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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on Draft Sport Hunting Plan and Environmental Assessment for Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A draft Sport Hunting Plan and Environmental Assessment for Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Morehouse and Union Parishes is available for a 30-day public review beginning February 14, 2007. The comment period will end March 14, 2007. The plan describes two alternatives for hunting on the refuge: (1) the no action alternative would continue the hunting program that is currently in place and (2) the proposed action would open an additional 4,762 acres of hunting on the Mollicy Unit of the refuge and hold a limited, youth turkey hunt. Under the proposed action, hunting of deer, rabbits, quail, squirrels, coyote, hogs, beaver, and migratory birds such as waterfowl, dove, woodcock and snipe would occur on the additional acreage. Hunting would be carried out in accordance with Federal and State of Louisiana regulations and refuge-specific regulations. Copies of the plan can be requested from the refuge and copies are available for review at the following libraries:
Written comments, requests for the plan, or questions can be directed to Sharon Fuller, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, at 11372 Hwy 143, Farmerville, LA 71241; (318) 387-1114 x 203. Email comments can be provided to the following address: sharon_fuller@fws.gov. The Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge is currently 42,594 acres and is located in Morehouse and Union Parishes of Louisiana. The refuge lies on both sides of the Ouachita River bordered on the north by the Arkansas state line and is approximately 20 miles long and from one to six miles wide. Hunting opportunities are available, along with fishing, wildlife observation, photography, and environmental education. 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 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.
For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov/southeast or http://www.fws.gov/. NOTE: You can view our releases or subscribe to receive them -- via e-mail -- at the Service's Southeast Regional home page at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/news. Our national home page is at: http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/. Atlanta, GA 30345, Phone: 404/679-7289 Fax: 404/679-7286 |
