A Short History of Missouri Forests

Second Article in Managing Missouri's Public Land for All
If you are like me you are predisposed to the assumption that things were better “back then.”  In the case of the forests of Missouri, it depends on which “back then” you mean.  The forests of Missouri are indeed quite different today than what one would have encountered in 1850, 1870, 1910, or 1930.  These four years are very approximate dividing lines regarding the history of Missouri forests.  Stepping across these lines one way or the other would have taken the observer into forests, or at times almost no forests, that were radically different.  

I want to be clear that I am not a historian, and one would almost certainly take some minor issues to

Shortleaf Pines near Rocky Creek in
the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
Theses trees once dominated the Ozark
Plateau landscape.  Oak and hickory now
have taken over their dominant role after
the excessive logging between
 1870 and the 1920's.

time frames and events that I will share from my research.  Part of the problem with that is in the fact that some of the issues are not 100% agreed upon in the research that I did.

Prior to 1850, the forests of Missouri, both the sprawling forests of the Ozark highlands in southern Missouri and those of northern Missouri had not seen radical change from their natural state.  In the 1850’s, some immigration began to occur into the Ozarks, but by-and-large, the impact on the landscape was minimal.  Some trees were cleared for very small farms and the buildings for the immigrants, but the impact up to now were minimal.  The primary species of trees in the Ozark Highlands during these years and those preceding them was shortleaf pine.  

This status quo, in other words some minor impact from new settlers to the Ozarks, continued to carry the day, with some increase in logging as St. Louis and other cities utilized the forest resources up until the Civil War.  The Civil War had an immense impact on everything throughout Missouri in general, and perhaps most greatly in the Ozarks.  The Ozarks became a den of thugs throughout the war and for sometime after.  The population was decimated in the region, and there was no possibility for commercial endeavors such as logging to occur.

That all changed in a slow and steady manner beginning in about 1870.  Gradually, as rule of law began to take hold through the region, logging interests began to buy up vast tracts of the Ozarks.  Land was dirt cheap, and the resources, as is so often the case, seemed inexhaustible.  It truly was amazing how quickly this premise was proven wrong.  Timber for railroads and the construction of postwar America was in high demand.  The Ozarks essentially were an enormous logging camp until the resource was in fact exhausted.

Logging hit its peak right around 1910.  By the 1920s, there was nothing left whatsoever to log.  The shortleaf pine was essentially extirpated from the Missouri Ozarks.

As the logging companies no longer needed their land, much was put on the market.  Some of it was subsequently mined.  Other parcels were sold off at bargain prices.  With the source of income for the locals gone, they turned to farming.  Without going into great detail, the assumption by landowners was the best way to increase the quality of the soil was to burn off whatever trees and other vegetation had managed to survive the logging era.  This was not done just once, but would be done on a regular basis.  One source asserted that in some years, 50% of the landscape was put to the torch.  The truth was that the burned vegetation would provide a short term flury of growth, but made no meaningful difference in soil quality.  

That is unless you mean that it had the impact of creating enormous erosion nightmares.  The clean running Ozark streams would run as dirty as the Mississippi or Missouri Rivers.  What’s more, what little decent soil there really was across the Ozark Plateau was being quickly transported to the Gulf of Mexico.  

By the 1930’s, there began to develop a sense that the Ozarks and Missouri in general were in trouble.  At this time, two things started to turn the tide.  First, the Missouri Conservation Commission was created.  This non-political organization is an example to this day of the way common sense conservation can be executed at the state level.  Many states have tried to emulate the success of this organization, but few have matched its effectiveness. (Author’s Editorial Comment: Missouri state legislators have recently tried to politicize the operations of the MIssouri Conservation Commission as well as the Missouri Department of Conservation.  This would be tragic for hunters, fishermen, hikers, water sport enthusiasts, campers, and so on.)

The other thing that dramatically affected the forestlands of Missouri at this time was the depression era Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC).  These men planted millions of trees to replenish the depleted forests and built parks, trails, and other facilities to enhance the opportunities for visitors to enjoy this potentially beautiful region.

