By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – Public access to parts of the Cahaba River Wildlife Refuge may be cut back, due to the amount of damage and litter people are leaving behind.
The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge was created in 2002 to protect the more than 130 types of fish and rare plant species that live there. The shoals lily -- also known as the Cahaba lily -- is found in greater abundance in this river basin than anywhere else in the world. However, humans continue to leave their mark on this landscape, which is dotted with litter and graffiti painted on trees and rocks. Paths leading along the riverbanks have also been worn down by fishermen.
New restrictions could include bans on camping, fishing and hunting. Currently, there are NO regulations on overnight camping, even though most national wildlife refuges do not allow any camping.