This is a bit lengthy, but it is the best summary of the legislation which went into the formation of the Riverways that Jo has seen. Reading through this, you will get a clear understanding how the Riverways was intended to differ from a standard issue national park, and the sense of give and take which has always existed between federal governance of the park, and the expectations of the people of Missouri in regard to the land and waters which form it.

HCR 52 was adopted by the House April 24, and sent to the Senate for consideration.

It’s a political resolution as well a public document, and it’s no secret that the current makeup of the Missouri state house is of a conservative bent, even so, the material contained here is factual. If you care about the Riverways in any sense, take the time to read it.

When you’re done, we’d be really interested in what you think.

House Concurrent Resolution No. 52
96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES COOKSON (Sponsor), RICHARDSON, FITZWATER,
FRANZ, SMITH (150), WELLS, SWINGER AND WRIGHT (Co-sponsors).
6219L.03I
WHEREAS, in 1959, Senate Resolution No. 33 and House Resolution
No. 19, recognizing the importance of the extraordinary manifestations of
nature and recreational attributes of the Current and Eleven Point
Riverways, requested Congress to enact legislation to preserve the natural
resources and provide recreational development and other improvements for
the public use; and

WHEREAS, in 1964, Congress answered Missouri’s request by
enacting legislation to establish the Ozark National Scenic Riverways; and

WHEREAS, the riverways within the Ozark National Scenic
Riverways are, and remain, public highways of the State of Missouri,
subject to concurrent jurisdiction between the State of Missouri and the
United States under Missouri Senate Bill No. 362 enacted in 1971; and

WHEREAS, in 2005, the National Park Service began researching
for the purpose of drafting a new general management plan for the Ozark
National Scenic Riverways; and

WHEREAS, the general management plan for the Ozark National
Scenic Riverways will ensure that the National Park Service managers and
stakeholders share a clearly defined understanding of the resource
conditions, opportunities for recreational use, and managerial methodology
for access, and development designed to successfully achieve the national
riverways’ purpose; and

WHEREAS, in keeping with the National Parks and Recreation Act
of 1978, the general management plan will serve as a guideline which will
be relied upon as a basis for decisions affecting the riverways and for
decisions which serve to preserve resources for the enjoyment of future
generations; and

WHEREAS, every national park system unit has been asked to
prepare this kind of document since 1976 when Congress passed a law to that
effect. The general management plan will guide decisions related to the
Ozark National Scenic Riverways for the next 15 to 20 years; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Conservation Commission is charged with
the control, management, restoration, conservation and regulation of the
bird, fish, game, forestry and all wildlife resources of the state,
including hatcheries, sanctuaries, refuges, reservations and all other
property owned, acquired or used for such purposes; and

WHEREAS, in September of 2009, the Missouri Department of
Conservation recommended that “hunting, fishing and trapping continue to be
allowed throughout the ONSR except in highly developed areas where a
reasonable safety zone for public protection may be required” and supported
the “No-Action Alternative” released in 2009 by the National Park Service
as an appropriate balance between preservation of resource conditions and
opportunities for recreational use; and

WHEREAS, the recreational resources afforded by the riverways
are an economic staple to the citizens of the surrounding communities with
the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri and a majority of the citizens
of Missouri agree that the citizens of Missouri and those Missouri citizens
most impacted in their daily lives are in the best position to formulate
policy and regulations to manage and protect Missouri’s natural resources
as opposed to a federal agency headquartered in Washington, D.C.:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of
Representatives of the Ninety-sixth General Assembly, Second Regular
Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby strongly urge the National
Park Service to draft its final General Management Plan to recognize the
importance the riverways provides to the State of Missouri not only for the
preservation of those extraordinary manifestations of nature, but also
recreational use and enjoyment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Missouri General Assembly finds
that the previously announced “No Action Alternative” provides the best
balance to maintain the riverways’ purposes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Missouri General Assembly stand
prepared to utilize its concurrent jurisdiction to assure this balance is
properly maintained; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri
House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies
of this resolution for Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director of the National Park
Service, and Bill Black, Interim Superintendent of Ozark National Scenic
Riverways.

