Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge | ||
Table of Contents 1. Introduction and Background
3. Refuge and Resource Description
5. Implementation and Monitoring
Appendices
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Comprehensive Conservation Plan INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND This Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) has been prepared for Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The CCP is a management tool to be used by the Refuge staff. It will help guide management decisions over the next 15 years, and set forth strategies for achieving Refuge goals and objectives within that timeframe. Overriding considerations reflected in the plan are that fish and wildlife conservation requires first priority in refuge management, and that wildlife-dependent recreation is allowed and encouraged as long as it is compatible with, or does not detract from, the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System or purposes of the Refuge. This chapter discusses the following topics: a brief description of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge and how it came into existence; the purpose of and need for the plan; the purpose and vision of the Refuge; the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, goals and guiding principles, including the legal context which guides management; and other relevant plans and partnerships that affect Refuge management. This plan details program planning levels that are above current budget allocations and, as such, are primarily for Service strategic planning and program prioritization purposes. This plan does not constitute a secure commitment for staffing increases, or funding for future refuge-specific land acquisitions, construction projects or operational and maintenance increases. Refuge Overview: History of Refuge Establishment, Acquisition, and Management The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 under authority of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, and was the first Refuge in West Virginia. The Refuge (see Figure 1) currently consists of all or part of 21 islands and three mainland tracts in the Ohio River, encompassing 3,221 acres (Figure 2) of valuable fish and wildlife habitat within one of the nation's busiest waterways. As acquisition progresses, the Refuge may include up to 35 river islands. The acquisition focus area stretches nearly 400 river miles from Shippingport, Pennsylvania, to Maysville, Kentucky and includes four states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky). In addition to the islands, one hundred embayments and wetlands adjacent to the mainland are within the approved boundary for the Refuge. These areas provide excellent fish and wildlife habitat and would be a valuable addition to the Refuge. Thus, the Refuge could potentially add over 8,000 acres of islands, wetlands, back channels and underwater habitat. The plans for additional land protection will be addressed in a future Land Protection Plan (LPP). There are a total of 40 islands remaining in the Upper Ohio River. Twenty-one are part of the Refuge at the present time. These island habitats contain near natural assemblages of plants and animals that are endemic to the river. The distribution of bottomland and riparian habitats, and deep and shallow water aquatic habitats, make these areas extremely beneficial to fish and wildlife species. A huge diversity of species (waterfowl, shore and wading birds, neotropical migratory land birds, furbearers, fish and benthic organisms, including freshwater mussels) find these areas invaluable for resting, feeding, nesting, spawning, and other necessary life functions. The deep and shallow water habitats associated with the islands are major fish and mussel production areas of the Ohio River. The often undisturbed island shorelines, especially the heads and backchannels, are favored sport fishing areas. Over 200 bird species (76 of which breed there), 42 mollusk species, 15 species of reptiles and amphibians, 101 species of fish, 25 mammals, and 500 species of plants have been identified so far within the Refuge. The shallow waters of the river provide quality habitat for freshwater mussels, including at least two federally endangered species, the pink mucket and fanshell. Bald eagles, peregrine falcons and Indiana bats also use the Refuge habitats. In addition, many species of plants and animals considered endangered, rare, or of special interest in the four states occur on the Refuge. The Ohio River is rich in history, and many areas of historical and cultural significance are located on or adjacent to the islands. Some notable examples include early explorers' accounts of Native Americans and their culture, George Washington's survey expeditions, the use of the river as a major transportation route by early settlers and pioneers heading west, battles fought during the Civil War, and finally, use for navigation and industry.
* Non-Refuge islands are presented in Figure 3 (page 35). Public uses of all types have occurred on and around the Ohio River Islands in recent years. The relatively undisturbed nature of many of the islands have made them popular areas for nature study, hunting, fishing, camping, picnicking, and pleasure boating. As islands are acquired for the Refuge, only those uses determined to be compatible with Refuge purposes will be allowed to continue. Refuge management in the past has concentrated on preserving, restoring, and enhancing the diversity and abundance of fish and wildlife populations characteristic of the floodplain forests and wetlands of the Ohio River. Purpose of and Need for Action The purpose of the plan is to provide overall guidance for the protection and use of the Refuge during the next fifteen years. Under the provisions of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is required to develop comprehensive conservation plans for all lands and waters of the Refuge System. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) also ensured that the Service assessed the environmental impacts of any actions taken as a result of implementing the CCP. This plan is also needed to:
Refuge Purpose The Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 outlines the Refuge's primary purpose "...for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources..." "...for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services." Refuge Vision Statement
Legal and Policy Guidance This section presents hierarchically, from the national level to the local level, highlights of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy, legal mandates, and existing resource plans which directly influenced development of the CCP. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its Mission National Wildlife Refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of Interior. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is:
The Service has specific trustee responsibilities for migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, anadromous fish, and certain marine mammals, as well as for lands and waters administered by the Service for the management and protection of these resources. The National Wildlife Refuge System and its Mission The Service's National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's largest collection of lands and waters set aside specifically for the conservation of wildlife and ecosystem protection. Over 530 National Wildlife Refuges covering over 92 million acres are part of the national network today. With over 77 million acres in Alaska and the remaining 15 million acres spread across the other 49 states and several island territories, over 34 million visitors annually hunt, fish, observe and photograph wildlife, or participate in environmental education and interpretive activities on Refuges. In 1997 the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (Refuge Improvement Act) was passed. This legislation established a unifying mission for the Refuge System, a new process for determining compatible public use activities on Refuges, and the requirement to prepare CCPs for each Refuge. The Refuge Improvement Act states that first and foremost, the Refuge System must focus on wildlife conservation. It further states that the national mission, coupled with the purpose(s) for which each Refuge was established, will provide the principal management direction for each Refuge. The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is:
