SierraScape September 2013 - February 2014
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by Caroline Pufalt
Conservation Chair
Missouri Chapter

Hard to believe it was 2009 when the Missouri Sierra Club started commenting on proposed changes to the General Management Plan (GMP) for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways – the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. In the meantime we have had a draft GMP proposal, comment periods, a change in the Park Superintendent and Park staffing cuts due to the federal budget "sequester".

But some things are worth waiting for. We hope that will be the case with this plan. At this writing we expect the final draft GMP to be released by the National Park Service (NPS) in late September. When the proposal is out, we will review it and encourage Sierrans who value our scenic rivers to send in comments to the NPS. There will also be public hearings held in St. Louis and Van Buren around Nov. 1st.

You can check the Chapter website for information (missouri.sierraclub.org), or contact Caroline at cpufalt@sbcglobal.net, or call the Missouri Sierra Club office at 314-644-1011 to make sure you receive up to date information. The park website regarding the management plan is at: www.nps.gov/ozark/parkmgmt/general-management-plan-information.htm