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An Introduction to Comprehensive Conservation Planning for National Wildlife Refuges

An Introduction to Comprehensive Conservation Planning for National Wildlife Refuges U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region. What is the Mission of the Refuge System?.

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An Introduction to Comprehensive Conservation Planning for National Wildlife Refuges

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  1. An Introduction to Comprehensive Conservation Planning for National Wildlife Refuges U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region

  2. What is the Mission ofthe Refuge System? “. . . to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.”

  3. National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, as amended: • Defines NWRS Mission • Defines Refuge Purposes • Defines Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health • Defines Priority Public Uses (Big 6) • Requires Completion of Comprehensive Conservation Plans

  4. Refuge Purposes Purpose(s) of the Refuge – “The purposes specified in or derived from the law, proclamation, executive order, agreement, public land order, donation document, or administrative memorandum establishing, authorizing, or expanding a national wildlife refuge, national wildlife refuge unit or national wildlife refuge subunit. For refuges that encompass congressionally designated wilderness, the purposes of the Wilderness Act are additional purposes of the wilderness portion of the refuge.” (Compatibility Policy, 603 FW 2).

  5. Refuge Purposes • Refuge Management Emphasis: Each refuge is to be managed to achieve its purpose(s) and the NWRS mission. • Compatibility: Public uses must be appropriate and compatible with the purpose(s) of a unit and the NWRS mission. • NWRS Mission vs. Refuge Purpose(s): When in conflict, refuge purpose(s) takes precedence over the NWRS mission.

  6. Purpose of Kootenai NWR “for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds” (Migratory Bird Conservation Act)

  7. Purpose of Kootenai NWR “for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds” (Migratory Bird Conservation Act)

  8. Purpose of Kootenai NWR “...a pressing need for the restoration of waterfowl habitat in this part of the Pacific Flyway to increase nesting habitat, provide feeding and resting areas during migration, and to facilitate waterfowl management techniques in crop protection.” (1964:MBCC Memorandum #6 )

  9. Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health • Administration Act states that each refuge will be managed to fulfill refuge purposes, System mission, and ensure biological integrity, diversity and environmental health (BIDEH) • BIDEH operates at various landscape scales from refuge to ecosystem, national and international • Planning and evaluating refuge activities occurs at all landscape scales • Historic conditions considered in management decisions • Prevent introduction, detect and control invasive species, and restore native species

  10. The Big Six • Hunting • Sport Fishing • Wildlife observation • Environmental education • Interpretation • Photography

  11. ComprehensiveConservation Planning • CCPs must be completed for all refuges by 2012 • Refuges will be managed according to these plans • CCPs will include Appropriate Use & Compatibility Determinations for all current/proposed uses • Extensive state/tribal/agency/public involvement • NEPA and other Service compliance

  12. Major Components of a CCP • Background and history • Refuge purposes • Vision and goals • Objectives (e.g. wildlife, habitat, public use) • Management strategies to reach objectives • Monitoring programs

  13. Public Input Public Input Public Input Initiate Study Pre-Planning Review and Revise the Plan Public Scoping & Identify Issues The CCP Process Implement Plan & Monitor Vision Statement & Goals Final Plan Develop Alternative Objectives &Strategies Prepare Draft Plan Mar 2002 MF

  14. Typical Planning Team Organization Refuge Manager Planning Team Leader Core Team Biologist Outdoor Recreation Planner Other Refuge Staff Extended Team IDFG Tribes Other Agencies Technical Specialists Other Programs & Partners

  15. Pacific Region USFWS Decision-makers and Key Staff for Refuge Plans Regional Director Ren Lohoefener Realty & Refuge Information Miriam Mazel Regional NWRS Chief Carolyn Bohan Planning & Visitor Services Chuck Houghten Refuge Supervisor Forrest Cameron Refuge Project Leaders Natural & Cultural Resources Steve Moore

  16. Compatible Use For a secondary use to be deemed compatible, it must: • Be an existing or proposed use of a refuge that has been determined first to be an appropriate use of the refuge • not materially interfere with or detract from the National Wildlife Refuge System mission or the major purposes of the refuge, in the sound professional judgment of the Refuge Manager • be determined compatible in a written compatibility determination (public has opportunity to review)

  17. Appropriate Uses Appropriateness establishes a “pre-compatibility” screening process. Not-appropriate uses are to be denied without determining compatibility. Uses found appropriate must still have a compatibility determination.

  18. Public Involvement in CCPs • ‘‘(3) In preparing each comprehensive conservation plan under this subsection, and any revision to such a plan, the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with this Act— • ‘‘(A) consult with adjoining Federal, State, local, and private landowners and affected State conservation agencies; and • ‘‘(B) coordinate the development of the conservation plan or revision with relevant State conservation plans for fish and wildlife and their habitats.” (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee, as amended)

  19. Public Involvement Opportunities • Public Scoping Meetings – Comment Period • Planning Updates and Refuge CCP Website – Information provided throughout the planning process • Alternatives Development – Meetings/Workshops • Individual Organization Meetings and Stakeholder Group Meetings for informational purposes, upon request • Public Comment Period on Draft Plan and NEPA Document (typically includes meetings or workshops, 30-60 day comment period) • Final Public Notice and Availability of Completed Plan

  20. Information Gathering and Sharing Techniques Used in CCP Processes • State and Other Federal Agency Coordination Meetings • Tribal Government Consultations • Extended Teams • Informational Sharing Agreements (Agency, NGO, etc.) • Refuge History, Local and Regional Information Sources

  21. Regional Office contacts for more information: Carolyn Bohan, Regional Chief, NWRS503-231-6214 Chuck Houghten, Refuge Conservation Planning & Visitor Services, Portland RO503-231-2096 Ben Harrison, Refuge Planning, Portland RO 503-231-2232 Planning Web Site:www.fws.gov/pacific/planning

  22. Field Station contacts for more information: Lisa Langelier: Inland NW NWR Complex 509-684-8384 Kootenai NWR - Dianna Ellis 208-267-2888

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