Onsr Comments

[tanvat]

Hello all, hope some of you have gotten out from some real winter fishing - 0 with a foot of snow is pretty real....

As a lot of you know, the National Park Service has released its draft managment plan for the Current and Jacks Fork. The NPS is now soliciting public comments. Now is the time to have your voice heard. Submit you comments. For what little its worth, here is my take on it.

The Current and Jacks Fork are national treasures. Yet, we allow this treasure to be diminished. Quiet enjoyment is displaced by the almost constant drone of jet-boats. The woods, the fields, the gravel bars, and the river itself are all scarred with ATV tracks. There are no jet-boats screaming up and down the Snake River at the base of the Tetons and no fleet of ATVs tearing up any beach at Acadia. Float the Current or Jacks Fork and you’ll see this in spades.

Any of you who have spent any time along the rivers has seen the abuses. Just this past spring, my wife, my two young sons, and I rounded a bend near Lewis Hollow below Akers only to be greeted by a schoolbus, two RVs, and five other vehicles on a gravel bar. Years ago, there was no road to this spot. Now there is a 10 foot wide, eroded gash through the woods, all the way to the river. There are frequently RVs parked along the river bank at Twin Rocks. An old forest track at the “jumping rock” above Pulltite now serves as a full blown jet-boat launch site. And the list goes on. The river is commandeered by the few to the detriment not only of the many who come to experience the rivers as they were meant to be, but to the obvious detriment of the rivers themselves. We permit abuses in the Riverways that would not be countenanced in any vaguely comparable location. There is no excuse for this.

The Park Service’s preferred alternative forges a workable compromise among the competing demands on the rivers. If the rivers are to remain relatively pristine in perpetuity, you simply cannot permit the continued proliferation of unauthorized roads along the rivers. The Park Service’s preferred alternative addresses this issue.

The preferred alternative falls short, however, of adequately addressing the use of jet-boats, particularly on the Current River between Round Spring and Two Rivers. This stretch, along with the upper Jacks Fork, represents perhaps the finest stretch of float stream in the state. If motorized boats are to be permitted for the sake of motorized access, such access can be achieved, as it is on the Buffalo River, by boats equipped with low horsepower motors. The argument that further limits will end a long-standing tradition of jon-boating the rivers is wholly inaccurate. No jon-boat in the in the 30’s, 40’s or 50’s ever flew up the river in front of a any motor remotely similar to modern outboard jets. The only discernible reason for allowing jet-boats on this stretch of the river is to satisfy the demands of a miniscule minority of river users who desire not only access, but access via a high speed joyride. Limiting the use of jet-boats above Two Rivers is no more a limitation on access than requiring people to walk down the sidewalk rather than drive. The Riverways were not set aside to ensure some imaginary “right” to an aquatic superhighway; but on most days from May through September, that is precisely what it has become.

Besides the loads of facts and data demonstrating the wisdom of reasonable limits, there is a more fundamental reason to impose additional limits on motorized access; and it is this: in the long run, it is our shared experience of the rivers that will dictate how we choose to treat the rivers. The wisest decision must account for not only the numbers, but the reason why so much time and toil has been expended on gathering those numbers. The reason is the rivers themselves and the unique, increasingly scarce opportunity they provide for potentially world class outdoor experience. The legislation establishing the Riverways recognized these values and must be re-affirmed. When the rivers become, as they have in many places on many days, nothing but an outdoor amusement park, people come to see them and treat them as such. One need not spend much time on the rivers to see this. If this continues, the time is not far off when most people have no recollection of a peaceful day on the river; no deep, personal conviction that the rivers are a treasure at all. If that happens, degradation will continue and the Riverways will become a national park in name only.

There are hundreds of thousands of acres of reservoirs in the Ozarks that are open to power-boating. There are hundreds of miles of Ozark rivers to run jet-boats as one sees fit. Conversely, there are precious few miles set aside for the overwhelming majority who seek a quieter experience. We should take this opportunity to do what is right both for the rivers and the vast majority of river users. We should limit the use of jet-boats above Two Rivers.

I know that was a little long, but we've got this chance to get it right.

[Guest]

Right on brother.

[Flysmallie]

I agree with all that. I love the section from Round Spring to Two Rivers. It's a beautiful place to catch a smallmouth. And probably one of the best sections of river that I have ever floated. But I'll never go back as long as those jet boats are running it. It's not the guys that are out fishing, it's the guys that are running wide open up the river with their kids, girlfriends riding up in the front of the boat. Some of the rudest people I have ever seen.

[fishinwrench]

You say "limit the use of jet boats". Does that mean that the "authorities" will be the only ones allowed, or that nobody will be allowed?

And by using the term "jetboat" are you not including a ban on prop outboards? (ALL motorized vessels?)

[awhuber]

Hello all, hope some of you have gotten out from some real winter fishing - 0 with a foot of snow is pretty real....

As a lot of you know, the National Park Service has released its draft managment plan for the Current and Jacks Fork. The NPS is now soliciting public comments. Now is the time to have your voice heard. Submit you comments. For what little its worth, here is my take on it.

