General Management Plan Newsletter # 1 / Summer 2006

Dear Friends of Ozark National Scenic Riverways,Several of you have heard me mention the upcoming GeneralManagement Plan (GMP) update. The last GMP for the Riverways wascompleted in 1984. Thus, I am pleased to announce that the National ParkService (NPS) is beginning the planning process to chart the future ofOzark National Scenic Riverways and I want to invite you to participatein this journey. Ozark National Scenic Riverways was established by anAct of Congress on August 24, 1964. It includes 134 miles of the Currentand Jacks Fork Rivers in the Ozark Highlands of southeastern Missouri.Most of the rivers flow from seven major springs, such as Big Spring,Round Spring, and Alley Spring. The clean, clear waters of the two scenicrivers, along with the adjoining parklands, provide outstanding recreational opportunities in a beautiful and biologically important setting.In September we will hold the first round of public meetings to start theGeneral Management Plan and wilderness study for Ozark NationalScenic Riverways. For the next 15 to 20 years, the GMP will guide management decisions in our efforts to preserve the Riverways’ resources whileproviding opportunities for high quality recreational experiences. As partof the GMP, a wilderness study will be conducted on one tract of NPS landthat has been found potentially eligible for wilderness designation in theBig Spring area.This is an opportunity for you to help us shape the future of theRiverways. I look forward to hearing from you now as we proceedthrough the planning process for your Riverways. Please plan on attendingone of the upcoming meetings. For more information on the GMP and thewilderness study, please go to the park’s web site, <www.nps.gov/ozar>.Sincerely,Noel Poe, Superintendent
Newsletter #1 / Summer 2006 / Page 2 Ozark National Scenic Riverways / General Management Plan Newsletter #1 / Summer 2006 / Page 7

P and Wilderness Study. (Any

ent to answer questions and

tudy, and hope to hear your

u are invited to come and go

ark staff about the future of

 in groups. During the meet

re detailed thoughts on how

verways. The superintendent

etings at 5:15 pm, 6:00 pm,

hat might be asked in these

cerns do you have? (3) If you

icipate in one of these small

papers for more information

Initiate Project

The planning team assembles, begins to identify theproject's scope, customizes the planning process,and begins to establish contacts with participants.

Define Planning Context and Foundation

The team examines and reaffirms the purpose andsignificance of the unit, and determines the primaryissues and concerns for the GMP/Wilderness Study/EIS. Team members collect and analyze relevantdata and public comments.

Develop and Evaluate Alternatives

Using staff and public input, the team will identify arange of reasonable alternatives for the riverways'future , analyze public reactions to these preliminaryalternatives, and identify a preferred alternative.

Prepare and Publish the Draft GeneralManagement Plan/Wilderness Study/EIS

A draft GMP/Wilderness Study/EIS will be publishedand distributed to the public. The draft documentwill describe the alternatives and their impacts.

Revise and Publish the Final GeneralManagement Plan/Wilderness Study/ EIS

The team will analyze public comments on the draftdocument, prepare responses to substantive comments, and make appropriate revisions to the draftdocument. The final document will then be distributed to the public.

Implement the Approved Plan

A record of decision will be issued to adopt the finalGMP. The GMP will then be implemented as funding allows. The findings of the wilderness study willbe transmitted, as appropriate, to the NPS Director,Secretary of the Interior, President, and Congress.

Attend public meetings and voiceyour concerns orally or by using aresponse form, mailing a letter, orcommenting online. Read newsletter(s) and send usyour ideas and comments on thepreliminary alternatives. Attendpublic meetings to provide additional input.Read the draft plan and send usyour ideas and comments via mailor the internet. Attend publicmeetings and the wilderness studyhearing(s) to provide more input.Stay involved throughout theimplementation of the approvedplan. 

Spring 2005

Fall 2005-

Summer 2006

Fall 2006-

Spring 2008

Summer 2008-

Summer 2009

Fall 2009-

Fall 2010

Winter 2010-

and

Beyond

123456

We Are

Here

p 

g 

y 

p

pp

 60 and D Hwy

f Jct. of Hwys 19 & 106

in. Bldg.

Center, 10709 Watson Rd.
Newsletter #1 / Summer 2006 / Page 6 Ozark National Scenic Riverways / General Management Plan Newsletter #1 / Summer 2006 / Page 3

sion of this area)? WHAT is the vision for the unit’s future (what kind ofplace do we want it to be)? HOW do we accomplish our future vision (whatactions are needed to create desired future conditions)?

