixon said the name wasn鈥檛 his idea.
He did not jab the Greitens administration for holding off on opening the planned parks.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a decision that parks can make when it wants to make it,鈥 Nixon said, 鈥渋n this administration or future administrations. When they think it should be open, they should open it.鈥
