Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge Releases Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
Public comments accepted until September 12, 2011
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the publication of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (DCCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). This plan describes a vision for the Refuge and presents three alternatives for management of the Refuge over the next 15 years.
The proposed action in the draft plan is to implement Alternative 2, the Service’s Preferred Alternative, which includes:
• Managing a diversity of wetland, grassland, forest, and stream habitats for migratory birds, native fish, and other wildlife;
• Maximizing natural food production for waterfowl and decreasing emphasis on crops over time; and
• Providing a variety of compatible wildlife-dependent public uses, including wildlife observation and photography, waterfowl, big game and upland game hunting, environmental education and interpretation, and fishing.
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 Boundary County Library, the Sandpoint Library, and the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The full document may be accessed online at http://www.fws.gov/kootenai/refuge_planning.html. Compact discs can also be requested from the Refuge office at (208) 267-3888. Please direct questions or comments to Dianna Ellis, Refuge Manager.
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, near the community of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, consists of 2,774 acres of wetlands, grasslands, riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian and coniferous forests, instream habitat, and croplands. The Refuge provides significant migratory waterfowl habitat and critical habitat for the federally threatened bull trout.
“The planning process is a way for the Service and interested parties to evaluate management goals and objectives that will ensure the best approach to wildlife and habitat conservation, while providing for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities,” said Complex Project Leader Lisa Langelier.
The CCP was prepared together with an EA. The environmental consequences anticipated under each alternative are disclosed. All public uses have also been reviewed for compatibility with the refuge’s purposes.
“Public comment on the Draft CCP is welcome,” Refuge Manager Dianna Ellis 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 Dianna Ellis at 208-267-3888. More information about the planning process and the refuge is available at http://www.fws.gov/kootenai/refuge_planning.html. Comments may be mailed to Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, 287 Westside Road, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805; faxed to the Refuge office at (208) 267-5570; or e-mailed to FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov (please put “Kootenai NWR CCP” in the subject line). Please submit comments by September 12, 2011.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the publication of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (DCCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). This plan describes a vision for the Refuge and presents three alternatives for management of the Refuge over the next 15 years.
The proposed action in the draft plan is to implement Alternative 2, the Service’s Preferred Alternative, which includes:
• Managing a diversity of wetland, grassland, forest, and stream habitats for migratory birds, native fish, and other wildlife;
• Maximizing natural food production for waterfowl and decreasing emphasis on crops over time; and
• Providing a variety of compatible wildlife-dependent public uses, including wildlife observation and photography, waterfowl, big game and upland game hunting, environmental education and interpretation, and fishing.
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 Boundary County Library, the Sandpoint Library, and the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The full document may be accessed online at http://www.fws.gov/kootenai/refuge_planning.html. Compact discs can also be requested from the Refuge office at (208) 267-3888. Please direct questions or comments to Dianna Ellis, Refuge Manager.
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, near the community of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, consists of 2,774 acres of wetlands, grasslands, riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian and coniferous forests, instream habitat, and croplands. The Refuge provides significant migratory waterfowl habitat and critical habitat for the federally threatened bull trout.
“The planning process is a way for the Service and interested parties to evaluate management goals and objectives that will ensure the best approach to wildlife and habitat conservation, while providing for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities,” said Complex Project Leader Lisa Langelier.
The CCP was prepared together with an EA. The environmental consequences anticipated under each alternative are disclosed. All public uses have also been reviewed for compatibility with the refuge’s purposes.
“Public comment on the Draft CCP is welcome,” Refuge Manager Dianna Ellis 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 Dianna Ellis at 208-267-3888. More information about the planning process and the refuge is available at http://www.fws.gov/kootenai/refuge_planning.html. Comments may be mailed to Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, 287 Westside Road, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805; faxed to the Refuge office at (208) 267-5570; or e-mailed to FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov (please put “Kootenai NWR CCP” in the subject line). Please submit comments by September 12, 2011.
