Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Buffalo National River was established by Congress on March 1, 1972. The park includes 135 miles of the Buffalo River in northern Arkansas. The clean, clear waters of this free-flowing stream, its beautiful bluffs and waterfalls, its rugged wilderness, and its combination of natural and pastoral landscapes provide outstanding recreational and educational opportunities. The last comprehensive plan for Buffalo National River was completed in 1977. Much has changed since then, and I am pleased to announce that the National Park Service (NPS) is beginning a planning process to chart the future of the national river. I invite you to participate in this journey.

In July we will hold the first round of public meetings to start developing the general management plan (GMP) for Buffalo National River. Once completed, this plan will guide management decisions for the next 15 to 20 years and help us in preserving the national river’s resources while providing opportunities for high-quality recreational experiences.

This is an opportunity for you to help us shape the future of Buffalo National River. I look forward to hearing from you now and as we proceed through the planning process for your national river. Please plan to attend one of the upcoming meetings.

Sincerely,

Kevin G. Cheri Superintendent

BuffaloN a t i o n a l R i v e r • A r k a n s a s

S u m m e r 2 0 0 9 • G e n e r a l M a n a g e m e n t P l a n N e w s l e t t e r # 1

N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r

Page 2 • Buffa lo Nat ional R iver • Newsletter #1 • Spr ing 2009

Please join us in July for public meetings to discuss your ideas and concerns about the future of Buffalo National River. For your convenience, we have scheduled seven meetings in the following locations: Fayetteville/Springdale, Marshall, Jasper, Mountain Home, Yellville, Harrison, and Little Rock. See the table below for specific dates, times, and locations.

If you are unable to or prefer not to attend, you can still ask questions of, or provide input to the planning team using the enclosed, postage paid comment form or the planning website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/buff. You can also reach the planning website via the link on the Buffalo National River website (www.nps.gov/buff). In addition, you can send a letter to Superintendent, Buffalo National River, Attn: General Management Plan, 402 N. Walnut, Suite 136, Harrison, Arkansas 72601.

InvItatIon to attend PublIc MeetIngs and coMMent

City Date and Time Location

Fayetteville/ Springdale

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Jones Family Center • 922 E. Emma Ave. Springdale, AR 72764 • 479-756-8090

Marshall Thursday, July 9, 2009 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Marshall Elementary School Cafeteria • 201 W. College St. Marshall, AR 72650 • 870-448-3011 (Supt Office)

Jasper Friday, July 10, 2009 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Carroll Electric Coop • 511 E. Court St. Jasper, AR 72641 • 870-446-5114

Mountain Home Saturday, July 11, 2009 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Pinkston Middle School • 1310 College St (located behind ASU) Mountain Home, AR 72653 • 870-425-1236 (office)

Yellville Saturday, July 11, 2009 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Yellville-Summit High School Cafeteria • 1124 N Panther Ave Yellville, AR 72687 • 870-449-4067

Harrison Monday, July 13, 2009 5:00 p .m. – 8:00 p.m.

North Arkansas Community College, Durand Center • 302 Main St. N Harrison, AR 72601 • 870-391-3211 (President’s Office)

Little Rock Tuesday, July 14, 2009 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission • #2 Natural Resources Drive Little Rock, AR 72205 • 501-223-6309

We want to share with you as much as possible about the general management planning process, and hope to hear your opinions. To have the best give-and-take, we plan to hold seven public open houses. During the open houses, you are invited to come and go as your time allows. The superintendent will provide an overview of the planning process at the beginning of each open house. There will be several stations in a large room where you can talk to park staff about the future of Buffalo National River.

You may want to think about your answers to the following questions before attending the meeting: (1) What do you enjoy about the national river? (2) What issues and concerns do you have? (3) What kinds of facilities, resource conditions, or recreational opportunities do you want?

http: / /www.nps.gov/buff • Page 3

general ManageMent PlannIng

The general management plan (GMP) is the basic plan for all park units in the national park system. Participa-tion in the planning process by the park staff, partners, neighbors, and the general public is crucial to the suc-cess of this planning effort.