First of all, a retraction. ONSR reported earlier this month that the Alley Campground would be closed for a repaving project until mid-May. That project has been put off until this fall, so (river permitting) camping at Alley Spring is open. Visitors may make Alley Spring Campground reservations through Reserve America by calling 1-877-444-6777, or just take advantage of one of the first-come, first served sites. River levels can be found at the USGS site.

Next, the visitor contact station at headquarters in Van Buren is now staffed 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m in Van Buren at 404 Watercress Drive. A special exhibit on the Ozark logging industry, including the Grandin Mill, is in the lobby, and other information is available from the information desk or for purchase.

Finally, and special thanks to Jeff and Karen Wade of Mountain View, Alley Mill will once again be functioning this year, and able to show about 30,000 visitors how a water mill operates. The Wades took their family to the mill last year and found it non-operational. Jeff is an auto mechanic and engine machinist from Mountain View; he volunteered to fix the idler pulley mechanism. This device transfers power from the turbine in the spring to the main mill shaft– it has to maintain tension for the mill to grind.

Over last winter, Wade rebuilt and refurbished the pulley at his Mountain View garage, donating all parts and labor. make any repairs to the idler pulley at his Mountain View shop at no cost to the American taxpayers. “I want the public to see the mill operating. It’s such an important part of history,” he stated. The idler pulley was re-installed in the mill in March.

There will be a grand opening on May 6 at 11 a.m. where Superintendent Reed Detring will publicly recognize Wade for his service, and rangers will conduct tours of the operating mill and tell of its history. Beginning Saturday, May 7, the mill will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Beyond May 7, the mill will be open Sundays, Fridays, and Saturdays until Memorial Day weekend and daily afterwards.

Thanks Jeff and Karen!

by Jo Schaper

The United States Forest Service closed their wild caves to casual visitation in 2009. Last year, with the discovery of two suspected cases of white nose syndrome, a fungal infection, in Missouri bats — one in Pike County and another in Shannon — wild caves on Department of Conservation, Missouri state parks and Ozark National Scenic Riverways followed suit.

WNS is caused by the fungus Geomyces destructans, first identified in New York state in 2006. When a cave is infected, bat mortality can be in excess of 80 to 90%. The fungus is primarily spread bat-to-bat from close physical contact or grooming, but being a fungus, it reproduces via spores, too. People are not a major source of the spread of the fungus, however, the spores are invisible, and the consequences for bats so dire that many agencies have decided to act on the side of caution.

Show cave operation in Missouri has remained generally unaffected until this year. In posts on their updated website, www.mostateparks.com, Missouri state parks have announced that their publicly toured caves: Onondaga and Cathedral at Onondaga Cave State Park, Fisher Cave at Meramec State Park, and Ozark Caverns at Lake Ozark State Park will open late this year.

These show caves are a frequent destination for nearby school groups. School group tours begin April 15, in an effort to leave the bats undisturbed until spring is in full swing. School groups are considered low risk populations for spore transfer, since they are local, and generally do not frequent caves except for educational purposes.

Tours for the general public at these four caves will begin May 15. [Ed. note: Onondaga opening updated to April 15 per DSP on April 12] The general public is considered to be of a higher, but still moderate risk to track in spores, since people who visit caves generally have an affection for them, and they may visit multiple caves in one day. Staff may ask to clean your shoes, and that you leave any clothing or items which have been in other caves outside the cave.

Tentatively, the caves will remain open until Labor Day, unless more outbreaks of WNS are found in the state. If that happens, cave access will be reassessed, according to one park employee Traveler spoke to.

At this time, Round Spring Cavern in Ozark National Scenic Riverways (National Park Service) will operate on the same schedule as last year. See this link for detailed information. At other national park show caves across the country mitigation efforts range from mandatory shoe cleaning to the use of cave suits furnished by the park for wild cave tours.

