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Meet Your New President,
Alice AndrewsAlice was born and reared at Cordell, Oklahoma (short grass/big sky country), graduated from Southwestern State University at Weatherford, OK with a BS in Biology/Home Economics, followed by an internship in Clinical Laboratory Science at St. Anthony's Hospital, Oklahoma City leading to MT(ASCP) as a registered Medical Technologist.
Work history: Central State Psychiatric Hospital, Norman, OK; St. Elizabeth's Hospital, New York City; Hospital de Occidente, Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras (medical team teaching project for Care-Medico) and the VA Medical Center, Little Rock, AR for the past 33 years.
Current job: She is Education Coordinator for the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the VA Medical Center, instructing Clinical Laboratory Science students at the VA and UAMS; also coordinates, provides and tracks continuing education for the Laboratory staff.
Active member of the Ozark Society since 1971 chairing the Pulaski Chapter three times. Represented the Ozark Society on the AR Trails Council for 10 years, serving as Chairperson for two years. Appointed to the Arkansas Scenic Rivers Commission for 10 years, one term for Gov. Frank White and a second term for Gov. Bill Clinton, serving as Chairperson of Scenic Rivers for two years.
Special projects included working for RARE II, and to establish wilderness areas in Arkansas and Oklahoma; the struggle for preserving as many streams in Arkansas as possible through the Scenic Rivers Commission. This included aerial surveys of riparian corridors, water quality surveys, studies to identify rare plants along rivers, establishment of extraordinary resource water designations and creating a "stream registry" for those free-flowing rivers or those with long segments which were free flowing, in order to call attention to their unique qualities such as "scenic", "wild" or "pastoral". On a more local level, worked with "Save Our Parks" to prevent a major traffic route along Rebsamen Road across Jimerson Creek to connect to I-430 and Cantrell Rd., Highway 10.
Outside of Arkansas, worked with CEDAM, an underwater archeology organization to preserve underwater world heritage sites. This group did the first underwater survey in the Galapagos Islands, working with the Darwin Research Station. Active member of the UAMS Scuba Club which participates annually in an underwater cleanup of the shoreline of Greers Ferry Lake.
Observations from Alice: What makes life sweet? canoeing, backpacking, traveling, diving, cooking, learning and being with family and friends. Do you know why canoeing is such a fine teacher? It is the discovery of what lies around the next bend and best, it is the instant feedback we get, the results of making a right or wrong decision on the route or chute we choose!
"My happiest times as a child were spent in the top of a tree, or exploring a creek, a woods and its critters - and watching stars in that big black sky. That has not changed. I am greatly honored to find myself elected President of the Ozark Society. Its members have been my special "family" for about 32 years. We can be very proud of our successful efforts in support of conservation and preservation of rivers, forests and wilderness areas in our region. There are two ever-present needs - 1) to keep doing what we are doing and 2) develop a plan to recruit and retain young, active members. Working together, I am confident that we will continue speaking with a strong voice motivated by our "like-minded" love of the outdoors and the desire to protect the planet we call home.
As the new president of the Ozark Society and on behalf of all our members, I want to express our gratitude to Stewart Noland for the magnificent job he did as our President for so many years. I also want to thank Paul Means for his work as our Conservation Chair. He made an outstanding effort to inform and provide us with the accurate information needed to further our conservation work.
Please contact me anytime at (501) 663-3023 or e-mail: alice209ok@yahoo.com
Alice
Prepare Now For Spring Meeting!
Laura and David Timby and their associates in the Buffalo River Chapter at Marshall are busy planning the program for the Ozark Society Spring Meeting at Tyler Bend on the Buffalo National River the weekend of April 25-27.
All one really needs to know right now is that it will be Dogwood blooming, wildflower watching, and smallmouth bass fishing time in the Buffalo River country of northern Arkansas. What more incentive do you need?
Laura advises that Group Campground No. 4 and the Pavilion have been reserved for the Ozark Society. There is also room for RVs and trailers.
As usual, we will register at 9 a.m. in the Pavilion and the business meeting will start at 10 a.m., followed by the Board Meeting over lunch.
The potluck will begin at 6 p.m. and they hope to have one of our favorite musical groups, Harmony, to entertain.