GMP planning is organized around three questions: WHY was this park established? WHAT is the vision for this park’s future? HOW do we accomplish our future vision?

Why Was this park established?

Answers to the WHY question form the foundation for the general management plan. This foundation is based on legislation and the legislative history; it begins with statements of Buffalo National River’s purpose and significance, which are presented in this newsletter. The planning team will refer to the purpose and significance of the national river to direct and test each step of the plan as it is developed.

What is the future vision of buffalo national river?

The primary role of the general management plan is to answer the WHAT question: What kind of place do we want the national river to be in the future? What are the resource conditions we want to maintain and the visitor experiences we want to have at the national river? Sev-eral possible visions for the park’s future will be devel-oped during the planning process. These visions, also

called management alternatives, will present different approaches to managing the park while achieving the national river’s purpose and maintaining its significance. It is the public’s ideas, comments, and answers to this question that are most important.

hoW do We accomplish our vision for the future?

Although it may be necessary in some cases to include specific proposed actions in the general management plan, most HOW questions are answered in future implementation plans. For example, the desired future conditions for the national river’s natural and cultural resources and the visitors’ experiences will be described in the plan, but specific actions, such as those needed to manage exotic vegetation, would be identified in a subsequent vegetation/habitat management plan. All existing park management plans will be evaluated and revised as necessary to be consistent with the new gen-eral management plan.

Page 4 • Buffa lo Nat ional R iver • Newsletter #1 • Spr ing 2009

26mi42km

13mi21km

5mi8km

35mi56km

5mi8km

14mi23km

5mi8km

14mi23km

10mi16km

10mi16km

3mi5km

23mi37km

6.1mi 2.6mi 8mi 5.7mi 5.4mi 2.1mi 7mi 4mi 6.8mi 8.5mi 11.1mi 4.2mi 1.4mi 4.2mi 11.8mi 4.7mi 1.5mi 7.5mi4.6mi 24.4mi 11miRiver distances:

Distances between river access points are shown on the diagram below. Average floating time at “ample floating level” is about two miles per hour.

White

R

iver

River

Buffalo

Rive

r

Buffalo

Beech

Cr

eek Creek

Arrington

Leatherwood

Creek Creek

Steel Cr

Clark

Running Creek

Eden Falls

Creek

Sneeds

Indi

an C

reek

Cecil Creek C

reek Cove

Mill

Cre

ek

Flatrock Creek

Creek

Wells

Litt

le

Bu

ffalo Rive

r

Cre

ek

Cav

e Cr

eek

Big

Rich

land

C

reek

Creek

Creek

Creek

Brush

Bear

Cal

f

Spring Cr

Cre

ek

Big

Creek

Middle

Creek Leatherwood

Ced

ar C

reek

Cow Creek

Crooked Creek

Clabber Creek

Rush Creek

Panther Cr

Water Creek

Creek

Tomahawk Creek Mill

Creek

Davis

Unpaved road

Drinking waterRiver access point

Primitive campsite Interpretive trail

Historic site

Campground

Information station

Public telephone

Buffalo NationalRiver AuthorizedArea

Wilderness area

To Flippin, Buffalo City,Mountain Home, and Ozark

National Scenic Riverways

To BlanchardSprings Caverns,

Ozark Folk Center,and Mountain View

GENE RUSH WMA(Arkansas Game &Fish Commission)

LOAFER‘S GLORY WMA (AG&FC)

LOAFER‘S GLORY WMA

Henry KoenExperimental

Forest(USDA-FS)

OZARK NATIONAL FOREST

OZARK

NATIONAL

FOREST

Box

ley

Valley

PoncaVillines Farms

PoncaRiver access point: Pruitt Landing Carver Mt. Hersey Woolum Baker Ford Gilbert Maumee N Rush Landing Buffalo CityBuffalo

PointSpringCreek

Boxley BridgeRiver access point: Steel Creek Kyles Landing Erbie Ozark Hasty Tyler Bend Grinders Ferry Maumee S Dillards Ferry To Norfolk

