To Quote a social activist:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
Once upon a time there was an enchanted place called Arkansaw. Arkansaw was a place for agricultural industry, timber, livestock. Every weekend the inhabitants could go just a few miles and find the most beautiful creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. If a person had a hankering, they could dig fossils and arrowheads all day. Arkansaw was a sportsman's paradise. Why, a man could stand on any creek bank, throw a string with a drilled penny, and a hook and catch a fish; without bait.
About 20 years ago, the woods were so dense, that an airplane could go down in the Ozarks and never be found. Oxygen was good. Arkansaw formed the APCE Commission in 1949. It was for the benefit of industry more for the protection of the Environment. At the time of inception 4 citizens were on the board, today; only "experts" in environmental matters can sit on the board. Citizens are not really welcome although they cannot bar them.
Less than a decade ago, a warrior was able to retire. He found a beautiful spot in Arkansaw. It had the most beautiful pristine perennial primitive creek running through it. Sir Wick had been injured many times in his years of battle, and had chosen this home to finish his days in peace. At the same time the Wicked Water Stealer's were busy scheming to create a fancy moat dock and recreation area. One day, he took a bulldozer and damed up the creek.
At first Sir Wick didn't understand what was happening, but soon he learned the Wicked Water Stealer had a plan to have a famous castle with tourists and boats and all kinds of "progress". WWS didn't have the required knowledge, specs or permit to dam up this water of the United States, but he knew his way around the Snake Bellied money mongers, and he did it anyway. He got help and has never gotten in trouble for stealing this water of the United States.
Sir Wick doesn't have long, and it is appearant that those who regulate are most concerned with money than doing the right thing. Oddly enough, those regulators who are always protecting pollutors and Wicked Water ruiners never have any money. All of their programs that oversee the Wicked Water, Air and Land ruinors are broke and have no ability to oversee what they are to be protecting...it must be an Evil Spell sent to make "wrong" mean "right" and "right" agrees with big energy and big money.
This is not the end of this tale; only the first installment.