Vehicles Banned From Six Gravel Bars Along The Illinois River

Vehicles are banned from gravel bars at six public access areas along the Illinois River in eastern Oklahoma while the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission conducts a study.

The OSRC says the decision to stop vehicle traffic was made in response to allegations by a commercial outfitter, Eagle Bluff Resorts.

The concern is over stream-bank erosion. The six gravel bars will be closed until the environmental impact study is done.

• Highway 62 bridge
• Echota
• Stunkard,
• Todd
• Round Hollow
• Peavine

While the ban is in place, Ed Fite, OSRC administrator, says the people will have to carry their watercraft to the Illinois River.

The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission issued the following statement on its website:

The OSRC, in response to allegations by Eagle Bluff Resort, is currently investigating the environmental impact of allowing vehicular traffic on gravel bars. The following gravel bars will be closed to drive in use until the study is completed: Highway 62 Bridge, Echota, Stunkard, Todd, Round Hollow, and Peavine. These gravel bars are still open to walk in use by commercial and non-commercial users. The study is projected to take between two - four weeks. The agency would like to thank the public in advance for their patience during this investigation.