6pt ; The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service adopted this week a 15-year comprehensive conservation plan for the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Fisherman national wildlife refuges (http://easternshore.fws.gov/">) in Virginia, announced refuge manager Susan Rice.
6pt ; The plan calls for growth in biological, land acquisition and recreational programs at the two national wildlife refuges to further efforts to conserve migratory birds and threatened and endangered species on the Delmarva Peninsula, according to Rice.
6pt ; The plan was developed by a team of Service managers, biologists and land use planners in consultation with state agencies, conservation organizations and residents of the area. The team considered four alternatives for managing the two national wildlife refuges, and evaluated the feasibility and environmental consequences of each proposal.
6pt ; The comprehensive conservation plan includes the following guidance:
Biological programs:
- 6pt; ; Forested habitats and grasslands will be managed to maximize available food and shelter for migratory birds, particularly neotropical and temperate species.
- 6pt; ; Refuge staff will study populations of several species protected under the Endangered Species Act, including the piping plover, Northeastern beach tiger beetle and seabeach amaranth. Additional protection, such as fencing and predator control, will be provided for these species when necessary.
6ptLand acquisition:
- 6pt; l2 level1 lfo4 list The new acquisition boundary for the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge will encompass up to an additional 6,030 acres. The Service will acquire the lands from willing sellers to protect important habitats for migratory birds in an area where wildlife habitats continue to be fragmented by population growth and waterfront development.
6ptFacilities management:
- 6pt; l3 level1 lfo2 list The Service will expand to two lanes the Wise Point Boat Ramp, which provides the only public deep water access for commercial watermen and recreational anglers at the southern tip of the peninsula. Existing docking, 24-hour access and parking privileges for commercial users will be phased out over time, and various fees will be charged for use of the ramp.
- 6pt; l3 level1 lfo2 list A firearms range located adjacent to the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge will be managed so noise and contaminated materials do not adversely affect refuge programs and resources. Managers intend to move the range to another site.
- 6pt; l3 level1 lfo2 list A 300-foot tall communications tower leased by Verizon Virginia, Inc. will be removed from the Eastern Shore of Virginia refuge in 2007 when the lease expires. The Service and Verizon will decide if a switching station will remain on refuge land.
6ptRecreational programs:
- 6pt; l1 level1 lfo3 list Environmental education and interpretive programs will expand at Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, and the refuge will create a new trail and butterfly garden. Refuge biologists will evaluate annually if a deer hunt program is needed on Fisherman to reduce the size of the deer population to prevent excessive overgrazing of vegetation.
6ptSpecial land designations:
- 6pt; l1 level1 lfo3 list The Service will within three years evaluate both national wildlife refuges to determine their eligibility for designation as wilderness or Research Natural Areas.
6pt The plan is available online at http://northeast.fws.gov/planning. Copies are also available in print or on CD by contacting Nancy McGarigal at (413)253-8562 (nancy_mcgarigal@fws.gov) or the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, 5003 Hallett Circle, Cape Charles, Va., (757)331-2760.
6ptThe 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 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish and Wildlife Management offices and 81 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 Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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