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Decision Announced on Lower River Camping Plan:
After considering public feedback on the draft camping plan, the National Park Service (NPS) has adopted new strategies for managing camping on NPS-administered lands on the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Alternative 3a from the draft plan, which was on public review in March, will be implemented on the 22-mile stretch of river north of the High Bridge, or essentially from St. Croix Falls/Taylors Falls to the High Bridge. Elements of 3a will also be implemented south of the High Bridge to north Stillwater.
New regulations for 2008 will include camping in designated campsites. These campsites will be signed, which should help alleviate confusion as to where to camp. Up to 8 people will be allowed at individual designated campsites on the main channel and 9-16 people at group campsites. Larger groups will need to split up or make arrangements to camp in one of the State Parks. The 6 clustered individual sites already established at Eagle’s Nest (an NPS boat-in campground south of Franconia) will also accommodate larger groups; up to a total of 48 people with 8 per site. Toilets and water will continue to be provided at Eagle’s Nest. Group size limits will be smaller in backwater areas. Up to 6 people with 3 boats may stay at designated backwater campsites, which will be available by reservation only. A 3-night stay limit will apply to campsites on the main channel. In the backwaters, which serve as fish and wildlife rearing areas, a one-night stay will be put in place. Campers will also be required to bring their own carry-in, carry-out toilets or use onboard facilities.
In addition, campers will need to be in possession of an “overnight use pass.” The purpose of the pass is to make sure that all visitors who are camping are informed of all applicable Riverway regulations. It is not a reservation for a campsite, which, except for the backwater sites, will remain first-come, first-served. In 2008, the pass will be available free-of-charge at the NPS Visitor Center in St. Croix Falls as well as by mail. Persons who are fishing at night, but not camping, will not need an overnight use pass. Demand for camping will be monitored and an advance reservation system for campsites may be implemented in the future, if warranted.
Recreational use south of the High Bridge is quite different than that to the north. In addition to camping, there is more day use of the islands and shorelines and there are larger, faster boats. On the 5-mile stretch of river from the High Bridge south to Stillwater, the following elements of Alternative 3a will be implemented; campers on this stretch of river will need to be in possession of their own carry-in, carry-out or onboard toilets; and campers will need to be in possession of an overnight use pass. Other elements of 3a will not be implemented below the High Bridge. In response to public comments on the draft camping management plan, the NPS will conduct additional planning and public involvement to address remaining issues regarding use on this stretch of river. This process will take a broader approach to recreational use. In addition to camping, the process for the 5-mile stretch will address day use, boat speeds, and island and shoreline restoration.
Changes will be phased in over a period of 2-4 years. This summer, park rangers will be providing information on the new regulations that will start being put into place in 2008. Primitive designated campsites will also be established along the stretch of river between St. Croix Falls/Taylors Falls to Osceola and further downstream, if possible. Demand for camping will be monitored and an advance reservation system for campsites may be implemented in the future, if needed.
A copy of the decision document is available... and a map image of the area covered by the decision with location of the high bridge.
Existing regulations will remain in effect during 2007.
Release of Lower River Camping Management Plan and Environmental Assessment and Public Meeting: March 6, 2007
The Lower River Camping Management Plan and associated Environmental Assessment, identifies the agency’s preferred alternative for managing camping on NPS administered lands along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway between St. Croix Falls/Taylors Falls and Stillwater is now available to the public. At present, there are few restrictions on camping in this popular reach of the National Scenic Riverway. The plan has been developed in response to concerns about human waste, shoreline and island erosion, and protecting the rights of private landowners along the Riverway.
The NPS preferred alternative is Alternative 3a: Designated Campsites, Designated Backwater Campsites, Overnight Boat Tie-ups, and Overnight Use Pass. Actions included in the preferred alternative include limiting tent camping to designated campsites, establishing group size limits, and requiring carry-in, carry-out or onboard toilets. All overnight users would need to be in possession of an annual overnight use pass which would be available free-of-charge. The purpose of the pass is to ensure that all overnight users are aware of applicable rules and regulations and their purpose. A camping permit or reservation system, with associated fees, may be implemented in the future if camping demand warrants it. The preferred alternative is not a final agency decision; rather it is an indication of the PS preference at this time. A final decision on alternative will be made by the NPS following public review and comment on the document. Implementation will be phased in over a period of a few years.
The Plan can be seen at the Riverway Headquarters in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. It is also being distributed to public libraries in St. Croix Falls, Osceola, Somerset, and Hudson, all in Wisconsin, and Taylors Falls, Marine-on St. Croix, and Stillwater in Minnesota. A limited number of hardcopy and electronic copies on compact disc are available from the Riverway. To request a copy, call Kevin Iverson at 715-483-2273. An online version is below. Note the large size of the file before opening.
Lower River Camping Management Plan (7.13MB)
An Open House will be held at the Interpretive Center at William O'Brien State Park in Marine-on-St. Croix, Minnesota, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6. There will be a short presentation at 7:00 p.m. to present the preferred alternative, point out differences among the alternatives, and describe the next steps in the decision-making process. National Park Service staff will be on hand to discuss the proposed actions and answer questions after the presentation.
Written comments on the Plan may be sent to the Superintendent, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, 401 Hamilton Street, St. Croix Falls, WI, 54024, Attention: Jill Medland. Comments may also be emailed or made electronically on the National Park Service planning website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkId=163&projectId=13816&documentID=12885 . The 30-day comment period will end on March 31.
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