Springfield Standard

Senator Eric Schmitt recently introduced the Table Rock Lake Property Protection Act, which mandates that the Army Corps of Engineers honor their longstanding commitments with landowners residing along Table Rock Lake.

“Table Rock Lake is one of Missouri’s many hidden treasures, drawing in hundreds of visitors to Southwest Missouri every year. However, bureaucratic overreach by the Army Corps threatens to disrupt this community. That is why I am proud to introduce the Table Rock Lake Property Protection Act, which will require the Army Corps of Engineers to abide by their previous agreements with certain property owners. I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Burlison, who’s championing a similar effort on the House side,” said Senator Schmitt.

The Army Corps of Engineers has maintained lease agreements with property owners along Table Rock Lake that allowed residents’ septic systems and property lines to exist on Corps-owned land. Recently, however, the Corps decided to revoke these agreements, instead giving property owners an ultimatum to replace their current septic systems and construct new ones by 2030.

Despite prior determinations by the Corps that these septic systems pose no immediate ecological harm, they have unilaterally imposed this decision on landowners. Currently, there is no concrete data or evidence from the Corps indicating that these septic systems are at risk or nearing the end of their lifespans. Additionally, the Corps has not collaborated with landowners on alternative solutions. These costly mandates and regulations could impose financial burdens amounting to several thousand dollars on property owners.

Representative Eric Burlison (R-MO-07) has introduced a similar companion bill in the House.

The text for The Table Rock Lake Property Protection Act is attached here.

###