FLINT HILLS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

P.O. Box 128, Hartford, Kansas 66854

March 24, 2009

Contact: Patrick Gonzales, (620) 392-5553, ext. 109

 

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE SEEKS PUBLIC’S INVOLVEMENT IN

REVISING THE COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN FOR

FLINT HILLS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN EASTERN KANSAS

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has committed to revising the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which was completed by the Service in September, 2000.  The revised plan will ensure that the Refuge is in compliance with all applicable national and regional policies and laws.  To achieve this, Refuge staff is considering eliminating bait collection and camping on the Refuge.  The Service is interested in the public’s perspective on these activities – and their potential elimination - on the Refuge.  If you want to receive further information about this issue and/or want to participate in the revision process by providing your opinion, please contact us at:

 

Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 128, Hartford, KS 66854

Phone:  (620) 392-5553

Fax:  (620) 392-5554

http://flinthills.fws.gov

 

The Service will conduct a Public Scoping Meeting on Wednesday, April 1st from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Hartford Community Center located on Commercial Street. We encourage you to attend the meeting and provide us with your comments. You can also mail, email, or call Refuge staff to provide your comments. We will consider your comments and prepare the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan Revision and Environmental Assessment. Again, we will provide opportunities for the public to review the document and provide the Service with your ideas. Once we have received and considered all public comments, we will complete the planning process. We will inform you of the final decision.

 

Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge is a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the nation’s premier network of lands managed for fish and wildlife conservation.  Established in 1966, the Refuge consists of 18, 500 acres of land overlaid on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land at John Redmond Reservoir, near Hartford, Kansas.  The Refuge’s primary mission is to provide important habitat for migratory birds, but also offers a variety of wildlife-dependent recreational activities for the visiting public and cooperative farming opportunities for local producers. 

 

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

 - FWS -

Email Us: MountainPrairie@fws.gov