"Our announcement today represents the culmination of negotiations which began in 1995 when the new airport runway was first proposed," said Service Regional Director Bill Hartwig. "And Im pleased to report our collective efforts have paid off, both for wildlife and the people of the Twin Cities who take advantage of the refuges education and recreation programs. Weve really got a unique urban resource in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and it was very encouraging to see MAC, the Friends of the Minnesota Valley, our Congressional representatives, other government agencies and our non-profit partners all come together to make the best of this situation."
"This agreement is important because it ensures the funds for mitigation provided by the Metropolitan Airports Commission stay in Minnesota and benefit area wildlife populations," said MAC Executive Director Jeff Hamlet. "As we plan airport improvements, we try to limit impacts on wildlife. When those impacts are unavoidable, we work to offset them. The trust fund we are announcing today enables us to satisfy peoples growing air transportation demands while protecting Minnesotas wildlife."
According to Minnesota Valley NWR Manager Rick Schultz, the Refuge will work closely with the Board of Directors to identify and prioritize high-quality mitigation projects. Per the mitigation agreement, all projects must be designed to offset or replace Refuge lands and programs impacted by the operation of the new 8,000 foot north-south runway, which will direct air traffic over the outdoor education sites on the Long Meadow Lake and Black Dog units of the Refuge.
It is expected the Trust will pursue the acquisition of new refuge lands, the construction of a satellite Visitor and Education Center, and the construction of other complementary environmental, wildlife interpretive, and visitor access facilities. These projects will be carried out over the next 15 years. The mitigation amount, $26,090,000, was officially transferred to the Trust on Sept. 16, 2000.
Board member Jim Cox, representing the Minnesota Waterfowl Association, says Board members are excited about the prospects for the future. "Were really just getting started here," said Cox. "We have some clear mandates, like replacing the interpretive center and purchasing land, but only time will tell how much we can accomplish."
"The refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which we are developing with public input right now, will provide the framework for many of these projects and related expenditures," said Schultz. "While it is unfortunate we had to mitigate for impacts on the Refuge, I am looking forward to working with the Board, educators and Twin Cities residents to leverage these mitigation dollars into something positive for wildlife and the people of the Twin Cities. And I think we can and will be successful."
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.
