Apartment project puts animals, plants at risk
The city of Centerton should deny permitting to the proposed Links at Centerton, a 495-apartment development plus recreational facilities across the street from the Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery.
Over many years, numerous private citizens have been part of the effort to document how Ozark springs and resultant associated/managed habitats like the hatchery are used by birds, plus many rare or unusual plants and animals. The springs are irreplaceable source of a rich and varied fauna. Numerous rare and unusual native life forms live underground in this ecosystem.
Runoff from parking for 1,000-plus cars would be a major polluter of underground springs. Adding 1,000-plus people to the immediate hatchery neighborhood will require new roads that will cause further enduring damage.
The hatchery was one of the first places included in Audubon Arkansas' Important Bird Area program. Private citizens have now documented 270-plus bird species. Of course, people need homes with Northwest Arkansas growing. Serving this basic human need does not require developments like the Links at Centerton on top of one of the most sensitive natural habitats in the Natural State. There are other places where the impacts will not be so devastating.
Centerton can prosper without further damaging crucial ecological resources at the Craig State Fish Hatchery.
Joe Neal
Fayetteville