Mark Twain National Forest experienced an exceptional year in terms of recreation visitors. The Forest wants to hear from all our visitors to fine-tune the recreation program’s draft, five-year Recreation Facility Strategy (RFS). As the summer recreation season draws to a close, Forest Supervisor Sherri Schwenke has decided to continue to accept comments related to the Forest’s draft RFS through October 17. As Forest visitors reflect on their summer trips to the woods, they will also have the opportunity to share their ideas about future management of their favorite recreation sites on the Forest.
“I want to applaud everyone that has taken the time to review the strategy and provide feedback so far; and I specifically want to share my gratitude to the citizens of Van Buren for their community engagement around Watercress,” stated Schwenke. “By coming together and sharing concerns and ideas with us, this community will help the Forest make better management decisions concerning Watercress; and I believe these conversations will lead to positive partnership opportunities down the road.”
Schwenke expressed her interest in continuing to engage individuals and communities through this process stating, “I know COVID19 has been impactful for everyone, so I want to give people as much opportunity as I can to be able to connect with us.”
To best serve the public, the Forest must balance how and where services are provided, while looking for partnership opportunities. The draft, five-year Recreation Facility Strategy provides a plan for Mark Twain National Forest to achieve its mission of providing the public with excellent and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities at developed recreation sites.
To learn more about the proposed changes, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf and look for the link under “Spotlights” toward the bottom of the home page. Comments can be emailed to SM.FS.MTNF_Rec@usda.gov. Also, please reach out to a Forest Service office with any questions about this plan or how to provide comments.
- Forest Supervisor’s Office (Rolla) – (573) 364-4621
- Ava-Cassville-Willow Springs Ranger District (Ava) – (417) 683-4428
- Eleven Point Ranger District (Doniphan) – (573) 996-2153
- Houston-Rolla-Cedar Creek Ranger District (Houston) – (417) 967-4194
- Poplar Bluff Ranger District (Poplar Bluff) – (573) 785-1475
- Potosi-Fredericktown Ranger District (Potosi) – (573) 438-5427
- Salem Ranger District (Salem) – (573) 729-6656
