Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan

Comprehensive Conservation Plan Completed
Refuge Management Highlights
The Refuge
To Request a Copy
Where Are We in the Planning Process?

Comprehensive Conservation Plan Completed

A planning effort that has involved neighbors, non-government organizations, local officials and many interested citizens has concluded with the approval of the comprehensive conservation plan for Squaw Creek NWR.

The comprehensive conservation plan is intended to outline how the Refuge will fulfill its legal purpose and contribute to the National Wildlife Refuge System's wildlife, habitat and public use goals. The plan articulates management goals for the next 15 years and specifies the objectives and strategies needed to accomplish these goals. While the planned future condition is long-term, we anticipate that the plan will be updated every 5 to 10 years based on information gained through monitoring habitat and wildlife, as well as recreational usage.

Refuge Management Highlights

• Provide a diversity of habitats, with particular emphasis on wetlands.
• Maintain waterfowl use day levels at a minimum of 5 million, however we will assist in international efforts to reduce the mid-continent population of Lesser Snow Geese. This will include reducing cropland on the Refuge as well as offering a spring Snow Goose hunt.
• Maintain bottomland cottonwood forest areas in an effort to support Bald Eagles during fall and winter migration periods.
• Maintain habitat that is critical to the Eastern Massassauga rattlesnake and Least Bittern.
• Design and implement interactive programs that meet Service standards and bring existing facilities up to Service standards.
• Improve Refuge orientation maps and signage.

The Refuge

Established in 1935, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Missouri River floodplain, 35 miles northwest of St. Joseph, Missouri, on I-29 in Holt County. The 7,350-acre Refuge includes loess bluff hills, an unusual geologic formation caused by wind deposited soil, which holds some of the last remnants of native prairie.

The Refuge hosts a variety of wildlife, including 301 species of birds, 33 mammal species, and 35 species of reptiles and amphibians. Up to 200 Bald Eagles, 300,000 Snow Geese and 100,000 ducks use the Refuge as a wintering area.

Historically, Squaw Creek NWR lands have been plagued with excessive water, poor drainage and extreme siltation. Steep hills combined with intensive agriculture result in heavy silt loads in Squaw and Davis Creeks, which pass through the Refuge. Normal flows are contained within creek beds which have been converted to ditches. Frequent flood overflows deposit silt into the marsh areas, making them steadily more shallow.

To Request a Copy

To request a copy of the Squaw Creek NWR comprehensive conservation plan, call the Refuge at 660-442-3187 or write to the Refuge at:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Squaw Creek NWR
P.O. Box 158
Mound City MO 64470

Where Are We in the Planning Process?

These are the steps that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service follows in comprehensive conservation planning; the step that the Squaw Creek NWR has reached is highlighted:

1. Preplanning: Plan the Plan
2. Initiate Public Involvement and Scoping
3. Review Vision Statement and Goals and Determine Significant Issues
4. Develop and Analyze Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action
5. Prepare a Draft CCP and NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Document
6. Prepare and Adopt Final CCP
7. Implement Plan, Monitor and Evaluate
8. Review and Revise the Plan

Last updated: November 19, 2008

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