Linda Richards, Special Projects Director at Chickasaw National RecreationArea, was guest speaker for the Environment topic last Thursday at the Sulphur Sorosis Club Meeting at the Sulphur Chamber of Commerce. Richards detailed post-tornado funds received by CNRA, upcoming plus longer term projects, and some of the obstacles slowing desired progress.
During the Business portion of the Sorosis Club Meeting, GFWC-OK President Elect Monica Bartling from Waurika spoke to the group sharing both membership development strategies plus statewide volunteer contributions from all 18 Oklahoma General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Richards explained that immediately after the April 26, 2024 tornado caused extensive damage in CNRA the national Incident Management Team totaled damage estimates for $36 Million which was all received from two different sources. $26 Million was received from Federal Disaster Supplemental Funds with an additional $10 Million being received from the Federal Highways Department. Additionally, she said, two years ago CNRA had received $40 Million as part of the Great American Outdoor Act.
However, she explained, Federal guidelines for expenditures need to be followed for all projects involving work order descriptions, estimates, the bidding process, plus timeline for completion once projects are assigned to a contractor. There are also 9-10 CNRA Park staff making steady progress towards tornado damage reclamation projects. Richards explained that the Federal Hiring Freeze in January left the National Park Service with about 500 unfilled positions. Local impact of this freeze, she said, was that the Rock Creek area is currently closed because there is not park staff available to clean the bathrooms.
Richards explained the CNRA Bromide Hill area has been contracted for cleanup in November with a crew coming to clean for 3 weeks. This work will include removing debris on the Buffalo Trail a required 50 foot from the trail. Additionally, this work will include work on the “Job Corps Bridge” near the 12th Street Park entrance which has now been compromised due to post-tornado debris drainage/flooding problems, she said. Across the Park at Veterans Lake, Richards explained that the bridge abutments are scheduled for replacement in the next two months and a new bridge has been ordered with expected February delivery to replace the old one removed by the tornado.
Sorosis Members also had several questions about other CNRA projects which had recently invited public comment in the planning process. Richards explained that eight new bathrooms are being planned in addition to tornado shelters that are also housing units. These new buildings will preserve the rockwork appearance of many of the CCC buildings constructed in the 1930’s, she said.
There is also a Landscape Re-covery Plan, Richards explained, which is scheduled to begin next Spring to replant trees taken by the tornado. “We’re going to replant Flower Park in the 1934 Wildflower Plan,” she said. There are also plans, she said, to replace the fence on Tishomingo Street with both drive-thru and walkthru gates plus more tree removal. “Campgrounds will be paved,” she added.
Richards said that CNRA ground 600 thousand cubic yards of mulch from the tornado debris removed which had to be given away because it belongs to the government. A resident south or town took the mulch, used it to cover rocky ground, and is now growing grass on it, she said.
Linda Richards
Monica Bartling
Sorosis members enjoyed a luncheon of fajitas, rice, and prize-winning fudge hosted by Cheri Gordon and Brenda Mc-Caskill.
Members present included Ernie Kite, Mary Lou Heltzel, Brenda McCaskill, Cheri Bellefeuille- Gordon, Danna Bernardi, Charlene Gillium, Terri Agee, Jeannie Fehr, Carolyn Sparks, Donna John, and special guest Monica Bartling, GFWC-OK President Elect. Business items included fundraising plus an upcoming service project.
Members worked a booth at both the Murray County Fair and at the City of Springs Car Show in recent weeks selling raffle tickets for a Remington “Wooly Chaps” Bronze Statue. Proceeds will go to fund a High School Senior Scholarship.
The Sulphur Sorosis Club has also received a Wildflower Oklahoma grant. With city approval the Club will honor veterans for America’s 250-year celebration by planting wildflowers behind the Veterans graves at the Sulphur Cemetery this November.
Donna John will represent Sulphur Sorosis at the GFWC-OK Southwest/Central District Meeting in Duncan Saturday, September 20.
