The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public review and comment on the Draft Programmatic Compatibility Determination for Rights‑of‑Way and Rights to Access for Temporary Disturbances and Minor Impacts on Conservation Easements in the Midwest Region. This draft document evaluates the compatibility of proposed activities that may cause temporary, minor disturbances while supporting necessary public infrastructure needs across conservation easements in the Midwest Region. The draft Compatibility Determination will be available for a 30‑day public comment period from June 10, 2026 to July 9, 2026. Comments, questions, or concerns can be sent to: R3Planning@fws.gov
This refuge exists to protect endangered species habitat.
Location and Contact Information
Our Species
Ozark Cavefish
The Ozark cavefish was listed as a federally threatened species in 1984. It is a small, 2-1/4 inch long, blind, pinkish-white fish that lives in caves, sinkholes and underground springs that are untouched by light in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Due to the dark environment, sight is unnecessary and the cavefish has no eyes. It senses motion given off by organisms in the water to locate food such as plankton, isopods, amphipods, crayfish, salamander larvae and bat guano. Some threats to the Ozark cavefish include water pollution, declining bat populations (as the cavefish feeds on guano), specimen collection, cave disturbance and destruction and changing water tables.
Early settlers often found Ozark cavefish swimming in their buckets as they drew water from their wells. They called the fish "spring keepers" or "well keepers," as a sign that the water was safe to drink.