New State Park?

[jdmidwest]

This will get the 11 Pt so much more attention that it sorely needed.  I personally will enjoy the extra crowds that it will draw to the peaceful area.

 

NOT

[Mark]

I've been going to the EP for past 16 years. Summer holidays and maybe 6-8 weekends in the summer could be called crowded.  Summer weekdays are rarely what could be called moderately crowded. We learned to go during the week in the summer, and most trips I would describe as light traffic. Many days when you might see 20-30 other people all day long. Vast majority are not fishing. Mostly families, and very rarely the party floatillas. Locals get out in the evenings after work in the jetboats. Trips in the spring and fall when school is in session, and you practically have the river to yourself. The river is for everyone to enjoy. It don't bother me one bit when on most trips I see maybe 2-3 canoes go by every half hour or so, and almost always they are a family with kids, 4 buddies, or young couples.

Outside of a 100 mile radius, very few people have heard of the Eleven Point. I live an hour south of St. Louis, and when I tell someone I am going floating on the Eleven Point River, the reply is always "Where's that?" Yes, I enjoy the solitude as much as the next guy, but have maybe only had 3-4 trips in 16 years that the river was crowded, and those were holidays and summer weekends. And I have learned to even enjoy those trips - meeting interesting people and admiring the bikinis!! The Eleven Point River is far from being a crowded river.

[jdmidwest]

And it should stay far from being a crowded river.  That is the purpose of Wild and Scenic.

I don't think a park will help it any.

[SpoonDog]

And it should stay far from being a crowded river.  That is the purpose of Wild and Scenic.

I don't think a park will help it any.

Only if they put in a canoe landing and a boat launch and electric campsites and an interpretive education center with paved trails and a lodge/motel and cabins along the river

[Brian Sloss]

I don't think 10 primitive campsites located south of the busiest part of the river well off the river where the frontage can't be developed, is going to suddenly make the river over run.

[jdmidwest]

If I run into anyone on a river while I am there, it is crowded.  I really don't think it needs anymore attraction or attention.

[Mark]

Brian, just curious, but mentioned that a 200-300 acre resort/RV park/developed campground would be ideal. I agree. But how would a person do so with the easement issue? I know that  the private ground starts near Riverton, and seems to be a checkerboard of what is private and public from there on down river. I am assuming the easement restrictions apply to private as well as public. You mentioned that the Wild and Scenic Riverways includes the Frederick Creek area. Does it end soon thereafter? Do the easement restrictions end near the Narrows? Would that be the only option for such a place? I am surprised that no one has undertaken such a project.

[Brian Sloss]

Mark, unless it was downstream of the hwy 142 bridge, which is way south of the popular part of the river, it would not be a riverfront situation.  Simply put, it can not be riverfront from Thomasville to 142 due to the restrictions of a Wild and Scenic River and it should not be allowed.  The very thing that is attractive about this river would run contrary to a lodge, rv campground stream-side and if an exception were made, the other land owners under easement would sue and have a strong case.  What I am talking about is a park a mile or so from the water between Cane Bluff and Riverton (the most popular section of the river) bordering the national forest.  The only section you might be able to do stream-side would be on the 4-5 mile stretch from 142-Arkansas line.  That is so far out of the way, I doubt it would produce much interest. 

[Brian Sloss]

By they way, if I find the plans call for riverfront development, I will oppose it, as it would open up the river to litigation.

[Mark]

OK thanks, I assumed it would have to be by Arkansas line to be on water's edge but wasn't sure,