Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuges Release Draft Conservation Plan
Public comments accepted until June 30, 2011
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the publication of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This plan describes a vision for Ankeny, Baskett Slough, and William L. Finley national wildlife refuges and presents goals, objectives, and strategies for management of the three refuges over the next 15 years.
The proposed action in the draft plan is to implement Alternative 2, the Service's Preferred Alternative, which emphasizes management for wintering geese, waterfowl, and other waterbirds; several threatened or endangered species; and wildlife-dependent recreation. Two other alternatives are also analyzed.
The Service invites the public to review the document and participate in the planning process. Copies of the plan are available for review in the references section of the Albany Public Library, Corvallis Public Library, Dallas Public Library, Jefferson Public Library, Monroe Public Library, and Salem Public Library. The full document may be accessed online at http://pacific.fws.gov/planning. Compact discs can also be requested from the Complex office at (541) 757-7236. Please direct questions or comments to Doug Spencer, Project Leader for the Complex.
Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, near the communities of Corvallis, Dallas, Jefferson, and Peoria, Oregon, consists of over 11,000 acres of wetlands, grasslands, riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian and floodplain forests, instream habitat, croplands, and oak savannas/woodlands. The Complex provides significant migratory waterfowl wintering habitat and unique habitats for threatened and endangered species.
"The planning process is a way for the Service and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives that will ensure the best approach to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for compatible wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities," said Complex Project Leader Doug Spencer.
The CCP was prepared together with an EA. The environmental consequences anticipated under each alternative are disclosed. All public and economic uses have also been reviewed for compatibility with the refuges' purposes.
"Public comment on the Draft CCP is welcome," Spencer said. "We invite review by tribal, state and local governments, agencies, organizations, and the public."
If you or your organization is interested in meeting with refuge staff, please contact Doug Spencer at 541-757-7236. More information about the planning process and the refuges is available at http://www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/finley/refuge_planning.html. Comments may be submitted at the website or mailed to Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 26208 Finley Refuge Road, Corvallis, Oregon 97333. Please submit comments by June 30, 2011.
The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants. Since President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida's Pelican Island as the first wildlife refuge in 1903, the System has grown to more than 96 million acres, 548 refuges and 37 wetland management districts nationwide.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the publication of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This plan describes a vision for Ankeny, Baskett Slough, and William L. Finley national wildlife refuges and presents goals, objectives, and strategies for management of the three refuges over the next 15 years.
The proposed action in the draft plan is to implement Alternative 2, the Service's Preferred Alternative, which emphasizes management for wintering geese, waterfowl, and other waterbirds; several threatened or endangered species; and wildlife-dependent recreation. Two other alternatives are also analyzed.
The Service invites the public to review the document and participate in the planning process. Copies of the plan are available for review in the references section of the Albany Public Library, Corvallis Public Library, Dallas Public Library, Jefferson Public Library, Monroe Public Library, and Salem Public Library. The full document may be accessed online at http://pacific.fws.gov/planning. Compact discs can also be requested from the Complex office at (541) 757-7236. Please direct questions or comments to Doug Spencer, Project Leader for the Complex.
Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, near the communities of Corvallis, Dallas, Jefferson, and Peoria, Oregon, consists of over 11,000 acres of wetlands, grasslands, riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian and floodplain forests, instream habitat, croplands, and oak savannas/woodlands. The Complex provides significant migratory waterfowl wintering habitat and unique habitats for threatened and endangered species.
"The planning process is a way for the Service and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives that will ensure the best approach to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for compatible wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities," said Complex Project Leader Doug Spencer.
The CCP was prepared together with an EA. The environmental consequences anticipated under each alternative are disclosed. All public and economic uses have also been reviewed for compatibility with the refuges' purposes.
"Public comment on the Draft CCP is welcome," Spencer said. "We invite review by tribal, state and local governments, agencies, organizations, and the public."
If you or your organization is interested in meeting with refuge staff, please contact Doug Spencer at 541-757-7236. More information about the planning process and the refuges is available at http://www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/finley/refuge_planning.html. Comments may be submitted at the website or mailed to Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 26208 Finley Refuge Road, Corvallis, Oregon 97333. Please submit comments by June 30, 2011.
The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants. Since President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida's Pelican Island as the first wildlife refuge in 1903, the System has grown to more than 96 million acres, 548 refuges and 37 wetland management districts nationwide.