The Current and Jacks Fork are national treasures. Yet, we allow this treasure to be diminished. Quiet enjoyment is displaced by the almost constant drone of jet-boats. The woods, the fields, the gravel bars, and the river itself are all scarred with ATV tracks. There are no jet-boats screaming up and down the Snake River at the base of the Tetons and no fleet of ATVs tearing up any beach at Acadia. Float the Current or Jacks Fork and you’ll see this in spades.

Any of you who have spent any time along the rivers has seen the abuses. Just this past spring, my wife, my two young sons, and I rounded a bend near Lewis Hollow below Akers only to be greeted by a schoolbus, two RVs, and five other vehicles on a gravel bar. Years ago, there was no road to this spot. Now there is a 10 foot wide, eroded gash through the woods, all the way to the river. There are frequently RVs parked along the river bank at Twin Rocks. An old forest track at the “jumping rock” above Pulltite now serves as a full blown jet-boat launch site. And the list goes on. The river is commandeered by the few to the detriment not only of the many who come to experience the rivers as they were meant to be, but to the obvious detriment of the rivers themselves. We permit abuses in the Riverways that would not be countenanced in any vaguely comparable location. There is no excuse for this.

The Park Service’s preferred alternative forges a workable compromise among the competing demands on the rivers. If the rivers are to remain relatively pristine in perpetuity, you simply cannot permit the continued proliferation of unauthorized roads along the rivers. The Park Service’s preferred alternative addresses this issue.

The preferred alternative falls short, however, of adequately addressing the use of jet-boats, particularly on the Current River between Round Spring and Two Rivers. This stretch, along with the upper Jacks Fork, represents perhaps the finest stretch of float stream in the state. If motorized boats are to be permitted for the sake of motorized access, such access can be achieved, as it is on the Buffalo River, by boats equipped with low horsepower motors. The argument that further limits will end a long-standing tradition of jon-boating the rivers is wholly inaccurate. No jon-boat in the in the 30’s, 40’s or 50’s ever flew up the river in front of a any motor remotely similar to modern outboard jets. The only discernible reason for allowing jet-boats on this stretch of the river is to satisfy the demands of a miniscule minority of river users who desire not only access, but access via a high speed joyride. Limiting the use of jet-boats above Two Rivers is no more a limitation on access than requiring people to walk down the sidewalk rather than drive. The Riverways were not set aside to ensure some imaginary “right” to an aquatic superhighway; but on most days from May through September, that is precisely what it has become.

Besides the loads of facts and data demonstrating the wisdom of reasonable limits, there is a more fundamental reason to impose additional limits on motorized access; and it is this: in the long run, it is our shared experience of the rivers that will dictate how we choose to treat the rivers. The wisest decision must account for not only the numbers, but the reason why so much time and toil has been expended on gathering those numbers. The reason is the rivers themselves and the unique, increasingly scarce opportunity they provide for potentially world class outdoor experience. The legislation establishing the Riverways recognized these values and must be re-affirmed. When the rivers become, as they have in many places on many days, nothing but an outdoor amusement park, people come to see them and treat them as such. One need not spend much time on the rivers to see this. If this continues, the time is not far off when most people have no recollection of a peaceful day on the river; no deep, personal conviction that the rivers are a treasure at all. If that happens, degradation will continue and the Riverways will become a national park in name only.

There are hundreds of thousands of acres of reservoirs in the Ozarks that are open to power-boating. There are hundreds of miles of Ozark rivers to run jet-boats as one sees fit. Conversely, there are precious few miles set aside for the overwhelming majority who seek a quieter experience. We should take this opportunity to do what is right both for the rivers and the vast majority of river users. We should limit the use of jet-boats above Two Rivers.

I know that was a little long, but we've got this chance to get it right.

Hello all, hope some of you have gotten out from some real winter fishing - 0 with a foot of snow is pretty real....

As a lot of you know, the National Park Service has released its draft managment plan for the Current and Jacks Fork. The NPS is now soliciting public comments. Now is the time to have your voice heard. Submit you comments. For what little its worth, here is my take on it.

The Current and Jacks Fork are national treasures. Yet, we allow this treasure to be diminished. Quiet enjoyment is displaced by the almost constant drone of jet-boats. The woods, the fields, the gravel bars, and the river itself are all scarred with ATV tracks. There are no jet-boats screaming up and down the Snake River at the base of the Tetons and no fleet of ATVs tearing up any beach at Acadia. Float the Current or Jacks Fork and you’ll see this in spades.

Any of you who have spent any time along the rivers has seen the abuses. Just this past spring, my wife, my two young sons, and I rounded a bend near Lewis Hollow below Akers only to be greeted by a schoolbus, two RVs, and five other vehicles on a gravel bar. Years ago, there was no road to this spot. Now there is a 10 foot wide, eroded gash through the woods, all the way to the river. There are frequently RVs parked along the river bank at Twin Rocks. An old forest track at the “jumping rock” above Pulltite now serves as a full blown jet-boat launch site. And the list goes on. The river is commandeered by the few to the detriment not only of the many who come to experience the rivers as they were meant to be, but to the obvious detriment of the rivers themselves. We permit abuses in the Riverways that would not be countenanced in any vaguely comparable location. There is no excuse for this.

