A political battle over the Ozark National Scenic Riverways—the largest federal park in Missouri—is heating up. The debate pressures a crucial distinction: how much are protected open spaces for people, and how much are they for protecting.
The federal government recently ended public comment for the long-range management plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, home to the Current and Jacks Fork rivers and located just three hours southwest of St. Louis. The park's 134 miles of spring-fed river and 80,000 acres of wilderness is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Todd C. Frankel reports on the two sides in the debate. "The problem is that some residents living near the rivers believe any new restrictions would hurt tourism and restrict the water access they’ve enjoyed for generations," reports Frankel. That side has the political support of U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, who opposes new restrictions in the federal park, which runs through his district.
On the other side: "environmental and conservation groups, plus some people who live farther away and use the rivers for recreation, believe tighter rules are needed to protect the waterways from degradation." In fact, "[three] years ago, the advocacy group American Rivers listed the Ozark waterways among the nation’s 10 most endangered rivers."
The National Park Service has already announced its preference for new restrictions on motorboats, horseback riders and ATVs. Rep. Smith has responded by introducing two bills in the House, including one that would transfer the park back to state control.
Read the full story: Fight over Ozark rivers isn't waiting for park service's decision
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Illegal Roads Threaten Lake Mead’s Shoreline
As visitors seek out ways to reach the lake’s increasingly distant shoreline, officials say illegally created roads are damaging environmental and cultural resources and leading to hundreds of calls for rescue for stranded vehicles.
Regenerating and Healing Land Through Parks
Through thoughtful planning and restoration efforts, parks can help heal degraded land, meeting multiple community needs, improving soil quality, restoring native vegetation, and creating habitats for wildlife.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment
The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.
Mass. votes against statewide minimum lot size for single-family homes
Over 2 million residents voted on Question 7; it was decided by just over 30,000 votes.
Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval
The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.
‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds
Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello