June 2, 2014
By John Hickey, Chapter Director
The National Park Service (NPS) is still evaluating comments received on its draft General Management Plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR). In fact, the NPS may not issue a final plan until early 2015.
Meanwhile, the Missouri Sierra Club is advocating for Alternative A, which provides the strongest protections against damage by ATVs and excessive horse traffic. Hundreds of Sierra Club members submitted comments to the NPS supporting this option. Unfortunately, some politicians are trying to sabotage the protections being advocated by the NPS.
The Missouri General Assembly, led by House Budget Committee Chair Rick Stream, voted to divert money from the state park system to finance a takeover of ONSR by the state government.
Don’t let Rick Stream destroy our state’s biggest national park! Ask Governor Jay Nixon to veto the budget allocation that would finance this land grab. Call his office at 573-751-3222.
Another step you can take: when you visit the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, be sure to tell your local outfitters (e.g. canoe rental, gas station, orlodge) that you support the stronger protections advocated by the NPS. Tourism is the biggest economic driver in the ONSR region, and so local outfitters share our interest in a well-managed, top-of-the-line national park.
If you’re not sure how to organize your own float trip at ONSR, consider participating in the national Sierra Club outing being led by Bill Nichols from October 12 -16. This is outing #14208A – find more information at www.sierraclub.org/outings/national.