Ouachita National Forest Embracing Recreational Uses

The Supervisor of the Ouachita National Forest recently expressed strong interest in forming partnerships among disparate user groups to enhance recreation in the forest.  His interest was reportedly shared by local Congressman French Hill.  Both discussed the benefits of using funds available through the Great American Outdoors Act to facilitate recreation in the area.  Supervisor Heithecker reportedly referenced the demand of the “REI culture” as being the basis for managing national forests in the West, apparently drawing a distinction between those demands and those of more diverse users.  Congressman Hill noted the possibility of a partnership between the Forest Service and the state parks department, which was met with interest by the Forest Service.