SW Missouri cavefish refuge may be opened to public

[Wayne Harrison]

MOUNT VERNON, Mo. - A southwest Missouri refuge for the endangered Ozark cavefish, a denizen of deep caverns whose life depends on good water quality, may be opened to the public for the first time, federal conservation officials said.

Officials are proposing opening the Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge in Lawrence County to hunters, anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts, mainly to better regulate the activities of people who already are entering the 40-acre site from a neighboring natural area, Paris Springs Access.

"We can do that (regulation), believe it or not, by allowing use. We wouldn't do this if we thought it would affect the fish at all," said Kathleen Burchett, who as manages the 40-acre catfish refuge and the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.

The change is part of a comprehensive conservation plan recently issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for public comment. The plan is available online at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/mingo .

Full story:
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascit ... 771255.htm