West Fork group continues to work for environment
Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/37938/
A group of concerned citizens in West Fork is now setting its sites on establishing a farmers’ market in the city.
While the West Fork Environmental Protection Agency originally formed out of opposition to a proposed Class 4 landfill, the group did not dissolve when the landfill was denied by the West Fork City Council. The group continues to promote environmental consciousness in the community.
WFEPA Coordinator Henry Griffith said the primary goal at this point is to get a farmer’s market started by the beginning of the summer. "We’re putting together a plan to approach the city with," Griffith said. "We think it might work out well at the city park, with WFEPA using it as an outlet for some of our river walks, educational programs and beautification projects."
Griffith said the market will provide WFEPA with a way to keep active in the community and elicit involvement.
In conjunction with the farmer’s market, Griffith said WFEPA is interested in developing environmental education programs for young people.
WFEPA formed in 2005 in opposition to an application submitted by McClinton-Anchor, a subsidiary of Ashland Paving and Construction to operate a construction waste landfill in the company’s rock quarry in West Fork.
The group has now turned its environmental focus to the watershed of the West Fork of the White River. WFEPA has teamed up with the Arkansas Audubon field office to conduct a comprehensive study of the watershed. The field office received a grant to conduct a year-long evaluation to determine how the watershed could be restored to its natural state.
Griffith said WFEPA is working with the Audubon to encourage the landowners that are effected by the state of the river to get involved and understand the benefit of restoring the river.
The next step will be to try to find funding for the actual reclamation of the river, he said.
Griffith said WFEPA has approved its bylaws and rules of procedure and is currently in the process of applying for its non-profit status. There are about 100 members and eight board members, he said.