See the Final CCP
The Final CCP is provided here in portable document format (pdf). You will need Acrobat Reader to view the files; Acrobat Reader is available as a free download from Adobe.
Complete Final CCP (31.4 MB)
Summary of the Final CCP (123 KB)
Signed Compatibility Determinations (1.1 MB)
Table of Contents (74 KB)
Chapter 1: Introduction (563 KB)
Chapter 2: Refuge Planning Context (1 MB)
Chapter 3: Refuge Environment and Current Management (17.4 MB)
Chapter 4: Management Direction and Implementation (512 KB)
Appendix A: Finding of No Significant Impact (973 KB)
Appendix B: Species Lists (282 KB)
Appendix C: Federal Real Estate Use Agreement for Overton Bottoms South and Cora Island Units (1.1 MB)
Appendix D: Abbreviations and Glossary (84 KB)
Appendix E: Legal and Policy Guidance (92 KB)
Appendix F: Literature Cited (46 MB)
Appendix G: List of Preparers and Contributors (45 KB)
Appendix H: Compatibility Determinations (4.4 MB)
Appendix I: List of Preparers and Contributors (39 KB)
Appendix J: Communications (39 KB)
Appendix K: Land Acquisition Decision Support Model (15 KB)
Appendix L: Refuge Office Location and Description (183 KB)
Appendix M: Response to Comments (69 KB)
Appendix N: Standard Eligibility Questionnaire for the use of Genetically Modified Crops on National Wildlife System Lands (1.6 MB)
Appendix O: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 2014 Pesticide Use Policy (567 KB)
Appendix P: 2014 Region 3 Farm Program Guidance (179 KB)
Where Are We in the Plan?
These are the steps that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service follows in comprehensive conservation planning; the step that the Iowa Wetlands Management District has reached is highlighted:
- Preplanning: Plan the Plan
- Initiate Public Involvement and Scoping
- Review Vision Statement and Goals and Determine Significant Issues
- Develop and Analyze Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action
- Prepare a Draft CCP and NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Document
- Prepare and Adopt Final CCP
- Implement Plan, Monitor and Evaluate
- Review and Revise the Plan
Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan180x233.jpg)
Comprehensive Conservation Plan Completed
Overview of the Final CCP
The Refuge
For More Information or to Request a Copy of the Plan
Comprehensive Conservation Plan Completed
The final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP, Plan) for the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (NFWR, refuge) is now complete. The CCP will guide management of the Big Muddy NFWR over the next 15 years and will ensure that the refuge fulfills its established purposes and contributes to the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. A separate Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft CCP (25.2 MB) documents the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for developing the CCP.
NOTE: Appendix M: Errata was added to the EA and Draft CCP document, after it was released for public review on October 1, 2013, in response to public comment. The errata sheets add information regarding the farming program and refuge-specific effects from the use of genetically modified organisms and pesticides. The addition largely contains background information and explanation that supports the conclusion that no refuge-specific effects are anticipated. This EA and Draft CCP along with these errata sheets represent the complete environmental analysis for this project.
Overview of the Final CCP
The final CCP is a detailed document that describes the rationale behind management direction throughout the life of the plan. There are three goals for the Big Muddy NFWR, one each for habitat, wildlife, and people. The goals are followed by eight objectives, which are specific statements that describe management intent. Each objective includes a list of strategies—the specific actions, tools, and techniques required to fulfill the objective. The eight objectives that will guide management of the refuge over the next 15 years are listed here:
- Over the life of the plan, on Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (NFWR, refuge) units across all five river reaches, restore the hydrology of the Missouri River and its tributaries (where applicable), reconnect the Missouri River and major tributaries to their floodplains, maintain or return natural cover types, and manage invasive species.
- Over the life of the plan, within each refuge unit along the Columbia and St. Louis Reaches, emphasize and encourage biological inventory, monitoring, and research.
- Over the life of the plan, on each refuge unit across all five river reaches, create or maintain a recreational and management setting that includes all of the following: reasonable car access, reasonable boat access, information kiosks, and parking (in areas with vehicle access).
- Over the life of the plan, within each refuge unit along the Columbia Reach and St. Louis Reach, create or maintain a recreational and management setting characterized by the presence of one or more of the following: interpretive displays and other self-guided interpretation, restrooms, trails, overlooks, wildlife observation facilities, maintenance center, and environmental education site.
- Over the life of the plan, within the Columbia Reach, allow for the option of a structure located on refuge holdings to serve as the primary administrative center of the refuge. It would include offices and may also include a visitor contact station, an area of the structure dedicated to visitor services.
- Over the life of the plan, within the Columbia Reach and St. Louis Reach, emphasize collaboration (building relationships for conservation delivery) as well as outreach (building public understanding and support for conservation).
- Over the life of the plan, within the Columbia Reach, allow for staff-led or volunteer-led programming associated with environmental education and interpretation.
- Over the life of the plan, across all five river reaches, continue to pursue conservation of up to 30 individual refuge units evaluating tracts available from willing sellers based on the following criteria. Note that the listed criteria are not presented in priority order.
- Proximity to existing refuge units
- Connectivity to existing public lands
- Potential for river feature restoration
- Quality of existing habitat
- Amount of river frontage
- Proximity to populations centers
- Land value and cost
- Size and spatial connectedness or contiguity
The Refuge
Established in 1994, Big Muddy NFWR is located in Missouri along the floodplain of the Missouri River. It is comprised of 11 units that total more than 17,600 acres as of 2013. The 11 refuge units encompass river features, such as islands, chutes, bends, and tributary confluences. These features were once common but are now rare because of changes to the Missouri River and its floodplain initiated to promote navigation and minimize flooding. Some part of each unit still offers a glimpse of the former diversity of the Missouri River floodplain characterized by a shifting mosaic of river features driven by a wide range of seasonal and annual flows. Current refuge management focuses on reconnecting the Missouri River and its tributaries to their floodplains, restoring hydrology, returning native vegetation, reducing invasive species, and offering a variety of wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities. Restoring or mimicking the historic river dynamics fosters a range of bottom land and wetland vegetation and associated fish and wildlife including some, such as the pallid sturgeon, that are at risk of extinction.
For More Information or to Request a Copy of the Plan
More information or a CD or paper copy of the Plan can be requested through:
E-mail at r3planning@fws.gov (include "Big Muddy CCP" in the subject line); or
Mail at: Big Muddy NFWR, Attention: Big Muddy NFWR CCP, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO 65201; or
Telephone at: 573-876-1826, or 800-611-1826 (toll free), or TTY: 1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay)
