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CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Carterville, Illinois

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1986

CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Carterville, Illinois

r • REVIEW AND APPROVALS

CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Carterville, Illinois

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1986 INTRODUCTION

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge has A3,550 acres extending into Jackson, Williamson and Union counties of southern Illinois. The topography varies from gentle rolling slopes through most of the Refuge to slopes ex­ ceeding 24 in the southern portion.

Broad habitat types include: water (9300 ac.), hardwoods (12,200 ac.), brush (8500 ac.), pine plantations (3,000 ac.), grassland (3,000 ac.), and agricultural (5,000 ac.).

The Refuge was established in 19A7 by an Act of Congress, Public Law 361, which transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service lands administered by the War Department and the Soil Conservation Service. During the 1930's these lands, which consisted of small farms, were sold by their private owners to the federal government. During World War II the War Department constructed the Illinois Ordnance Plant on these lands, which after the war became part of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.

The Congressional Act establishing the Refuge mandated that the land would be managed with four broad objectives: wildlife management, agricultural development, recreational use and industrial operation.

Twenty-two thousand acres were designated a wildlife sanctuary and remain closed to general public use. Cooperative farming and permittee grazing are the primary management tools used to provide feeding and loafing areas for migrating and wintering waterfowl, the main wildlife management objective.

There is a wide spectrum of recreational opportunities on and around three man-made lakes which exceed 8,700 acres. Boating, skiing, fishing, swim­ ming, hunting and wildlife observation are part of the public use program provided by concession campgrounds and marinas, and Refuge picnic areas, walking trails and observation points.

Industrial activities on the Refuge range from manufacturing and storage facilities to administrative offices. In excess of $45 million is generated annually by the industrial tenants. The Refuge is required to provide police, fire, water and sewer service to industrial tenants, and water and sewer service to a maximum security federal prison located adjacent to the Refuge. PROJECT MANAGER

Wallace GM-13

ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER Updike GS-12

WILDLIFE OUTDOOR UAiMkm— ADMINISTRATIVE BIOLOGIST RECREATION FOREMAN OFFICER PLANNER g§-u Cameron GS-ll Eastman WS-9 Ho lap GS-ll

FORESTER REFUGE LAW OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT AUTOMOTIVE CONTRACT ENFORCEMENT RECREATION WORKER COMPLIANCE OPERATOR - OFFICER PLANER • SPECIALIST Boykin GS-I1 Wagner GS-9 Smith WG-9 Adams WG-9 Case GS-ll

BIOLOGICAL.. REFUGE PARK EQUIPMENT AUTOMOTIVE SECRETARY TECHNICIAN MANAGER OPERATOR WORKER STENOGRAPHY RANGER — ENFORCEMENT Stapleton GS-9 Lalor GS-7 Fike GS-3 Woodsum WG-8 Hanks WG-9 Dungey GS-5

REFUGE REFUGE PARK CARPENTRY UTILITY nXRT MANAGER MANAGER RANGER WORKER SYSTEMS TYPIST ENFORCEMENT OPERATOR Bolander GS-7 Buelna GS-5 Modglin GS-3 Venegoni WG-7 Beckwith WG-9 Phillips GS-4

tractor 1 UTILITY " "" ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATOR SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN OPERATOR Humphreys WG-3 Stacey WG-9 Rendleman GS-7 L CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TRACTOR UTILITT SUPPLY OPERATOR SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN Illinois OPERATOR Mahan WG-3 Emerson WG-7 Chew GS-5 PERMANENT STAFF

TRACTOR [AcmwTmG OPERATOR TECHNICIAN - -

WhitecottonWG-3 Parks GS-4 INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1 Fee Title 2 Easements Nothing to Report 3 Other Nothing to Report

D. PLANNING

1 Master Plan Nothing to Report 2 Management Plan Nothing to Report 3 Public Participation Nothing to Report 4 Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates Nothing to Report 5 Research and Investigations . 6 Other Nothing to Report

E. ADMINISTRATION

1 Personnel , 2 Youth Programs 3 Other Manpower Programs Nothing to Report 4 Volunteer Program , 5 Funding . 6 Safety 7 Technical Assistance Nothing to Report 8 Other Nothing to Report

