Ozark National Scenic Riverways Announces Release of Draft General Management Plan-Home of Ozark Hellbender – via Herp Digest

Press Release 11/1/13, VAN BUREN MO: Ozark National Scenic Riverways Superintendent Bill Black announced today that the Draft General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Statement (Draft Plan) will be available for public review on November 8.

The Draft Plan includes detailed maps and narratives describing a No-Action Alternative and three Action Alternatives.The No-Action Alternative explains how the Riverways is currently managed. "The 'Preferred' Alternative was developed from the public comments we received and incorporates elements of the other alternatives mentioned since the public scoping for the plan began. The park management team and I are especially interested in the public's reaction to the 'Preferred' Alternative, since it represents a balance among the wide range of interests people have in Ozark National Scenic Riverways," said Black.

The Draft Plan may be reviewed online at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/ozar beginning November 8.Comments may also be submitted at this website.After November 12, reference copies of the Draft Plan will be made available at the public libraries in several local communities, including: Van Buren, Eminence, Winona, Birch Tree, Mountain View, Summersville, Salem, Ellington, and Ellsinore.CD copies will also be available to participants attending the public open house meetings or upon request to the park.

Superintendent Black states, "With the publication of the Draft Plan, we have moved into the last phase of public input in the planning process.The draft document is a detailed look at the Alternatives and their impacts, and a thorough public review is essential in finalizing the plan.Our goal remains to develop a final plan that will provide a variety of recreational opportunities while continuing to preserve and protect the natural and cultural resources of Ozark National Scenic Riverways for future generations."

Superintendent Black invites all interested individuals to attend and provide comments during two public meetings on December 10 and 11. Each meeting will consist of an Open House session for distributing information and receiving comments related to the Draft GMP, followed by a formal Wilderness Hearing to allow individuals to voice their opinions about the proposed wilderness designation.The public meetings are scheduled for:

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Van Buren Youth & Community Center

Intersection of Business Highway 60 and D Highway, Van Buren, MO63965

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Open House

8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wilderness Hearing

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

The public comment period for the Draft Plan will be open until January 8, 2014; comments received by then will be most helpful in developing the final plan.The public is encouraged to provide comments online at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/ozar.Comments will also be accepted at the public meetings, or through the mail to:

Superintendent

Ozark National Scenic Riverways

P. O. Box 490

Van Buren, Missouri63965

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.

For more information:

Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-8028 

Contact: Faye Walmsley, 573-323-4844