Roark Bluff

Big Bluff Gray Rock

SkullBluff

RedBluff

SkullRock

PointPeter

The Narrows(The Nars)

Hemmed-inHollow

Compton

Dogpatch

Bellefonte

Western Grove

Pindall

St. Joe

Hasty

Piercetown

MountJudea

Morning Star

Harriet

Cozahome

Caney

MARSHALL

YELLVILLEHARRISON

JASPER

Boxley Bridge

Ponca

Steel Creek

Pruitt Ranger Station

BakerFord

Pruitt LandingOzarkKyles

Landing

Carver

RushLanding

Buffalo City

Mt. Hersey

Maumee South

Buffalo PointRanger Station

Spring Creek

Maumee North

Woolum

Gilbert

Grinders Ferry(Highway 65 Bridge)

Dillards Ferry(Highway 14 Bridge)

Hasty

Erbie

Camp Orr (BSA)

Parker-HickmanFarmstead

CollierHomestead

Ford

Lost Valley

Center PointTrailhead

Parking

ComptonTrailheadParking

Park Headquarters

ToneyBend

Elephant HeadRock

IndianRockhouse

Rush

To

51mi82km

To

65mi105km

To

69mi111km

To andTo

90mi145km

Richland V

alley

WARNINGLocally heavy rains cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly. Pick campsites that allow an escape route.

Do not dive or jump into the river. Swim only in clear, calm water and check below the surface for submerged objects.

Private property existswithin the authorized area. Please respect owners’ rights.

LOWER BUFFALOWILDERNESS

LEATHERWOODWILDERNESS

UPPER BUFFALOWILDERNESS

UPPERBUFFALO

WILDERNESS

PONCAWILDERNESS

North

0 1

0 1

5 Miles

5 Kilometers

6035

44 62 412

404040

21

65

27

49

21

4374

7

74

74

123

412

6265 62

412

14

14

14

99

268

532

126

235

65

65

374

333

14

62412

206

206

743

123

Tyler BendVisitor Center

buffalo natIonal rIver

http: / /www.nps.gov/buff • Page 5

26mi42km

13mi21km

5mi8km

35mi56km

5mi8km

14mi23km

5mi8km

14mi23km

10mi16km

10mi16km

3mi5km

23mi37km

6.1mi 2.6mi 8mi 5.7mi 5.4mi 2.1mi 7mi 4mi 6.8mi 8.5mi 11.1mi 4.2mi 1.4mi 4.2mi 11.8mi 4.7mi 1.5mi 7.5mi4.6mi 24.4mi 11miRiver distances:

Distances between river access points are shown on the diagram below. Average floating time at “ample floating level” is about two miles per hour.

White

R

iver

River

Buffalo

Rive

r

Buffalo

Beech

Cr

eek Creek

Arrington

Leatherwood

Creek Creek

Steel

Cr

Clark

Running Creek

Eden Falls

Creek

Sneeds

Indi

an C

reek

Cecil Creek

Creek

Cove

Mill

Cre

ek

Flatrock Creek

Creek

Wells

Litt

le

Bu

ffalo Rive

r

Cre

ek

Cav

e Cr

eek

Big

Rich

land

C

reek

Creek

Creek

Creek

Brush

Bear

Cal

f

Spring Cr

Cre

ek

Big

Creek

Middle

Creek Leatherwood

Ced

ar C

reek

Cow Creek

Crooked Creek

Clabber Creek

Rush Creek

Panther Cr

Water Creek

Creek

Tomahawk Creek Mill

Creek

Davis

Unpaved road

Drinking waterRiver access point

Primitive campsite Interpretive trail

Historic site

Campground

Information station

Public telephone

Buffalo NationalRiver AuthorizedArea

Wilderness area

To Flippin, Buffalo City,Mountain Home, and Ozark

National Scenic Riverways

To BlanchardSprings Caverns,

Ozark Folk Center,and Mountain View

GENE RUSH WMA(Arkansas Game &Fish Commission)

LOAFER‘S GLORY WMA (AG&FC)

