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AGFC: Continued from Page 7C
Maynard said AGFC conservation-education and nature centers draw thousands of visitors each year around the state, noting that more remote facilities average about 2,000 visitors per month.
Airport commissioners have said the facility is being designed with consideration to any future expansion of SARA property for commercial purposes.
Additionally, the FAA mandates that the airport commission be compensated for the loss of land due to the project and any future revenue the land would generate.
In April, the El Dorado City Council signed off on the concept and on a deal in which the airport commission will transfer the property deed to the city — who will, in turn, lease the property to the AGFC for a nominal fee.
Prior to the deed transfer, the property will be selectively cleared of timber and the revenue from timber sales will go into the SARA budget.
“We have gotten the surveys done and the timber marked. The project is ongoing and we’re getting closer to transferring the land over to the city,” said Mickey Murfee, chairman of the airport commission.
Added SARA manager Johnathan Estes, “The process is moving slow.”
The timber-cut will lower the value of the 13 acres on which the conservation-education center will sit, Estes said.
“Since the city will be purchasing the land from the airport, we want to try to lessen the burden as much as possible,” he explained.
Estes further explained that once bids are posted and approved for the timber-cut, the city and AGFC will negotiate an “attractive rate” to lease the property.
“The airport cannot donate or lease the property for less than fair market value. We fall under FAA rules but the city is not under those obligations,” Estes said.
AGFC said the project could take another two or three years to complete.
Murfee and other airport commissioners said they are excited for El Dorado to become the fifth site for a conservation center in the Arkansas.
Commissioners have said they hope the facility will be a particular draw for children and encourage them to spend more time outdoors to learn about nature.
“This could open a whole of opportunities for school tours and things like. This will be something great for El Dorado and all of South Arkansas with everything else that’s going to bring people here. It’ll also be good for the airport,” Murfee said.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or tlyons@eldoradonews.com.
El Dorado News-Times Saturday, August 31, 2019
How to identify venomous snakes of South Arkansas
By Katie Meade | Special to the News-Times
Public Health Image Library
• Copperhead (tan snake with Hershey kiss shaped darker brown markings): Juve- niles have bright green tips on their tails to attract prey.
They blend in perfectly on gravel roads and in dry leaves. Usually 12-16 inches long but can be up to 24 inches long. Most likely to bite you if star- tled or threatened. Most likely found around your yard, drive- way, hedge bushes, shrubs, gar- den rocks and in any place you have lizards, mice and frogs.
• Cottonmouth
Also known as a water moc- casin or ol' stumpy tail. Can be aggressive if aggravated. Juve- niles have bright green tail tips just like copperheads to lure prey. Cottonmouths can give off a stagnant foul odor when aggravated or mating. You will probably smell one before you see it.
They are recognized by a line on their face across their eyes and face. They can be solid dark brown or almost black and can be patterned. It depends on the subspecies. Their sig- nature move is to open their mouth to show you how they
got their name.
They are usually close to water
on creek banks, laying on logs or laying in mud to blend in
for hunting. Dry weather con- ditions can lead them to your decorative goldfish pond by your porch and even your dogs water dish. They can be 2-4 feet long but are known to be 4-6 feet long when in swamps or bayous. Just ask a seasoned fisherman.
Photo by Tad Arensmeier
• Timber Rattler or Cane- brake rattlesnake: They are usually tan with large black bands. Juveniles are darker with bands for camo. They will usually only rattle to warn you
if aggravated. If you just walk up on one it will remain still and attempt to get away.
They are usually found in thick brush and in the oil fields. They love the sandy areas and can have a winter hideout in old stumps and burrows.
A burrow can contain multiple snakes emerging when weather warms. Rock piles are popular because the rocks will hold heat. Cane thickets are also their favorite hideout along with
rocks. They will also get around AC units around your house. They can be up to 6 feet long but are most commonly seen 2-4 feet long.
Photo by Peter Paplanus
• Pygmy rattler or ground rattler: At full grown, they are just 10-12 inches long. They can be tan or brown with lots of black spots. They have extreme- ly small rattle tips so you won't hear a warning. They can be found all around houses, drive- ways and flower beds. They love frogs, lizards, large insects and small mice.
• Coral snake: Though very very rare here, they have been found a few times. Their ap- pearance is not like the pit vipers of this area, sporting a rounded head and round pupils. They sport the red, yellow and black bands, with red touching yellow. They are extremely ven- omous and can kill you if medi- cal attention isn't given quickly. They are usually found more often closer to the Red River and Texas. Only a handful have been found in this area in over 50 years.
See SNAKES, Page 9C