Photo of low sun over the Buffalo River from a high vantage showing rock bluffs and leafy trees.

Boxley Valley Comprehensive Area Plan

Buffalo National River » Boxley Valley Comprehensive Area Plan » Document List

Dear Friends,

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to inform you that Buffalo National River has completed the Boxley Valley Comprehensive Area Plan and Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The combined final document is available at the Document List link on the left of this page. Many of the management actions and strategies noted in the plan are a reflection of public feedback that we received during public outreach efforts conducted as part of the planning process.

Based on the analysis presented in the environmental assessment, the National Park Service has selected the preferred alternative (alternative B) for implementation. The selected alternative provides an overall vision for the future of the Boxley Valley area that responds to changing visitation preferences, improves the overall visitor experience, protects cultural and natural resources, and addresses visitor safety concerns. Planned improvements will help to alleviate visitor pedestrian and vehicular congestion through redesign of and/or modifications to parking areas and access roads in order to accommodate current levels of vehicle use; expand opportunities for visitors to access and learn about the history of the Boxley Valley, Boxley Mill, and Mill Pond area; separate commercial use and public use to alleviate visitor use conflicts near the Ponca Access; improve opportunities for camping at Steel Creek; and include installation of new wastewater treatment facilities at Lost Valley and Steel Creek to ensure water quality meets accepted standards.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for your interest and involvement in this planning process. We appreciate your support in helping protect and provide for the enjoyment of the Boxley Valley for current and future generations.

Contact Information

Mark Foust, Superintendent, Buffalo National River
870-365-2732