In Memoriam: Paul Means

Longtime Ozark Society member Paul Means recently passed away. I met Paul in 1976 soon after I moved to Little Rock. We paddled, hiked, and camped together on numerous occasions. We were also both members of the Ozark Society.

Paul served on the Ozark Society Board for many years in the capacity of Conservation Chair. Although other issues were pressing at the time (Lee Creek Dam, Bear Creek Dam, Pindall Landfill), Paul’s most lasting impact was likely helping with the Congressional passage of the Arkansas Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1992.

Paul’s work took him to Washington, DC on occasion, which gave him an opportunity to visit face to face with Arkansas’ Congressional delegation and their staffs concerning the proposed legislation to designate the Cossatot, Little Missouri, Upper Buffalo, Richland Creek, Hurricane Creek, Big Piney, Mulberry, and North Sylamore Creek as Wild and Scenic Rivers under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

For several years Paul spearheaded the Ozark Society efforts in this regard. Anticipating a need to send Ozark Society members to Washington to testify at Congressional hearings on the subject, the Board had saved a significant amount of money to cover travel expenses. I will never forget the phone call from Paul informing me that the bill was likely to pass without the need to appear at any hearings. Without Paul’s work, this development would not have occurred.

More recently Paul participated in the Ozark Society oral history effort concerning wilderness and wild and scenic rivers. Plus, he provided input to Bob Robinson for use in Bob’s articles on wild and scenic rivers.

The Ozark Society is most appreciative of Paul’s service, particularly the pivotal role he played in seminal federal legislation protecting our wild and scenic rivers. Thank you to Paul. The Ozark Society will miss you.