Why was this park established?Answers to the WHY question form the foundation for theGMP. This foundation is based on legislation and the legislative history. For Ozark National Scenic Riverways(ONSR), the planning foundation begins with statements ofthe Riverways’ purpose and significance, which are presented in this newsletter. The planning team will refer tothe purpose and significance of the Riverways to direct andtest each step of the plan as it is developed.What is the future vision of ONSR?The primary role of the GMP is to answer the WHAT question: What kind of place do we want ONSR to be in thefuture? What are the resource conditions we want to maintain and the visitor experiences we want to have in theRiverways? Several possible visions for the park’s futurewill be developed during the planning process. Thesevisions, also called management alternatives, will presentdifferent approaches to manage the park while achieving

cultural resources and the visitors

 experiences will be

described in the GMP, but specific actions to manage exotic vegetation would be identified in a subsequent vegetation/habitat management plan. All existing park management plans will be evaluated and revised as necessary to beconsistent with the new GMP. Wilderness is intended specifically for recreational use bypeople who want to enjoy a primitive, get-away-from-it-allexperience — whether for hunting, hiking or backcountrycamping. The Wilderness Act of 1964 states that wilderness“shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of theAmerican people” and “shall be devoted to the public forpurposes of recreation, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation and historic use” (Sections 2a and 4b). Visitors toparks with wilderness areas enjoy a wide range of visitorexperiences. Many do not realize that they are in areasmanaged as wilderness. We want to clarify what wildernesswould mean at the Riverways, so that people can make fullyinformed comments. The 1984 GMP evaluated a portion of the Big Spring areafor wilderness suitability, but noted that wilderness 

The Wilderness Study

statements have been identified

lands is an important center of

merica, including over 200

s. The high variety of species

ue to the rich array of aquatic,

nean habitats concentrated with

 particular, the Riverways sup

und nowhere outside of this

eologic character of the Ozark

s an amazing variety of natural

s, including a spring system that

ralleled in North America. The

 300 springs, including the

ional Park System, and a total of

ngs. The cave system is equally

5 caves — the highest density of

park system. 

es of clear, spring fed rivers.

ater quality, both the Jacks Fork

e been designated by the State of

hree Outstanding National

state. 

mic resources and systems of the

Riverways provide opportunities

erse outdoor recreation available

g free-flowing rivers. 

rcheological sites, historic struc

capes reflecting more than

iving along, adapting to, and

zark Highland rivers.

(continues on page 6)
105

100

95

90

85

80

75

70

65

60

55

60

65

70

55

90

85

80

75

4mi6km

4mi6km

4mi6km

4mi6km

8mi13km

8mi13km

12mi19km

5mi8km

10mi16km

7mi

11km

7mi11km

1mi2km

6mi10km

5mi

8km

4mi6km

1mi2km

9mi

14km

12mi19km

8mi

13km

6mi

10km

3mi5km

7mi 

11km

3mi5km

10mi16km

5mi8km

5mi8km

5mi8km

 9mi14km

6mi

10km

6mi10km

7mi11km

2mi3km

4mi6km 4mi 6km

6mi10km 5mi 8km

16mi26km

8mi 13km

2mi

3km

YY

VV

AY

NN

ZZ

KK

KK

119

19

19

B

B

K

K

J

A

EE

KK

17

19

V

106

D

D

A

H

H

17

E

M

O

19

19

60

99

17

17

Y

OO

Hospital

AuthorizedRiverways boundary

Private property existswithin the authorizedarea. Please respectthe owners’ rights.

5mi Distance indicator8km

Unpaved road

River mileage 10 River access

Primitive campsite

Ranger station

Campground Picnic area

0

0

1 5 10 Kilometers

1 5 10 Miles

North

Hiking trail

AkersPulltiteRound SpringTwo RiversPowder MillBig SpringAlley SpringReservations required (573-323-4236).

Group sites*

(7-45 people)

Area Cluster sites

(10-20 people)

Public

telephone

Sanitary

dump

Store Lodging Meals

1020

33233

*

Current RiverAbove Round Spring-Lower Access(except above AkersMay 1 to Sept. 15)Round Spring-Lower Accessto Big SpringBelow Big Spring to parkboundaryNote: none of these limits apply from two miles above to tw

Jacks Fork RivAbove Alley Sground(except above March 1 to fibefore MemoAlley Spring CTwo Rivers

Maximum

horsepower

55601210

131187

Camp

sites

251040

No Limit

Nineteen canoe conces-sioners in the Riverways region are permitted to provide canoe rentals and shuttle service. For a complete list of the concessioners contact park headquarters. Inner tubes may be rented at several locations.

