TULSA – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District has extended the delayed opening of all Corps-operated campgrounds along the Oklahoma portion of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System until at least May 15. The exceptions are Bluff Landing and the Tullahassee Loop boat ramp which will open on May 1.
The delayed opening of the campgrounds for the 2013 recreation season allows a work plan to be developed that takes into account the reduction of funds available in the continuing resolution signed recently. The continuing resolution contained reductions in overall Operations and Maintenance funding and included sequestration mandated as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011. The uncertainty of final project funding levels necessitated the delay of recreation-related service contracts and the hiring of temporary park rangers. However, the Corps of Engineers has identified enough funding to keep Bluff Landing on the navigation system open for the season with full services.
John Marnell, Deputy Operations Division chief said. “Public health and safety is a top priority and we cannot safely operate these parks without proper ranger staff and service contracts. We will have to revise our services based on our final workplan numbers for the navigation system. However at this time, we are able to open Bluff Landing Recreation Area on the Newt Graham Lock and Dam project for the 2013 recreation season. This will provide both boat ramp access and camping facilities at that location. Boat ramps will also be available on all pools of the navigation system.”
Although fees are collected at many of the campgrounds and day use areas along the navigation system, all fees collected are returned to the US Treasury and are not retained for local use.
At this time, the impacts only pertain to recreation areas along the navigation system and do not impact other Tulsa District lakes.
“The lock and dams, powerhouses, and the continued operation and maintenance of the navigation system are critical to our nation’s infrastructure and economic growth,” said Marnell. “We have to make tough decisions that allow us to still provide these high priority critical services while operating within a reduced budget.”
While the impacts of delaying the opening of these campgrounds will be felt by the public, there are alternatives at other Corps recreation areas at nearby lakes. The closest alternative for campgrounds at R.S. Kerr and Webbers Falls is Tenkiller Lake at 20-30 miles. Fort Gibson is the closest alternative for Chouteau and Newt Graham at 15 miles.
Tulsa District is receptive to working with state and local governments and other governmental entities to potentially lease these recreation areas.
The impacts are as follows:
Chouteau and Newt Graham Lock and Dams
1. Afton Landing- delayed
2. Bluff Landing- fully open for the season
3. Tullahassee Loop primitive campground - delayed. The boat ramp access will be open with no services (May 1st)
4. Highway 33 Landing and Coal Creek access areas will remain open for boat launching only. Services such as mowing, cleaning, and restroom availability may not be provided if previously available at these ramps.
R.S. Kerr Reservoir
1. Applegate Cove- delayed
2. Short Mountain Cove- delayed
3. Cowlington Point- delayed
4. Damsite Day Use Area- delayed
5. Tamaha Landing, Keota Landing, and Otter Creek access areas will remain open for boat launching only. Services such as mowing, cleaning, and restroom availability will not be provided if previously available at these ramps.
Webbers Falls
1. Brewers Bend- delayed
2. Spaniard Creek- delayed
3. Spaniard Creek Day Use Area and Highway 10 Landing will be open for boat launching only. Services such as mowing, cleaning, and restroom availability may not be provided if previously available at these ramps.
Applegate Cove, Short Mountain Cove, and Cowlington Point campgrounds at R.S. Kerr are the only campgrounds being delayed that accept reservations. Refunds will be issued by recreation.gov for all reservations impacted by the delayed opening of the 2013 season.