Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

Dale Bumpers White River (DBWR) National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Containing Over 160,000 Acres Ofland, the Refuge Protects One of the Largest Remaining Bottomland Hardwood Forest in the Mississippialluvial Valley (mav). Established in 1940, the Refuge Is Managed as an Important Resting and Feedingarea for Wintering Waterfowl, as Well as Providing Habitat for Numerous Resident Wildlife Species Andother Migratory Birds.there Are Two Areas on DBWR NWR That Are in Need of Repair, Specifically the Water Control Structure Onwolf Bayou as Well as the Levee B Road Water Control Structure. the Water Control Structure at Wolfbayou Provides Green Tree Habitat Management Along Wolf Bayou and Allows Water Passage Under Jacksbay Levee Road. the Existing Steel Sheet Pile and Concrete Water Control Structure Is Badly Damaged Andspalled. the Existing Stoplogs and Channels Do Not Properly Function. the Water Control Structure Needsto Be Replaced.for the Levee B Road Water Control Structure, the Water Control Structure Provides Green Tree Habitatmanagement Along Honey Locust Bayou and Allows Water Passage Under Levee B Road. the Existingconcrete Water Control Structure Is Badly Spalled and Cracked and the Existing Gates and Controllers Areseverely Rusted and Do Not Function. the Water Control Structure Needs to Be Replaced.the Great American Outdoors Act Funded Project to Replace the Water Control Structures at Wolf Bayouand Honey Locust GTR Will Greatly Benefit the Public Because These Are Responsible for Holding Water Ona Popular Duck Hunting Area of Dale Bumpers Wrnwr. Duck Hunting Is Open in This Area on Everytuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday From Sunrise Until Noon During the Statewide Duck Season.there Are Only Two Areas Open to Duck Hunting on the 100,000 Acre South Unit of the Refuge, With Thisbeing One of Them. Access to This Area Is by Boat, Foot or Atv on Designated Atv Trails. These Watercontrol Structures Are Used to Manage the Water Level on a 2,500 Acre Greentree Reservoir That Has Beenopen to Duck Hunting Since 1979. Not Only Are These Structures Critical for Holding Water Onto Thebottomland Forest to Provide Habitat for Wintering Waterfowl and Duck Hunting Opportunity But They Arecritical for Getting Water Off of the Forested Habitat During the Spring and Summer. Without the Ability Toremove Water From the Forested Habitat During the Growing Season, the Trees Will Die From Water Stressand Habitat Conversion Will Occur Resulting in Less Public Hunting, Atv, and Foot Access Opportunities.both of These Structures Are Currently in a Failed Condition and Are Not Providing the Water Control Totheir Designed Intended Capacity. Upon the Completion of These New Water Control Structures, Ourability to De-water These Impoundments Will Be Greatly Improved Allowing Public Access During the Dryseason and Public Hunting Opportunities During the Winter Months.