According to Acting Refuge Manager Jonathan Schafler, "The EIS is basically a collection of possible management alternatives the refuge may implement. It helps us to understand the environmental effects of implementing those alternatives. By critically examining a variety of alternatives, we can select the best management alternative for the refuge, the community and the environment."
Public participation is essential and the Service is requesting written comments on alternatives and impacts to be considered in the EIS. Examples of issues the public may wish to comment on include recreational activities; fish and wildlife populations; industrial use; contamination; or archeological, historic and cultural sites on the refuge. "We received many comments during our initial CCP scoping period," continued Schafler. "Those comments are being considered in the development of this EIS. This additional comment period will help to ensure everyone has an opportunity to provide comments and participate in the development of refuge management alternatives."
Written comments may be submitted to: Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Attn: CCP Comments, 8588 Route 148, Marion, IL 62959; or via the Internet at: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/cotop.htm ; or by e-mail to: conwr-ccp@fws.gov All comments must be postmarked by May 29, 2001 to ensure consideration.
All comments will be analyzed, reviewed and considered along with biological and economic data gathered during the planning process. Once this information is compiled, the refuge mission, vision and goals will be reviewed; significant issues identified; and management alternatives developed. After these steps are completed, a draft CCP and draft EIS will be published for review and comment by other agencies, partners and individuals. Comments on the draft documents will be analyzed, reviewed and incorporated into a final CCP and final EIS.
The completed CCP will guide long-term management decisions and identify refuge goals, objectives and strategies for achieving refuge purposes and the National Wildlife Refuge System mission. The plan will provide other agencies and the public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions of the refuge and how the Service will implement management strategies.
The refuge began developing the CCP in 1999 and expects to complete the process in 2002. To ensure the public had enough information and opportunities to submit comments, the refuge held three open house meetings, hosted four focus group meetings and solicited written comments from the public through January 2001. The input gathered during the initial CCP comment period is being considered in the development of the EIS and has been summarized in a report which is available for public review at the refuge headquarters, the refuge visitor information center and online at: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/cotop.htm
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices 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 fish and wildlife agencies.
For further information about programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our website at http://midwest.fws.gov
