Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area

The Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area established in 1994, is a collection of wildlife refuges and habitats situated along the Patoka River in Gibson and Pike Counties in southwestern Indiana. It consists mostly of the main body refuge along nearly 40 miles (64 km) of the river's course from just north of Francisco, Indiana to just west of Velpen, Indiana.[1] Other areas include the Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area managed by Duke Energy and located immediately south of Gibson Lake and the Gibson Generating Station in northwestern Gibson County, 9 miles (14 km) east of the main body. The refuge is authorized for 23,962 acres (96.97 km2). As of 2010, 6,149 acres (24.88 km2) are owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map of the United States
LocationGibson and Pike Counties, Indiana, United States
Nearest cityFrancisco, Indiana
Oakland City, Indiana
Winslow, Indiana
Coordinates38°22′00″N 87°18′00″W
Area23,962 acres (96.97 km2)
Established1994
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsitePatoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area
The Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Areas located within Gibson and Pike Counties

Many species of birds nest or spend the winter in these areas, including the bald eagle and endangered least tern.

In 2012, tier 1 of the Interstate 69 Project was built through this area immediately west of Oakland City in the strip long been set aside when the original Interstate was built, using a 1.5-mile-long (2.4 km) bridge to lessen the environmental impact. Originally Interstate 69 was to go along a route similar to the current construction route. This has prompted some disturbances by the group Earth First!, including "evicting" the project offices in Oakland City.[2]

See also

References & Resources
  1. Patoka River NWR Comprehensive Conservation Planning Page
  2. Earth First! Journal - NAFTA Superhighway, by Sprout Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.



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