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Commission refers naming of Herb Parsons site lake as 'Bill Dance Lake' with family support
Summary
The commission voted to refer a recommendation to the full commission to name the lake within Herb Parsons State Fishing Area for angler Bill Dance; the agency recommended the lake be called "Bill Dance Lake at the Herb Parsons Refuge" with the refuge name retained for non-lake amenities.
The commission authorized referral to the full body of a naming recommendation to designate the lake at the Herb Parsons State Fishing Area in Collierville as "Bill Dance Lake at the Herb Parsons Refuge." Agency general counsel Torrey Grimes said agency staff completed outreach to surviving family members of Herb Parsons, and that both Parsons' son and grandson supported the naming.
Grimes described the procedural steps required under the agency’s naming policy: a public-comment period and due-diligence checks followed by a formal proclamation if the full commission approves the naming. He said the agency received two public comments during the comment window — one for and one against — and recommended a dual reference to avoid confusion, keeping the broader area’s name as Herb Parsons Refuge while using Bill Dance’s name for the lake feature.
Former Commissioner Bill Cox spoke in favor of honoring Bill Dance, citing Dance’s national profile in angling and the lake’s proximity to Dance’s home. Jason Hanger, on behalf of agency operations, provided an update on improvements at Herb Parsons, including parking renovation, habitat and forage stocking, and planned concession work and said the lake work and parking renovation are underway with additional construction planned.
Action taken: Commissioner motioned and seconded the committee recommendation to refer the naming consideration with a positive recommendation to the full commission; the referral passed by voice vote.
Why this matters: If the full commission approves the naming, the agency said it would prepare a proclamation, update affected rules/proclamations and install interpretive signage honoring both Herb Parsons and Bill Dance.
