What is a Comprehensive Conservation Plan?
Black Creek. Credit: Laura Housh, USFWS
It is the policy of the US Fish and Wildlife Service to manage all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System in accordance with an approved comprehensive conservation plan, as required under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. These plans outline a vision for each refuge; guide management decisions; and outline goals, objectives and strategies to achieve the visions and purposes of each refuge unit. The plans will provide other agencies and the public with an understanding of the management strategies to be implemented. These plans further the missions of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System
Carolina Sandhills NWR CCP -
To view the Carolina Sandhills NWR's completed CCP in PDF, click here.
Generally, a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP):
- Is a 15-year refuge management plan,
- Serves the purposes of the refuge,
- Describes the desired future conditions of a refuge,
- Provides consistency and continuity, and
- Provides long-range guidance and management direction for a refuge manager.
CCP Process:
- Conduct Preplanning
- Conduct Public Scoping
- Prepare a Draft CCP
- Conduct Internal Review
- Hold a Public Review and Comment Period
- Create a Final CCP
- Approve a Finding of No Significant Impact
- Implement and Monitor the CCP over 15 Years
- Review & Revise the Plan within 15 Years
Core Planning Team:
- Charles McEntyre, PE, CHMM, Tennessee Valley Authority, Planner/Team Facilitator
- Allyne H. Askins, Refuge Manager
- Donald Cockman, Assistant Refuge Manager
- Jack Culpepper, Refuge Forester
- Jason Ayers, Wildlife Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Service, Charleston, SC
- Lynn Quattro, SC Department of Natural Resources
- Nancy Jordan, Refuge Wildlife Biologist
- Mark Parker, Refuge Fire Management Officer
- Brian Davis, Forester, SC Forestry Commission
Partners
- SC Department of Natural Resources
- SC Forestry Commission
- SC State Parks
- SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, Air & Water Quality Divisions
- Fort Jackson – Environmental Division
- Shaw Air Force Base – Environmental Division
- Congaree National Park
- National Forests of SC
- Local communities of McBee, Chesterfield, and Cheraw
- Chesterfield and Darlington counties
- Cheraw Chamber of Commerce
- You – the public!!
For more information on the National Wildlife Refuge System:
General Planning Questions?
- The Citizen's Wildlife Refuge Planning Handbook (by Defenders of Wildlife)
- FWS Planning Policy (see Part 602, Refuge Planning)
- FWS, Southeast Region's Planning
