VAN BUREN — Nine years after changes to motorboat rules were originally proposed for the Current and Jacks Fork rivers within the National Park Service, new regulations will be implemented.
A 150 horsepower limit will be extended north of Big Spring to the southern end of Van Buren Gap, according to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
This 1.3 miles was previously limited to 60 horsepower.
“With this change, the HP limit on the Current River from the southern end of the Van Buren Gap to the park’s southern boundary will be 150 HP,” staff said in a press release. “This will make the area more consistent and less confusing for visitors, more enforceable from a law enforcement perspective, and would relieve some parking congestion at the Big Spring boat ramp.”
The final rule was published in the Federal Register Tuesday, with implementation to begin Jan. 11.
Changes to motorboat rules were originally proposed in the 2015 ONSR General Management Plan to create seasonal non-motorized zones, legalize the use of 60/40 HP motors, and establish a 150 HP limit between Big Spring and the park’s southern boundary on the Current River.
The changes around Big Spring were decided after analyzing public comments on the proposed rule received in early 2022.
The other amendments to the special regulation for motorized vessels (36 CFR 7.83) will proceed as proposed in the 2015 GMP.
“These changes will create seasonal non-motorized zones on the upper stretches of both rivers during ‘peak season’ and legalize the use of 60/40 HP motors with jet propulsion,” according to the park service. “Peak season begins the day after the last day of the statewide spring trapping season on public lands and ends on the day before the first day of gigging season for nongame fish. These dates are determined annually by the Missouri Department of Conservation. For the 2024 season, those peak season dates are April 1 through Sept. 14.”
This modification to the special regulation requires an amendment to the original proposal in the park’s 2015 Final GMP. Details about the amendment, including updated charts and maps, are documented in an Errata Sheet which can be viewed at National Park Service - PEPC - Ozark National Scenic Riverways (nps.gov). To view the Errata Sheet, click on the link entitled “Modify Motorboat Horsepower Zoning in 2015 GMP” and then select “Document List.”
The final rule can be viewed on the Federal Register at Federal Register: Ozark National Scenic Riverways; Motorized Vessels.