Wappapello, Clearwater lake recreation to change in light of Corps budget cuts

PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Recreation at Clearwater and Wappapello lakes will change this season as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers faces budget cuts across its projects.

Clearwater expects to shorten the operating season at two of its parks. The flood-impacted Wappapello project anticipates stronger cutbacks, pushing back the opening dates for the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitors Center, two of the three beaches and many campgrounds, as well as eliminating student and summer hires who help with special events.

A workshop will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Clearwater Project Office adjacent to Clearwater Dam in Piedmont to discuss the proposal there. Wappapello is finalizing flood repair proposals before scheduling meetings.

"The public will notice a difference in the services they have always received ... We have tried to minimize that by providing a service, but not at all locations," Wappapello project manager Cindy Jackson said.

Jackson anticipates significant budget reductions, though neither project has received its final budget for the current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1. Historic high water in May left Wappapello with severe flood damage, which needs repair and much of which has to be funded through its normal budget. It also has to fund a periodic dam inspection this year.

Area lakes are funded from two separate sources. Wappapello is part of the St. Louis District in the Southwestern Division and Clearwater is part of the Little Rock District in the Southwestern Division.

Wappapello has reduced all of its contracts, including those for sewer service and law enforcement, and will not hire park attendants this year.

This means rangers will have more duties and may not be available for as many special events, such as the roadside cleanup project held each year, Jackson said. Services such as cleaning and mowing will not occur as often.

Student and summer staff also assisted with school and water safety programs.

Jackson said many community partners and volunteers have already stepped in to help, with the SEMO Water Safety Council funding some water safety campaigns, and Mingo Job Corps providing students to answer phones, assist with cleaning and other duties. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the project office at 573-222-8562.

The Little Rock District's operation and maintenance budget has been cut about $17 million this year, according to a press release from the district.

Proposed recreation changes within this district will reduce costs by an estimated $1.9 million annually ($921,000 for operation and maintenance expenses and $989,000 for labor), officials say.

These would change recreation operations at 29 parks, including closing 13 campgrounds, four partial campgrounds, four day use areas, one partial day use area, and nine boat ramps. Also under consideration is making the recreation season shorter at many additional parks. Other likely park adjustments include reducing the frequency of trash pick-up, cleaning and mowing. Maintenance response times are likely to increase. And the district expects to hire fewer temporary park rangers and contract park attendants. The district is exploring additional cost savings in its other missions as well.

Devenport said Clearwater has no plans to close campgrounds or to reduce workers or trash pick-up, cleaning and mowing.

"Other than changing these seasons, we're expecting a pretty well normal year," he said.

No group presentations are planned during the scheduled workshops, but Corps representatives will be on hand to discuss proposed changes and provide input. Written comments will also be accepted at the workshops.

Little Rock District operates 178 public parks and access areas. Making adjustments to the 8 percent of its park facilities that are less efficient will allow the district to place more emphasis on the remaining 92 percent, according to the district.

Other scheduled workshops include:

Greers Ferry Lake -- 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., Feb. 9, at the William Carl Garner Visitor Center on Highway 25 North, just west of Greers Ferry Dam near Heber Springs, Ark.

Lake Nimrod, Lake Dardanelle, Toad Suck Ferry and Murray pools of the Arkansas River -- 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., Feb. 14, at the Russellville Project Office, 1598 Lock and Dam Road in Russellville, Ark.

Ozark Lake -- 2-4 p.m. and 5 -7 p.m., Feb. 16, at the Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative at 1811 West Commercial St. in Ozark, Ark.

Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes -- 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., Feb. 21, at the Mountain Home Project Office at 324 W. Seventh St. in Mountain Home, Ark.

More information about proposed changes to specific recreation areas is available on Little Rock District's website at http:// www.swl.usace.army.mil/ news&info/news/2012/02-12.pdf. Information is also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ littlerockusace.

Pertinent address:

Piedmont, MO

Wappapello Lake, MO

Clearwater Lake, MO