AGFC director delays retirement

JONESBORO — Loren Hitchcock agreed Thursday to postpone his retirement until the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hires a new director during the Commission’s monthly meeting.

Hitchcock announced April 6 that he would retire on June 30, but the commission did not name a potential interim director. The commission requested Thursday that Hitchcock remain until it completes its search for his successor.

Also on Thursday, the Commission approved an agreement with the Illinois River Watershed Partnership to develop a 31-acre tract in Cave Springs. The property includes a six-acre, springfed lake that once supported a small trout fishery.

The property is known as the Watershed Sanctuary at Cave Springs. The AGFC will help the IRWP with planning and site development and will partially finance costs of development. The AGFC costs include cash or in-kind services up to $880,000. AGFC projects include fish and wildlife conservation programs, as well as education programs on the property. The programs and projects will include watchable wildlife trails, kiosks, an outdoor classroom, a fishing pier and fisheries management of the lake.

The AGFC also will have an option to build a regional office on the property. If the AGFC exercises the option, it will receive a 99-year lease for $1 per year.

In other administrative business, the commission also approved the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. The compact includes 37 other states and will allow Arkansas to recognize certain fishing and wildlife convictions and license-suspension actions occurring in member states. For example, if a person is convicted of a wildlife crime in Arkansas that results in a suspension of the person’s hunting or fishing license, other member states may suspend that individual’s license privilege as well. Compliance with the agreement’s provisions are voluntary, and the agreement is not legally binding.

In other business, the commission approved a grant worth about $154,900 to the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission to purchase of 312 acres surrounding Foushee Cave in Independence County. The acquisition of the tract is a cooperative partnership between the two agencies and will likely be designated a wildlife management area pending U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval.

In fisheries-related business, the commission approved the Beaver Tailwater Management Plan. It will be effective until 2017. It also accepted a proclamation by Gov. Mike Beebe to start free fishing weekend at noon, June 8, and end at midnight, June 10. Licenses will not be required for fishing in Arkansas during that period.

In wildlife management business, the commission approved a budget increase of about $25,720 to complete repairs on FEMA projects within Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA.