The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today that it will complete an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a long-term comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refugelocated on Delaware Bay.
When the Service began developing the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge CCP in 2005, it planned to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) as it does for the majority of national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge CCPs across the country. It has become evident that the environmental and management issues at Prime Hook NWR require the thorough analysis and additional opportunities for public involvement called for in preparing an EIS, according to Michael Stroeh, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Manager.
The Service’s notice of intent to complete the EIS published today in the Federal Register. Public comments may be submitted to northeastplanning@fws.govthrough June 23.
The decision to complete an EIS rather than an EA will continue the planning process started in 2005. Scoping meetings were held that fall in three Delaware communities, including Milton, Dover, and Lewes.All public comments received during that initial scoping period will be considered in drafting the EIS, said Stroeh.
Some of the primary topics that are being addressed in the planning process include sea level rise and other factors affecting refuge marshes, mosquito control, cooperative farming, and hunting on refuge lands.
The Service anticipates making a draft EIS available for public review by late summer, 2011.
A CCP is a 15-year plan for managing wildlife populations, wildlife habitats and public use programs on a national wildlife refuge. Each plan is developed to meet environmental compliance and public involvement requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.
Under the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1997, the Service is required to complete a CCP for all national wildlife refuges by the end of 2012. Seventy-two of the 553 national wildlife refuges in the U.S. are located in the Service’s Northeast Region, which includes 13 states from Maine south to Virginia.
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)was established in 1963 to protect wintering and breeding habitat for migratory birds. The refuge spans 10,133 acreson the western shore of the Delaware Bay. It is a mix of saltwater and freshwater wetlands bordered by woods and other upland habitats, and is considered a premiere site for waterfowl hunting. The refuge is surrounded by residential developments and agricultural lands.
