Refuge Manager Seese is working with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to restore the Hart Mine Marsh which will give credit to BOR under the Multi-Species Conservation Plan (MSCP) for 300 acres of marsh restoration. Manager Seese is currently working under a funding agreement with BOR to determine baseline information regarding water usage and marsh restoration objectives. Life Science, Inc. has been contracted to perform the baseline work.

Refuge Manager Seese is currently working with Ron Swan of River Bottom Farms to provide him with information necessary for a congressional land transfer of 40 acres adjoining the refuge. The acreage is currently planted in alfalfa and adjoins the refuge closed area. River Bottom Farms leases the land to goose hunters who kill as many geese annually in two hunt blinds as the refuge managed hunt kills in 14 hunt blinds. Contribution of this land would reduce the local annual goose hunting kill and reduce the stress of the geese using the resting area nearby.

Refuge Manager Seese is currently working under a cooperative farm agreement with Andy Van Sickle of Red Mule Ranch to improve 300 acres of soils in Unit II by planting and maintaining alfalfa. Red Mule Ranch will be allowed to harvest and sell the hay crop until waterfowl arrive in the fall.  In exchange, the refuge will benefit by having all ditches and roads maintained and the last crop will be left for arriving waterfowl. This agreement will also benefit the refuge by reducing labor demands on refuge personnel.