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1 General Nothing to Report 2 Wetlands 3 Forests . . 4 Croplands 5 Grasslands Nothing to Report 6 Other Habitats Nothing to Report 7 Grazing 8 Haying 9 Fire Management Pest Control Water Rights Nothing to Report Wilderness and Special Areas Nothing to Report WPA Easement Monitoring Nothing to Report G. WILDLIFE Pase 1. Wildlife Diversity . Nothing to Report 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 29 3. Waterfowl 29 A. Marsh and Water Birds . 33 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 33 6. Raptors . . . 33 7. Other Migratory Birds 33 S. Game Mammals 33 9. Marine Mammals Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife 33 11. Fisheries Resources r 34 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking , . Nothing to Report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control . 35 16. Marking and Banding 35 17. Disease Prevention and Control 35

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General 36 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students 36 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers .37 4. Interpretive Foot Trails 37 5. Interpretive Tour Routes 37 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations 37 7. Other Interpretive Programs 37 8. Hunting 38 9. Fishing 39 10. Trapping 41 11. Wildlife Observation 41 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation 41 13. Camping 41 14. Picnicking 41 15. Off-Road Vehicles 42 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation 42 17. Law Enforcement and Fire Protection 42 18. Cooperating Associations 44 19. Concessions 45

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction Nothing to Report 2. Rehabilitation 49 3. Major Maintenance 49 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement 50 5. Communications Systems 51 6. Computer Systems 51 7. Energy Conservation 51 8. Other Nothing to Report Page

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs , . ' 53 2. Other Economic Uses Nothing to Report 3. Items of Interest 54 4. Credits 56

K. FEED BACK . 57 r Page 1

A- HIGHLIGHTS

Fire Protection Agreement Effective January 1987 the Refuge fire station closed, and the City of Herrln began fire protection responsibilities. Seven permanent positions were affected; remaining personnel filled the existing Refuge vacancies. Contract cost is $65,000 annually as opposed to $135,000 annually for the Refuge to maintain fulltime fire protection. (Sections E, E.l, H.17)

Bald Eagles A second pair of bald eagles was successful in raising young. The new nest at Grassy Bay, Crab Orchard Lake, resulted in closure of the bay to the public. The area was popular for fishing, waterfowl hunting and trapping. Eagle production in 1986 was two; 10 since 1980. (Section G.2)

Hazardous Waste Sites Investigative studies were completed at 34 sites under the $1.2 million contract with O'Brien and Gere Company, New York; three sites require extensive evaluation under phase II of the study. The entire project is to be completed and cleanup recommendations presented by the end of 1987. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency quality control requirements have slowed the project. (Section J.3)

Controlled Burning Controlled burning was carried out on 1,712 acres, a record for recent years. Good weather and a trained crew combined for this successful effort. (Section F.9)

Fatalities Three deaths occurred, two from natural causes and one drowning. No tort claims are expected. A tort claim was filed for $10.3 million in the Mark Early death of 1985; a $25,000 settlement offer was rejected by the Early family. (Section E.6)

Dam Safety Three dams need work to meet current safety standards. Devils Kitchen Lake, $80,000, work for FY 87; Crab Orchard Lake, ^5 million for FY 88 work and $1.5 million for FY 92; and Little Grassy Lake, $7 million for FY 90 work. (Section J.3)

Volunteers Volunteers, groups and individuals, can make a difference; 1,426 donated hours during 1986. (Section E.4)

Distinguished Service Award Retired Project Manager Wayne Adams received the Department of the Interior's Distinguished Service Award in February. (Section J.3) Page 2

B, CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The Refuge has maintained climatic data for 20 years. Average precipita­ tion is 45 inches. There were no exceptional weather conditions or storms during the year. Temperatures were mild, precipitation well dis­ tributed throughout the year, and there were 170 frost-free days between April and November.

1986 Temperature Summary - F. ^ (Numbers in parenthesis are record readings)

Month High Ave. High Low Ave.

January 67 (74) 30 2 (-17) 15

February 68 (78) 37 5 (-4) 23

March 83 (84) 57 16 (-3) 40

April 87 (94) 75 34 (22) 50

May 89 (99) 75 41 (32) 56

June 96 (106) 80 61 (38) 60

July 98 (105) 87 64 (48) 67

August 92 (103) 81 48 (46) 68

September 87 (100) 76 57 (34) 58

October 77 (99) 70 46 (20) 53

November 46 (86) 57 31 (6) 45

December 50 (74) 38 26 (-7) 21

Extremes - 98 (106) 87 2 (-17) 15 Page 3 I

(Numbers in parenthesis are record readings)

Month 20-Year Ave. 1986

January 2.93 .53 (12.42)

February 2.66 2.64 (7.69)

March 4.47 2.13 (10.37)

April 4.66 2.23 (12.62)