Most of our members who aren't camping have probably already made their reservations, but if you haven't, the closest cabins are available at Buffalo Outdoor Center at Silver Hill (1-800-582-2244), motel rooms can be rented at Marshall, and bed and breakfast accommodations are available at nearby Gilbert, home of the famous Riverside Cafe.
On Sunday we will hike, float, or do a little of both. There is never a shortage of outdoor experiences to be had on the Middle Buffalo!
CURRENTS
By Stewart Noland,
President, The Ozark SocietyLittle did I realize at the1985 Fall Meeting of the Ozark Society, Inc. in Mountain View, when I was elected President of the Ozark Society, that I would be President of the Ozark Society on December 31, 2002.
But, that's the way it happened and I would not trade the experience for anything!
Memories over the years include innumerable spring and fall meetings, Board Meeting, public meetings concerning resource issues, letters, float trips, and whitewater trips. Highlights of the times include wilderness area designations, wild and scenic river designations, a week-long Buffalo River float trip, and the incomparable experience of hearing our founder, Dr. Neil Compton, singing "The Devil's Cursed Wife" alongside the folk group "Harmony" at one of our meetings.
The most important benefit that I have realized during my tenure as President has been the opportunity to develop lifelong personal relationships with numerous Ozark Society members from all of our chapters.
These priceless relationships are a clear representation of the common thread, the continuum that has held our unique volunteer organization together for 41 years.
I cannot be sure what the expectations of our founders were in l962, but I am inclined to believe that they would be proud of the legacy that has been forged since then.
In recent years, the Board has striven to maintain a balance between conservation, education, and recreation activities as they relate to wild and scenic rivers, wilderness areas, and unique natural areas - the things that make our region so special.
I hope that the Ozark Society will continue to focus its efforts and energies in these worthwhile areas, as there will always be challenges to undertake.
There are too many people to thank for their support and understanding over the years. However, I will mention a few individually for specific reasons.
Harold and Margaret Hedges have provided us with unrivaled conservation ethic role models since the day I met them in the early 1970s. John Heuston has been a valuable player for the Ozark Society for his many, many years of work as editor of Pack & Paddle. My parents, Paul and Eunice Noland, have been incredibly supportive during my tenure as President, and I cannot thank them enough.
As it is with any leadership position, there have been difficult decisions to make, and there have been numerous ups and downs. However, the positives far outweigh the negatives, and for this I am thankful for the experience.
On January 1, 2003, Alice Andrews officially became the ninth President of the Ozark Society. I urge all Ozark Society members to provide Alice with all of the support that she needs, because, as our founder Neil Compton constantly reminded us - "the challenge goes on." It certainly does!
I sincerely believe that because the Ozark Society rose to face many of those challenges that threatened our natural world, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, and Oklahoma are today much better places to live work and play than they would have been otherwise. Let's keep it that way!
DUES REMINDER
Friends, Hikers, Paddlers, Nature Lovers! Lend me your ears...dues are due!
Ozark Society dues are for the calendar year and include a subscription to the Ozark Society's quarterly magazine, "Pack & Paddle," and conservation action updates via the Ozark Society's website.
Membership categories are: Individual/Family, $15; Contributing, $25; Affiliated organizations (schools, clubs, etc.), $25; and Life, (one-time payment) $200.
The Uneasy Chair
By John Heuston, Communications Chairman
Now that the Searcy County Regional Water Districts' illegal Bear Creek Dam permit has been revoked by the Army Engineers, this threat to the integrity of the Buffalo National River, and the float trip outfitters and visitors who depend on having adequate water in mid-summer, seems to be over - at least for the present. So, it seems to be a good time for some reflections and comments on the past and future of our own organization.
The Ozark Society has had the good fortune to be guided by some great presidents ever since Dr. Neil Compton and his associates founded this very special organization in 1962, when the fate of the Buffalo River hung in the balance and their was no single conservation organization in the state devoted solely to its preservation.
One of our very best presidents, Stewart Noland, stepped aside at the Mt. Nebo meeting (but will remain close by) for a well-deserved rest, and veteran Ozark Society member Alice Andrews was elected president to contribute her years of Ozark Society experience and talents to the job.
