News Release

Ozark National Scenic Riverways announces extension of public comment period for draft roads and trails management plan

Park visitors enjoy the hiking trail near Round Spring.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 8, 2021

Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-4814

VAN BUREN, Mo. – The public comment period for the park’s draft Roads and Trails Management Plan (Draft Plan) will be extended through August 18. This one-month extension of the comment period will allow additional opportunity for the public to review and provide feedback. The Draft Plan can be reviewed online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=56591.

The Draft Plan includes detailed maps and an environmental assessment illustrating a No-Action Alternative and two Action Alternatives. The No-Action Alternative would implement the management actions established in the 2014 General Management Plan and would result in the closure of all unauthorized roads and trails, without designating any new trails for hiking, horseback riding or mountain biking. The two Action Alternatives were informed by public and stakeholder feedback gathered earlier in the planning process and represent alternative approaches for addressing issues identified in the plan, while also meeting desired conditions for managing the park’s roads and trails. The National Park Service has identified Alternative B as the preferred alternative for implementation.

An online “StoryMap” that provides an overview of the Draft Plan and the corresponding maps is available at https://arcg.is/1Oja9b .

For those who prefer to review printed copies of the Draft Plan, they are available for review at the public libraries in several local communities, including: Van Buren, Birch Tree, Mountain View, Summersville, Salem, Ellington, Ellsinore, Doniphan, Poplar Bluff and Rolla. The Draft Plan will also be available at park headquarters in Van Buren, located at 404 Watercress Drive, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The public comment period for the Draft Plan opened on June 18 and will continue through August 18. The comments will be analyzed to determine if there are any adjustments needed and then an alternative will be selected for implementation.  The public is encouraged to download and review the plan and provide comments online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=56591 .
Comments will also be accepted through the mail to:

Superintendent
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
P. O. Box 490
Van Buren, Missouri 63965

As always, we look forward to hearing from the public and encourage all to visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar or our Facebook page for further updates.  For more information, please contact Dena Matteson at [phone] or [e-mail].

 

www.nps.gov/ozar

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.  

Learn more at www.nps.gov/ozar.  Find us on Facebook @ozarkriverways and on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.