Wild cave access on public lands is still generally off the table for 2011, though exceptions may be permitted on a case by case basis. While such caves can be entered with minimal risk to the bats when wild cave explorers follow disinfection protocols (pdfs located about halfway down the page) put out by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, many non-organized “flashlight” cavers are unaware of the chemical agents which will kill spores on gear, including certain concentrations of Lysol, Formula 409, and a 10% bleach solution. Increasingly, cavers who travel beyond their regional caves are being asked to leave gear at home, with the destination cavers providing loaner outer cave suits and gear.

Cavers or other groups wishing special permission to enter wild caves must talk to agency employees before doing so.

Private show caves are equally concerned, but their responses and requirements vary by cave. It would be a good idea to call ahead and ask.

Bring your whole family for this festive occasion at Big Spring, which is located four miles south of Van Buren, Missouri, on State Highway 103. Please bring a blanket or lawn chair for the storytelling, musical and dancing entertainment. The event is free, and all are welcome. For more information call 573-323-4236, or visit the park’s website at: www.nps.gov/ozar.

Traveler editor:

Although the Park Service has said that this issue on closing roads has been blown out of proportion in a recent interview, the road map they have been using was created by NPS employees in the late 1980s.  It is apparent this Road and Trail study they are using to select roads to be closed is erroneous and does not reflect current roads we use to access commonly visited places, for example the Twin Rock Road which travels to the Twin Rock formation on Current River and the Broadfoot Field loop, which many people use to access camp sites.

In our favor, the Shannon and Dent County Commissions have committed to not allow any County Roads to be closed, but the Ozark National Scenic Riverways administration feels that there is a need to close roads based on an outdated study based on the 1984 General Management Plan.

What should really happen is that a new road and trail study should be performed in conjunction with local interest groups and elected officials after the new General Management Plan is established.

Please review the attached letter from JoAnn Emerson, which will express her opinion on roads and trails.

John Mark Brewer
Eminence, MO

Get into spring!

Here’s a complete summary of articles in the March 2010 print issue of Traveler:

List of places that sell Traveler

Online subscription order form

Roy Halbert, Cape Girardeau, Mo., and a Clearwater Lake crappie are our March cover subjects. Photo by Roy's fishing partner, Bob Todd

Crappie can be found on Clearwater in March — Bob Todd
Bob and Roy Halbert follow clouds of shad along the old Black River channel in Clearwater Lake to catch all the crappie they cared to clean.
Choke tube wins friends, sales for SE Missouri hunters — Steve Felgenhauer
Machinists and hunters Stuart Ruehling and Mike Ponder developed a choke tube to fill in slow times at their Frohna shop. Their product, marketed under the name, Indian Creek Shooting Systems, shows up consistently in shooting championships, and has led to friendships with big name hunters such as Walter Parrott.
Change tactics or else… — Bill Cooper
Turkey numbers are down from historic highs and it takes more effort these days to bag a wise old Ozarks gobbler. Bill offers five field-tested tactics to improve your turkey hunting success.

Spring activities like whitewater kayaking and turkey hunting are the focus of Traveler's March 2010 issue

