CU 06-48                                                       

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Makes Decision on Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge – Congressional Notification

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed and released its decision on the alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will become the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.

Robyn Thorson, the Service’s Midwest Regional Director, signed a Record of Decision choosing Alternative E, the preferred alternative in the Final EIS, as the plan that will guide the management and administration of the 43,888-acre Refuge for the next 15 years.

With the signing of the Record of Decision, the Refuge will begin implementation of the CCP.  The plan focuses on balancing the Refuge’s four establishing purposes, reducing habitat fragmentation and improving recreational facilities and opportunities. 

The Refuge began working on the plan in October 2000.  Refuge Manager Dan Frisk is happy with the balance between wildlife habitat and public recreation the plan will bring and also with the public involvement in the plan.  “Comments that we received throughout the process reflected a wide diversity of interests and viewpoints,” said Refuge Manager Dan Frisk. “I feel the plan helps balance all those interests and will allow us to continue the positive partnerships this process has created with those that recreate on the Refuge.”

Frisk said the approved plan meets the Refuge’s purposes, addresses the concerns of people, and brings the Refuge into compliance with regulations and policy. “We’ve worked closely with, and been responsive to, the recreating public,” said Frisk.  “I know that not everyone will be happy with all our decisions, it is extremely difficult to satisfy everyone’s interests when dealing with the complexities of this Refuge.  However, we’ve been open, honest and realistic in reviewing all requests and comments.”

The two issues that attracted the most public attention are a 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 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 belong to all Americans, not just a select few.”

Now that the plan is approved, Refuge staff will begin working on step-down plans that will outline specific actions and timeframes needed to implement the plan.  Frisk encourages Refuge users to continue working with his staff during this phase of the plan.  “I invite everyone with an interest in this Refuge to continue working with us as we move from the planning to the implementation stage,” said Frisk.  “We’ve all put a lot of work into developing this plan, and I want to keep working with those who care about this Refuge as we begin turning this plan into reality.”

Major aspects of the approved Comprehensive Conservation Plan include: 

·              The CCP includes details about the general forest management program and the intent to manage for oak-hickory forest types on suitable sites. Much greater detail will be included in the Refuge’s Habitat Management Plan, which is one of the step-down plans the Refuge staff will now begin working on.

·              The CCP describes how the 14-day length of stay limit at Refuge campgrounds will be phased-in. For 2007-2008, approximately one-half of the campsites will remain available for long-term camping and the other half will be available for a maximum stay of 14 days. In 2009-2010, one-third of campsites will be available for a maximum stay of 28 days and the remaining two-thirds would be limited to 14 day maximum stay. In 2011, all camping will be limited to a 14 day maximum stay.

·              The Devils Kitchen campground will retain some campsites as open to the public for a primitive camping experience, as well as the picnic area.

·              The CCP allows for gas motors to be used on approximately 85 percent of Devils Kitchen Lake.

·              The CCP designates some coves on Crab Orchard Lake as no wake zones and leaves some open to water skiing.  No wake zones are still open to motorized boating and will be clearly marked. 

·              The CCP implements a recreation fee program which is consistent with the standard schedule for most refuges.

·              The CCP limits the number of competitive fishing events called “fish offs” to three events per organizer, per year with some additional qualifications.

The Final CCP and supporting documents can be viewed on the Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/craborchard.

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 an electronic copy of the full EIS and CCP, call the Refuge at (618) 997-3344.