Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP)

The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Improvement Act) requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for each national wildlife refuge (NWR) by the year 2012. The Chassahowitzka NWR Complex of refuges involves CCP planning efforts for three distinct planning areas: Tampa Bay Refuges, Crystal River NWR, and Chassahowitzka NWR.  Each CCP takes 3 to 4 years from initiation (preplanning) to adoption by the Service.

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 and refuge staff.

The multi-year CCP Process includes the following steps:

• Conduct preplanning (e.g., research and analysis of needs);
• Conduct public scoping (i.e., obtain public input on priority issues);
• Prepare a Draft CCP and associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document;
• Conduct an internal review of the report;
• Hold a public review and comment period on the Draft CCP and associated NEPA document;
• Create a Final CCP;
• Fulfill all applicable NEPA requirements;
• Implement and monitor the CCP over 15 years; and
• Review and revise the CCP within 15 years.

Purposes of the Plan

• Provide a clear statement regarding the management of the refuge for the next 15 years;
• Provide refuge neighbors, visitors, the public, and government officials with an understanding of refuge management actions on and around the refuge;
• Ensure that the refuge's management actions are consistent with the mandates of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and
• Provide a basis for the development of budget requests on the refuge's operational, maintenance, and capitol improvement needs.

Who will be developing the plan?

The planning process will be coordinated and the plan will be written by staff at Chassahowitzka NWR and the Natural Resource Planner, who is a regional planner.  Refuge staff will coordinate with other federal, state and local agency staff.  The public will have the opportunity to express thoughts and suggestions during designated public comment periods.

Background

The five refuges of the Chassahowitzka NWR Complex are among 550 refuges and conservation units within the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System). This system is a network of United States lands and waters managed specifically for wildlife.   It is administered by the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Improvement Act states that the Refuge System’s mission is 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”.

Purposes of the Refuge

The purposes of the refuge are tied to the executive orders and legislative acts during establishment and expansion.  The purposes shown here are based upon land acquisition documents and authorities.  The unit purposes may also have come from deed restrictions, management agreements with primary land managers and congressionally established wilderness designations, which were not part of the acquisition documents and authorities.

Pinellas Key National Wildlife Refuge Purposes -

“….for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.”

“…suitable for (1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development. (2) the protection of natural resources, (3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species…. "

Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge Purpose –

“…as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds.”

Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge Purpose –

“…administer the refuge in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966...”

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Purpose --

... to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or threatened species .... or (B) plants ... 16 U.S.C. 1534 (Endangered Species Act of 1973)

... suitable for...(1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development, (2) the protection of natural resources, (3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species ... 16 U.S.C. 460k-1 ... the Secretary ... may accept and use ... real ... property. Such acceptance may be accomplished under the terms and conditions of restrictive covenants imposed by donors ...16 U.S.C. 460k-2 (Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4), as amended).

... the conservation of the wetlands of the Nation in order to maintain the public benefits they provide and to help fulfill international obligations contained in various migratory bird treaties and conventions…16 U.S.C 3901 (B) 100 Stat.3583 (Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986)

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Purpose --

“...for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.” 16 U.S.C. §715d (Migratory Bird Conservation Act)

“...wilderness areas...shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness, and so as to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their wilderness character, and for the gathering and dissemination of information regarding their use and enjoyment as wilderness ...” 16 U.S.C. §1131 (Wilderness Act)

“...for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources...” 16 U.S.C. §742 f(a)(4) “... for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services. Such acceptance may be subject to the terms of any restrictive or affirmative covenant, or condition of servitude...” 16 U.S.C. §742 f(b)(1) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956)

 

Status of the CCP planning efforts for each refuge

Tampa Bay Refuges (Pinellas, Passage Key and Egmont Key) – The final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Tampa Bay Refuges will be published in the fall of 2009. Three public scoping meetings on this planning effort were held in February 2006.  The notice of availability of the Draft CCP and EA was published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2009.  The public review and comment period for the Draft CCP and EA extended from April 26, 2009 through May 26, 2009.  At least 57 persons attended two public meetings held to present the draft CCP and EA during the open comment period.  Meetings were held on May 8, 2009 in Tierra Verde and May 14, 2009 in Pinellas Park at an Agency on Bay Management Meeting.  The Draft CCP and EA is available online at:  http://www.fws.gov/southeast/planning/CCP/TampaBayDraftSinglePageDocument.html . The final plan will be available on this website or you can call the refuge to request a copy:  (352)563-2088.

Crystal River NWR – Over 160 people attended a public scoping meeting in Crystal River on February 6, 2008.  During scoping, more than 700 comments were received regarding future management of the Refuge.  A public review draft CCP document is anticipated to be available for public review and comment in early 2011.  To receive a copy of the Draft CCP and associated NEPA document, please see the mailing list information.

Chassahowitzka NWR – Pre-planning started in 2009 with a team of Service and State government conservation representatives.  An interagency meeting of federal, state and local government conservation officials was held to obtain advice and suggestions regarding issues of importance to be addressed in the CCP.  Public scoping will be held on October 1, 2009 from 6-8 PM at the Homosassa Civic Club at 10974 West Creek Lane in Homosassa, FL.  Public comments will be accepted until October 31, 2009.  You may submit them by email, fax, mail or in person.

• By Email:  ChassCCP@fws.gov
  By Fax:  352/795-7961
  By Mail or in Person: 
  1502 SE Kings Bay Drive
  Crystal River, FL 34429
  Refuge headquarters:  (352)563-2088

A public review draft CCP document is expected to be available for public review and comment in 2011.  The plan will address the management of the wilderness area, endangered species, wildlife and fish populations, plant species, cultural resources, public use, education, research, and partnerships.

Want to get involved?

Public involvement is an integral part of the planning process and will be incorporated throughout the process. Public involvement includes public scoping, which is conducted early in the planning process to gather your ideas to help us develop management alternatives and the proposed management plan. Also, it involves public review and comment.  This is conducted once we have developed a draft CCP and the associated NEPA document to allow us to gather your ideas on the proposed management activities. In order for us to include your ideas, issues, concerns, and comments in the development of plans for future management of these refuges, we need you to send us your comments during the posted scoping and comment periods.

Public Meetings:

Prior to developing the draft plan, the Service will hold public workshops to allow interested citizens the opportunity to express their thoughts and suggestions about future management of the refuge.  Public notices in local papers, notification through mailings, and postings on the refuge's website (http://www.fws.gov/chassahowitzka) will inform the public of the plan’s availability and public workshop schedules.  The plan will also be posted on the website.

Document Review:

Once the draft plan is released to the public, a review period will be designated for submitting comments.

Mailing List:

In order to place your name and address on our mailing list we must have your written permission. Federal government mailing lists must be released to the public upon request.
(Click here Chassahowitzka's printable form)
(Click here Crystal River's printable form)

For More Information about the CCP Process:

http://www.fws.gov/southeast/planning/

Tampa Bay Refuges:  

TampaBayCCP@fws.gov
Mary Morris, Natural Resource Planner, 850/567-6202 or
Michael Lusk, Refuge Manager, 352/563-2088 (ext. 202)

Crystal River NWR:   

CrystalRiverCCP@fws.gov
Cheri M. Ehrhardt, AICP, Natural Resource Planner, 321/861-2368 or
Joyce Kleen, Wildlife Biologist, 352/563-2088 (ext. 211)

Chassahowitzka NWR:  

ChassCCP@fws.gov
Mary Morris, Natural Resource Planner, 850/567-6202 or
Keith Ramos, Deputy Refuge Manager, 352/563-2088 (ext. 205)