Juliette Gutierrez, 8/31/06 Imperial NWR Imperial Ponds 1

Juliette Gutierrez, 8/31/06 Imperial NWR Imperial Ponds #2

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge in conjunction with the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program and the Bureau of Reclamation has initiated the Imperial Ponds Project on Imperial NWR.  This project will provide approximately 80 acres of habitat for endangered native lower Colorado River fishes, approximately 12 acres of marsh habitat for the California Black rail, and enhance our ability to more effectively manage approximately 100 acres of agricultural and native forest areas. Excavation work continues and to date Pond 1 has been completed and Pond 2 is 90% complete. This is a landmark project for the National Wildlife Refuge System as it encompasses a 50 year joint partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation to improve and manage refuge habitats for the benefit of many species.