Early Steps to Update Blanchard Springs Caverns Visitor Center
The USDA Forest Service is inviting public comments on a Draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed renovation of facilities at Blanchard Springs Caverns, one of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests’ most popular sites. This project aims to update the visitor information center and tour routes, extend these facilities’ lifespan, address potential health and safety hazards, and ensure accessibility compliance with current standards, including the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards and Forest Service Trails Accessibility Guidelines.
In addition to structural improvements, the proposed renovation includes upgrading technological and communication infrastructure and repurposing certain areas for greater operational efficiency and enhanced visitor experience.
The Forest Service requests specific, written public comments regarding the proposed renovations, which must be received or postmarked within 30 days of the official legal notice published in the Stone County Leader on November 13, 2024. Comments should directly relate to the proposed action, be within its scope, and include detailed supporting reasons.
Public comments can be submitted electronically through the Forest Service project page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/osfnf/?project=58732. Written comments may also be mailed to the Sylamore-St. Francis Ranger District, Attention: Blanchard Springs Caverns Facilities Renovation Project, 1001 East Main, Mountain View, AR 72560, or faxed to 870-269-3000. Hand-delivered comments will be accepted at the Ranger District office between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Only individuals submitting timely, specific comments during this public comment period are eligible to file an objection. All comments, including anonymous ones, will be considered by the Forest Service.
$20 Million Forest Service Grant Funds Good Hope Project in Ouachita National Forest
The USDA Forest Service recently awarded $20 million to support 66 projects across 13 states to remove hazardous fuels from forests, which will then be processed into wood products or energy sources. This funding, part of the agency’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, benefits local economies while addressing wildfire risks.
Among the projects is Arkansas’ Good Hope initiative in the Ouachita National Forest. With an award of up to $105,333, Good Hope will remove over 15,000 tons of flammable debris, which will be transported for use as lumber, energy, and firewood. This initiative aligns with the Arkansas Forest Action Plan and falls within a Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project area, contributing to both wildfire prevention and local industry support.
In 2023, similar transportation assistance grants moved nearly 250,000 tons of hazardous materials from national forests to processing facilities, supporting jobs in rural areas and providing firewood for tribal communities. These funds are part of larger investments from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aimed at enhancing climate resilience and forest health.