Alice has always been a leader and she's already hard at work!
Other changes were that Bob Cross of Fayetteville takes Alice's place as vice president and Mike Farar of Little Rock was elected Conservation Chairman to give long-time Conservation Chairman Paul Means of Little Rock a break.
Our congratulations and support go out to all these fine new officers, with a hearty thanks to the people they succeed for jobs well done.
Fortunately for us, when Stewart Noland was elected president, we also acquired the services of the whole Noland family - from Stewart's wife Debbie, his parents Paul and Eunice and brother Steve, to Stewart's son Ross and daughter Claire. If you're looking for an example of an outdoor family, this is it. Their varied talents have contributed greatly to the success of the Ozark Society and they are all still working to support the current officers and directors of the Society. We thank them all.
Crooked Creek Gravel Update
By Garner Jones
A recent report from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) indicates that gravel mining on Crooked Creek continues to be an issue of considerable concern.
On Dec. 9, an interagency inspection team visited five locations on the creek in response to several complaints from conservationists and area residents. The inspection team consisted of James Whitener (ADEQ Enforcement Administrator), Steve Filipek and Dave Evans (AG&FC), and Rocky Presley (Army Corps of Engineers).
The first location that was inspected, immediately downstream of Kelley's Slab, had been excavated in conjunction with an on-going stream bank stabilization project. Members of Save Our Streams photographed the area in August, at which time it was obvious that a large volume of gravel had been removed from the stream, and immediately filed a complaint with ADEQ.
According to the report, it was evident that gravel had been removed from an area that could be detrimental to previous stream bank work. Fisheries Biologist Steve Filipek indicated that the stabilization plan did not include any provision or the need for removal of gravel in that area, which the report referred to as Site 1.
The property owner was told that further gravel removal could constitute a violation of the Clean Water Act and that he could not, at this time, legally sell, barter or trade any further gravel from either Site 1 or Site 2 under the bank stabilization exemption to state Regulation 15. Mr. Presley told the property owner that a 404 permit would also be needed for future gravel displacement at Site 2.
The ADEQ report, compiled by Mr. Whitener, indicates that the property owner's recent Corps of Engineers' Nationwide permit will not be renewed.
He will likely have to apply for a more stringent individual permit. Filipek is also considering options regarding further bank stabilization at Site 2.
The second location visited by the inspection team was east of the Highway 14 bridge at Yellville. In the fall of 2001, a complaint from a local resident had prompted ADEQ to inspect this location. At that time, they found that Len Halliday was mining the streambed without a permit, under the premise that he was performing bank stabilization work for the landowner.
He was initially fined $1,500 and faced civil charges brought by the legal staff of ADEQ. However, a compromise on the courthouse steps resulted in the fine being waived, but the court ordered Mr. Halliday to work through the Natural Resources Conservation Service to devise an appropriate stream bank plan.
On the recent visit to the site, the inspection team noticed a bulldozer sitting on the remnants of a gravel bar. Mr. Whitener's written account of their observations noted that such a large amount of gravel had been removed, it was impossible to determine where the natural stream channel was located.
Mr. Halliday admitted that he did not have an authorized stabilization plan. He had, in fact, written the plan himself. Mr. Presley warned Halliday that he was in violation of the Clean Water Act. Based on violation of the court order and Regulation 15, a number of state enforcement actions are now pending against Mr. Halliday. The Corps of Engineers is considering whether to issue a Cease and Desist Order, preventing further gravel displacement at the site.
Acting on a complaint from the Crooked Creek Coalition, the inspection team visited what is perhaps the most notorious mining site on the stream; an area between Yellville and Flippin which appeared on thousands of postcards. The berm, which was constructed at the direction of the Corps of Engineers, had ruptured, allowing the stream to flow through the mined area, depositing more silt and sediment into the stream. In 1999, ADEQ Director Randall Mathis suspended the mining permit of Guy Kings and Sons for similar problems at this site. On this occasion, Mr. Presley told a Guy King representative that the Corps was requiring that the breach be repaired.
