Pinckney Island and Harris Neck NWR’s, administered by the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex, propose to use mechanical selective removal of trees and shrubs to reduce hazardous fuels, control invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species , and improve forest habitat for resident, migratory, and imperiled wildlife species.  The selective removal of trees and shrubs, in this instance, is defined as the cutting and/or removing of trees by various techniques, such as chipping, mulching, and chainsaw felling.  This is an existing refuge use but is being currently reviewed as the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 and US Fish and Wildlife Service Compatibility Policy requires re-evaluation of non-priority uses every 10 years.  The 2011 Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment found this use to be compatible with the mission of these NWR’s.

This use would be conducted primarily within established pine and mixed pine hardwood stands scattered across the landscape of both Pinckney Island and Harris Neck NWR’s. In addition to hazardous fuel reduction and invasive Chinese tallow tree control, these areas would be overall improved for a variety of wildlife species found here.  These include painted bunting (Passerina ciris), Bachman’s sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis), various woodpeckers, tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), and many others.  

The public is invited to review draft Compatibility Determinations and Environmental Action Statements related to the proposed forest management action on both Pinckney Island and Harris Neck NWR’s (see library link below). Documents are open to review beginning May 9, 2024, for a 33-day period and all comments must be submitted by the close of business on June 10, 2024.  

Please submit any comments to Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex to:

Email: savannahcoastal@fws.gov

U.S. Mail:  Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex, 694 Beech Hill Lane, Hardeeville, SC  29927).

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Project
State(s)
Georgia
South Carolina

Contact Information

Project Leader Nathan Hawkaluk
Project Leader
National Wildlife Refuge System
Expertise
Oversees and provides direction and leadership on all refuge management, conservation, and operations for the seven refuges of the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex to help fulfill the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the U.S. Fish and Wi
Area
SC
GA
Hardeesville,SC

Library

Pinckney Island and Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuges Proposed Forest Management Action Documents
Name
Pinckney Island and Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuges Proposed Forest Management Action Documents

Pinckney Island and Harris Neck NWR’s, administered by the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex, propose to use mechanical selective removal of trees and shrubs to reduce hazardous fuels, control invasive species, and improve forest habitat for resident, migratory, and imperiled wildlife species....

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Facilities

Sunrise over the wading bird rookery at Woody Pond
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) serves as an important link in the chain of refuges along the eastern seaboard, and is the inland base for two neighboring barrier island refuges, Blackbeard Island and Wolf Island.
National Wildlife Refuge
Townsend,GA
View of Ibis Pond with clouds reflecting off of the water.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is an important link in the chain of wildlife refuges along the Atlantic Flyway, attracting thousands of migratory birds annually. The refuge also provides nesting habitat, called a rookery, for colonial wading birds such as ibis, egrets, and herons.
National Wildlife Refuge
Hardeeville,SC