Teamwork key to safety at whitewater event — Becky Allgier Tinsley
Becky grew up on the hog farm next to Millstream Gardens, where the Missouri Whitewater Championships are held each March, but she didn’t see behind the scenes of the races until she covered them as a writer and photographer. Tinsley interview race officials to learn how safety is emphasized in an inherently dangerous activity.
Traveler editorial: Fishing as a high school sport?
That’s a concept Traveler can get behind, and one our friend, outdoor writer John Neporadny, is promoting around Missouri.
Search for new fishing hole leads to lasting friendship — Howard Helgenberg
Howard went to his favorite neighborhood fishing pond one day and found it drained. His search for a new pond led him to Andy’s place, where he found not only an unfished pond but a great new friend.
Makin’ Tracks: Read. Enjoy. Play — Emery Styron
It’s been an unusally rugged winter, but spring will come. Emery says the March issue is intended to spur you to get outdoors now.
Floods, storms hard on fish, wildlife, but there’s good news — Tim Huffman
Tim interviews MDC’s A.J. Hendershott to assess the impact of last year’s weather on flora and fauna in the region. Believe it or not, lots of down trees are a boost to salamanders, which are high and protein and eaten by almost every other creature. There are other silver linings.
Nature’s Corner: Find beauty in a snapping turtle’s eye — Aaron Horrell
Aaron, an ace nature photographer, gives us a closeup in words and photo of a rugged old snapper in this new monthly feature.
Ruminations on an ecological ethic: No short cuts — Charlie Slovensky
A long plane ride spurs Charlie to formulate his own code of ethics for living with nature. A sample: “When I can learn to appreciate a storm as much as a sunset and a cockroach as much as a crappie, then I will have attained an ethical posture I aspire to.”
Merit badge catfish — Bob Brennecke
Scoutmaster Bob kept his promise to take Danny fishing. Danny earned a merit badge and oohs and ahs throughout the camp for the Nims Lake record catfish he brought back. Bob lost his glasses and had some clothes to dry out, but a good story to tell around the campfire in future years.
Law changes allows possession of firearms on federal properties
Congress has acted. As of Feb. 22, 2010, you can lawfully possess a firearm on National Wildlife Refuges and in National Parks, including the Ozark National Scenic Riverway, subject to federal, state and local firearms laws, but that doesn’t mean hunting, trapping or fishing regulations on those properties have changed or that guns are allowed in buildings.

A monthly geology feature and maps of to guide you around the territory are regular Traveler features

Rock Talk: In praise of lowly, common limestone — Jo Schaper
It’s the most versatile, variable and valuable stone in the state. It’s arguably the most common. You eat it, use it to brush your teeth and improve crop yields with it. Here’s the lowdown on limestone.
MDC to test online system for waterfowl hunting slots — News release
The Missouri Department of Conservation will test an online drawing system called Quick Draw at Eagle Bluffs, Grand Pass and Otter Slough conservation areas to assign waterfowl hunting opportunities.
Seasons: Fish are ready for those who seize opportunity — Bob Todd
It’s March. The fish are ready. Anglers who take the opportunity when conditions are right will catch some fish, says Bob. Those who don’t are the ones who will be chasing two-week-old fishing reports the rest of the season.
Riverways plans prescribed burns — News release
Ozark National Scenic Riverways personnel will be setting intentional fires various locations through April. Exact schedule depends on the weather and fuel supply.
Old Appleton area memorable stop in southeast Missouri — Kathleen Brotherton
From a Spanish land claim to a Shawnee Indian village to a busy grist mill and the popular Silver Dollar Tavern, Old Appleton, where Apple Creek meanders between Cape Girardeau and Perry Counties, has long been an interesting and historic place. It’s still worth a visit.
The Iron Kettle: Soup simmering on stove warms chilly days — Pat Todd
Crock pots are fine, says Pat, but big iron pots are “more old-fashioned cozy.” And nothing warms up a chilly winter or early spring day like a pot of soup bubbling on the stove. She shares recipes from for Indian tacos, Indian fry bread, Kraft fiesta meatloaf, Mama Melchor’s Mexican rice and turkey and wild rice soup.
Furry thief frustrates taste for ’something different’ — Jim and Donna Featherston
After a morning cutting wood, Jim is ready for a “something different” treat of black walnut goodies, stored in a wooden box on the porch. A grey squirrel beat him to the treasure.