Give me a break. The road at lewis hollow has been there for hundreds of years There is a ford there. The spot you call jumping rock is private property.

The Park Service’s preferred alternative forges a workable compromise among the competing demands on the rivers. If the rivers are to remain relatively pristine in perpetuity, you simply cannot permit the continued proliferation of unauthorized roads along the rivers. The Park Service’s preferred alternative addresses this issue.

The preferred alternative falls short, however, of adequately addressing the use of jet-boats, particularly on the Current River between Round Spring and Two Rivers. This stretch, along with the upper Jacks Fork, represents perhaps the finest stretch of float stream in the state. If motorized boats are to be permitted for the sake of motorized access, such access can be achieved, as it is on the Buffalo River, by boats equipped with low horsepower motors. The argument that further limits will end a long-standing tradition of jon-boating the rivers is wholly inaccurate. No jon-boat in the in the 30’s, 40’s or 50’s ever flew up the river in front of a any motor remotely similar to modern outboard jets. The only discernible reason for allowing jet-boats on this stretch of the river is to satisfy the demands of a miniscule minority of river users who desire not only access, but access via a high speed joyride. Limiting the use of jet-boats above Two Rivers is no more a limitation on access than requiring people to walk down the sidewalk rather than drive. The Riverways were not set aside to ensure some imaginary “right” to an aquatic superhighway; but on most days from May through September, that is precisely what it has become.

Besides the loads of facts and data demonstrating the wisdom of reasonable limits, there is a more fundamental reason to impose additional limits on motorized access; and it is this: in the long run, it is our shared experience of the rivers that will dictate how we choose to treat the rivers. The wisest decision must account for not only the numbers, but the reason why so much time and toil has been expended on gathering those numbers. The reason is the rivers themselves and the unique, increasingly scarce opportunity they provide for potentially world class outdoor experience. The legislation establishing the Riverways recognized these values and must be re-affirmed. When the rivers become, as they have in many places on many days, nothing but an outdoor amusement park, people come to see them and treat them as such. One need not spend much time on the rivers to see this. If this continues, the time is not far off when most people have no recollection of a peaceful day on the river; no deep, personal conviction that the rivers are a treasure at all. If that happens, degradation will continue and the Riverways will become a national park in name only.

There are hundreds of thousands of acres of reservoirs in the Ozarks that are open to power-boating. There are hundreds of miles of Ozark rivers to run jet-boats as one sees fit. Conversely, there are precious few miles set aside for the overwhelming majority who seek a quieter experience. We should take this opportunity to do what is right both for the rivers and the vast majority of river users. We should limit the use of jet-boats above Two Rivers.

I know that was a little long, but we've got this chance to get it right.

Remember this riverways was established to allow recreation. It would not have been allowed to go into effect with the restrictions that are proposed. Just read letters from Ichord and Staples and others from the time of establishment and you will see why the park service is wrong on their plan.

[MaxDrown]

/signed

And I'd like to see the elimination of jet boats on the Eleven Point River, too.

[tanvat]

Fishinwrench, great point. I admit I am not knowledgable about the technical aspects of various boat motors b/c I'm a paddler. Jet-boats - those that can fly over a 6 inch riffle at breakneck speeds - are the main problem. I'd have little issue with little 10 hp outboards like I've seen on the Buffalo. I'd imagine during a lot of low water periods, those would ride too low to motor up and down anyway. As far as whether the "authorities" would be able to use 40 hp jets, well yeah - just like police officers or firemean can go down the highway at high speeds to respond to an emergency, so too should the Park Service be allowed to respond to an emergency. FWIW, I've seen Park Service jetboats about twice in the 24 years I've spent plying the rivers; twice in probably close to a 1,000 miles of floats - lack enforcement is part of the problem and likely won't be remedied regardless of outcome of the planning process.

FlySmallie/Siusaluki - if you haven't already, submit your comment - what you said is something I've heard time and again. Lots of people stay away due to the actions of a few, and those few don't usually travel from out of the area to interject new money into the local economy. The idea that limiting or even eliminating high speed jet boats/outboards/whatever on the stretch above Two Rivers would somehow be a net loss to the local economy is dubious at best.

[Guest]

deleted

[Greasy B]

Count me among those who avoid ONSR because of the traffic. With exception of the occasional off season float I travel to other rivers for peace and solitude.

Who knows what boating technology will next allow recreational joy riding on shallow rivers. The term jet boat really should be replaced with high power boats, or maybe a broader term like high powered craft.

[Terrierman]

Count me among those who avoid ONSR because of the traffic. With exception of the occasional off season float I travel to other rivers for peace and solitude.

Who knows what boating technology will next allow recreational joy riding on shallow rivers. The term jet boat really should be replaced with high power boats, or maybe a broader term like high powered craft.

You must have been down here for the bowfishing tournament and seen/heard a few of the airboats. They put a jetboat in the shade when it comes to annoyance factor. Hovercraft could be next too. 10 HP limit like the Buffalo would solve the problem.

Excellent post Tanvat