Public Invited to Participate in Long Term Plans for Klamath Refuges
Stakeholders and members of the public are invited to participate in a series of meetings sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to gather ideas and suggestions concerning the long-term management of the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The Upper Klamath Basin is home to six national wildlife refuges, which are widely reputed to be among the most important in the world for waterfowl and other migratory birds.
The purpose of these public meetings is to receive input about issues they would like to see addressed during the development of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Information about current Refuge management practices, the many natural resources on the Complex, and the CCP process will also be provided. This plan will guide the management of the Complex for the next 15 years. Topics to be addressed in the CCP include habitat and wildlife management, public uses, and agriculture and crop management permitted on the Refuge.
“These refuges provide critical life support for both resident wildlife in the Klamath Basin and – migratory birds worldwide,” said Refuge Complex Manager Ron Cole. “In addition, the refuges are an important part of the outdoor experience for many people in the Klamath Basin, and we encourage the local community to become involved as we make plans for the future of wildlife conservation on these refuges.”
The Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex is located in northern California and southern Oregon and includes: Upper Klamath, Lower Klamath, Tule Lake, Clear Lake, Bear Valley and Klamath Marsh Refuges. These refuges provide diverse habitats, including fresh water marshes, open water, coniferous forests, sagebrush sagebrush
The western United States’ sagebrush country encompasses over 175 million acres of public and private lands. The sagebrush landscape provides many benefits to our rural economies and communities, and it serves as crucial habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including the iconic greater sage-grouse and over 350 other species.
Learn more about sagebrush and juniper grasslands, agriculture lands, and rocky cliffs, and support diverse and abundant populations of resident and migratory wildlife.
For additional information visit our website at: www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges, or contact Michelle Barry, Refuge Planner at (530) 667-2231. Public meetings will be held at the following dates/times:
May 10, 2010 6:00-8:00pm
Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair and Museum of Local History
Home Economics Building
800 Main Street
Tulelake, CA 96134
May 11, 2010 6:00-8:00pm
Medford Red Lion Hotel
Douglas Fir Room
200 North Riverside Avenue
Medford, OR 97501
May 12, 2010 6:00-8:00pm
Redding Oxford Suites
Shasta Lassen Rooms 967 Hilltop Drive
Redding, CA 96002
May 13, 2010 6:00-8:00pm
Oregon Institute of Technology
College Union – Mt. Scott Room
3201 Campus Drive
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
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 97-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 548 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas.
