May 13, 2013
by Caroline Pufalt, Chapter Conservation Committee Chair
Will 2013 be the year the final draft General Management Plan for Ozark National Scenic Riverways is released? That is the plan according to new park superintendent, Bill Black, who is hoping for a spring 2013 release. The management plan will update park practices for canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, camping and other uses. ONSR includes the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. The plan could also include a recommendation for a wilderness area near Big Springs. It’s hard to believe that the public was first invited to comment in 2006! In the meantime another draft and several public meetings have provided opportunity for input and revisions. The next
version will be a final draft, but open for public comment. The park website has more information at www.nps.gov/ozar.
Sierra Club members have been advocating for a strong plan that reduces e. coli contamination from horses, and that limits ATVs on the river. Let’s make this the year we are successful! Watch our chapter website for updates on the status of the plan.