The City of Fayetteville Administration and the Chamber of Commerce have proposed development of a business/technology park on a 290-acre parcel at the 540 bypass and Highway 112. This site has unique and valuable environmental qualities. Approximately 85 acres of the land have been designated as wetlands by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and much of the remaining land has wetland properties. Wilson Springs is home to the Arkansas darter, a fish species that is a candidate for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The wetland ecosystem supports a large number of plants and animals, provides a basin for water to be stored and purified, and has great education and research potential. To preserve this unique site, we advocate a conservative approach to development of areas adjoining the wetlands. We also request that the City and Chamber of Commerce address important questions related to the economic viability of development of a business/technology park.

Environment

1. We ask the City to propose no impact on the wetlands and, therefore, no mitigation. While this may cost the City several acres of hypothetically saleable land, it will at the same time save the City tens of thousands of dollars in mitigation costs as well as infrastructure costs connected to filling and stabilization. We have seen no economic information that would justify the development of the wetlands.

2. We ask the City to contemplate ONLY development that is LIMITED and AWAY FROM the wetlands. We have seen no hydrological information that supports the City's contention that the wetlands will not be harmed in the long run by development of this area, nor an interest in performing professional environmental assessments of the biological and ecological aspects of this property. We believe that the information presently available is insufficient to assure protection. We do not understand why the City does not support its proposal with more impressive data.

3. We do not know why the City has put this project on a "fast track". We have been given information to the effect that there is no deadline attached to the "grant" promised for next fall. We ask the City to take the project off "fast track" and concentrate on gathering all information (economic as well as environmental) that might justify or argue against this project as planned. If there is a deadline, we would like to see that in writing from the granting authority.

4. We ask the City to justify its claim that the appraisal of this property at $10,000 / Acre is "bogus". If the City has quotations of the selling price of wetland acres near this project site, we would like to see them in writing with a documented source.

5. Comments received from public agencies and from private 501c3's during the 404 comment period (Spring 2000) included requests that conservation easements held by (a) 501c3 conservation organization(s) be applied to the wetlands and to all mitigation areas. We ask that the City pledge to do this and begin immediately working with the Nature Conservancy or a similar entity qualified to hold conservation easements.

6. We ask the City to take the initiative in asking for a meeting with US Fish and Wildlife within the next 2 weeks to discuss the Candidate Conservation Agreement for the Arkansas darter. We would also like clarification of who is doing the work presently on this CCA and on progress that may have been made.

7. There has been no public discussion of the relationship between the two 404 permit applications, i.e. the permit for the B & T park wetlands and the permit that will be required for the large sewer line that we understand will run through the B & T park area carrying sewage to the new westside treatment plant. We do not believe it should be routed through or near a wetland. We believe further that the 404 permitting process now underway for the B & T park wetlands mitigation will be invalid if the sewer line is to be run through these same wetlands. We request a map showing the proposed location of the sewer treatment line as well as clarification of the relationship of the two 404 permit applications.

Economy

8. The City has not presented any in-depth data about its prospects for the future of the project once the proposed mitigation and infrastructure have been completed. We request answers to the following questions about the economics and the future development of the "park":

Public Process

9. We have requested on several occasions that the City clearly define a process to engage interested parties from the public sector to be involved in further planning of this project. We reiterate this request.

  Signed,

  Mudwompers: Fran Alexander, Jim Bemis, Jeff Erf, Barbara Moorman, Andrea Radwell

  Other Contacts: Box 1853, Fayetteville, AR, 72702; Phone/fax: 444-9825