Also, it would be leaving out a lot to not mention that the first purchases of Federal land began to be purchased during this era.  What’s more, recognizing the poor land management practices of the local population, efforts were made by the Federal government to educate residents on the matter.  Since few areas had electricity, trucks with mobile movie projection equipment would go from settlement to settlement showing movies for people who might never have seen a motion picture on how they could better manage their land.

At this juncture, Missouri’s wildest region had few of its native trees remaining, as well as almost no wild game.  Turkey and deer numbers were wiped out across the entire state.  But a foundation was in place for a gradual improvement in all of these areas and that process had begun.

There are shortleaf pine to be found now in the Ozarks, but the forests more closely resemble those of northern Missouri in that they are predominantly oak and hickory.  The forests of the Ozarks and the state as a whole are in infinitely better shape than they were then.  Game populations are in relatively healthy shape.  But could they be better and what are the practices being employed by the United States Forest Service and the MDC?

These will be topics for our subsequent explorations.

"Forests | Missouri Department of Conservation." 2010. 31 May. 2013 <http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/habitats/forests>

"CCC Strong: Historic 1930s structures in our state parks | Missouri ..." 2011. 31 May. 2013 <http://mostateparks.com/blog/state-parks-stories/58988/ccc-strong-historic-1930s-structures-our-state-parks>

Three cases of bat disease discovered in Missouri

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MDC confirms White-Nose Syndrome in bats from two caves in Lincoln County.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently received confirmation that a deadly disease in bats called “White-Nose Syndrome” (WNS) has been found in three bats from two caves in Lincoln County. The name describes a white fungus, Geomyces destructans, typically found on the faces and wings of infected bats. WNS spreads mainly through bat-to-bat contact and has not been found to infect humans or other animals.

WNS was confirmed in a little brown bat from one public cave and in two tri-colored bats from a second public cave north of St. Louis by the U. S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. The specific names and locations of the caves are not being disclosed to help prevent human disturbance of remaining bats in the caves. The two caves are closed to public access.

“Disturbing bats in caves while they roost or hibernate can increase their stress and further weaken their health,” said MDC Bat Biologist Tony Elliott.

Evidence of the fungus that causes WNS was first detected in Missouri in April 2010 on a little brown bat found in a privately owned cave in Pike County. In May 2010, evidence of the fungus was detected on five federally endangered gray bats and on a northern long-eared bat netted outside a public cave in Shannon County. The three bats with WNS in Lincoln County are the first confirmed cases in Missouri of the actual disease.

Elliot explained that the earlier detected cases of the fungus means the bats had contact with the fungus that causes WNS, but may or may not have been infected with the WNS disease. He added that these first confirmed cases of the disease mean the bats have WNS and the disease is present in Missouri and likely to spread.

“We have worked closely with the Missouri Department of Conservation to prepare for the arrival of White-Nose Syndrome in Missouri,” said U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region Regional WNS Coordinator Rich Geboy. “Now that we have confirmed it is here, we will continue to work with MDC and our other partners in Missouri to research and manage the disease.”

MDC has been working with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and USFWS, along with conservation groups and private cave owners to address the threat of WNS. Efforts include restricting access to most publicly-owned caves that contain bats and educating the public about the value of bats and the threat of WNS.

“While many caves on public lands that house bats have been closed to public access in response to the threat of White-Nose Syndrome, Missouri’s numerous show caves remain open as great places for people to discover nature by learning about the value of bats and the unique ecosystems of cave environments,” Elliott said.

Approximately 74 percent of the more than 6,300 caves in Missouri are privately owned. Visitors to private caves are asked to check with landowners before entering caves, and to use USFWS decontamination protocols before and after visits to reduce the risk for accidental spread of the fungus. Information on these protocols is available at fws.gov/whitenosesyndrome/pdf/WNSDecontaminationProtocol_v012511.pdf.

