Letter to National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis - Smith Expresses Concerns About General Management Plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Letter

Today, Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Congressman Jason Smith sent a letter to Jonathan Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service expressing his concerns over the draft General Management Plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri's Eighth Congressional District. In the letter, Smith objected to closing public access points on the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers, eliminating motorized boat traffic in certain areas, restricting boat motor horsepower, closing gravel bars and designating new wilderness areas.

"It appears that the goal of this plan is to shutdown public access points to the rivers, eliminate motorized boat traffic from certain areas, further restrict boat motor horsepower in other areas, close several gravel bars, and propose additional areas to be designated as federal wilderness. Mr. Director, I feel the need to personally, and formally, inform you that I am adamantly opposed to all of these proposals on behalf of my constituents and their local businesses," Smith wrote in his letter to National Park Service Director Jarvis.

Smith also expressed the economic and cultural importance of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways to families and small businesses in Missouri's Eighth Congressional District.

"Mr. Director, you have a chance to be a part of the solution for my district, not the problem. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is priceless, its value to my district and our area is unparalleled, and the jobs and economic activity that the park facilitates are irreplaceable. Don't allow your department to adopt a General Management Plan that is contrary to the wishes of myself, my constituents, and the other folks who want to be able to access the River," wrote Smith.

On July 17, 2013 Smith questioned Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell during a hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee. At that hearing, Smith told the Secretary, who has jurisdiction over the National Park Service, he was opposed to any General Management Plan that limited access to the river, closed trails, proposed new restrictions on boat motors, or called for new wilderness area designations. This "Draft General Management Plan" appears to ignore Smith's public concerns.

Smith encourages public comments about the "Draft General Management Plan" during the 60-day public comment period and attendance at the December 10, 2013, public meeting at the Van Buren Youth & Community Center, located at the intersection of Business Highway 60 and D Highway, Van Buren, MO 63965.

"Although I warned Secretary Jewell about limiting my constituents' access to public lands, my concerns fell on deaf ears. I encourage everyone who has an interest in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways to make their voice heard during this comment period for the Draft General Management Plan. I also encourage attendance at the December 10th public hearing in Van Buren. We will need everyone in our Eighth Congressional District to band together.

Read full letter in PDF format below:
http://jasonsmith.house.gov/sites/jasonsmith.house.gov/files/Letter%20to%20Director%20jarvis%2011-12-2013.pdf

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