The Parker River Complex is now developing alternatives for Thacher Island NWR.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is moving forward in developing its Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge. The CCP is required of all National Wildlife Refuges by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (PL 105-57). The CCP is a 15-year plan designed to provide strategic management direction that best achieves the Refuge’s purposes; attains the vision and goals developed for the Refuge; contributes to the National Wildlife Refuge System mission; addresses key challenges, issues and relevant mandates; and, is consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management.
 

National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997: The NWRS Improvement Act defines a unifying mission for all refuges, including a process for determining compatible uses on refuges, and requiring that each refuge be managed according to a CCP. The NWRS Improvement  Act expressly states that wildlife conservation is the priority of System lands and that the Secretary shall ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of refuge lands are maintained. Each refuge must be managed to fulfill the specific purposes for which the refuge was established and the System mission. The first priority of each refuge is to conserve, manage, and if needed, restore fish and wildlife populations and habitats according to its purpose.