Purposes of the Willamette Valley Refuges

Why Refuge Purposes are Important
The purpose for which a Refuge was established or acquired is of key importance in Refuge planning. Purposes must form the foundation for planning and management decisions. By law, Refuges are to be managed so as to achieve their purposes. When a conflict exists between the System mission and the purpose of an individual refuge, the refuge purpose may supersede the System mission. Refuge purposes are the driving force in the development of the refuge vision statements, goals, objectives, and strategies in the CCP and are critical to determining the compatibility of all existing and proposed refuge uses.

Where Do Refuge Purposes Come From?
The purposes of a refuge are specified in or derived from the law, proclamation, executive order, agreement, public land order, donation document, or administrative memorandum establishing, authorizing, or expanding a refuge, refuge unit, or refuge subunit.

What if there are Multiple Purposes?
Unless the establishing law, order, or other document indicates otherwise, purposes dealing with the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife, and plants, and the habitats on which they depend take precedence over other purposes in the management and administration of any unit. Where a refuge has multiple purposes related to fish, wildlife, and plant conservation, the more specific purpose will take precedence in instances of conflict. When an additional unit is acquired under an authority different from the authority used to establish the original unit, the addition takes on the purpose(s) of the original unit, but the original unit does not take on the purpose(s) of the newer addition.

Purposes for the Willamette Valley Refuges:
Each of the Willamette Valley Refuges was established by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC), as authorized by the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929. As such, each of the Refuges assumes the purposes of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, as well as any additional purposes described by the Commission.

William L. Finley:
• “for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds…to conserve and protect migratory birds…and to restore or develop adequate wildlife habitat.” (Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929, 16 U.S.C. 715 et. seq.). All units.
• “protection for the western [dusky] Canada goose…for the protection of other migratory birds as well…and…habitat for upland migratory birds.” (MBCC Memo #4, February 19, 1963) All tracts of land acquired prior to 3/10/1972.
• “to provide (1) feeding and nesting areas for migratory waterfowl; (2) wintering range primarily for the dusky Canada goose; and (3) production habitat for several species of ducks.” (MBCC Memo #9, March 10, 1972.) All tracts of land acquired subsequent to 3/10/1972.

Ankeny Refuge:
• “for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds…to conserve and protect migratory birds…and to restore or develop adequate wildlife habitat.” (Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929, 16 U.S.C. 715 et. seq.). All units.
• “Additional protection for the western [dusky] Canada goose…better distribution of waterfowl and aid in reducing crop depredations.” (MBCC Memo #1, June 24, 1964). All tracts of land acquired prior to 11/1968.
• “To provide (1) feeding and resting areas for migratory waterfowl; (2) wintering range primarily for the dusky Canada goose; and (3) a production habitat for several species of ducks.” (MBCC Memo #8, November, 1968). All tracts of land acquired subsequent to 11/1968.

Baskett Slough Refuge:
• “for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds…to conserve and protect migratory birds…and to restore or develop adequate wildlife habitat.” (Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929, 16 U.S.C. 715 et. seq.).
• “managed primarily for dusky Canada geese…uplands should be managed as wildlife habitat and for watershed protection.” (MBCC Memo #3, March 25, 1965). All tracts of land acquired prior to 10/1967.
• “To provide (1) feeding and resting areas for migratory waterfowl; (2) wintering range primarily for the dusky Canada goose; (3) a production habitat for several species of ducks.” (MBCC Memo #8, October, 1967). All tracts of land acquired subsequent to 10/1967.