The WNS fungus thrives in cool, damp conditions found in many caves, which are also ideal hibernation and roosting sites for many bat species. Bats with WNS exhibit unusual behavior such as flying outside and clustering near entrances of caves and mines during the day in cold winter months when they should be hibernating. This activity uses up stored fat reserves needed to get them through the winter, and they may freeze or starve to death.

 USFWS biologists and partners estimate that at least 5.5 million bats have now died from the disease, which continues to spread. WNS is decimating bat populations across eastern North America, with mortality reaching up to 100 percent at many sites. First documented in New York in 2007, the disease has spread quickly into 19 states and four Canadian provinces.

 Bats provide tremendous value as natural pest control for farms and forests, and also play an essential role in helping to control insects that can spread disease to people.

 “Missouri is home to at least 12 species of bats,” Elliott explained. “They are our front-line defense against many insect pests including some moths, certain beetles and mosquitoes. Missouri’s 775,000 gray bats alone eat more than 223 billion bugs a year, or about 540 tons.”

He added that bats are long-lived but slow-reproducing animals with most species having an average lifespan of about 15 years and giving birth usually to only one pup each year.

“Bats also play a vital role in cave ecosystems by providing nutrients for other cave life through their droppings, or guano,” Elliott said. “Bats are also food for other animals such as snakes and owls.”

Elliott cautioned that people should not handle any bats, and should contact their local MDC office or conservation agent if they find dead bats or see bats flying outside during the day during cold winter months when they typically would be roosting or hibernating.

More information on WNS is available at:
fws.gov/WhiteNoseSyndrome/
nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/
fort.usgs.gov/wns/
nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/wns_definitions.jsp

NPS SEEKS INPUT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR CHILTON CREEK AREA BOAT RAMP AND PARKING

Image via WikipediaThe National Park Service (NPS) seeks your review and comments on the "Environmental Assessment for Chilton Creek Area Boat Ramp and Parking." A full copy of the EA, which analyzes the impacts associated with two action alternatives and one no-action alternative at the Chilton Creek Area Boat Ramp and Parking, can be viewed at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov, or may be requested from Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Attn: Chilton Creek EA, P.O. Box 490, Van Buren, MO 63965, or by calling (573) 323-4236.

We are seeking public and agency comments on this environmental assessment from April 10, 2009 through May 9, 2009. Comments must be received no later than May 9, 2009 and may be submitted by any of three methods:

1. Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website (select Ozark National Scenic Riverways from the dropdown menu): http://parkplanning.nps.gov

2. Mail to Ozark National Scenic Riverways headquarters: Superintendent, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Attn: Chilton Creek EA , P.O. Box 490, Van Buren, MO 63965

3. Electronic mail to Ozark National Scenic Riverways headquarters: OZAR_superintendent@nps.gov

Get more info at:
NPS Site

NPS SEEKS COMMENTS: Akers Canoe Rental Concessioner Land Assignment

Image via WikipediaOzark National Scenic Riverways Superintendent, Reed E. Detring, invites the public to comment on a proposal designating a land assignment for the Akers Concessioner operations. A concessioner land assignment is a minimally improved area where a concessioner is authorized to park, store and stage vehicles, equipment and material related to business operations. Currently, there is not a well defined area for the Akers Concessioner to park vehicles and equipment. The areas normally used for concessioner parking and equipment storage conflict and compete with other users since they are near or adjacent to the Akers Store, Ranger Station and park visitor areas. In addition, the new Akers Concession Contract Prospectus requires specific land assignment language in the document.

The park's objective is to designate a single land assignment sized and appropriately located to meet the operational needs of the Akers Canoe Rental as required for the new concession contract. A clearly delineated land assignment will allow park management to effectively manage the contract associated with the concession's activity. The selected and designed land assignment site will improve the visitor experience and promote safety around the Ranger Station, Day Use Area and Concession's Store by reducing and managing congestion.

The park will examine different alternative sites up to 1 mile from the Akers Ranger Station that meet the above stated goals. Site selection will primarily be based on its ability to provide the operational elements needed by a concession, insure a quality visitor experience, and maintain the values adequate to an area within a National Park Service Unit. This includes - but is not limited to – efficient functionality for the concessions operation without compromising aesthetics, resource protection, visitor safety, and enhanced visitor experience.

