I am a multi-generational local of Newton County, Arkansas. My family and I have lived on this land for generations, and it is deeply personal to us. We are writing this petition to oppose the designation of the Buffalo River as a National Park by the National Park Service.

The Buffalo River is more than just a river to us; it's our home, our livelihood, and an integral part of our community's history and culture. The proposed designation threatens to disrupt our way of life.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Newton County has a population of around 8,000 people (U.S. Census Bureau). Many locals like me rely on this land for their livelihoods - farming, fishing, hunting - activities that could be heavily restricted or even prohibited under federal control (look up Granny Henderson from Newton County)

Moreover, we believe that local management can better preserve the unique character and ecology of the Buffalo River than distant federal oversight could ever achieve. We respect nature because we live with it every day – not because regulations tell us so.

We urge everyone who values local control over their lands and respects traditional ways of life to sign this petition. Let's stand together against unnecessary federal intervention in places where they are not needed or wanted.

Please follow Alliance for the Buffalo National River on Facebook. 

The survey group that conducted the survey, did so neglectfully. About half of the respondents were from Baxter County, where only 2.5% of the Buffalo River flows.  That's 3.375 miles out of the 135 miles of the Buffalo.  Madison County was also represented on the survey, but the Buffalo does not flow in this county. 

-Courtney Smith