The plan calls for the refuge, headquartered in Bloomington, Minn., to promote active management of existing habitats, provide higher quality recreational experiences for visitors and improve public outreach strategies at the refuge and wetland management district. Refuge staff will continue to restore and maintain existing wetland, grassland and floodplain forest areas. Oak savanna habitats may receive new and intensive maintenance applications. Both the refuge and the wetland management district will use integrated biological controls and harvest methods to control exotic plant or nuisance wildlife species. The plan also expands the refuge's authorized boundaries by 10,737 acres. Actual land acquisitions will occur with willing sellers only, and will depend upon the availability of funds.

Horseback riding and the use of snowmobiles and mountain bikes will be limited to authorized segments of the Minnesota Valley State Trail. The environmental education program could see a new visitor education facility upriver with needed improvements in existing exhibits and interpretive materials. Additional staff, along with volunteers and interns, will be essential to implement an expanded public use program but will be dependent upon the availability of funding.

Public involvement has been a key component of the planning process since work began on the plan in 1998. The refuge hosted seven open houses to discuss the plan and to receive comments from the public. Work groups made up of volunteers, technical experts, hunters, anglers, local government officials and the Minnesota DNR were formed to study issues raised by the public. In addition to working with the general public, refuge management and staff also worked with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, representatives of local communities, Friends of Minnesota Valley NWR, and many others during the planning process. More open houses were conducted in July 2003 after a draft plan was published.

While the planned future condition is long-term, the Service anticipates 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.

Project updates have been mailed to individuals, agencies and organizations that requested to be on the mailing list for this project. The update and the CCP are available on the Internet at: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/MinnesotaValley/index.html. Electronic copies on CD-ROM are also available by calling Minnesota Valley NWR at 952-854-5900. Printed copies will be available in November.

The 12,500-acre Minnesota Valley NWR was established in 1976, borne out of citizens concerns for the diverse and abundant wildlife and plant communities of the Lower Minnesota River Valley. The refuge--one of only a few urban refuges in the nation--now consists of eight units along a 34-mile stretch of the Minnesota River between historic Ft. Snelling and the City of Jordan. The refuge headquarters and visitor center is located near the Mall of America at 3815 American Boulevard East in Bloomington, Minn.