News Release

Buffalo National River Seeks Public Comments on the Boxley Valley Draft Comprehensive Area Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft Plan)

Date: February 24, 2020
Contact: Cassie Branstetter, 870-365-2740

Buffalo National River announces today that the Boxley Valley Draft Comprehensive Area Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft Plan) will be available for public review and comment beginning on February 24th, 2020. There will be two public open house meetings regarding the plan, and it may be reviewed online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/buff_boxleycap. Public comments may be submitted at this website through March 30th, 2020.

Public Open Houses:
Tuesday, March 3rd from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Boxley Valley Community Center 4699 AR-43 in Ponca, Arkansas

Tuesday, March 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Jasper High School 600 School Street in Jasper, Arkansas

You may come and go during these open houses to view informational posters, ask questions, and speak with the planning team.

Boxley Valley, bordered by the Upper Buffalo Wilderness to the south and Ponca Wilderness to the north, has experienced changing visitation preferences in recent years. The Draft Plan outlines an Alternative A (Current Management) and Alternative B (Preferred-Action) for the area.

The Preferred-Action Alternative is a collaborative strategy aimed at addressing: congestion and crowding at river access points, roads and trailheads, expanding visitor services and educational opportunities, repairing flood damage to infrastructure, and creating enhancements to historic structures and the cultural landscape. This alternative includes guidance for park managers that would assist in identifying the desired conditions for visitor experiences, natural and cultural resources. The guidance would also assist park managers in defining the appropriate types of visitor use activities at key locations in the valley and proposing the appropriate infrastructure to support those activities.

This planning initiative has been ongoing since 2010. The Draft Plan is informed by public and stakeholder suggestions and input received in fall 2016 and spring 2017, as well as social science research conducted by Kansas State and Clemson Universities.

How to Comment: All comments on the Boxley Valley Draft Comprehensive Area Plan and Environmental Assessment are welcome. There are four ways to comment during the public review period, February 24th, 2020 through March 30th, 2020.
• Online through the Park Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/buff_boxleycap.
• By submitting a comment card at the open house meetings on March 3rd, 2020 (see above for location and times).
• By mail addressed to Buffalo National River, Boxley CAP Plan, 402 N. Walnut, Harrison, AR 72601. Letters must be postmarked by March 30th, 2020.
• By email addressed to [e-mail].

Buffalo National River looks forward to hearing from the public and encourages all to visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/buff or our Facebook page for further updates. For more information, please contact Cassie Branstetter at [phone] or [e-mail].