By Anthony Childress

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Wilson Springs Business Park Assessment Task Force summarized its subcommittee findings on potential uses for the tract and answered questions from residents about those options at a public forum Thursday night at the Town Center.

Members of the biology, hydrology and economic-development subcommittees each gave presentations highlighting their proposed uses for Wilson Springs. As expected, each subgroup approached the area's future use from diverse viewpoints.

Wilson Springs is a 289-acre site that lies near the junction of Interstate 540 and Arkansas 112. The task force was appointed by Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody in June and is charged with making an initial analysis of the economic and environmental impact of the proposed business-technology park.

Environmental interests oppose any plan that would disturb the 85 acres of wetland (deemed as such by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) or the natural stream stemming from Wilson Spring. They are especially concerned about the Arkansas darter's fate.

The darter is a rare fish that is now a candidate for inclusion on the Endangered Species List. In addition, the Henslow sparrow and Ozark burrowing crayfish have been mentioned as species needing protection, according to environmentalists serving on the task force.

When the 11-member task force met on Monday afternoon to continue its study of how Wilson Spring should be developed, if at all, member John Johnson said wide sections of the property have still not been properly studied to uncover what wildlife reside there.

Johnson said an estimated 40 acres on the property's south side do not appear to contain significant wildlife. Therefore, he added, development there is not likely to be a problem.

At the early week meeting, progress reports were presented by its subcommittees. One group is charged with gathering information about the potential impact the park could have on the area, a second subcommittee is evaluating the land's biological factors and a third group is looking at the property's hydrology because about 85 acres were declared wetland by the Corps of Engineers.

The task force was created to "evaluate from an independent perspective the environmental and economic issues that are before the community" concerning the park, according to a news release from the mayor. Coody also suggested the name for the park because Wilson Spring is on the property.

Potential uses for the land include a large-scale community park, a regional Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regional office, a magnet school emphasizing a specialized curriculum such as math, science or the environment.

Following the presentations, several citizens offered input on how the Wilson Springs area should be addressed.

Some voiced support for developing part of the site for a community park, an idea from the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Others said they preferred to place more emphasis on protecting the wetland and moving carefully on developing the site.

"Development needs to be very carefully done," Al Vick, a community activist and City Council candidate, said. "I'm concerned about the impact it would have on the water out there. Wetlands are like a kidney -- they get rid of impurities. Everything we do is connected to everything else; so this will require careful planning."

Businessman Ron Bumpass said he wanted the task force to recommend that the city move forward with development of a business park.

"The site was purchased to have development of a business and technology park, and we need to move forward," he added. "I want the city to be economically vibrant. We would be fools to drive up the interstate and not see all the development with Wal-Mart vendors. We need to bring those people here."

Task-force member Jeff Collins, representing the economic-development subgroup, said key issues connected with developing the site included job creation, annual-income upswings, and increased sales-tax revenue, along with using phased development.

By contrast, the hydrology subcommittee performed testing of soil throughout the site and determined that the impact of development could be substantial, particularly relating to water quality and soil characteristics. The biology subgroup delved into widespread animal and plant life at the Wilson Spring, ranging from the darter and burrowing crayfish to painted bunting birds and ashy sunflowers.