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In 1999, then Governor Mel Carnahan formed a state-wide Chip Mill Committee to investigate the impacts of chip mills to the forest resources of the state. This was in response to the recent openings of several wood chipping facilities within the state including one at Mill Springs in Wayne Co.

On a more local level, several agency people got together to look at what was happening with the forest resources of the area from the impact of all the harvesting operations being done besides just the chip mill on the forest resources of the area. Mo. Dept. of Conservation estimated that less than 10 percent of the privately owned forestland was under any kind of management plan. Stories of landowners being taken advantage of by loggers from lack of knowledge of their timber values are commonplace. Improper management could have significant impact on values to future landowners as well as the area communities. 

In the summer of 2000 the group became more organized and called itself the Eastern Ozarks Community Forestry Resource Council. The Council’s vision is to bring together the many forestry resources in the region including government, university, industry, private consultants and landowners to provide a common focus for sustainable forestry and economic development in the Eastern Ozarks region of Missouri. Their mission is to address emerging issues and trends affecting Eastern Ozark rural communities, people and lifestyles as influenced by woodland management and marketing strategies.

In February of 2003, the council voted to shorten its name to Eastern Ozarks Forestry Council. They also applied for and obtained a grant from the National Forest Foundation in 2003 to assist them with incorporation, filing for non-profit status and membership outreach efforts. In addition they began some feasibility studies related to the woodland products industry.  The Eastern Ozarks Forestry Council website address is www.eofc.org  They have a established a list serve to facilitate communication through Yahoo Groups that can be accessed at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EOFC/

The Big Springs RC&D has assisted with organizing and sponsoring the group, grant research, writing and administration as well as providing technical assistance for educational activities.

The Eastern Ozarks Forestry Council (EOFC) was recognized as the Missouri state winner of the Earth Team Group Award in 2004.  Peter Becker, of the EOFC, was also recognized as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Area 5 Outstanding Earth Team Individual Award Winner.

Roger Hansen, NRCS State Conservationist, presenting award to EOFC members, Gerald Bryan, Peter Becker, Stan Murray and Big Springs RC&D Coordinator Jeff Lamb.

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