U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on Draft Sport Hunting Plan and Environmental Assessment for Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

Contacts:
Michael Johnson, Refuge Manager, (270) 527-5770
Tom MacKenzie, (404) 679-7291

A draft Sport Hunting Plan and Environmental Assessment for Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Graves, Marshall and McCracken counties is available for a 30-day public review beginning March 2, 2007. The comment period will end April 1, 2007.

The draft environmental assessment for the plan describes alternatives for hunting on the Refuge, including a no hunting alternative. The action proposed in the draft plan or preferred alternative is also discussed and would continue the Clarks River NWR hunting program in its current form or structure. Under the proposed action, hunting would be for wildlife species currently being hunted on the Refuge such as deer, rabbits, quail, squirrels, migratory birds, etc. Hunting would be carried out in accordance with the applicable regulations of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Federal Statues and Refuge-specific regulations.

Copies of the draft environmental assessment and draft hunt plan can be obtained by phone, letter, email request, or by visiting the Clarks River NWR administrative office, located on Hwy 641 between Benton and Draffenville, Kentucky; between the hours of 7: 00 am and 3:30 pm. The following contact information may be used in making a request for a copy of the plans: Phone (270-527-5770), mail (P.O. box 89, Benton, KY 42025), email fw4rwclarksriver@fws.gov

Any questions regarding this announcement should be directed to Michael Johnson, Clarks River NWR Refuge Manager through the contact information previously provided.

The Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge currently manages approximately 8,000 acres in western Kentucky. The refuge lies along the East Fork of the Clarks River and extends about 20 miles from near Paducah, Kentucky to just south of Benton, Kentucky and is located in Graves, Marshall and McCracken Counties.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 94 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 542 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.