Public Comment Period and Open Houses Scheduled to Discuss Management and Public Use Options for the Proposed Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed draft management plans for the proposed Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. The approximately 50,000-acre proposed refuge, located near Madison, Indiana, would be overlaid on the former Jefferson Proving Ground firing range. The Armys use of this property ended in 1995 as a result of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service developed these draft plans to allow public use and other activities on the refuge consistent with the terms and conditions of the recently signed agreement with the Army and Air Force which would allow the refuge to be established. In order to gain input from the public on the new refuge, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service will open a public comment period from June 5-24, 2000. Three open houses are scheduled to allow people to provide opinions and ideas for management and public use options for the new refuge.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting comments from the public on three documents:

1. Interim Comprehensive Conservation Plan, a document detailing interim public use and management for the refuge. This plan will guide management on the refuge until a more detailed Comprehensive Conservation Plan is completed.

2. Big Oaks NWR Interim Hunting and Fishing Plan, which details proposed hunting and fishing opportunities on the refuge.

3. Interim Compatibility Determination, this required document examines whether proposed uses are compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established.

The documents are available electronically at: http://midwest.fws.gov/bigoaks/

They can also be reviewed at several local locations listed below:

Jefferson County Library
420 W. Main
Madison, IN 47250

Tyson Library
325 W. Tyson
Versailles, IN 47042

Jennings County Library
2375 North State Highway 3
North Vernon, IN 47265

A limited number of copies of these documents are available at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office at Jefferson Proving Ground; written comments can also be sent to this address:

USFWS
Building 125
1661 W. JPG Niblo Rd
Madison, IN 47250

Phone: 812-273-0783
Fax: 812-273-0786

E-mail: joe_robb@fws.gov

Public open houses to discuss management and public use options for the proposed Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

June 14

Jennings County Library
2375 North State Highway 3
North Vernon, IN 47265
3:00-8:00 p.m.

June 15

Jefferson County Library
420 West Main
Madison, IN 47250
3:00-8:00 p.m.

June 16

South Ripley Elementary School Cafeteria
1568 South Benham Road
Versailles, IN 47042
3:00-8:00 p.m.