Environment

The dreary February weather hasn’t stopped the fish from biting. Hear more with the FLW Fishing Report...

Scott Ellison here, with the FLW weekly fishing report. Anybody seen the sun lately? It seems that the only time it came out in February was on groundhog day. The groundhog saw its shadow, and here we are with six more weeks of winter weather. It’s no so cold, but it’s definitely been cloudy and windy.

Congress has authorized West Kentucky’s Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge to expand by more than 34,000 acres. The expansion would leave the refuge about four times larger than its current size. Refuge Manager Michael Johnson says the new land would give the refuge a chance for major improvements. He says,

“We can provide better recreational opportunities, we can do a better job protecting and managing the wildlife that’s in this area. And we have this chance with this plan, which is kind of what I see as a one shot deal to get things, what I call, ‘Right.’”

Some area residents may have felt a rumble this morning as US Geological Service officials say a magnitude 4 earthquake took place in Southeast Missouri. Reports say the quake started around four o’clock this morning, about 5 miles north of East Prarie, Missouri. The epicenter was around 3 miles deep. There are no reports of damage at this time.

The Hickman Fulton County Riverport has received money for much-needed dredging. Director Greg Curlin says the Army Corps of Engineers told him earlier this month that $1.9 million dollars in disaster relief money would be used for a one-time dredging at the riverport. Curlin says without the dredging, low summertime water levels would have made it difficult for barges to make it into the harbor.

The Delta Mariner departed James Marine of Paducah Friday night more than three weeks after colliding with the Eggner's Ferry Bridge. Foss Maritime officials say the ship will resume hauling rocket parts to Cape Canaveral for use in the Delta and Atlas rocket programs. The 312- foot ship was docked at James Marine for several days for minor repairs. The American Bureau of Shipping and U.S. Coast Guard deemed the ship safe to travel following weeks of inspection.