LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday to restore backwater fish habitat on the Arkansas River.

As part of the partnership, the AGFC will obtain a grant for $120,000 from the Southeast Aquatic Resources partnership. SARP is a regional group of natural resources organizations, conservation organizations and private entities.

The AGFC will use the grant money to dredge silted-in areas in Rector Brake, near Maumelle, and the Coal Pile Area near Dumas. Rector Brake is a popular fishing area for anglers in central Arkansas. The Coal Pile area is one of the most popular bass fishing spots in Arkansas and often produces the winning fish in the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza.

Commissioner Ron Duncan, a fishing enthusiast, endorsed the partnership.

“This is a win situation for us, as we are receiving a $120,000 grant, and we already had money built into our budget for this,” Duncan said. “We stand to lose nothing.”

The AGFC also voted to donate elk hunting permits to the Arkansas Game and Fish Association, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. The AGFC donates a permit to each organization annually for auction. Proceeds are used to improve elk habitat in Arkansas.

In wildlife managementrelated business, the AGFC approved a new strategic deer management plan. Brad Miller, assistant chief of the wildlife management division, said the AGFC updates its deer management plan every five years.

The commission also discussed proposals for eliminating unsafe boating practices at Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area, as well as ongoing negotiations with International Paper to purchase Lake Erling in Lafayette County.

The commission voted to buy two 1-ton trucks for the agency’s construction crews. These vehicles are not part of the AGFC’s fleet purchase, so they required commission approval. The low bid for the trucks ($74,531) came from Kent Chevrolet of Mountain Home.

Sports, Pages 21 on 01/18/2013