Float camp closings

[sugar loaf]

Though I am not a member, I am 67 yrs old but still do a lot of float fishing via canoe on the rivers of southwest Arkansas. I wonder if everyone is aware that the U.S. Forest Service has closed all of their float camps making them day use only. Their reason is the lawsuits resulting from the tragedy of the flood at Camp Albert Pike on the Little Missouri River. This action will force canoers to camp on remote low ground gravel bars where they cannot be warned of impending danger nor be rescued or be able to escape. The float camps I am familiar with are located high & dry with reasonably easy access by road. On the Ouachita River they are Shirley Creek, Rocky Shoals, Fulton Branch, Dragover, & River Bluff. They are spaced so floaters would have convenient places to camp on multi day float trips. I was surprised to see this when I arrived at Rocky Shoals float camp on the Ouachita River to put in for a float last week . I contacted my Congressmen to complain & found that this is a nationwide situation & that they are against this action but need a lot of support. Just something else taken away with a flimsy excuse that has the potential for a lot more disastor than it will prevent. I don't have a lot of years left to enjoy this past time & really hate to see it damaged in this way.