|
|||||
| |
Editorial
The Blade (Toledo, OH)
09-30-97
ALTHOUGH the Maumee River does not run through a land of sky-blue water, it is an important river. It is a historical river. And it is in many areas a very scenic river. All Ohioans should support the effort to have the Maumee to be designated an American Heritage River as one of 10 waterways.
This would happen as part of a new federal program, though the joker in the deck is it is unlikely to mean new federal dollars because of congressional opposition. Supporters of a balanced budget might oppose such a program, as do members of a radical coalition that has mounted an attack on federal land and conservation policies, disguising it as a coalition to "protect property rights."
If such folks don't want federal money for programs that might intrude upon property rights, let them go ahead and turn it down. The fact is, though, that they don't. Federal money flows for many causes in the West, including the utter folly of building logging roads for timber barons to cut down the few stands of old-growth forest left in the mountain Far West.
Ohio has only one national park emphasizing scenic and recreation values, and that is the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. Contrary to what some people think, some federal money is flowing to facilities like this despite the dreadful financial plight of the U.S. national park system, amply discussed in earlier Blade editorials.
The Maumee River was the granary of the Woodland Indians who lived here before European settlers came. It was a water highway and is associated with such great Indian chiefs as Pontiac, Little Turtle (who deserves more credit than he received as a chief who among his people was first in war and first in peace), and Tecumseh, one of the most gifted and enlightened Indian leaders of his day.
Along our river the canal boat system was built, an amazing feat of engineering for its time, eclipsed only by the brevity of its service as the major transportation link between Cincinnati and Lake Erie. The Maumee Heritage Corridor, Inc., has been trying for years to get proper recognition of the historical, cultural, and economic importance of the river, from Fort Wayne to Toledo.
Designating the Maumee River as an American Heritage River would, indeed, put our region on the map, as Carolyn Fox of the Maumee Heritage group noted. A "river navigator" would be appointed who would help local and regional groups steer their way through the rapids of federal regulation and possibly bring dollars from various sources for recreational facilities along the river.
Most of all, it would broaden public understanding of the historical significance of the Maumee River, especially the key role our region played between 1790 and 1815, when this was the center of international rivalry and intrigue, the historic battle of Fallen Timbers in August, 1794, and the siege of Fort Meigs in the War of 1812. Fallen Timbers, whatever else may be said of it, paved the way for Ohio statehood in 1803. The bicentennial of Ohio statehood occurs in 2003.
The importance of the Maumee to all this is evident to anyone with a working knowledge of our state's history. The significance of a program such as this, even if federal dollars do not flow any time soon, should be obvious to every Ohioan.
NOTICE: This article, which may be copyrighted, is reprinted with specific permission granted to Heidelberg College. Further reprint rights must be secured from the publisher.
Heidelberg College / Office of College Relations
/ webmaster@heidelberg.edu