The 1998 National Wildlife Refuge System Biological Needs Assessment addresses long-standing administrative issues related to the biological aspect of refuge management. These issues are grouped around six goals for resolving them. The document provides specific recommendations for achieving those goals.

The Biological Needs Assessment is envisioned to provide the benchmark by which the Fish & Wildlife Service will be able to measure the efforts undertaken to meet the biological mandates of the Refuge Improvement Act of 1997. It is intended to serve as the baseline which will mark the Service's progress as the Refuge System goes into the 21st Century.