Canoes and Tubes Canoes and Tubes Canoes and Tubes Services Services ervices Horsepower Limits Horsepower Limits orsepower Limits

MONTAUK

STATE PARK

MARK TWAI

NATIONAL FOR

MARK TWAIN NATIO

OZARK NATIONAL SCENIC 

Montauk Springs

WelchSpring

Cave Spring

Pulltite Spring

Ashley

Cree

Big

Creek

Gladde

Creek

Big Creek

Sinking Creek Spring Valley Creek Brushy Creek

Ebb and Flow Spring

Little Shawnee Creek

Alley

Spring

The Prongs

Blue Spring

Rymer Spring Mahans Creek

Shawnee Creek

Bay

Creek

C U R R E N T

R I V E R

F O R K

J A C K S

ToSalem

ToHouston

ToSpringfield

ToAlton

To WestPlains

Lewis Hollow

EMINENCE

Summersville

WINONA

BIRCH TREE MOUNTAIN VIEW

Hartshorn

NicholsCabin

Welch Hospital(historic)

Maggard Cabin

Cedargrove

Welch Landing

Devils Well

Akers

Pulltite

RoundSpring

Ozark

Pulltite Cabin Tr

Round

Spring

Cave

Bee Bluff

Twin Rocks

Jerktail

Landing

Toll ferry

Martin

Bluff

Coot

Chute

Two Rivers

Shawnee Creek

AlleySpring

Horse Camp

FishTrapHole

District ForesterMissouri Departmentof Conservation

Bluff

View

Meeting

House

Cave

Jam Up Cave(accessible byriver only)

Bee Bluff

Bay Creek

Chalk Bluff

Rocky

Falls

Klep

Rymers

BuckHollow

BlueSpring

District Office

Forest Service, USDA

Baptist

(Ebb and flow spring)

open summer only

TroublesomeHollow

Alley Mill

Ozark

National Scenic Riverways • Missiouri

Noel Poe, Superintendent

404 Watercress Drive

PO Box 490

Van Buren, MO 63965

WWW.nps.gov/ozar

Ozark National Scenic Riverways / General Management Plan Newsletter #1 / Summer 2006 / Page 4 Ozark National Scenic Riverways / Ge
Newsletter #1 / Summer 2006 / Page 6 Ozark National Scenic Riverways / General Management Plan Newsletter #1 / Summer 2006 / Page 3

sion of this area)? WHAT is the vision for the unit’s future (what kind ofplace do we want it to be)? HOW do we accomplish our future vision (whatactions are needed to create desired future conditions)?

Why was this park established?Answers to the WHY question form the foundation for theGMP. This foundation is based on legislation and the legislative history. For Ozark National Scenic Riverways(ONSR), the planning foundation begins with statements ofthe Riverways’ purpose and significance, which are presented in this newsletter. The planning team will refer tothe purpose and significance of the Riverways to direct andtest each step of the plan as it is developed.What is the future vision of ONSR?The primary role of the GMP is to answer the WHAT question: What kind of place do we want ONSR to be in thefuture? What are the resource conditions we want to maintain and the visitor experiences we want to have in theRiverways? Several possible visions for the park’s futurewill be developed during the planning process. Thesevisions, also called management alternatives, will presentdifferent approaches to manage the park while achieving

cultural resources and the visitors

 experiences will be

described in the GMP, but specific actions to manage exotic vegetation would be identified in a subsequent vegetation/habitat management plan. All existing park management plans will be evaluated and revised as necessary to beconsistent with the new GMP. Wilderness is intended specifically for recreational use bypeople who want to enjoy a primitive, get-away-from-it-allexperience — whether for hunting, hiking or backcountrycamping. The Wilderness Act of 1964 states that wilderness“shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of theAmerican people” and “shall be devoted to the public forpurposes of recreation, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation and historic use” (Sections 2a and 4b). Visitors toparks with wilderness areas enjoy a wide range of visitorexperiences. Many do not realize that they are in areasmanaged as wilderness. We want to clarify what wildernesswould mean at the Riverways, so that people can make fullyinformed comments. The 1984 GMP evaluated a portion of the Big Spring areafor wilderness suitability, but noted that wilderness 

The Wilderness Study

statements have been identified

lands is an important center of

merica, including over 200

s. The high variety of species

ue to the rich array of aquatic,

nean habitats concentrated with

 particular, the Riverways sup

und nowhere outside of this

eologic character of the Ozark

s an amazing variety of natural

s, including a spring system that

ralleled in North America. The

 300 springs, including the

ional Park System, and a total of

ngs. The cave system is equally

5 caves — the highest density of

park system. 

es of clear, spring fed rivers.

ater quality, both the Jacks Fork

e been designated by the State of

hree Outstanding National

state. 

mic resources and systems of the

Riverways provide opportunities

erse outdoor recreation available

g free-flowing rivers. 

rcheological sites, historic struc

capes reflecting more than

iving along, adapting to, and

zark Highland rivers.

