Keep the Meeman-Shelby Forest Boat Ramp open!

My fellow Tennesseans,

The State of Tennessee is wanting to close the Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park Boat Ramp located on the Mississippi River just 30 minutes north of Memphis. 

In the early 1990s, the Army Corps Of Engineers, Tennessee Dept of Environment and Conservation and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency formed a partnership to build the ramp, replacing a more outdated ramp to the north at Thweat Chute. Once it was built it was handed over to TDEC for ownership. 

Over the years TDEC has failed to properly maintain the State Park properly. We have lost several popular features within the park including the Horse Stables, UA Moore Ball Park, Swimming Pool and the Mississippi River Group Camp ( see below). These areas lay abandoned and in decay. There have been buildings that have burned to the ground as well. The park continues to deteriorate each year. Yet the State of Tennessee boasts about their budget surplus and wants to raise the gas tax.

Historic Cabins In Shelby Forest Falling Into Disrepair

Currently TDEC claims the ramp is in disrepair and a hazard. Their solution to the problem is to block access by placing a locked gate on a public road miles before the ramp. The state has contacted nearby farmers in regards to the placement of the gate. Which will be at least 3-4 miles before reaching the boat ramp area. This will block and restrict the public from having access to thousands acres of State Park / Wildlife Management Area land. Despite TDEC and TWRA's claims, many boaters continue to use the ramp daily and find the conditions to be usable are no worst than any other ramp on the Mississippi River in West Tennessee.

If the ramp is an issue why block the road with a gate miles away?

One of the biggest concerns with the ramp is sediment having to be cleared away during low water periods which is common during summer months. TDEC will bring in equipment to clear the sediment and use of the ramp resumes.

By closing the ramp, it will affect the lively hoods of numerous commercial fishermen who are unable to launch at ramps at Memphis due to regulations and poluted waters closer to Memphis. These commercial fishermen contribute to the local economy and ship their famous caviar near and far that are caught from Hackleback and Paddlefish. It will also affect recreational boaters, duck hunters, fishermen from all over the region and will be forced to use other ramps further away, thus increasing the risk for boating incidents due to increased travel distances. Community members will no longer be allowed to enjoy their drive to the boat ramp as its been a local custom for many years. Local canoe outfits commonly use the ramp to launch for day trips to Memphis, it also serves as a point of portage for canoeist who travel the length of the river. This will also affect transportation on the river, should towboat personnel need emergency assistance, the nearest ramp will be many miles up stream in Tipton Co or downstream at Downtown Memphis. 

The state claims the road leading to the ramp is in need of repair and it is. Once again, TDEC failed to properly maintain this road. The road has deteriorated from years of annual flooding and the traffic that can be found visiting the park and ramp area, especially on the weekend. When the big 2011 flood hit, federal grant funds were easily available for these repairs but the state did nothing.

If we loose access, we will likely never gain it again. The answer to the problems are not to block access but to simply fix the problems. We must tell our officials in Nashville we refuse to allow this to happen and it's time to invest in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park as they did once before.

Tell the State to keep the road and ramp open by signing this petition!

Here is a link to a story Channel 24-Memphis recently did on the situation.

Channel 24-Memphis Shelby Forest Boat Ramp Story

Note: For the sake of eliminating double signatures, do not sign this petition if you have signed the petition at the Shelby Forest General Store. This petition was created as a feasible way for those out of the area to be heard on this matter

Thank you for your support!