LOAFER‘S GLORY WMA

Henry KoenExperimental

Forest(USDA-FS)

OZARK NATIONAL FOREST

OZARK

NATIONAL

FOREST

Box

ley

Valley

PoncaVillines Farms

PoncaRiver access point: Pruitt Landing Carver Mt. Hersey Woolum Baker Ford Gilbert Maumee N Rush Landing Buffalo CityBuffalo

PointSpringCreek

Boxley BridgeRiver access point: Steel Creek Kyles Landing Erbie Ozark Hasty Tyler Bend Grinders Ferry Maumee S Dillards Ferry To Norfolk

Roark Bluff

Big Bluff Gray Rock

SkullBluff

RedBluff

SkullRock

PointPeter

The Narrows(The Nars)

Hemmed-inHollow

Compton

Dogpatch

Bellefonte

Western Grove

Pindall

St. Joe

Hasty

Piercetown

MountJudea

Morning Star

Harriet

Cozahome

Caney

MARSHALL

YELLVILLEHARRISON

JASPER

Boxley Bridge

Ponca

Steel Creek

Pruitt Ranger Station

BakerFord

Pruitt LandingOzarkKyles

Landing

Carver

RushLanding

Buffalo City

Mt. Hersey

Maumee South

Buffalo PointRanger Station

Spring Creek

Maumee North

Woolum

Gilbert

Grinders Ferry(Highway 65 Bridge)

Dillards Ferry(Highway 14 Bridge)

Hasty

Erbie

Camp Orr (BSA)

Parker-HickmanFarmstead

CollierHomestead

Ford

Lost Valley

Center PointTrailhead

Parking

ComptonTrailheadParking

Park Headquarters

ToneyBend

Elephant HeadRock

IndianRockhouse

Rush

To

51mi82km

To

65mi105km

To

69mi111km

To andTo

90mi145km

Richland V

alley

WARNINGLocally heavy rains cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly. Pick campsites that allow an escape route.

Do not dive or jump into the river. Swim only in clear, calm water and check below the surface for submerged objects.

Private property existswithin the authorized area. Please respect owners’ rights.

LOWER BUFFALOWILDERNESS

LEATHERWOODWILDERNESS

UPPER BUFFALOWILDERNESS

UPPERBUFFALO

WILDERNESS

PONCAWILDERNESS

North

0 1

0 1

5 Miles

5 Kilometers

6035

44 62 412

404040

21

65

27

49

21

4374

7

74

74

123

412

6265 62

412

14

14

14

99

268

532

126

235

65

65

374

333

14

62412

206

206

743

123

Tyler BendVisitor Center

Buffalo National River is a long, narrow park that is crossed by three main highways. Using Harrison as a starting point, to reach the Upper District, visitors travel south from Harrison on Highway 7, or High-way 43; to reach the Middle District, visitors travel 31 miles south of Harrison on Highway 65; to reach the Lower District, visitors take Highway 65 south from Harrison for 5 miles, then take Highway 62/412 to the east to Yellville, and Highway 14 south.

Kevin G. Cheri, Superintendent 402 N Walnut St, Suite 136 Harrison, AR 72601

BuffaloN a t i o n a l R i v e r • A r k a n s a s

Page 6 • Buffa lo Nat ional R iver • Newsletter #1 • Spr ing 2009

PurPose and sIgnIfIcance of buffalo natIonal rIver purpose

The park purpose identifies the reasons why Buffalo National River was established as part of the national park system. The purpose provides the foundation for the management and use of the national river. Purpose state-ments for national park system units are based primar-ily on the park’s establishing legislation and legislative history.

significance

Significance statements identify the resources and values that are central to managing the national river and ex-press the importance of the national river to the nation’s natural and cultural heritage. This helps to place the park in regional, national, and international contexts. Under-standing the national river’s significance helps manag-ers make decisions that will preserve the resources and values necessary to accomplish the park’s purposes.

buffalo national river is significant for the folloWing reasons:

A Free-Flowing River. Buffalo River is an exceptional example of a free-flowing Ozark mountain river. Un-dammed and undiminished by the hand of man, it is the only river protected for its entire length within the Ozark Plateau. As a dynamic river ecosystem, Buffalo River is important for scientific discoveries and advances in eco-system management and restoration.

