Public Input Sought for New Management Plan for Arkansas’ Buffalo National River
The National Park Service has opened a public comment period for input on a new management plan for the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. The river has not had an updated plan since the early 1980s and the goal of the updated plan is to protect the river’s natural and cultural resources, as well as its free-flowing character and backcountry values.
The public comment period, which began on Aug. 16 and ends on Sept. 15, aims to gather feedback on key issues surrounding the river’s ecology and health, as well as the increasing number of visitors who come for camping, fishing, kayaking, and other recreational activities. The National Park Service is looking to revisit the 1983 river use plan and provide a framework for future decisions that will protect the resources while offering recreational opportunities.
A report from the National Park Service in 2023 showed that the Buffalo National River attracted 1.3 million visitors and contributed over $78 million in economic output that year. In 2023, there were proposals to redesignate the Buffalo as a national park, which faced criticism from lawmakers like U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman.
The National Park Service plans to complete the river management plan by the summer of 2026. Input from the public is crucial to shaping the future of the Buffalo National River and ensuring its protection and sustainable recreational opportunities.
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Photo credit arktimes.com