Thanks to a combination of multiple partnerships and funding sources, the U.S. Forest Service recently completed major improvements at the Slabtown Access on the Big Piney River on Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) land in northern Texas County.
MTNF Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek District Ranger Kimberly Bittle said improvements include a large concrete boat launch ramp, a new parking area on high ground out of range of all but the highest of flood waters and a concrete building housing a bathroom that was installed last August.
Prior to the project, the access was a somewhat primitive gravel arrangement prone to sustaining heavy damage from even average flooding.
“We wanted to improve the access and the parking so it wouldn’t all wash out from every flood,” said district recreation manager Carol Trokey. “Our budgets at the forest service seem to always be declining, so we looked for opportunities.”
The Missouri Department of Conservation was contacted for assistance.
“They were interested in helping in any way they could, because they’re always concerned – as we are – about management of the river and fisheries and helping protect threatened and endangered species,” Trokey said.
An MDC fisheries biologist suggested applying for a Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation grant.
“We did, and were successful in obtaining some seed money,” Trokey said.
From there, the project gained momentum through funding by the MTNF regional office in Rolla and through the MTNF wildlife division.
“That got us enough to get going,” Trokey said.
Funds collected at donation campsites (like at the Paddy Creek Wilderness area) were added and the project had the necessary funding.
“It was primarily federal funds, but having the state participate through the Conservation Heritage Foundation grant made it a real nice cooperative project,” Trokey said.
“If it wasn’t for the MDC and that grant, we would probably never have gotten this far,” Bittle said.
“When you have some grant money, that helps free up some other funds in our budget,” Trokey said. “Working with partners is very important and (our higher-ups) like to honor that support by helping us get something done.”
The MDC maintains seven river accesses in Texas County and provided the design for the new concrete boat ramp at the Slabtown Access.
“It ought to hold up for a long time,” Trokey said.
According to an evaluation prepared for the project in 2013 by the national forest district’s wildlife biologist, aquatic threatened and endangered species living in the Big Piney River include the blacknose shiner, blue stripe darter, spectaclecase mussel and hellbender salamander. Trokey said the study indicated improvements at the Slabtown Access would result in long-term improvement in the quality of the water downstream from the site by reducing erosion, which would subsequently improve stream conditions for species sensitive to sedimentation.
“Anything improved at this site would only help the cause of those species,” Trokey said.
“We hear a lot about the invasive species,” Bittle said, “but it’s the natives we need to protect – and know they exist.”
The Slabtown Access also features several sturdy metal picnic tables, fire pits and grills, and there’s plenty of space to pitch a tent.
Bittle said plans are in the discussion stage for similar improvements to the East Gate Access on the Big Piney, near Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County.
Representatives of any group or organization interested in “adopting” the new Slabtown Access and volunteering to help maintain it by periodically removing trash and performing other tasks not requiring heavy equipment or labor are encouraged to call Bittle at the MTNF district ranger station in Houston at 417-967-4194.
“People in Texas County should be proud of this and knowing there’s such a nice river access for them to enjoy,” Bittle said.
Representatives of any group or organization interested in “adopting” the new Slabtown Access and volunteering to help maintain it by periodically removing trash and performing other tasks not requiring heavy equipment or labor are encouraged to call district ranger Kimberly Bittle at the Mark Twain National Forest district ranger station in Houston at 417-967-4194.