Bob Brennecke pens an entertaining story of memorable Boy Scout campout in his first story for Traveler

Conway Welcome Center plays on romance of Rt. 66 — Jo Schaper
Travelers who remember old Route 66 will recognize the decor at the new Missouri Welcome Center near Conway, at eastbound mile marker 111, on Interstate 44. Those who never experienced the Mother Road in its heyday can get taste of its flavor at the rest stop. The sign out front resembels that of a 50s drive-in or motel. The info area looks like a tourist court front desk and a Route 66 road map from Chicago to Kingman, Ariz., is inlaid in the atrium floor.
Conservation Commission approves land transfers
Meeting in late January, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved various land transfers, helped protect Lake Taneycome and gave hunter education awards to several people.
11 Wildlife Code violators lose privileges
At its Jan. 28 meeting, the Missouri Conservation Commission suspended hunting and/or fishing privileges for 11 Missouri residents and affirmed action by Missouri courts suspended the privileges of six others.
Through the Years in Traveler: Whys, wherefores, rules for ‘poke sallet’
Twenty-five years ago, A.E. Lucas was writing in Traveler that spring, to old-timers, was known as ” poke-sallett” time. He went on to explain exactly how you go about enjoying pokeberry greens. Warning: Seeds and roots contain toxins. Know what you’re eating and how to prepare it.
Young and looking for work? State and federal parks are hiring
The Missouri Divison of State Parks and Army Corpos of Engineers both have federal stimulus money and have put out calls for college students to work the 2010 recreation season.

Travel maps in this issue: Clearwater Lake, Lower Current and Eleven Point, Upper Meramac, Huzzah and Courtois, Parkland Region, Upper Current and Jack’s Fork, Upper Meramec and Wappapello Lake.

Eminence, MO –Ozark National Scenic Riverways has closed the road to
Shawnee Creek Campground to vehicle traffic. The road suffered significant
damage from the late October flooding and is unsafe for travel. The
campground remains open to walk-in campers and people entering the site by
boat. Repair work will be extensive and the dates for completion are
undetermined.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and
Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique
cultural heritage of the Ozark people. For more information, visit
www.nps.gov/ozar.

This workshop is being held to share information and skills used by Ozark ancestors and to share traditional Ozark crafts before they are forever
lost. Ozark National Scenic Riverways has pursued revitalization of these crafts through Ozark Heritage Festivals held annually at Big Spring and
Alley Mill, through an apprentice program on traditional arts, and with this workshop.

Please plan on participating in this workshop. It is sure to be a fun educational event for anyone interested in old tools and past Ozark technology.

Participants can purchase lunch at a nearby deli or have a choice of restaurants in Van Buren. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch. For those
wishing to spend more time in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, there are numerous motels and cabin rentals available. Camping is available in the
Big Spring Campground nearby.

If you have old tools to use, please bring them with you.

For additional information or a reservation, please call Sherry Griffin at 573 323-4925. A limited number may participate in the workshop, but anyone
can come to observe.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique
cultural heritage of the Ozark people. For more information visit, www.nps.gov/ozar.

Eminence, MO – The Jacks Fork River within Ozark National Scenic Riverways experienced flash flooding early this morning due to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The Shannon County sheriff’s office notified National Park Service law enforcement rangers at approximately 4:30 AM about flash flood conditions within Alley Spring campground. NPS rangers and the Missouri State Water Patrol responded with multiple boats and vehicles. Officials evacuated 48 campsites, equaling over 200 people, and physically ferried approximately 45 campers at the Alley Spring campground and backcountry sites, as well as people camping along the river on gravel bars.

The Alley Spring campground will remain closed until conditions improve and an assessment of the damage can be made. Significant personal property was damaged in this incident.

Flash flooding in the Spring Valley also caused a Round Spring Cave tour to become stranded on one side of Spring Creek. The group of 16 emerged from the 2:00 PM ranger-led program to find the bridge hanging from one side. Rangers responded and ferried people to the opposite shore, safely getting everyone to their vehicles.

Visitors should remain cautious and be aware that river and creek levels can change rapidly, especially during unpredictable weather conditions.

For more information about camping and river conditions, please call 573-323-4236, or visit online information at: www.nps.gov/ozar/.