A Master Plan is the guidance document that describes how the resources of the Lakes and River will be managed in the future and provides the vision for how the lakes and government lands managed by USACE adjacent to the river should look in the future.  A Master Plan does not address the details of how and where shoreline use permits may be issued, however, it does set the stage for implementation of the shoreline management program. 

Development of the revised Master Plans may include consideration of:

• Regional and ecosystem needs
• Project resource capabilities and suitability for various purposes
• Public interests and desires

The MKARNS Master Plan Revision main goals are:

• Update the plan format and mapping technology. The existing plan format and mapping technology is outdated and not compliant with current Master Plan format and technology requirements.
• Align the plan with current Corps policies/regulations, budget processes, business line performance measures, and priorities.
• Update the plan while acknowledging current trends, facility and service demands that have shifted in the past 40 years, ex. an increase in visitation and tourism.
• Assess current demands on fixed resources that challenge the existing master plan.
• Shoreline development resulting in environmental and management issues have continued to increase causing sustainability concerns.
• Ensure partners and stakeholders are engaged with the Corps and seek to increase and sustain benefits provided by the system.
• To provide an alternative recreational and natural resource experience for visitors to the MKARNS.
• To ensure project lands and water are not adversely impacted.
• To align past and current management practices and land classifications.
• To provide consistent policy guidance and direction for management of resources along the entire 308 miles of the MKARNS in the Little Rock District.