Public shares concerns over riverways GMP

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Phil Moss was 12 years old when he followed in his grandfather's footsteps and became a guide on the waterways of what are now the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

In the 61 years since, the Current and Jacks Fork rivers have been for the Ellington, Mo., resident a treasured connection to his heritage and a way to support his family, most recently as a boat manufacturer.

The proposed changes in the action alternatives of the draft General Management Plan threaten both, according to Moss, among more than 300 people to attend a public meeting Tuesday in Van Buren, Mo.

The meeting is one of a series held across the state during the GMP public comment period, which closes Feb. 7.

The National Park Service preferred alternative includes proposed restrictions on motorboat use on both the Current and Jacks Fork, as well as changes in how gravel bar camping would be managed, the closure of unauthorized roads and horse trails and other changes.

The debate over management is seen by some as the interests of local residents competing against those of outsiders, or a debate between different types of uses, such as motorboats versus canoes and tubes.

"We're being discriminated against because we have powered boats," believes Moss, who attended with his son, Calvin, a partner with his father at Blazer Boat Manufacturer in their hometown.

The real problem, Moss said, are tourists who come for the weekend, drinking, doing drugs, behaving badly and receiving the majority of the tickets written by park law enforcement.

"We're not hurting the river," added Calvin, who can see the economic impact of limits on boat horsepower and use being felt far across the region.

The Riverways management plan should remain the way it is, unless the park service can prove dramatic damage has been done to the resource, said Jerry J. Presley, a former director of the Missouri Department of Conservation. While Presley lives near Jefferson City, he has a vacation home in Van Buren and was raised at Low Wassie.

"Any regulations they propose should be backed up by good science and accurate studies," Presley said. "I'm very interested in what the future management will be of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. I'm concerned they may adopt a plan that may reduce (recreation), especially fishing."

Angie and Steve Prater of Ellington used provided computer stations to post comments about the GMP on the park service website. The Praters favor a no action plan, in the hopes that the rivers they grew up on will still be accessible to their children.

"We want them to grow up the way we did," said Angie Prater.

The people who live in the area and are impacted by these proposals are the best to comment, said Rep. Steve Cookson (R-Poplar Bluff).

"I hope their voices are heard loudly by those trying to make decisions," he said.

Phil Drennan lived with his family below Big Spring as a child, until the property they rented became part of the Riverways in 1968. Today, Drennan, of Fredricktown, still uses the Riverways as a floater and horseback rider.

"My biggest concern is more government encroachment on our liberties," said Drennan. "A lot of the proposals are made around what ifs, whens and maybes."

The action alternatives leave too many unanswered questions, according to him.

"I don't see the river being destroyed," Drennan said. "It's best to just leave us alone."

Mick Sutton and Sue Hagan of Reynolds County disagree and hope to see a strong management plan focused on protection of resources.

"I think they've done a really great job trying to come up with improvements that will protect the resource and also facilitate the current multiple uses," said Hagan, who suggested comparing the quality of the park-managed rivers to the Black River.

"You can see how important management is," she continued, adding the tourism tied to the Current and Jacks Fork benefits the communities they run through, while the same cannot be said of the Black River.

A formal hearing on the proposed wilderness designation for the area at Big Spring was held following the public meeting. The comments of those who spoke were recorded by a court reporter.

Only about 4 percent of the more than 80,000 acres of the Riverways meet the strict guidelines to become a possible wilderness area, attendees were told by a park service facilitator. Congressional approval is needed before any such designation can be made.

A staff member from U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-8th District) told attendees Smith would never approve such a measure. It has been the tradition of Congress not to approve wilderness areas without the support of the member who served that area, the group was told.

"Jason Smith and this Congress will never approve the wilderness area," the staff member said.

The audience applauded the first speaker, Vickie Glassman of Van Buren, who said she didn't trust the government and the public needed to be watchful that the rights of area residents were not chipped away, little by little.

Other speakers agreed, also expressing concern that the wilderness designation and its limits on motor vehicles would cut off access to homes and businesses surrounded by the Big Spring section of the Riverways.