Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex Comprehensive Conservation Plan

Comprehensive Conservation Plan Completed
Mark Twain NWR Complex
Request a Copy of the CCP
Where Are We in the Planning Process?

Comprehensive Conservation Plan Completed!

In September 2004, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced the completion of the comprehensive conservation plan, or CCP, for the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

The CCP is intended to outline how the Complex refuges will fulfill their legal purposes and contribute to the National Wildlife Refuge System's wildlife, habitat and public use goals. The plan articulates management goals for the next 15 years and specifies the objectives and strategies needed to accomplish these goals. While the planned future condition is long-term, we anticipate that the plan will be updated every 5 to 10 years based on information gained through monitoring wildlife and habitat.

The involvement of the public and partners has been a vital element in completing this CCP. Throughout the duration of the planning process, which began in 1997, we have worked with the departments of natural resources in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. We worked extensively with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Residents of communities surrounding the refuges attended open houses and commented on the draft CCP. We appreciate the time and effort of all of the people who contributed to this plan.

The Mark Twain NWR Complex

The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex spans three states, and nearly 350 river miles of the Mississippi River bottoms between Muscatine, Iowa, and Gorham, Illinois. Approximately 45,000 acres in size, the Complex includes five national wildlife refuges: the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Wapello, Iowa; the Great River and Clarence Cannon national wildlife refuges in Annada, Missouri; the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge in Brussels, Illinois, and the Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge located south of St. Louis, Missouri. The Iowa River Corridor portion (10,000 acres) of the Complex is not included in this planning effort but will be covered in a separate comprehensive conservation plan.

Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1958 and today Complex refuges draw an estimated 100,000 visitors annually. The Mississippi River is internationally significant as a corridor for the movement of migratory birds, people and cargo. Public use opportunities include wildlife observation and photography, hunting and fishing, and environmental education and interpretation.

The Complex Manager also administers cooperative agreement with the State of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, for the management of more than 50,000 acres of "General Plan" land associated with the 9-foot navigation project. Each state manages portions of these river corridor lands for wildlife in partnership with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Corps of Engineers.

Request a Copy of the CCP

The plan is available in portable document format (pdf) through this page, and copies are also available on CD or as paper copies by calling the Refuge Complex at 217/224-8580.

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 the Mark Twain NWR 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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