Public comments welcomed in deer management plan
The Pea Ridge National Military Park draft Whitetailed Deer Management Plan/Environmental Assessment (DMP/EA) will be available for public review and comment from Feb. 10 to March 12. The purpose of the plan is to address issues associated with the overpopulation of white-tailed deer at the park. Where there is an overabundance of deer there is an increase in deervehicle strikes, deer-related diseases, and deer browsing, which has a negative impact on native vegetation. This DMP/EA seeks to improve the health of the deer herd, the habitat, and to increase human health and safety.
The DMP/EA describes the no-action alternative and one action alternative and analyzes the environmental consequences of implementing each. Under Alternative A, the noaction alternative, the NPS would maintain current management practices, including not taking measures to reduce the deer population. Alternative B, the action alternative, proposes to reduce the deer population to 20-35 deer per square mile.
Participation by the community is an important part of developing and refining this plan. We now request your thoughtful evaluation and comments on the proposed alternatives. The 30-day public comment period for the review of the Draft DMP/EA is open Feb. 10- March 12. Interested parties may obtain an electronic version of the draft DMP/EA and/ or submit electronic comments through the Planning, Environment and
Public Comment website at https://parkplanning. nps.gov/PERIDMP. Digital copies are also available on the park’s website (www. nps.gov/peri/index.htm)
Written comments on the draft can be sent to:
Kevin Eads, Superintendent
Pea Ridge National Military Park
15930 U.S. Hwy. 62, Garfield, AR 72732
The park will host an open house, Saturday, Feb. 27, at Pea Ridge National Military Park. The general public will have the opportunity to view the draft plan and comment in person, from noon to 5 p.m.
Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the open house will be outside, where social distancing can be maintained. Masks must be worn at times when social distancing can not be achieved.