The Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge (refuge) invites the public to review and comment on a draft Compatibility Determination (CD) for Tribal cultural resource use that would be permitted on the Mary and Murray Looney Unit (470 acres; Looney Unit). Tribal members would be required to obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP) for cultural resource use. The use is the permitted harvest, cataloging, and planting for future harvest and/or maintenance of culturally significant plants and the harvest/collection of other items of tribal cultural significance such as turtle shells, feathers, whitetail deer antler sheds, wildlife bones, fungi, and water by members of federally recognized tribes for cultural, tribal, and/or educational purposes (non-commercial and non-research).
Compatibility Determinations are completed to ensure that refuge uses are appropriate and compatible with the mission of the Refuge system and the purposes of the refuge. This draft CD will be available beginning Monday, May 1, 2022, until the close of the public comment period on May 31, 2022. The public comment period is an opportunity to review and comment on this proposed new use at the refuge.
Comments on this use can be submitted via email to richard_stark@fws.gov or by mail to Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge at 9014 East 21st Street, Tulsa, OK 74129. In the subject line, please add: Ozark Plateau NWR Tribal Cultural Resource Use CD comments. Concerns expressed during the public comment period will be addressed in the final.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service.
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