The following information summarizes ongoing or completed public scoping, environmental compliance work, and public input opportunties for significant Refuge projects. All public comment periods will be advertised and posted on the National Elk Refuge's news release link.

Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP)

To support and fulfill the mission of the Refuge System, the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act (1997) requires that, by 2012, the Service will have developed a comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge in the Refuge System at the time of the act.

To meet this requirement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has started work on a comprehensive conservation plan for the National Elk Refuge. A draft plan and accompanying environmental document (as required by the National Environmental Policy Act) will describe management alternatives considered and their effects on the environment.

This 15-year plan will provide long-range guidance and management direction for all of the refuge's programs. The plan will outline a vision statement and supporting goals, objectives, and strategies. It will be a "living" document that is updated every 15 years.

The Bison and Elk Management Plan, completed in 2007, provides goals, objectives, and strategies for managing bison and elk on the National Elk Refuge and in Grand Teton National Park for the next 15 years. Therefore, the comprehensive conservation plan will not address bison and elk management on the Refuge, but will address all other aspects of refuge management including migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, visitor use, and cultural resources.

A comprehensive web site on the National Elk Refuge's Comprehensive Conservation Plan can be found at www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/planning/ccp/wy/ner/ner.html

Related documents:

Planning Update, Issue 2, March 2011

Planning update, Issue 1, January 2011

National Elk Refuge News Release: December 20, 2010

 

Results of a Public Survey Conducted within the National Wildlife Refuge System

An overwhelming percentage of visitors surveyed at the National Elk Refuge in 2010 and 2011 were favorably impressed with the refuge's recreational opportunities, educational opportunities and services, according to a peer–reviewed government survey released today. Some 90 percent of respondents gave consistent high marks to all facets of their refuge experience.

The survey, commissioned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and designed, conducted, and analyzed by researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey, was carried out on 53 refuges across the National Wildlife Refuge System. The National Elk Refuge was one of the locations included in the survey.

Guidance was given to each refuge participating in the survey to choose sampling periods that best represented the diversity of visitors at their location. National Elk Refuge surveys were conducted between July 24–August 7, 2010 and January 8–22, 2011 to capture peak times during both the summer and winter seasons. A total of 236 visitors completed and returned the survey after visiting the National Elk Refuge.

In addition to a report summarizing national results, each refuge participating in the survey received an individual document evaluating responses for that specific location. Results from the National Elk Refuge survey very closely modeled those reported in the national report for overall satisfaction with a national wildlife refuge visit. Participants in the National Elk Refuge survey reported:

• 88 percent satisfaction with recreational activities and opportunities

• 90 percent satisfaction with information and education about the refuge

• 92 percent satisfaction with services provided by refuge employees or volunteers

• 92 percent satisfaction with the refuge's job of conserving fish, wildlife and their habitats

For a full news release on the visitor surveys, click here .

National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey Results: 2010/2011

National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey 2010/2011: Individual Results for National Elk Refuge

 

Voluntary Use of Non-Lead Ammunition During the Elk and Bison Seasons

Grand Teton National Park and National Elk Refuge officials again encouraged hunters using lead ammunition to make a voluntary switch to non-lead ammunition during the 2011 elk and bison seasons. The voluntary use of non-lead ammunition allows hunters a unique opportunity to maintain support for hunting programs by demonstrating a commitment to safe, quality hunting practices that will benefit the long-term conservation of wildlife.The data from the voluntary program will assist a research project led by Craighead Beringia South (CBS), a non-profit research and educational institute based in Kelly, Wyoming.

Lead is an environmental toxin well known for its capability to directly impact wildlife. Recently, more attention has been directed to lead poisoning of animals that consume carcasses shot with lead bullets from center fire rifles, such as those commonly used in big-game hunting. Studies by CBS have revealed that during the fall hunting season, lead levels spike in the blood of area ravens and eagles in the Jackson Hole valley. These and other studies have shown that fragmented bullets often stay in the discarded remains of wild game and subsequently enter the food chain as they are consumed by other animals. Lead poisoning can result when wildlife species ingest the toxic material.

In 2009, CBS implemented a large educational push for the use of non-lead ammunition, encouraging participants to work with federal agencies and non-profit cooperators in this important wildlife study by reporting voluntary use of non-lead ammunition. The program continued during the 2010 and 2011 hunting seasons.

According to information submitted by hunters, 24% (2009) and 31% (2010) of all successful elk hunters taking part in Grand Teton National Park and National Elk Refuge elk reduction programs used non-lead ammunition. CBS researchers documented a concurrent 24% and 47% drop in raven blood lead levels in 2009 and 2010, respectively, and significantly decreased lead levels in bald eagles. These data strongly support the hypothesis that the number of hunters using lead-free ammunition had a substantial positive impact on lead ingestion by wildlife (as measured in ravens and eagles) during the last two years. More information about CBS lead research can be found by clicking here or by visiting CBS’s web page at www.beringiasouth.org.

By reporting non-lead ammunition use, hunters will provide Grand Teton National Park and National Elk Refuge staff with a means to measure participation in the voluntary program and provide critical data to continue monitoring effects of non-lead ammunition use.

Hunters are not required to use non-lead ammunition while pursuing elk in Grand Teton National Park or National Elk Refuge, or while pursuing bison on the National Elk Refuge. This is strictly a voluntary program. However, participating and reporting use allows hunters to work with biologists in gathering critical data that will benefit wildlife health.

A National Elk Refuge article on the findings is also available. Click here to read the March 8, 2010 article entitled, "Results of a Local Study on Lead in Ravens Available."

One of the goals of the voluntary non-lead ammunition program is to raise awareness levels about the potential risks of lead ammunition so hunters can make informed decisions when selecting hunting ammunition. The following internet sites can help provide hunters with additional research on the subject:

Craighead Beringia South: www.beringiasouth.org

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/lead/index.html

North Dakota Department of Health: www.ndhealth.gov/lead/venison/

Peregrine Fund: www.peregrinefund.org/subsites/conference-lead/

 

Results of a Public Survey Conducted within the National Wildlife Refuge System

National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey Results: 2010/2011

National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey 2010/2011: Individual Results for National Elk Refuge