Refuges currently closed include the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (which is comprised of the Winona District, Minnesota; MacGregor District, Iowa; LaCrosse District, Wisconsin; and Savanna District, Illinois), Swan Lake and Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuges, Missouri; Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge (which includes offices in Quincy, Illinois, the Brussels District, Illinois, the Wapello District, Iowa, and the Annada District, Missouri) and much of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, in the Twin Cities.
Fish hatchery closures include the Genoa and Iron River Fish Hatcheries, in Wisconsin, and the Neosho Fish Hatchery, in Missouri.
"If youre planning to make a trip to enjoy a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge or fish hatchery you should give them a call first to make sure they are open," Sam Marler, Great Lakes-Big Rivers Regional Director said. "Early estimates indicate upwards of $50 million in flood damage to Service lands and facilities, with major losses of vital wildlife habitat around the Region. I guess the only good news is that many of the flooded areas were wetlands rather than built-up residential areas or the overall dollar figure could be much higher."
Rains falling on already saturated areas across the Upper Midwest have been to blame for what many believe is the worst flooding this century. Water levels have yet to crest in Missouri, while they are staying close to their original record heights in the Twin Cities area.
Visitors making plans to visit a refuge or hatchery should call:
Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge
Winona District Office (507) 454-7351
MacGregor District (319) 873-3423
LaCrosse District (608) 784-3910
Savanna District (815) 273-2732
Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (816) 865-3323
Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (816) 442-3187
Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge (217) 224-8580
Brussels District (618) 883-2524
Wapello District (319) 523-6982
Annada District (314) 847-2333
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (612) 854-5900
Genoa National Fish Hatchery (608) 689-2605
Iron River National Fish Hatchery (715) 372-8510
Neosho National Fish Hatchery (417) 451-0554.
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 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 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 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://midwest.fws.gov
