The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is opening a public comment period for 14 days on July 20th, 2026 for the public to review and comment on a proposed compatibility determination for Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge: Commercial Tree Harvesting. The draft compatibility determination reviews and replaces the 2012 compatibility determination for commercial timber
harvest. The 2012 compatibility determination “Forest Products Harvesting” was evaluated and found to be compatible in conjunction with the 2012 Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Finding of No Significant Impact. Commercial timber harvesting is identified in the Dale Bumpers White River Spatial Habitat
Management Plan and includes cutting and removing of trees by varies techniques to improve forest health and habitat conditions.
Although forest management on refuges would be conducted solely to enhance forest conditions, contracts are an economic use as part of forest management practices. The use of commercial loggers in an active forest habitat management program can assist land
managers with maintaining appropriate forest structure, age, and/or size class distribution of trees on the landscape.
A copy of the draft compatibility determination is available in the refuge Library
Comments submitted by U.S. mail should be sent to: Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife
Refuge c/o Refuge Manager, Patrick Fitzmorris 57 South CC Camp Road, St. Charles, AR 72140.
Comments submitted by email should be sent to: whiteriver@fws.gov.
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National wildlife refuges can offer a view of some of the most pristine and remote landscapes across the country. When visiting these wild places, please prepare yourself accordingly. Adequate clothing and supplies are essential.
