Refuge Planning
Stone Lakes NWR Missions & Goals
How Land May be Protected
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP)

How Does the Refuge Acquire Land?

Depending on the preference of each landowners and according to FWS policy, we protect lands by acquiring the least amount of "interest" in property necessary to accomplish refuge goals. Land protection methods may include technical assistance, cooperative agreements, easements, fee title acquisition, and donations.

If funds are available the FWS can pursue fee or easement acquisitions from local landowners whose properties lie within the approved refuge boundary. If an owner wishes to sell an interest in his or her property (i.e. easement or fee title), the FWS is required under the U.S. Constitution to pay fair market value for the property as determined by an appraisal.

In other words, we may protect an important foraging area for sandhill cranes that is owned by an interested landowner by pursuing a grant or program that provides an economic incentive to maintain or improve his land for cranes. It may not be necessary, or even desirable, for the FWS to directly own an interest in land in order to create or maintain wildlife-friendly conditions on it.

See Location and Boundary Maps page for map of refuge and individual units.