With regards to public use, the Refuge Improvement Act declared that all existing or proposed public uses must be "compatible" with each Refuge's purpose. Six wildlife-dependent public uses were highlighted in the legislation as priorities to evaluate in CCPs. The six uses are: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. Fulfilling the Promise This 1999 report resulted from the first-ever System Conference held in Keystone, Colorado in October 1998, and attended by every Refuge manager in the country, other Service employees, and leading conservation organizations. The report contains 42 recommendations packaged with three Vision statements dealing with Wildlife and Habitat, People, and Leadership. The recommendations in the Fulfilling the Promises report helped guide the development of goals and objectives in this draft plan. Administration of National Wildlife Refuges is governed by various international treaties, federal laws, and regulations affecting land and water as well as the conservation and management of fish and wildlife resources. Policies for management options of the Refuge are further refined by the Secretary of the Interior and policy guidelines established by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As noted previously, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 outlines the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge's primary purpose. Key legislation affecting Refuge management includes:
The Refuge Improvement Act establishes a mission for the System, policy direction, and provides significant guidance for management and public use for all units of the Refuge System. The act ensures that, for the first time, the public is formally involved in decisions on recreation and other public uses on units of America's 93 million acre National Wildlife Refuge System. The legislation requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that the mission of the Refuge System and purposes of the individual Refuges are carried out. It also requires the Secretary to maintain the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the Refuge System. Continued growth of the Refuge System is to be planned and directed in a way that will contribute to conservation of the ecosystems of the United States. The Act further stipulates that each comprehensive conservation plan "shall identify and describe:
The legislation recognizes that compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses are legitimate and appropriate public uses of the Refuge System. Several key terms are defined as follows:
Appendix F contains a select list of summaries of other federal laws and treaties used for administration of the Refuge System and management of the Refuge. The Draft CCP, written inclusively as an Environmental Assessment (EA), was written to fulfill compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. North American Waterfowl Management Plan This Plan documents the strategy between the United States, Canada, and Mexico to restore waterfowl populations through habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement. Implementation of the plan is at the regional level. Ten regional habitat "Joint Ventures" are partnerships involving Federal, State and provincial governments, tribal nations, local businesses, conservation organizations, and individual citizens. The Ohio River Islands Refuge lies on the edge of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture and the Mississippi Joint Venture. Three priority focus areas are already identified for protection (or enhancement) in West Virginia, totaling 40,550 acres. Both wetlands and adjacent uplands are part of the focus areas. Along the Ohio and Kanawha River Valleys, 6,550 acres have been identified. The Ohio Valley has been recognized as important for waterfowl by the West Virginia DNR, identified as one of the state's waterfowl focus areas for the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. The goal for the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture is:
Partners In Flight Of the 20 species on the West Virginia Partners in Flight priority Species List, at least 16 are known to nest along the Ohio River Valley. Osprey, which have been reintroduced into the valley by a cooperative effort of state, federal and private partners, are now nesting successfully along the Ohio River. The largest great blue heron rookeries in the state are also located within the Ohio River Valley. The Partners in Flight Program is developing a plan for the area. The plan utilizes existing data to rank landbird species as to their priority for conservation. Habitat loss, landbird population trends, and vulnerability of species and habitats to threats are all factors used in the priority ranking of species. Further, the plan will identify focal species for each habitat type from which population and habitat objectives and conservation actions will be determined. This list of focal species, objectives and conservation actions will help direct landbird management on the Refuge. Regional Wetlands Concept Plan In 1986, Congress enacted the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act to promote the conservation of our nation's wetlands. The Act directed the Department of Interior to develop a National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan identifying the location and types of wetlands that should receive priority attention for acquisition by federal and state agencies using Land and Water Conservation Fund appropriations. In 1990, the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed a Regional Wetlands Concept Plan to provide more specific information about wetlands resources in the Northeast. The Regional Plan identifies a total of 850 wetland sites that warrant consideration for acquisition, and also identifies wetland values, functions, and potential threats for each site. Ohio River Valley Ecosystem Strategic Plan, 1999 Throughout the last decade, the Service has been putting more emphasis into understanding how the parts of an ecosystem interrelate and affect the long-term conservation of natural resources. To this end, the Service has initiated new partnerships with private landowners, state and federal agencies, corporations, conservation groups, and volunteers. Implementing an ecosystem team approach to management has been a top national priority for the Service. Fifty-two ecosystem teams were formed across the country, typically using large river watersheds to define ecosystems. Individual ecosystem teams are comprised of both Service professionals and partners, who work together to develop goals and priorities for research and management. The Ohio River Valley Ecosystem (ORVE) includes portions of ten states and straddles three Service administrative regions (Northeast, Southeast, and Northcentral). The Ohio River Valley Ecosystem Team is charged with the development and implementation of a strategic plan for conserving Service trust resources in the ORVE. The following eight priorities have been identified, each encompassing numerous action strategies: "In cooperation with partners...":
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