The EIS examines possible alternatives for the Service to consider while accomplishing its wildlife and habitat conservation mandates along the river. The preferred alternative identified by the Service includes expansion of the Refuge from its currently authorized 16,628 acres to 60,000 acres in several tracts in the Missouri River floodplain from Kansas City to St. Louis.
The Refuge, established in 1994, currently encompasses about 7,200 acres of land acquired from willing sellers, most of them landowners whose farmlands were severely damaged by flooding in 1993 and 1995. The refuges goals include restoring fish and wildlife and their habitats by restoring natural floodplain functions in some areas along the Missouri River and providing additional public use areas for fish and wildlife dependent recreation
The Service also evaluated a "no action" alternative which would keep the refuge at 16,628 acres in seven tracts along the river. Both alternatives were weighed against several factors including floodplain hydrology and use, natural resources, drainage and levee concerns, social and economic impacts, and effects on cultural resources.
The final EIS concludes that while both alternatives would enhance the Refuges capability in meeting its goals, the preferred alternative would provide the most options to return natural floodplain functions to portions of the Missouri River, and result in the most benefits to fish and wildlife.
The Service concluded that the "no action" alternative would restore less than three percent of the floodplain in Missouri, while implementation of the preferred alternative would restore about eight percent.
Biologists from various agencies agree that restoring from 10 to 20 percent of the Missouri River floodplain from Kansas City to St. Louis would ensure long-term health of the river. The Services preferred alternative, along with efforts by other federal, state, and local agencies, would help accomplish that goal. Additionally, expanded opportunities for public use, including hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation, would be provided by the preferred alternative.
Once the Service evaluates and considers public input on the final EIS, a Record of Decision will be signed no sooner than May 3, 1999. To receive a Final EIS or to submit comments, contact Judy McClendon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 24385 State Highway 51, Puxico, Missouri 63960; or by telephone at 573/222-6001; or Toll-free, 800/686-8339. Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may call the Missouri Relay Services at 800/735-2966 (TTY). Comments may also be received by Fax at 573/222-6150 or E-Mail at judy_mcclendon@fws.gov or R3planning@fws.gov
Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is one of more than 500 national wildlife refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprising more than 500 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries and 78 ecological services field stations.
The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://www.fws.gov/r3pao/
