U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Will Discuss New Plan And Assessment For National Elk Refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a public scoping meeting on January 11, 2011. The meeting will discuss development of a comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the National Elk Refuge.

In accordance to The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, for each national wildlife refuge, the US. Fish and Wildlife service is required to develop a Comprehensive Conservation Plan.  A Comprehensive Conservation Plan will provide refuge managers with a fifteen year plan for achieving individual refuge purposes and will help contribute toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Comprehensive Conservation Plans outline broad management direction on conserving wildlife and other habitats. In addition, CCP's identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public.  These opportunities include hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography and environmental education.

The National Wildlife Refuge System was established with units, each unit with a specific purpose. These specific purposes are used as the foundation in developing and prioritizing management goals, objectives and public use guidelines for each refuge. To ensure the the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation a planning process is used. The process is a way for the Service and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives.

A diverse number of habitats are found on the National Elk Refuge. Some of the most common habitats are grassy meadows, marshes, timbered areas, sagebrush and rocky outcroppings. There is also an abundance and wide variety of waterfowl found on the refuge. Trumpeter swans can be seen on approximately 1,600 acres of open water and marshlands. Also in observation in the refuge is approximately forty-seven species of mammals as well as nearly one hundred seventy five species of birds.  The most notable  species include moose, big horn sheep, pronghorn, gray wolves, mountain lions, bald eagles and peregrine falcons.

Approximately 25,000 acres in size, the refuge provides a rich habitat  for the world's largest concentration of wintering elk. A free roaming bison herd also winters at the refuge. For the next fifteen years, the bison and elk management plan which was completed in 2007 provides goals, objectives and strategies for managing bison and elk on the National Elk Refuge and in Grand Teton National Park.

The CCP will not address bison and elk management on the refuge, rather it will address all other aspects of refuge management. Other aspects will include migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, visitor use and cultural resources.

The public scoping meeting is to take place January 11, 2011. It is requested that during public scoping  input as to which issues affecting refuge management or public use should be addressed during the planning process. The meeting will be essential in developing a list of issues that the CCP will address.

The public is encouraged to attend anytime between the hours of 4p.m. and 7p.m. on the day of the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with Service personnel, learn more about the CCP process and provide input.

For more information visit www.fws.gov

Information provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service