A 30-day public comment period about the proposal to designate a land assignment for the Akers Concessioner operations has begun. Public input is being solicited to help define any issues to be addressed in an upcoming Environmental Assessment (EA). Public comments received during this 30-day "scoping" period will be used to develop the EA. When the EA is completed and released for review, the public will be encouraged to comment.

Public comment will be accepted through August 25, 2011 and may be submitted online by selecting Ozark National Scenic Riverways at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website, http://parkplanning.nps.gov, or sent to:

Superintendent – Akers Concession Land Assignment
Ozarks National Scenic Riverways
404 Watercress Drive
Van Buren, MO 63965
Fax: 573-323-4140

Commenters should be aware that their comments, including names and home addresses, are considered public information and may be released to the public. However, individual commenters may request that their name and home address be withheld from public release by stating this in their comment letter.

Related articles

• Listing Ozark chinquapin under Endangered Species Act 'not warranted' (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Eleven Point River Trip: July 2009

We left our home 50 miles West of St. Louis on a Tuesday afternoon and arrived at Greer Crossing Campground that evening. The route to the area is one of the more scenic drives you can take in Missouri, taking us through the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and miles and miles of Mark Twain National Forest, as well as thousands of acres of state Conservation lands. It really hit me as to how fortunate we are in Missouri to have so many acres of public land in so beautiful and area.

We set up camp on Tuesday evening, and my two boys did a little fishing and then swimming. Let me tell you, that water was envigorating, as I found over the next few days as we made our trip. The river is fed from a steady diet of cold spring inflows, but perhaps the coolest section is there at Greer Crossing.

We got up the next morning and shuttled vehicles so that the truck would be there when we arrived at Riverton in a few days where our float would end. We got on the river mid-morning and were on our way. Our first day was full of great fishing (rainbow trout) and a mix of slow moving water, mildly entertaining riffles, and Mary Decker Rapid where one must pay attention to what he is doing if to accomplish the goal of staying dry. The advice of staying to the right was heeded and turned out to be wise. The left line of the river looks tempting at Mary Decker, but after going through an inspection upstream will make clear that it is not the way to go.

Though we planned to stay in one of the river campgrounds for the evening, we apparently missed the spot and instead found a beautiful and secluded sandbar for our camp. It was perfect.

On the topic of seclusion, I do not wish to leave the impression that one will encounter no one, but during the week as we were doing, the traffic was few and far between. Most of the time there was not another human in sight. Further, over our three days of floating we saw not one dwelling of any type.

Day two was equally beautiful, though without the excitement of a Mary Decker style rapid to provide entertainment. We again did well fishing, in this section picking up more in the way of bronzebacks (smallmouth bass). We put in this time at one of the river campgrounds. The campground was primitive (as expected). It was however, not well maintained. The pit toilets had been used as a dumpster by some very disrespectful campers and the area was kind of a mess.

As we prepared to shove off the next morning, a USFS cleaning crew arrived and explained they had been diverted to other tasks and had not been in for three weeks. Therefore, I felt the condition of the site was understandable. Based on the efficiency this crew displayed in their work cleaning up, I can say that they were a hard working bunch and took pride in their efforts.

Our final day was the only one in which we had so much as a sprinkle. The only real dampening effect this rain had was on the air temperature and actually was much appreciated. On our final day we went through Halls Bay Rapid, which was a lot of fun. The john boat my youngest son and I were in was heavily laden and hung up on one of the boulders in this ledge style rapid.

We stayed upright, but he volunteered to disenbark which allowed the boat to float free down the rest of the rapid.

We took out at Riverton and headed back to Alton, Missouri and enjoyed a great meal as there are several decent places to eat as well as good grocery stores, etc. All-in-all, this trip was all and more we had hoped for. We grew as a family as we worked together and enjoyed some of the most beautiful scenery the state has to offer, not to mention some great fishing!

Read more at Family-Outdoors Fishing.