Headline

Activists Call For Clean-Up Of Current River

Activists upset about the state of the Current River presented 5,000 petition signatures to the National Park Service Tuesday, some of them symbolically written on canoe paddles.

Headline

Groups appeal to National Parks Service to protect Current, Jacks Fork rivers

Leaders of about a dozen national and state environmental and outdoor groups gathered downtown today to call on the National Park Service to rehabilitate the Current River, which lies at the heart of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

News Release | Environment Missouri

Citizens Rally for Reform on the Current River

Today Environment Missouri and a statewide coalition of environmental groups and outdoors advocates rallied at City Hall to call on the National Park Service to rehabilitate the Current River, which lies at the heart of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Wielding canoe paddles signed by concerned citizens to highlight the Current’s role as Missouri’s premier float stream, the group delivered nearly 5,000 petition signatures to the National Park Service urging reform.

News Release | Environment Missouri

Ozark National Scenic Riverways Named to Endangered Rivers List

Today the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, made up of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers and Missouri's premier national park area, was named to American Rivers' list of Top Ten Most Endangered Rivers for 2011. 

Report | Environment Missouri Research & Policy Center

The Best of America Under Threat From Under Funding

Even as more people are visiting our national parks, like the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, operating budgets for the majority of national parks are at risk of being cut. Nearly three-quarters of parks that saw an increase in visitorship last year face a budget cut in the next fiscal year. As America’s greatest places are becoming more popular destinations, now is the time to ensure that national parks have the resources they need to sustain valuable visitor programs and services, maintain the quality of park facilities, ensure safety and promote park stewardship. Proposed budget cuts for the coming year will only add to the National Parks Service budget shortfalls, created by years of underfunding.

Result

TAKING ACTION FOR THE CURRENT RIVER

As trash accumulates along the riverbanks throughout the Ozarks and unauthorized vehicle use destroys trails, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways has become less welcoming to families. Environment Missouri staff  have met with Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis to urge swift action.