May 4.70 6.50 (12.68)

June 3.91 1.03 (10.34)

July 3.58 4.90 (8.33)

August 3.96 2.51 (8.36)

September 2.58 4.91 (6.19)

October 3.43 3.40 (7.93)

November 4.47 3.23 (9.19)

December 3.93 1.91 (6.43)

Total - 45.28 35.92

Lake Elevations were: Crab Orchard Devils Kitchen Little Grassy Spillway Elevation 405.0 510,.0 500.0 Maximum Elevation 405.7 511,.0 500.6 Date of Maximum 5/27/86 5/16/86 5/16/86 Minimum Elevation 405.8 509,.8 497.5 Date of Minimum 8/8/86 9/12/86 11/28/86 Page 4

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title

A purchase agreement was reached with John Herrin, Herrin, Illinois, for the Refuge to obtain a 100-acre parcel near Devils Kitchen Lake. The land is an in-holding. Herrin was interested in selling, and a land exchange was considered. However, the Refuge offered to purchase the land at the government appraised value of $315 per acre. The land is located in Section 22, T.10S, R.1E. r Page 5

D. PLANNING

5. Research and Investigations

The following are projects by Southern Illinois University (SIU) students:

Crab Orchard NR86 - "Reproductive Status and Summer Whistling of Bobwhite Males" (33610-50). This research is intended to provide data which will allow accurate predictions of fall bobwhite abundance through male whistling counts. The thesis is in progress. ^

Crab Orchard NR86 - "Comparative Survival of Bobwhites" (33610-51). The purpose of this federally aided research was to determine if a more vigorous quail could be bred from game farm and wild bird crosses. Winter survival of the F2 birds was no better than that of the straight game farm birds. It appeared that imprinting, early learning, and rearing were more important than genetics in determining winter sur­ vival rates. However, selective breeding between game farm and wild quail will promote superior genotypes and overall genetic variability. The thesis was completed on May 23.

Crab Orchard NR86 - "Pilot Study on the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Ticks on Crab Orchard NWR" — title changed to "Investigation in Heavy Metals, Toxic Contaminants and Disease as Related to White-tailed Deer in Illinois" (33610-52). This research was intended to monitor the health status of white-tailed deer herds in Illinois in order to determine the presence of zoonotic diseases and toxic contaminants in the environment. The study was completed in August 1986. The most common tick found on the deer was Amblyoma, with Demacentor variablis also quite prevalent. Cattle herds grazing on the Refuge share certain parasitic disease carriers with deer, but it does not appear that the deer herds are reservoirs of these dis­ eases or that the diseases are a health problem to the deer herd. Crab Orchard Refuge deer showed the highest levels of cadmium, nickel and lead of any herd in the study area, but these levels are not con­ sidered a hazard to human or deer health. Traces of dieldrin and heptachlor were found in fat samples of four deer, but no polychlorinated biphenyls were detected.

Crab Orchard NR86 - "Ecology of Canada Geese: Southern Illinois Wintering Grounds, Flyway Routes, and Breeding Ground Utilization" (33610-53). The purpose of this study is to provide information about migration and winter movements of the Southern Illinois goose population. In 1986, 30 female geese over two years old were captured and radio marked on the Refuge.

Crab Orchard NR86 - "Comparison of Trace Metals in Selected Aquatic Components of Crab Orchard Lake and Rend Lake, Illinois" (33610-54). The objectives of this study are to test for polychlorinated biphenyls and trace metal levels in fish, benthos, zooplankton and sediment. These will then be compared by species, age class, and sample location. Sampling was scheduled to begin in September 1986. Page 6

Crab Orchard NR86 - "Resource Exploitation Patterns of Coyote on Crab Orchard NWR" (33610-55). The purpose of this research is to determine distribution, habitat use and resource exploitation by coyotes on the Refuge. Scat collection and analysis, radio collar­ ing and coyote observation indicate an adult population of about ten animals. Further Investigation will indicate season habitat use patterns and home range locations.

Crab Orchard NR86 - "Relative Survival of Stocked Walleye vs. Saugeye" (33610-56). This study will determine the relative survival and growth rates of walleye fingerlings versus saugeye fingerlings in Little Grassy Lake. Sampling of stocked fingerlings is scheduled for the fall of 1986 and the spring of 1987. Page 7

E. ADMINISTRATION

The City of Herrin contracted for Refuge fire protection effective January 1, 1987. Staff changes resulting from the change included elimination of seven Firefighter positions, creation of two Park Ranger positions, and the filling of three vacant maintenance type positions. With retirements and vacant positions, there were no employee separations. Organizational tables in Section E.l show the new staff pattern with 32 permanent employees and a comparison to the 1976 staff of 42 positions.

