The Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin has been completed and Notice of Availability of the plan published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. The plan articulates the goals, objectives and strategies that will guide management of the 43,656-acre refuge for the next 15 years.
Necedah NWR is located in Juneau County, about 65 miles east of La Crosse, near Necedah, Wisconsin. The refuge is an important breeding ground for numerous species of migratory birds waterfowl, and other wildlife. In recent years, the refuge has had a key role in an international project to reintroduce a migratory flock of federally-endangered whooping cranes to central Wisconsin. More than 160,000 people visit the refuge annually to participate in outdoor recreation and environmental education opportunities.
The refuge allows seasonal hunting for white-tailed deer, turkey, waterfowl and other small game. Fishing is also allowed on certain refuge pools.
Work on the Necedah NWR CCP began in 1997 and reflects input from the public, local governments, elected officials representing Juneau and Wood counties, national, state and local conservation organizations, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and others. The plan calls for the refuge to continue its efforts to conserve and restore oak savanna, grassland and wetland habitats. Among the tools used to accomplish these objectives are prescribed burning, water level manipulation, timber harvesting, and mowing. These management activities will benefit not only common wildlife such as the white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, and waterfowl, but will also benefit less abundant species such as goshawks, bald eagles, gray wolves and two federally-listed endangered species: the Karner blue butterfly and the whooping crane.
In addition to its objectives to benefit wildlife, the plan calls for expanding and enhancing accessible hiking trails and observation platforms, building a visitor center, replacing wayside kiosks, expanding portable exhibits, and continuing to provide education supplies, media, brochures and other resources to community schools. The refuge will provide opportunities for the public to participate in conservation activities through its Friends group or volunteer program.
Necedah NWR will also continue to provide technical assistance to private landowners who are interested in managing their lands to benefit wildlife. Landowners interested in learning more about this benefit should contact the Refuge at 608-565-2551.
While the scope of the CCP is long-term, refuge staff anticipates updating the plan every 5 to 10 years based on information gained through monitoring habitat, wildlife and public use.
Project updates summarizing the CCP have been mailed to individuals, agencies and organizations that requested to be on the mailing list for this project. The update and the entire CCP are also available on the Internet at:
http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/Necedah/index.html. Copies of the CCP are also available at local libraries and by contacting the Refuge Headquarters at 608/565-2551.
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 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 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.