(continues on page 6)
Newsletter #1 / Summer 2006 / Page 2 Ozark National Scenic Riverways / General Management Plan Newsletter #1 / Summer 2006 / Page 7

P and Wilderness Study. (Any

ent to answer questions and

tudy, and hope to hear your

u are invited to come and go

ark staff about the future of

 in groups. During the meet

re detailed thoughts on how

verways. The superintendent

etings at 5:15 pm, 6:00 pm,

hat might be asked in these

cerns do you have? (3) If you

icipate in one of these small

papers for more information

Initiate Project

The planning team assembles, begins to identify theproject's scope, customizes the planning process,and begins to establish contacts with participants.

Define Planning Context and Foundation

The team examines and reaffirms the purpose andsignificance of the unit, and determines the primaryissues and concerns for the GMP/Wilderness Study/EIS. Team members collect and analyze relevantdata and public comments.

Develop and Evaluate Alternatives

Using staff and public input, the team will identify arange of reasonable alternatives for the riverways'future , analyze public reactions to these preliminaryalternatives, and identify a preferred alternative.

Prepare and Publish the Draft GeneralManagement Plan/Wilderness Study/EIS

A draft GMP/Wilderness Study/EIS will be publishedand distributed to the public. The draft documentwill describe the alternatives and their impacts.

Revise and Publish the Final GeneralManagement Plan/Wilderness Study/ EIS

The team will analyze public comments on the draftdocument, prepare responses to substantive comments, and make appropriate revisions to the draftdocument. The final document will then be distributed to the public.

Implement the Approved Plan

A record of decision will be issued to adopt the finalGMP. The GMP will then be implemented as funding allows. The findings of the wilderness study willbe transmitted, as appropriate, to the NPS Director,Secretary of the Interior, President, and Congress.

Attend public meetings and voiceyour concerns orally or by using aresponse form, mailing a letter, orcommenting online. Read newsletter(s) and send usyour ideas and comments on thepreliminary alternatives. Attendpublic meetings to provide additional input.Read the draft plan and send usyour ideas and comments via mailor the internet. Attend publicmeetings and the wilderness studyhearing(s) to provide more input.Stay involved throughout theimplementation of the approvedplan. 

Spring 2005

Fall 2005-

Summer 2006

Fall 2006-

Spring 2008

Summer 2008-

Summer 2009

Fall 2009-

Fall 2010

Winter 2010-

and

Beyond

123456

We Are

Here

p 

g 

y 

p

pp

 60 and D Hwy

f Jct. of Hwys 19 & 106

in. Bldg.

Center, 10709 Watson Rd.
General Management Plan Newsletter # 1 / Summer 2006

Dear Friends of Ozark National Scenic Riverways,Several of you have heard me mention the upcoming GeneralManagement Plan (GMP) update. The last GMP for the Riverways wascompleted in 1984. Thus, I am pleased to announce that the National ParkService (NPS) is beginning the planning process to chart the future ofOzark National Scenic Riverways and I want to invite you to participatein this journey. Ozark National Scenic Riverways was established by anAct of Congress on August 24, 1964. It includes 134 miles of the Currentand Jacks Fork Rivers in the Ozark Highlands of southeastern Missouri.Most of the rivers flow from seven major springs, such as Big Spring,Round Spring, and Alley Spring. The clean, clear waters of the two scenicrivers, along with the adjoining parklands, provide outstanding recreational opportunities in a beautiful and biologically important setting.In September we will hold the first round of public meetings to start theGeneral Management Plan and wilderness study for Ozark NationalScenic Riverways. For the next 15 to 20 years, the GMP will guide management decisions in our efforts to preserve the Riverways’ resources whileproviding opportunities for high quality recreational experiences. As partof the GMP, a wilderness study will be conducted on one tract of NPS landthat has been found potentially eligible for wilderness designation in theBig Spring area.This is an opportunity for you to help us shape the future of theRiverways. I look forward to hearing from you now as we proceedthrough the planning process for your Riverways. Please plan on attendingone of the upcoming meetings. For more information on the GMP and thewilderness study, please go to the park’s web site, <www.nps.gov/ozar>.Sincerely,Noel Poe, Superintendent