August 28, 2008

Contact:  Bernardo Garza, 303-236-4377

                  bernardo garza@fws.gov

 

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO HOST PUBLIC MEETINGS ABOUT FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM LANDS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will host seven public open house meetings to encourage public comment on future management of Service-administered lands in eastern South Dakota.  Comments generated from these meetings will be used to develop a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Huron Wetland Management District, Madison Wetland Management District, and Sand Lake Wetland Management District.  These Districts manage Waterfowl Production Areas and easements on private land that protect wetlands and grasslands to benefit migratory birds and other wildlife.

 

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

 

• Monday, September 8:
• Sioux Falls: Sioux Falls Convention Center, 1201 N. West Ave.
• Columbia: Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex headquarters, 39650 Sand Lake Dr.
• Highmore: City Auditorium, 125 2nd St. SW
• Tuesday, September 9:
• Roscoe: Prairie Rose Café, 101 N. Mitchell St.
• Wednesday, September 10:
• Madison: Madison Wetland Management District headquarters, 23520 SD Highway 19
• Huron: Huron Event Center (Crossroads Inn and Convention Center), 100 4th St. SW
• Thursday September 11:
• DeSmet: Kingsbury County Country Club, 611 7th St. SW

 

Each meeting will be held from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M.  A short presentation will be given at 7:00 P.M.  The public is invited to share their ideas and perspectives at all seven of these meetings. 

 

Part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, these lands are distributed across 27 counties in eastern South Dakota: Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Buffalo, Campbell, Corson, Deuel, Dewey, Edmunds, Faulk, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Sanborn, Spink, Sully, and Walworth.  These lands provide important habitat for millions of birds, including migratory waterfowl, and numerous opportunities for wildlife-dependant public uses, including: hunting, wildlife observation and photography, fishing, environmental education, interpretation, and trapping.  

 

The 1997 National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act requires the Service to develop a CCP for every unit in the refuge system.  Once completed, the CCP will guide administration and management of these lands in South Dakota for 15 years.

 

Additional information can be found at the websites of these wetland management districts:

www.fws.gov/madisonwetlands

www.fws.gov/huronwetlands

www.fws.gov/sandlake/wmd.htm

 

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.

 

Email Us: MountainPrairie@fws.gov