UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS STUDENT SUBCHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY POSITION ON ARKANSAS DARTER (Etheostoma cragini) HABITAT PRESERVATION WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THE WILSON SPRINGS/FAYETTEVILLE POPULATION      A. Issue Definition and Background The Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini) is named for its association with the Arkansas River drainage. The American Fisheries Society has assigned a status of "vulnerable" to the species because of its dependence on spring-fed, vegetated headwaters and creeks that are plagued with environmental problems. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reported that the Arkansas darter is in jeopardy across its range due to decline in groundwater that replenishes spring-fed habitats. In October 1999, the Arkansas darter was designated a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. In Arkansas, 5 populations of Arkansas darter were known in 1985, all in headwater tributaries of the Illinois River in the northwest corner of the state. Currently, the existence of only 3 of those populations has been confirmed. Two populations are found in Benton County, and a third is found within the City of Fayetteville, Washington County. The Fayetteville population was first discovered during the planning of the US. Highway 71 bypass (now Interstate 540) around Fayetteville in 1979. The former director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Steve Wilson, found the population prior to construction. Completion of the highway actually resulted in the main springhead being covered by the highway, and a culvert system was built to extend the spring flow beneath the highway and offramp to its current outflow. The City adopted the name Wilson Springs for the spring run, and the University of Arkansas AFS Student Subchapter has provided stewardship of Wilson Springs since 1994. The Wilson Spring run consists of two perennial springs that flow into Clabber Creek. Numerous small springs and seeps are evident in wetlands surrounding the spring run. Sampling of Arkansas darters by the AFS Student Subchapter members during winter spawning (February 2000) indicated seasonal migration into Clabber Creek. Channelization of Clabber Creek in 1990 has resulted in an unstable channel structure that is constrained by a buried waterline on one side. Change toward a natural meandering pattern is evident along some sections, but much of channel remains unstable. Small tributaries are less impacted by structural change than the main channel but are subject to multiple problems associated with the urban environment. These small tributaries may provide Arkansas darter habitat during cold, high flow periods in the winter. The Wilson Spring run is the essential refuge in summer when Clabber Creek and its tributaries become intermittent. While Wilson Springs is recognized as critical habitat for the Arkansas darter, no formal studies have been undertaken to describe the life history of the darter population including its migratory patterns. The recharge zones for the springs have not been delineated, and no hydrological data is available on the discharge of storm water from the Interstate 540/Highway 112 interchange into Wilson Springs. Toxic spills from vehicles present a potential threat to the recharge zone of the springs, and storm water discharge could carry toxic materials into the spring. It can be speculated that the large volume of water that flows into the springs during storms is sufficiently dilute to have allowed the darter population to survive these conditions for over 20 years, but no monitoring of water quality has been done. Studies to address these issues are greatly needed. Wilson Springs lies within an approximately 285-acre parcel that was purchased by the City of Fayetteville in 1990. Wetland delineation has revealed approximately 85 acres of wetland and another 55 acres of Clabber Creek floodplain that has a water table near the land surface most of the year. Additional acres have been described as having emergent wetland properties. Wilson Springs lies near the north end of the parcel surrounded by wetland and the Clabber Creek floodplain. Portions of the south and southwest corner of the property (approximately 100 acres) lie outside the wetland or floodplain designation. Proposed development of a business/technology park by the City of Fayetteville poses an imminent threat to the Arkansas darter population. However, City officials have voiced their commitment to an environmentally responsible development that would provide protection to the Arkansas darter population. Hence, this position paper is intended to provide recommendations that would assure long-term protection of Wilson Springs and the adjoining habitat that is essential for the survival of the Arkansas darter population at this site.      B. Recommended Actions Development plans should maximize preservation of Wilson Springs, adjoining wetlands, and the portion of Clabber Creek and its tributaries in the development area. Development should be restricted to south and southwest areas outside the designated wetland and Clabber Creek floodplain. Every effort should be made to avoid mitigation of wetlands. While mitigation is intended to compensate for loss of wetlands, the wetlands in this situation support habitat for the Arkansas darter population. Compensation under these circumstances is problematic. Development plans for dry areas of the parcel should consider the physical, chemical, and biological impacts on adjoining wetlands. In view of the aforementioned lack of research studies on most aspects of the Arkansas darter population and the hydrological features of Wilson Springs, we recommend a conservative approach to management. Because Wilson Springs is presently sustaining a viable Arkansas darter population, no changes in the spring run are recommended. No hydrological changes should be made without appropriate study of recharge zones and storm water discharge. The City should recognize that obtaining such information will require time. The City of Fayetteville should work cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a Candidate Conservation Agreement for the Arkansas darter and to receive restoration and management recommendations. The City should support long term monitoring of the biological, physical, and chemical attributes of Wilson Springs and the wetlands. The University of Arkansas AFS Student Subchapter can play a continuing role in stewardship. Restoration efforts should focus on returning the Clabber Creek flood plain to its original wetland state. This will require removal of pasture grass and revegetation of wetland species. We encourage the City of Fayetteville to seek a conservation easement for Wilson Springs and the adjoining wetlands from a conservation organization that can provide protection in perpetuity. We encourage the City of Fayetteville to seek grants for wetland restoration, research, and education. Such funding is available, and the unique nature of the site (the presence of a rare fish species) greatly improves the prospects for procuring these funds.      C. Position Loss of suitable habitat and degradation of habitat are the primary causes for the imperiled status of Arkansas darter populations. It is therefore the position of the University of Arkansas Student Subchapter of the American Fisheries Society that concerted effort to protect and restore habitat should be the highest priority in efforts to maintain the viability of the Arkansas darter population in Fayetteville. Back  |  Home