Press Releases

Today, February 4, 2014, Congressman Jason Smith urged small business owners, families and individuals in Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District to voice their opposition to proposed management changes on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways ahead of the February 7^th comment deadline. Smith also made public his own comments on the proposed management changes to the rivers.

“Folks in our Eighth District have until February 7^th to make their voices heard about the proposed changes to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways management plan. I encourage my constituents to make their voices heard by February 7^th,” said Smith. “Today I made public the comments I am submitting to the Parks Service. Let me reiterate what I have said to the Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, and the Director of the National Park Service, Johnathon Jarvis: I adamantly oppose their proposal to appease environmentalists by limiting the public use and enjoyment of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. This proposal would hurt small businesses that rely on the Riverways and keep my constituents from enjoying the rivers that belong to them.”

Click HERE to read Smith’s full comments on the proposed changes to the
Ozark National Scenic Riverways management plan.

In his comments, Smith specially asked the Parks Service to address:

• If the “No-Action Alternative” is the best course of action to strike a balance between recreational use of the parks and the need for preservation.  
• The Park Service plans to close gravel bars that families have camped on for generations. Closing the gravel bars to campers restricts access.
• The National Park Service’s alternatives that overreach their federal statutory authority by restricting protected recreational activities.
• The proposals from the Park Service to close access points along the rivers.
• The lack of appropriate economic analysis of the Park Service’s proposed management alternatives.
• Concerns over the de-facto designation of Wilderness areas usurping the Congressional Wilderness Designation authority and the removal of telephone lines and access roads in these areas.
• Basis of further restricting the usage of motorized vessels in the park. Motorized vessels are used in the park to fish, trap and gig. Additionally, motorized vessels are sometimes used to quickly transport injured persons out of the park.
• Concerns over closing commonly used trails that are popular tourist attractions and additional concerns over closing horseback riding that fuel many small businesses.

The public comment period for the Draft Plan will be open until February 7, 2014. Comments received by February 7^th will be considered by the Park Service. The public is encouraged to provide comments online at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/ozark.  Comments will also be accepted at the public meetings, or through the mail to:

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

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