This Land, Your Land

This is a bureacratic knee jerk reaction to what happened in Arkansas in 2010, where several people died and the families have sued the USFS. The situation in Arkansas was totally different to what is in Mortimer. In Arkansas there was no ranger on hand, there were no sirens, and it was a very remote area with no phone service. in deference, Mortimer shares the same location with the USFS maintenance facility and receives weather service notifications from several sources. There is an onsite siren to alert the community to possible dangers of flooding, as well as other adverse weather conditions. Also, Mortimer has campground hosts who are local, very dedicated, and with a land line as well as radio communications with local rescue squads; and care for the campers as family. I have camped there for years in all kinds of weather, including the front that caused the flooding in Arkansas, and there was never an issue of flooding. The fact that the Forest Service brings up the flooding of the town of Mortimer in 1940 as part of their decision is just pathetic. The town of Mortimer is miles down Wilson Creek from the campground and the cause of that flood was an extremely rare weather front (hurricane) combined with poor clear cutting forestry practices by the local lumber company at that time. Has nothing to do with the present day campground. The other weak argument is that there were several campers stranded and rescued by a recent flood way down Wilson Creek in a REAL flood plain in a private campground that, again, has nothing to do with the Mortimer Campground. There was a plan to build dikes and replace a bridge in the Mortimer campground, but there was not enough usage to justify the expense. This campground has been on the list of facilities to be closed, but the recent rise in usage and revenue increase has been a thorn in their side. By shutting down half the campground they are cutting out at least half the revenue, thus justifying closing it down in the future. USFS cites that approx. 800 people use the campground each year but they fail to tell how long they stay. At $10 a pop if they just stay for one night that is $8000. Most people stay 2 nights or more; I stay for a week at a time at least 2-3 times a year, so their number of 800 is a bit deceitful as far as reflecting usage and revenue is concerned. I cannot say enough good about the hosts, as they love the campground as much as they do the guests. They do the maintenance and janitorial duties as well, and for free, except for a free campsite with water and electricity. Small potatoes compared to what they do for the campground. I only hope that John Crockett, the Forest Service supervisor for that area, and formerly of the Arkansas staff, will get over his paranoia/guilt and reconsider this decision. The evaluation was made by staff members, and did not employ the expertise of a certified hydrologist. So bizarre that for 40+ years it has NOT been declared a flood hazard. Could it be the influx of new personnel who are not really familiar with the area? I feel sorry for the locals who use this facility as their only vacation experience as well as those of us who drive hours to use this jewel of a campground. Will I drive 2 hours to gamble on an open site out of 10? Probaby not. Will I miss this experience? Definitely so.
2 days ago