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NPS Photo
Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-8028 VAN BUREN MO: Ozark National Scenic Riverways Superintendent Bill Black encourages public review and comment on the Draft General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Statement (Draft Plan), which became available on November 8. The Draft Plan may be reviewed online at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/ozar. Comments may also be submitted on this website.
Once the Draft Plan was released for public review, the park recognized the need for clarification on several issues related to the plan and the public meeting format. According to Superintendent Black, “We are aware that information on gravel bar camping in the document has caused confusion, and we would like to clarify that. Access from the river to gravel bars will not change under any of the alternatives. However, drive-in camping on gravel bars would be allowed only in designated campsites. Examples of places where this would occur are Logyard and the existing campsites at Two Rivers.”
Another point for clarification relates to primitive campsites. The NPS preferred alternative proposes that some roads to primitive sites may be closed, however this information was transferred incorrectly to one of the tables in the document.
Additionally, Black says, “Because this is the “Draft” Plan, we recognize that there are going to be details we need to adjust or clarify. This is the intent of public review - to help us identify where we need to make those adjustments.”
Superintendent Black invites everyone who is interested in learning more about the Draft Plan to attend one of the public meetings. “We want to reassure everyone that the primary purpose for the open houses is to provide information and answer questions. If you are unable to attend an open house, it will not limit your opportunity to comment on the Draft Plan. We are encouraging that public comments be submitted online, which can be done at any time through the end of the review period. For added convenience, there will be computer stations available at the open houses for those who would like to submit their comments at that time. If those options aren’t convenient, we still welcome an old-fashioned letter to the park.”
The public comment period will be open through January 8, 2014.
Three public meetings have been scheduled at this time. Each will consist of an open house session for asking questions and sharing information. In Van Buren and Kirkwood, the open houses will be followed by wilderness hearings in order to allow individuals to express their opinions about the proposed wilderness designation. Currently, public meetings are scheduled for:
Tuesday, December 10, 2013 Van Buren Youth & Community Center Intersection of Business Highway 60 and D Highway, Van Buren, MO 63965 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Open House 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wilderness Hearing
Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Salem City Hall Auditorium 202 North Washington, Salem, MO 65560 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Open House
Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center 11715 Cragwold Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Open House 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wilderness Hearing
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 (573) 323-8028 or e-mail us.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.
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Last updated: April 10, 2015