What will it be like in 20 years?
>>>Due to technical problems on the website, the deadline for comments has been extended until Sept 11, 2009.<<<
The park's General Management Plan is the guiding document that will steer the management of the park for the next 15 years and more, providing direction to the current and future administrations of the park. The Wilderness Study is an evaluation of an area near Big Spring for possible designation and management as "wilderness."
Your input into this process is necessary for a successful outcome. The balance between resource protection and recreation is not fully understood without knowing what the public thinks. If you have ideas, suggestions or concerns, we appreciate your submissions.
Public comments during September 2006 meetings and from the comment forms and website helped shape the preliminary alternatives. Now that the park staff has worked through the comments, the next phase is to present these alternatives to interested stakeholders, the people who care about Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The Preliminary Alternatives newsletter is now available for review and comment. Copies have been mailed out and the electronic version is posted on the internet and can be found via the link below. Additional comment forms are available upon request. Comments can also be submitted electronically.
A Clarification about the "No Action" Alternative:
There are four alternatives presented in the newsletter. There are Alternatives A, B, C and one called a "No Action" alternative. This alternative does not mean that nothing would would happen. This is the alternative where no new actions are proposed. With this alternative, the public has the option to consider whether they want things to stay the same and have park managers continue to manage the park in the future as it does now. So, in general, the current programs, activities and services would continue. This continuation would include the horsepower limits currently in place.
Chart of horsepower limits under four alternatives.
Keep in mind that we are gathering comments and information that will be used to make future plans. Let us know what you want the park to look like in 15 - 20 years.
This website has updates, newsletters, news, and the ability to submit comments about the General Management Plan / Wilderness Study process: (Due to technical problems on the website, the deadline for comments has been extended until Sept 11, 2009.)
Deadline for comments on the planning alternatives is Sept 11, 2009. Of course, we are always interested in hearing from you on any issue. To send general e-mail to the park's managers, go back to the home page and click on "contact us."
or send written comments to:
Superintendent, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, P.O. Box 490, Van Buren, MO 63965
(Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.)
