COSSATOT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

GETS NEW NAME

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has renamed Cossatot National Wildlife Refuge, "Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge." The name change has come as a result of recommendations from community residents and the refuge's planning team, which held its first meeting May 20-22 in DeQueen, Arkansas.

According to the Service's Acting Regional Director, Dale Hall, the Service accepted the planning team's recommendation because it incorporates the local and traditional name -- Pond Creek Bottoms -- into the refuge name. Hall noted that the change will also eliminate any future possible confusion between the refuge and the nearby Cossatot State Park. The refuge covers approximately 27,300 acres and is located in Sevier County, Arkansas, primarily between the Cossatot and Little rivers.

The vision for the refuge, as adopted by the planning team, is for Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge to become "a model refuge that protects and manages biological diversity for the enjoyment and benefit of present and future generations." Over the next 6 months, the refuge planning team will be considering a variety of plans to accomplish this goal. A public meeting is planned for next Spring to seek comments and suggestions from the public on the desirability of these plans.

Members of the public interested in obtaining further information about the refuge's planning process should contact Jim Johnson, Project Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1157, Crossett, Arkansas 71635 (501-364-3167).

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Release #: R97-87.

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