Comprehensive Conservation Plan

The comprehensive conservation plan sets the management and use of Sullys Hill National Game Preserve (a national wildlife refuge) for 15 years. The refuge is in northeastern North Dakota. Serving as a big game preserve, the refuge provides habitat for Rocky Mountain elk and one of the most genetically pure plains bison herds in the nation.

The purpose of the refuge is to serve as a big game preserve and a refuge and breeding grounds for wildlife.

• Established in 1904 as a national park and in 1921 as a national wildlife refuge.
• Comprises 1,675 acres.
• Lies on the southern shore of Devils Lake, and located about 10 miles south of the city of Devils Lake, in Benson County, North Dakota.
• Part of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District Complex.

This refuge supports a unique community of habitats such as an oak, ash, basswood, and aspen woodland. The refuge's mixed-grass prairie is interspersed with natural and created wetlands. These diverse habitats create a large ecotone that provides edge habitat for more than 250 species of migratory birds, plains bison, Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, turkeys, and prairie dogs. Sullys Hill National Game Preserve is one of only four national wildlife refuges established for national bison conservation.

The refuge serves as a conservation learning center, which provides opportunities for wildlife observation and education. More than 60,000 visitors each year enjoy the annual events, environmental education programs, auto tour route, hiking trails, education and visitor center, and exhibits.

The following are major actions in the comprehensive conservation plan:

Comprehensive conservation plan (CCP)
CCP 2008 (11 MB PDF)

By section, for faster download:
Approval, contents, summary (PDF)
Chapter 1, introduction (3 MB PDF)
Chapter 2, the refuge (1 MB PDF)
Chapter 3, refuge resources and description (3 MB PDF)
Chapter 4, management direction (3 MB PDF)
Appendixes (2 MB PDF)

Draft CCP and environmental assessment (EA)
Draft CCP and EA 2008 (12 MB PDF)

By section, for faster download:
Contents, summary (PDF)
Chapter 1, introduction (2 MB PDF)
Chapter 2, the refuge (1 MB PDF)
Chapter 3, alternatives (1 MB PDF)
Chapter 4, affected environment (6 MB PDF)
Chapter 5, environmental consequences (1 MB PDF)
Chapter 6, implementation of the proposed action (2 MB PDF)
Appendixes (PDF)