The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge was established by Public Law 107-91 on Dec. 21, 2002. The refuge is the first international refuge in North America, and will conserve, protect and restore habitat for 29 species of waterfowl, 65 kinds of fish and 300 species of migratory birds along the lower Detroit River in Michigan and Canada. The Detroit River has also been recognized as both an American and Canadian Heritage River; the first such international designation in North America. The authorized refuge boundary includes islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals and river front lands along 18 miles of the lower Detroit River.
The Service will host two open houses to give the public an opportunity to participate in the planning process. The open houses will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, at the Copeland Recreation Center, 2306 Fourth Street (Fourth and Mulberry Street), Wyandotte, Mich., and 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2002 at the Monroe City Hall, 120 East First Street, Monroe, Mich. Interested citizens may stop by any time during these hours and stay as long as they wish.
"We want to hear what people have to say about the refuge," said Doug Spencer, refuge manager, "I hope everyone with an interest in the area will attend and share their thoughts and ideas. The open houses will also provide an opportunity for us to answer questions and for the public to learn more about the refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."
All aspects of the refuge and its programs will be addressed by the plan, including important fish and wildlife habitats, public use and facilities potential, and existing habitat management. By law, six wildlife-dependent recreational uses receive a priority on national wildlife refuges; fishing, hunting, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation.
If someone cannot attend an open house and would like to submit written comments, they can be sent to Doug Spencer at the refuges temporary headquarters at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, 6975 Mower Road, Saginaw, MI 48606-9783. Comments may also be sent through the Services planning website at http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/detroitrivertop.htm
For more information, or to be placed on a mailing list, write to the address above or telephone (989) 777-5930, ext. 2 or e-mail doug_spencer@fws.gov .
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principle 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 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses nearly 540 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 service 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 more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes - Big Rivers Region, visit our home page at http://midwest.fws.gov">
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