The final destination for the inspection team was a low-water bridge, commonly referred to as the Flippin Slab. Several individuals had noticed evidence of in-stream mining at sites on either side of the Slab. The area has been inspected several times by ADEQ personnel since October. There were indications of new gravel removal from the east side of the Slab, as well as a new roadway leading to the removal site on their latest inspection.
Save Our Streams was told that so much gravel had been excavated from the main channel that it was causing the banks to slough and there was virtually nothing left to extract from the streambed.
It was reported to ADEQ that several trucks belonging to Mountain Home Concrete were seen hauling gravel from the locations. Mr. Whitener indicated that Mountain Home Concrete does not have a permit to mine on the upstream side of the Slab and he has been involved in negotiations with the mining company concerning pending enforcement actions.
Irrespective of stricter mining regulations and court orders, and despite the lack of permits and authorized bank stabilization plans, like the Energizer Bunny, the mining and ruination of Crooked Creek keeps going and going and going. Area mining operators and a few landowners continue to thumb their noses at state regulators and pocket the money at the expense of Arkansas' most fabled smallmouth bass fishery.
However, I'm guardedly optimistic that the situation will improve. In consideration of what has happened on the creek in the past year, hopefully ADEQ has gotten a "wake-up call" and will take forceful actions to deter future environmental intrusions on Crooked Creek.
Meet Our New Conservation Chairman, Michael Farar
Born in 1946 in Austin, Texas. Father in USAF; mother, a housewife. Lived in Texas, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Hawaii, California and the Philippines before graduating from high school in California. (I've now resided in Arkansas longer than any other place in my life.) Bachelor's degree in Economics from Sacramento State University. Served in USAF during Vietnam War. Medical occupations as dental laboratory technician, respiratory therapist, nurses aide and presently a biomedical engineering technician at the VA Medical Center in Little Rock.
From early camping days in the Boy Scouts on the east coast to excursions in the Sierra Mountains, Oregon and Washington and currently the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains - I've enjoyed a wealth of exposure to the wonders of nature. Appreciation of such treasures led naturally to a concern for their preservation - a major reason for joining the Ozark Society. As a member for five years and chairman of the Pulaski Chapter for the past two, I am looking forward to many more years of outdoor experiences along with supporting such a worthy cause.
Tim Ernst Offers Two New Books and A Calendar
Photographer/writer Tim Ernst of Cloudland fame, a veteran Ozark Society member, now has two new Arkansas books and a 2003 Arkansas Wilderness Wall Calendar available that are attracting a lot of attention.
If you love waterfalls, you are going to enjoy Tim's new publication, the "Arkansas Waterfalls Guidebook," ($19.95) which leads you (complete with GPS coordinates) to 133 spectacular waterfalls tucked away in remote corners of the "Natural State," including more than 20 waterfalls along the Ozark Highlands Trail.
Ernst's new and smaller "coffee table" book, "Arkansas Wilderness, my favorite photos from The Natural State," ($29.95) unveils 105 stunning color images that will definitely stir your hiking fever!
At present, Ozark Society Books does not stock these new offerings. To order any of these new publications, call 800-838-HIKE (4453) or turn on your computer and check out www.Cloudland.net where you can review Ernst's publications in color.
Deadline: Spring 2003 Issue of Pack & Paddle is March 20th
Pack & Paddle is published on a flexible quarterly basis (spring, summer, fall and winter). State directors, or the person they appoint for this task, usually the chapter newsletter editors, are responsible for gathering and reporting news of their Society activities and local/regional conservation issues in their respective locales. Articles and photos from individual members are also welcome.
Photographs can be either color prints and/or black and white prints (no slides please!) Send copy and photographs to Communications Chairman/Editor John Heuston, 25 Aberdeen Dr., Little Rock AR 72223. Telephone, 1-501-868-8177. The E-mail address is ozarkjheu@aol.com
All possible care will be taken with your submissions, but we are not responsible for copy or photos lost, stolen, or damaged in the publication process. Stuff happens. If you send a diskette, be sure it is formatted for Macintosh. Include a SSAE if you want your photos returned! Please put us on the mailing list for all chapter newsletters.
Stay Informed on the Web!