The authorized fulltime equivalent allocation for FY 87 was 36.56,; a reduction from the FY 85 level of 43.9.

1. Personnel - January 1987

Permanent Personnel

Norrel F. Wallace Project Manager GM-13 PFT Gerald H. Updike Assistant Project Manager GS-12 PFT

Vacant Wildlife Biologist GS-11 PFT George Stapleton Biological Technician GS-9 PFT Roger D. Boykin Forester GS-11 PFT

Susan L. Bolander Refuge Manager GS-5 PFT

James T. Cameron Outdoor Recreation Planner GS-11 PFT Edward F. Wagner Outdoor Recreation Planner GS-9 PFT Lonnie S. Priest Refuge Law Enforcement Officer GS-7 PFT

John Lalor Refuge Manager-Enforcement GS-7 PFT Elizabeth K. Buelna Refuge Manager-Enforcement GS-5 PFT Position Abolished Refuge Manager-Enforcement GS-5 PFT

John W. Mahan Fire Chief GS-7 PFT R. Bruce Whitecotton Firefighter-Structural GS-5 PFT Brent A. Humphreys Firefighter-Structural GS-5 PFT Position Abolished Firefighter-Structural GS-5 Position Abolished Firefighter-Structural GS-5 Position Abolished Firefighter-Structural GS-5 Position Abolished Firefighter-Structural GS-5

Daniel R. Eastman Maintenance Foreman WS-8 PFT James L. Smith Engineering Equipment Operator WG-9 PFT Robert L. Woodsum Engineering Equipment Operator WG-8 PFT

Robert L. Venegoni Carpentry Worker WG-7 PFT Vacant Maintenance Worker WG-3 PFT Vacant Maintenance Worker WG-3 PFT

Vacant Maintenance Worker WG-3 PFT Position Abolished Utility System Operator WG-7 George F. L. Beckwith Utility System Operator WG-9 PFT

Bill J. Stacey Utility System Operator WG-9 PFT

John T. Emerson Utility System Operator WG-9 PFT Charles W. Adams Automotive Worker WG-9 PFT r Gilbert L. Hanks Automotive Worker WG-9 PFT Willard A. Holup Administrative Officer GS-11 PFT

Doyle T. Case Contract Specialist GS-11 PFT Bonnie Dungey Secretary-Stenography GS-5 PFT Alice Phillips Clerk-Typist GS-4 PFT Terry Rendleman Administrative Technician GS-7 PFT Carl E. Chew Supply Technician GS-5 PFT Kay F. Parks Accounting Technician GS-4 PFT

Temporary Personnel

Cooperative Work-Study Student, GS-3 - 8/31-12/12/86

Steven Delehanty, Wildlife, University of Minnesota.

Tractor Operator, WG-3, EOD 3/31/86

William Frank Aly Kenneth M. Cook

Firefighter-Structural, GS-5, EOD 1/22/86

Stephen Fike Charles E, Modglin

Biological Aid, GS-3, 11/10-12/28/86 (Goose Hunter Check)

David Carlson James Lemmerman Mark Drobish Robert Studebaker

Staff changes during 1986 included:

01/04/86 - WByne D. Adams, Project Manager, retirement.

01/04/86 - Marsolie McCarty, Clerk-Typist, retirement. 01/04/86 - James Cox, Utility Operator, retirement. Page 9

01/05/86 - Norrel F. Wallace, Project Manager, transfer from Minnesota Wetlands Complex, Fergus Falls, MN.

01/19/86 - Robert Oliver!, Refuge Manager-Enforcement, transfer to Division of Law Enforcement, Slidell, LA,

02/09/86 - Susan L. Bolander, Refuge Manager Trainee, E.O.D. 03/28/86 - Lonnie S. Priest, from Supervisory Park Technician to Refuge Law Enforcement Officer.

05/17/86 - John Lalor, Refuge Manager-Enforcement, GS-5 to GS-7. 05/25/86 - Elizabeth K. Buelna, Refuge Manager-Enforcement, E.CKD. 10/24/86 - James Newbury, Utility Systems Operator, retirement.

11/08/86 - Gregory Wolf, Wildlife Biologist, transfer to Havasu Refuge, California.

