News & Updates

Here we go again, circling the same wagons accomplishing nothing while avoiding robust discussion over the real potential for environmental calamity in our precious Buffalo National River watershed. And for what, I continue to wonder? To defend at all costs one family in Newton County who teamed with Minnesota's Cargill Inc. to convince our state's Department of Environmental Quality (cough) it was a fine idea to approve the first hog factory in the state's most ecologically fragile region? It's become a relevant question in light of the state's continuing public expense and political lobbying involved in keeping this misplaced factory running. It was no surprise the two federal agencies, which guaranteed the loans for the C&H Hog Farms, released their findings the other day. They claim there's "no significant impact" to the first national river as a result of the millions of gallons of raw hog waste held in two lagoons when not being regularly sprayed across fields near Big Creek, a major tributary of the Buffalo flowing less than seven miles downstream. Don't worry, Arkansas! Be happy! This latest environmental assessment follows the initial version filed by the Small Business Administration and the USDA's Farm Service Agency. U.S. District Judge [...]

Pending approval of the feasibility study by the City of Fayetteville, the Ozark Society will grant the City up to $2,000 to help defray a portion of the cost of a feasibility study of a future whitewater recreation park on the White River just south of Fayetteville.

Missed Deadline Meanwhile, back at the majestic Buffalo National River, one of our state's brightest jewels for recreation and tourism. Kevin Cheri, superintendent of the Buffalo River National Park Service office at Harrison, in October sent a letter to Becky Keogh, the latest director of our state's Department of Environmental Quality (cough) asking that agency to place three tributaries of the Buffalo on its annual list of "impaired waterbodies." Such a designation falls under requirements cited in the federal Clean Water Act. Cheri's request included his agency's documentation of sustained fecal E. coli contamination in Mill Creek, as well as significantly low levels of dissolved oxygen in Bear Creek and Big Creek, the stream that flows alongside C&H Hog Farms at Mount Judea. Did our agency for preserving water quality, which allowed the hog factory to set up shop on the Buffalo watershed, agree with Cheri and include these three creeks with obvious environmental problems? Why, of course not. These streams won't even be considered for inclusion on the list until 2018. It seems folks at the Buffalo National River didn't make the March 31, 2015, deadline for inclusion in its latest list. And heaven forbid our state's official environmental watchdogs [...]

The Pulaski Chapter will be hosting the Spring General Membership Meeting the weekend of April 15 at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center just outside Little Rock.  The General Meeting will be Saturday and Sunday, with an OS Board Meeting held on Friday evening. Accommodations include camping, cabins and rooms, as well as an on-site cafeteria. We will have a Saturday night potluck, dutch oven cook-off, and swing dancing. Ferncliff has hiking and biking trails, small lakes for canoeing and kayaking, and there are other recreational opportunities nearby. Click here to download the registration form, with details about registering for lodging, camping and meals if desired . Important information: Please pre-register and pay for sleeping arrangements and cafeteria meals by the April 1 deadline so that Ferncliff can plan staffing and accomodations appropriately (see financial page of registration form.) The Ozark Society has reserved the north 40 acres of Ferncliff for our exclusive use, but there are lots of things to do at Ferncliff (swimming, canoeing, fishing, biking, hiking, etc., on site.) They have found that a $12 /person facilities fee is reasonable for all that is available-it is a good deal in order to encourage families and students, we have decided [...]

Below is a link to comments on the Draft FONSI and Final Environmental Assessment submitted on behalf of Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, Arkansas Canoe Club, National Parks Conservation Association, and Ozark Society. The Coalition's  Earthjustice attorneys did a brilliant job of pulling together comments of all four groups.  This is an educational document of value to understanding the problems encountered in our efforts to close or move the hog factory. Click on the link below to see the comments submitted on behalf of the Buffalo River Coalition: Final Comments on Draft FONSI final EA

Long-time Ozark Society member Dr. Paul Noland, father of Stewart Noland, has died.  He was a professor at the University of Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture (retired). His memorial service will be Saturday, January 9, at 10 a.m., at Central United Methodist Church.  The church is located at 6 West  Dickson Street in Fayetteville. A reception will follow the service. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Dr. Paul R. Noland Endowed Scholarship Fund, 1002 W. Maple Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72701. http://Click to see Dr. Noland's obituary

ATTENTION!  Pulaski Chapter Ozark Society members AND all OS members! Please recall The Ozark Society lawsuit against the Ozark and St. Francis National Forests and the Bureau of Land Management because of their plan to drill and frac approximately 1,730 gas wells in the Ozark and St. Francis Forests.  This case was filed about four years ago, and will be heard in Federal District Court tomorrow, November 10th at 1:00 PM. PLEASE BE THERE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, SIMPLY TO SHOW THE COURT OUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT. Our attorneys, Ross Noland and Sam Ledbetter of the McMath Law Firm, will make their oral argument for a "summary judgment" to resolve the matter. The Federal District Court address is 600 West Capitol, downtown LR.  1:00 PM, Judge Moody's court. Cell phones are not permitted in the building, so please leave them in your vehicle. Please call Alice Andrews if you have questions.  501-219-4295.

Below is Mike Masterson’s column from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette regarding the October 23 “Celebrate the Buffalo” event in Fayetteville.  Used by permission. […]

Go to the new OS Outings  page to check out  information regarding 2016  All-Society Outings, including another trip to the Grand Canyon!