Members who are Internet users can stay updated on Ozark Society issues and activities by checking our web site: www.ozarksociety.net
Conservation News...
Just off the Press
Ozark Society vs. David Melcher/Corps of EngineersThe case was heard by Federal District Judge Wilson today (January 28, 2003) in Little Rock. He had planned to render a decision after a recess preceded by arguments from Hank Bates and Pete Frost for the Plaintiff and an attorney from the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. for the Defendant. But due to the complexity of issues discussed by the attorneys he will review the briefs submitted and give his opinion in three weeks.
Basically, the argument of the defense attorney was that the permit to build a dam on Bear Creek had been revoked and therefore a legal proceeding considering a permit that wasn't in existence anymore made any discussion or legal action moot.
The plaintiff attorneys performed a tag-team presentation saying there were other legal cases giving precedence to their arguments and rebuttals. They said there was no liability assumed by the Corps and no evidence that there was anything in writing assuring that this type of behavior wouldn't happen again. The defense attorney stated that the revocation of the permit alone demonstrated the Corps's position that they wouldn't grant such rights in the future.
This issue is important to the environmental community because it not only involves protection for the Buffalo River but all the other wild and scenic rivers in the United States that might have their tributaries dammed or otherwise altered.
Michael Farar, Conservation Chairman
SOCIETY OFFICERS:
President, Alice Andrews, 5524 Southwood; Little Rock, AR , 72205, (501-666-5070)
Immediate past president, Stewart Noland, 5210 Sherwood Rd, Little Rock, AR, (501-666-2989)
Vice President, Bob Cross, PO Box 145, Fayetteville, AR 72702 (479-587-8757) e-mail, racross@uark.eu (479-587-8757)
Recording Secretary, Brenda Crites, 1440 No. Henderson, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 (573-335-4521)
Financial Chair, Bob Ritchie, 707 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR 72227 (501-225-1795), Fax, 501-219-9316, britchiear@aol.com
Communications Chair/Editor, Pack & Paddle, John Heuston, 25 Aberdeen Dr., Little Rock, AR 72223 (501-868-8177), ozarkjheu@aol.com
Conservation Chair, Mike Farar, 3809 Plateau St., Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 666-6652
Education Chair, Ellen Compton, PO Box 3385, Fayetteville, AR 72702 (501-575-7253)
Membership Chair, Bill Steward, 810 Koehler, Sherwood, AR 72120 (501-835-3390) Steward810@aol.com
Ozark Society Supplies and Publications, Isabelle Roach, 4818 North Shobe Rd., Alexander, AR 72002 (501-847-3738).STATE DIRECTORS:
ARKANSAS
Judy Parker, 2717 Charter Oak, Little Rock, AR 72207 (501-225-0913) jmp@aristotle.net
Duane Woltjen, 821 Applebury Dr., Fayetteville, AR (479- 521-7032) ozarktraveler@links.com
MISSOURI
Bill Bates,1445 So. Forest Heights, Springfield, MO 65809 (417-887-0145) e-mail, CindyandBillBates@prodigy.netLOUISIANA
Okley Davis, 203 Whispering Pines Rd., Haughton, LA 71037 (318-949-2518)
Catherine Hill, 206 Elizabeth St., Manghum, LA 71259, (318-248-2901) Chill22@bayou.com
OKLAHOMA
Phil Lorenz, Bartlesville, OK 74003 (918-336-2069).
MEMBERSHIP
Dues for membership in the Ozark Society, Inc. are individual and family, $15; contributing, $25; affiliated groups (schools, clubs, etc.) $25; and life (one-time payment) $200. Chapter membership adds to the fun and fellowship of Ozark Society membership, but is not required. However, the autonomous chapters do require membership in the Ozark Society and their dues structures are as follows: Highlands, Northwest AR, $5; Pulaski, Central Arkansas, $10; Bayou, Shreveport, LA, $10; Buffalo River, North Central AR, $10; Schoolcraft, Springfield, MO, $5; Mississippi Valley, Cape Girardeau, MO, $5; and Indian Nations, OK, $5. You can mail one check for both Society and chapter dues to the Ozark Society, Inc., PO Box 2914, Little Rock, AR 72203.
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