ROLLA, Mo.— The Eleven Point Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) has received some simple, yet very significant updates. The Eleven Point River had the honor to be among the first group of rivers in the nation to be designated when the Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSR) Act was initially passed in 1968. A CRMP was prepared in 1973 and was updated in 1975. This new update was just signed into effect, today by Acting Forest Supervisor Lenore Lamb. This 2024 CRMP update sets monitoring criteria for negative impacts to “ORVs”. ORV stands for Outstandingly Remarkable Value, and the ORVs are a key part of managing Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Today’s update also ensures the CRMP, created 48 years ago, now meets requirements set by the1986 amendment of the WSR Act. Public feedback was very valuable in helping the Forest Service develop this updated CRMP.
Acting Forest Supervisor Lenore Lamb shared, “Protecting waterways from pollution and preserving their free-flowing characteristics does not happen without effort, and this plan update will serve well in guiding those future efforts, so generations to come can enjoy the beauty of the Scenic Eleven Point River.”
Rivers designated through the WSR Act are required to have a CRMP to ensure the managing agency preserves specifically defined “river values” within that section of river under designation. These three river values are its free-flowing nature, its water quality, and its outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs). The WSR Act defines an ORV as a river-related value that is rare, unique, or exemplary feature at a regional or national scale; and it requires that the Forest Service protect and enhance ORVs in designated river segments. The Eleven Point Scenic River has multiple ORVs including: Wildlife, Geology, Recreation, Scenery, Fisheries, Ecology, and Historic/Cultural.
Forest Recreation Manager, Ed Sherman, was a leader for much of the partner and public engagement that occurred to get this CRMP updated. Sherman shared:
“We are grateful for the many individuals and organizations that helped us update this plan, especially to the Osage Nation for sharing their Indigenous Knowledge – including the history and contemporary meanings of this sacred site. We also thank the River Management Society for their expertise and interest in seeing this river managed appropriately. I am proud to present this plan to the public, who will enjoy the wild and scenic values of the Eleven Point River for generations to come.”
The updated CRMP and additional information can be found on the Forest’s website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mtnf/CRMP