Southwest Missouri News--Kimberling City

by Carol Harris, Branson area, and Diane Rarick, Ozark Area

The Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rick District is seeking public comment through Jan. 22, 1999, on environmental reports about the possibility of leasing Joe Bald Recreation Area on Table Rock Lake to a commercial business, nonprofit organization or other non-government entity. The reports indicate a lease would cause no significant adverse effects to the environment.

In May, the Corps closed the swim beach, camping loop and other facilities located near Kimberling City to improve the efficiency of the park operations. Only the boat launch ramp was left open.

Prior to closing the park, the Corps contacted other governmental agencies, each declining the park. Now the Corps is seeking non-governmental entities that might want to lease and reopen the park facilities which include 46 campsites, 53 picnic tables, two vault restrooms, one shower house with restrooms, one launch ramp, one swim beach, one sanitary dump station and about two miles of paved roads.