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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement and Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge – Congressional Notification

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, located in southern Illinois, that will guide management and administration of the 43,888-acre refuge for the next 15 years.

The preferred alternative in the EIS, Alternative E: Reduced Habitat Fragmentation/Consolidate and Improve Recreation, seeks a balance among the Refuge’s four purposes and addresses the issues identified during the planning process.  The preferred alternative was developed using resource data and considering comments from the public. Since October 2000, the refuge has hosted open house and focus group meetings and accepted comments during issue identification, formulation of alternatives, and review of the Draft EIS.  There were 642 commentors on the Draft EIS.

“Comments that we received throughout the process reflected a wide diversity of interests and viewpoints,” said Refuge Manager Dan Frisk. “It’s obvious that people care about Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.”

Frisk said the preferred alternative strikes a balance among the Refuge’s purposes, addresses the concerns of people, and brings the Refuge into compliance with regulations and policy. “I feel we have been responsive to the public, but I also know that not everyone will be happy with our preferred direction.  It is extremely difficult to satisfy everyone’s personal interest when dealing with the complexities of this refuge,” he said.

The two most contentious aspects of the plan have been a proposed 14-day limit on the length of stay in campgrounds and the conversion of the private Crab Orchard Boat and Yacht Club to a concessionaire-run area open to the general public.

 “These parts of the plan represent a considerable change for some people, but we believe the changes are necessary to fulfill our responsibilities as managers of public land and to administer access and opportunities in a way that is fair to everyone,” Frisk said.  “These public lands belongs to all Americans, not just a select few.”

He said that parts of the Draft EIS were changed and incorporated into the Final EIS in response to public and agency comments.  Major changes and clarifications made in Alternative E, the preferred alternative, from the Draft to the Final EIS include:

·          The Final EIS includes greater detail about the general forest management program and the intent to manage for oak-hickory forest types on suitable sites.  Much greater detail regarding this program will be presented in the Refuge’s Habitat Management Plan, which is a step-down plan scheduled to be completed after the CCP is approved.

·          In the Final EIS there is a more explicit description of how the length of stay limit of 14 days at refuge campgrounds will be phased-in.  For the first two years, approximately one-half of the campsites would remain available for long-term camping and the other half would only allow a maximum stay of 14 days.  The second two year period would permit up to one-third of campsites to allow a maximum stay of 28 days and the remaining two-thirds would be limited to 14 day maximum stay.  In the fifth year (2011) all camping would be limited to a 14 day maximum stay.

·          The Devils Kitchen campground, which was initially proposed to be closed, would retain some campsites as open to the public for a primitive camping experience, as well as the picnic area.

·          The area available to gas motor operation on Devils Kitchen Lake has been expanded from the initial proposal.  The proposal in the Final EIS is to prohibit the use of gas motors in Grassy Creek and the eastern arm of Devils Kitchen Lake from the mouth of Grassy Creek south to the Refuge boundary.  The modification will allow continued use of gas motors on 85 percent of the lake.

·          The Draft EIS proposed additional no wake zones in most of the coves of Crab Orchard Lake.  Water-skiers commented that some coves are protected from winds and are desirable for waterskiing.  The Final EIS has reduced the proposed extent of no wake zoning.

·          The recreation fee program more clearly explained in the Final EIS.  The proposed fees specify an entrance fee and -- if a person launches a boat or participates in a quota hunt -- an additional recreation fee would be assessed.  There are multiple categories and classifications that cover how the fees can be paid, which is consistent with the standard schedule for most refuges.

·          The Final EIS clarifies the administration of small -- less than 20 boats -- competitive fishing events called “fish offs.”   Organizers of these events will be limited to three events per year with some additional qualifications.

The next step in the planning process is a decision by the Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Snelling, Minn., on which alternative in the Final EIS will become the final management plan for the refuge. This decision will be made after a waiting period of at least 30 days and documented in a formal Record of Decision. A decision is expected in early October.

Frisk said no public meetings will be held, although the public or agencies may provide information or comment during the waiting period. The Final EIS/CCP and the Summary of Major Changes to Alternative E can be viewed on the Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/craborchard. The summary is also being mailed directly to the approximately 1,800 people on the CCP mailing list.

The documents can also be viewed at public libraries in communities near the refuge, or at the refuge Visitors Center in Marion, Ill. To receive a copy of the summary of changes or an electronic copy of the full EIS and CCP, call the Refuge at (618) 997-3344.

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1947 for wildlife, agriculture, recreation and industry. The Refuge includes a designated Wilderness Area of 4,050 acres. The Refuge provides habitat for many species of wildlife with a focus on providing food for wintering Canada geese.  Cooperators plant about 4,400 acres in corn, soybeans, wheat, and clover each year.  Grazing and haying occur on about another 1,000 acres. The Refuge hosts over one million recreational visits each year. People come to boat, water-ski, swim, camp, picnic, hunt, fish, and observe wildlife among other activities. About 1.2 million square feet of building space is currently leased by the Refuge for industrial use – chiefly the manufacture of munitions.  With its diverse uses and purposes, the Refuge is unique in the National Wildlife Refuge System.