Ozark National Scenic Riverways moves to allow mountain biking on some trails; public comments in support needed

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways in south-central Missouri has issued a draft General Management Plan for public comment. 

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways includes parts of the Current and Jack's Fork Rivers, in south-central Missouri near Eminence.

Previously, mountain biking was banned on all trails in the area.  The proposal is to allow mountain biking on certain trails. This could open up access to a very large, very scenic area in south-central Missouri for mountain bike use. 

Mountain biking is growing in popularity in Missouri and allowing mountain biking on trails in the area is a sensible move.  It would be a boost to area tourism and to Missouri's mountain biking scene.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways current bicycle policies run counter to this statewide trend, with the Riverways' current prohibition on mountain bike use on all trails. In fact, the only mention of bicycling on the Riverways web site a caution users against bicycling on area roads.  Since bicycling is one of the most popular recreational and vacation activities in Missouri and across the nation, the Riverways' current lack of any accommodation for bicycling at all is a serious problem.

Providing some reasonable accommodation for people who like to bicycle as part of their vacations will make the area more attractive as a vacation destination to a broader spectrum of visitors.

You can go to the National Park Service web site to submit comments in support of allowing mountain biking on selected trails within the National Scenic Riverways by clicking this link.

Suggested comment--please edit and re-state in your own words:

I appreciate the attention given to and consideration for mountain biking and other trail uses within the General Management Plan, and urge you to give increased consideration for mountain biking in this and future plans.  I oppose the no-action option which will continue the prohibition on mountain biking on all trails with the Scenic Riverways.  I urge you to allow mountain biking on trails within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in this and future plans, wherever possible and appropriate.

Well-designed mountain bike trails are sustainable and do not have adverse environmental impacts when properly constructed in the right locations. In fact, their environmental impact is often far lower than other trail options--for instance, equestrian trails.

I feel that the current situation, with mountain biking disallowed on all existing trails and bicycling on area roads discouraged by the Scenic Riverways web page, does not allow visitors the full range of recreation options that at normally available at similar state and national parks across the nation.  Allowing substantial mountain bike access in areas where it is appropriate would be a very important improvement in this area.  

Missouri has a large and active mountain biking population that will very much use and appreciate these trails and access to this beautiful area, if it is provided.

I encourage you to involve bicycling and mountain biking groups when making decisions about trail access in the Scenic Riverways area.

[Include a few sentences about why allowing mountain biking in these areas is important to you, to area tourism, etc.]

Comments are due by February 7th, 2014.  Be sure to click here to go to the National Park Service web site to officially submit your comments.