Enviroment notebook

3 species taken off endangered-list bid

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted scientists' request to have three species found in Arkansas removed from their petition requesting Endangered Species Act protection.

The Ouachita madtom, Saline Burrowing crayfish and Cumberland reed grass don't need to be placed on the Endangered Species list, scientists with the Center for Biological Diversity wrote to the Fish and Wildlife Service in January. The group made the request after being presented with new data that showed the species weren't in as much peril as previously thought.

The Ouachita madtom is a species of catfish found only in the upper forks of the Saline River. The Saline Burrowing crayfish is found only in Arkansas, and its range includes small portions of the Red and Ouachita river drainages in Howard, Pike and Sevier counties, according to the Center for Biological Diversity's initial petition to have the fish protected.

Cumberland reed grass is found in several southeastern states, including Arkansas.

Deadline to apply for drain art nears

Artists have until March 15 to submit proposals for designs above Little Rock storm drains that illustrate the connection between storm drains and local waterways, according to an announcement from Audubon Arkansas.

Drain Smart Central Arkansas operates the drain illustration program with the help of sponsorships from local businesses, government agencies and nonprofits. In the previous two years, storm drains have been painted in the South Main Street area, the Center Street corridor and other parts of downtown, the Promenade at Chenal, and the War Memorial area.

Artists need to submit a sketch at least the size of a standard sheet of paper by March 15, along with an application, a description of their idea, a title and a short biography of themselves to Audubon Arkansas' offices in Little Rock. Chosen artists will receive supplies and a stipend of $150 to complete their project.

Artists can find more about the contest and how to submit at drain-smart.org.

Street litter that goes into storm drains winds up in Fourche Creek for a majority of the city. Storm drains in other parts of the city drain into other bodies of water.

Fourche Creek is a more than a 20-mile-long creek in south Little Rock, largely secluded by trees and navigable by canoe. City and community officials have repeatedly expressed interest in developing recreational activities along the creek but have lamented its consistently polluted state.

Audubon Arkansas and the group Friends of Fourche Creek regularly host cleanups in the creek that remove several tons of trash.

Environment awards deadline is Feb. 24

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality is accepting applications for two environmental awards through Feb. 24, according to a department news release.

The Environmental Stewardship Award, known as the ENVY award, is for individuals or organizations that have made a "major contribution" to environmental stewardship in the state.

The Arkansas Environmental Technology Award -- known as the TECHe award -- was new last year and recognizes the use of technology "to protect and enhance the state's environment." Students in the ninth through 12th grades will be eligible to apply for the TECHe award for special recognition, and the winner will receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

Metro on 02/12/2017

Upcoming Events