Dry Run Creek Kickoff Event - August 12, 2009
The Kickoff Event for the Dry Run Creek Enhancement Project was held on Wednesday, August 12 at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. The event celebrated the imminent start of work on the project.
The event featured six speakers and about 50 attendees. Speakers included Baxter County Judge Joe Bodenhamer. He described the economic impact of the hatchery on Baxter County. Tim Burnley, the AGFC’s trout habitat manager, gave a bit of the history of Dry Run Creek and noted that early habitat improvement on the upper end of the creek increased the trout density in the area to 10,000 per mile. He hopes to see a similar improvement for the entire creek after implementing Dave Whitlock’s design. Leon Alexander, VP of the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, described the three phases of work to be completed: instream habitat improvement, the extension to the existing boardwalk, and implementation of foot paths and trails. Leon noted that a lot of volunteer effort would be needed for the last. Ken Boyles, hatchery manager, described how the popularity of the creek has led to its current degraded state. Theresa Marks, Director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, described how the settlement of the Overlook Estates lawsuit had given the ADEQ an opportunity to put the money back into the Norfork River area to repair stream damage.
The event was well covered by the local media and was attended by numerous local dignitaries. It was quite a success.
Click on an image for a full sized view.
FNNFH VP Leon Alexanders describes the three phases of the DRC enhancement project.
Hatchery Manager Ken Boyles describes how the popularity of DRC has led to its current degraded state.
FNNFH President Davy Wotton describes the efforts required to make the DRC Project happen.
Tim Burnley, AGFC's Trout Habitat Manager, describes how the new habitat will increase trout density on DRC.
Teresa Marks, director of the ADEQ, describes how the Overlook Estates settlement allowed ADEQ to put the money back into the Norfork area to repair stream damage.
Hatchery employees listen to the speakers.
From left to right: Steve Wilson, Monte Stark, Tim Burnley (AGFC), Melissa Jones (AGFC), Mike Tipton, Davy Wotton, Leon Alexander, Teresa Marks (ADEQ), Pat Smith, Ken Boyles (Hatchery Manager), and Ryan Benefield (ADEQ)
