Restoring Access to Arkansas Campgrounds
Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04)
Whether you’re camping or floating along the Buffalo National River, fishing for bass on Lake Ouachita, or hiking rugged trails for scenic views at Hawksbill Crag, the state of Arkansas, and the Fourth District, is a haven for all who enjoy spending their free time outdoors. The Natural State boasts some of the most unique, historic, and scenic outdoor opportunities in the country. As an avid outdoorsman, it is a great honor to represent a portion of this state in Congress and advocate for commonsense, conservative legislation that promotes our state’s natural beauty – conserving it for generations to come.
This week solemnly marks the fifteenth anniversary of the catastrophic flood which struck the Albert Pike campgrounds on the Little Missouri River in remote Montgomery County, Arkansas on June 11, 2010. Twenty people lost their lives in this tragedy – children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends, all looking to enjoy some time away in the outdoors. Each of these individuals who lost their lives in this tragic flooding incident are still remembered today, and they will certainly never be forgotten.
Many native Arkansans will tell you that an honored pastime is enjoying the overnight campgrounds at the Albert Pike Recreation Area. Social media pages were even created to memorialize the joy camping at these sites have brought to generations of Arkansans as well as citizens from other states enjoying our beautiful Arkansas federal lands – encouraging members to post about stories or pictures from memorable experiences. This community of support is why, when the U.S. Forest Service suspended overnight camping following the flooding, limiting the use of the recreation area to daytime use, many Arkansans expressed their dismay at the news that their overnight camping experiences would be put on hold.
Following the closures, scores of tourists and locals urged legislators at the local, state, and federal levels to reopen the campgrounds. It became clear that federal action was needed to restore access and provide opportunities for locals and tourists to enjoy this beloved area once again. That’s why it was an honor to introduce the EXPLORE Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation aiming to improve outdoor recreation opportunities and access to public lands across the country – including the Albert Pike Recreation Area.
Within the EXPLORE Act, there were several measures directly impacting the Albert Pike Recreation Area such as safely reopening any existing campsites located outside of the 100-year flood plain, which is the land area with a 1% chance of flooding annually. In addition to these openings, the bill instructs the finding of fifty-four areas that could be suitable for overnight camping and establishing at least twenty-seven brand new overnight camping locations outside of the designated 100-year flood plain, with access to electricity and water, all to ensure the rehabilitation necessary to make publicly accessible areas available year-round.
As we head into the summer months, there is no doubt Arkansans will be taking advantage of the Natural State’s abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Serving friends and family across the Fourth District is the honor of a lifetime, and I will undoubtedly continue to work to expand access to outdoor recreation from hiking and biking trails, to camping, and boating – connecting Arkansans deeper to the land they love so dearly.