Karst Geology. Buffalo National River contains a dense array of karst features, including more than 360 caves and thousands of sinkholes, sinking streams, springs, and other natural features related to karst processes. In several places the entire river runs underground for more than a mile. Outstanding examples of faulting, landslides, ore mineralization, and world renowned fossil deposits have formed during its long geologic history.

Ozark Cultural Landscape. The entire park is an outstanding cultural landscape that embraces the over-all story of Ozarks settlement and history from the first prehistoric inhabitants to today’s living rural community of Boxley Valley, providing opportunities to study and in-terpret cultural, environmental, technological, and social adaptations.

A Complex Ecosystem. The convergence of northern and southern ecosystems, the joining of western and eastern species, a rich blend of botanical communities, and an abundance of fire-adapted habitats create an ecosystem recognized locally, nationally, and globally as unique.

Exceptional Recreation Setting. Buffalo National Riv-er’s spectacular waterfalls, limestone bluffs, clear water, wooded canyons, and wilderness provide an exceptional setting for recreational opportunities that are unequaled in this part of the country.

The purpose of Buffalo National River is to preserve, conserve, and interpret a clear, clean, free-flowing river and its Ozark mountain setting of deep valleys, towering bluffs, wilderness, and pastoral landscapes. It is not one single quality, but the combination of natural, scenic, cultural, and scientific features that are protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

http: / /www.nps.gov/buff • Page 7

the PlannIng schedule

Step and timeframe

planning activity participation opportunitieS

1 (We are here)

Fall 2008- Summer 2009

Initiate Project, Define Planning Foundation, and Identify Concerns

The team examines and reaffirms the purpose and significance of the unit, and determines the primary issues and concerns for the GMP. Team members collect and analyze relevant data and public comments.

Attend public meetings and voice your concerns orally or by using a comment form, mailing a letter, or commenting online.

2

Fall 2009- Spring 2011

Develop and Evaluate Alternatives

Using staff and public input, the team will identify a range of reasonable alternatives for the national river’s future, analyze public reactions to these preliminary alternatives, and select a preferred alternative.

Read newsletter(s) and send us your ideas and comments on the preliminary alternatives. Attend public meetings to provide additional input.

3

Summer 2011- Summer 2012

Prepare and Publish the Draft General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement

A draft plan will be published and distributed to the public. The draft document will describe the alternatives and their impacts.

Read the draft plan and send us your ideas and comments via mail or the Internet. Attend public meetings to provide more input.

4

Fall 2012- Fall 2013

Revise and Publish the Final General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement

The team will analyze public comments on the draft document, prepare responses to substantive comments, and make appropriate revisions to the draft document. The final document will then be distributed to the public.

Read the final document

5

Winter 2014

Implement the Approved Plan

A “Record of Decision” will be issued to approve the final GMP. The plan will then be implemented as funding allows.

Stay involved throughout the implementation of the approved plan.

The management plan is expected to take about five years to complete. A summary of the process and anticipated time frame is presented below. You will have opportunities to share ideas and comments throughout the process.

FIR

ST-C

LASS

MA

ILPO

STA

GE

& F

EES

PAID

NA

TIO

NA

L PA

RK

SER

VIC

EPE

RM

IT N

O.

G-8

3

Un

ite

d S

ta

te

S de

par

tm

en

t o

f t

he

int

er

ior

n

at

ion

al

pa

rk

Se

rv

ice

d

en

ve

r S

er

vic

e c

en

te

r –

an

n v

an

hU

ize

n, d

Sc–p

12

795

We

St a

la

me

da

pa

rk

Wa

y

p.o

. B

ox

252

87

de

nv

er, c

o. 8

0225

-028

7

OFF

ICIA

L B

USI

NES

S PE

NA

LTY

FO

R P

RIV

ATE

USE

$30

0