Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges Complex Comprehensive Conservation Plan

Comprehensive Conservation Plan Completed
The Refuges Complex
For More Information
Where Are We in the Planning Process?

Comprehensive Conservation Plan Completed

In September 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced the completion of the comprehensive conservation plan, or CCP, for the Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges Complex.

According to the direction established through the CCP, the Refuges Complex will complete land acquisition within the authorized boundaries of Emiquon NWR and Meredosia NWR as funding allows. There will be increased restoration of habitats and more wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities. The Service will concentrate efforts of the Partners for Wildlife and Fish Program within five focus areas that encompass 236,160 acres: Meredosia, Lower Sangamon River, Emiquon, Chautauqua, and Hennepin-Lacon.

The Refuges Complex

The Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges include:

• Chautauqua Refuge in Mason County; 4,488 acres, established in 1936
• Meredosia Refuge in Cass and Morgan counties; 3,852 acres, established in 1973
• Emiquon Refuge in Fulton County; 1,305 acres, established in 1993
• Cameron/Billsbach unit in Marshall County; 1,709 acres, established in 1958

The Refuges are vital links for several reasons. They give waterfowl and other migratory birds places to stop, rest, feed, and build nests. The Refuges provide habitat for 60-70 percent of the waterfowl that migrate along the Illinois River.

With a mixture of backwater lakes, bottomland forests, floodplain wetlands, and small portions of upland forest, the Refuges provide biological diversity and a place for resident wildlife to live. Channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie and white bass are just some of the fish that use the Refuges’ backwater lakes to spawn and hatch their young.

Threatened species such as decurrent false aster and the Bald Eagle are protected within the Refuges, as are two endangered species, the Peregrine Falcon and Least Tern.

The benefits to people from the Refuges are high-quality lands and waters, permanent preservation for future generations, and opportunities for fishing, hunting, wildlife photography and environmental education.

For More Information

The CCP is available in a variety of formats. It is available as a portable document format (.pdf) through this website; it is available as a pdf on CD-ROM; and in October 2004 paper copies will be available. Both paper copies and CD-ROMs will be available in libraries in communities surrounding the Refuges. To request a copy, call the Refuges Complex at 309/535-2290 or write to the Refuges Complex at:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges Complex
19031 E County Rd. 2110 N
Havanna, IL 62644

Where Are We in the Planning Process?

These are the steps that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service follows in comprehensive conservation planning; the step that Illinois River NWFR Complex has reached is highlighted:

1. Preplanning: Plan the Plan
2. Initiate Public Involvement and Scoping
3. Review Vision Statement and Goals and Determine Significant Issues
4. Develop and Analyze Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action
5. Prepare a Draft CCP and NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Document
6. Prepare and Adopt Final CCP
7. Implement Plan, Monitor and Evaluate
8. Review and Revise the Plan

Last updated: August 15, 2008

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