12/21/86 - John Emerson, from Maintenance Worker to Utility Systems Operator. 01/02/87 - James Brush, Firefighter-Structural, retirement. Pr•jcct

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Wallace GH-13

ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER Updike GS-12 X WILDLIFE OUTDOOR HAiUTfeNA^OE ADMINISTRATIVE BIOLOGIST RECREATION FOREMAN lOFFICER PLANNER

FORESTER REFUGE LAW OUTDOOR" EQUIPMENT AUTOMOTIVE CONTRACT ENFORCEMENT RECREATION OPERATOR WORKER COMPLIANCE OFFICER PLANER • SPECIALIST Boykln GS-11 Priest; Q&d. Wagner GS-9 Smith WG-9 Adams WG-9 Case GS-11

BIOLOGICAL.. REFUGE PARK EQUIPMENT AUTOMOTIVE SECRETARY TECHNICIAN MANAGER RANGER OPERATOR WORKER STENOGRAPHY ENFORCEMENT Lalor GS-7 Woodsum WG-8 Hanks WG-9 Dungey GS-5 Stapleton GS-9 nns GS-3

REFUGE REFUGE PARK CARPENTRY UTILITY ULERK MANAGER MANAGER RANGER WORKER SYSTEMS TYPIST ENFORCEMENT OPERATOR Venegonl WG-7 Phillips GS-4 Bolander GS-7 Buelna GS-5 Modglin GS-3 Beckwlth WG-9

TRACTOR UTILITY ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATOR SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN OPERATOR Humphreys WG-3 Stacey WG-9 Rendleman GS-7 t CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TRACTOR UTILITY" SUPPLY OPERATOR SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN Illinois OPERATOR Mahan WG-3 Emerson WG-7 Chew GS-5 PERMANENT STAFF

TRACTOR OPERATOR TECHNICIAN

WhitecottonWG-3 Parks GS-4 Page 12

Youth Conservation Corps - Staff, Social Services Aid, GS-3, 6/9-8/1/86,

Cindy L, Brockschmidt Kelly L. Koehler Mary K. Nelson

Youth Conservation Corps - Enrollees

Ametta Acree Steve Phillips Stephanie Acree Juliann Scott Kara Alvey Sean Smolak Aaron Bradley Don Taylor Todd DePauw ' Jeanette Underwood Lacey Hanks

Alternates who worked part of the program:

Paula Brasel Tammie Fruits Jaime Edwards Angel Stone

Resigned during the program:

Kim Browning Spence Yates Deborah Way

1986 YCC crew: Front row, 1. to r., Brockschmidt (SSA), Nelson (SSA), Underwood, Alvey, Scott, Stone, Koehler (SSA).

Second row, 1. to r., A. Acree, Smolak, S. Acree, Bradley, Taylor, Hanks, Edwards, Phillips, DePauw. 6/86-1 EFW Page 13

2. Youth Programs

The Youth Conservation Corps program was a 15-member, non-resident camp. Ed Wagner served as camp director with three Social Services Aids as crew leaders. Enrollee selection was conducted by the Illinois State Employment Service at Herrin, and 65 applications were received, 50 male and 15 female. The enrollees learned about nature and conservation and took pride in helping the public. On the development of the canoe access site at Devils Kitchen Lake, the enrollees used natural materials to level an eroded, dangerous path which is used as a launching area. The enrollees' efforts gained many positive comments from the public. One nature/conserva­ tion project was clearing a system of moist soil unit structures in order to regain water control over each unit. Other projects, such as removing barbed wire and clearing vegetation away from roadside guard rails, were considered important by the enrollees for the safety and enjoyment of the public.

YCC crew clearing brush away from industrial building.

7/86-2 EFW Page 14

The following work projects were accomplished by YCC:

—Constructed canoe access at Devils Kitchen Lake. —Extensive litter cleanup. —Replaced and installed informational signs and posts. —Assisted with the salvage operation of hybrid striped bass below Crab Orchard Dam. Fortunately none were trapped. —Painted posts and cables at deer and goose checking station. —Removed vegetation from below guard rails at Little Grassy Lake dam and Devils Kitchen road. —Removed vegetation from around Refuge industrial buildings. —Gathered old tires for the construction of fish attractors. —Performed typing, copying, and other office tasks. —Constructed footbridge behind fire station to aid fishermen. —Removed two miles of old barbed wire fence. —Assisted forester in marking timber. —Filled, seeded, and mulched eroded areas. —Removed vegetation from chain link fences. —Revised Refuge leaflets. —Improved visibility of heretofore "hidden" parking areas. —Removed vegetation from levies. —Assisted with the surveying and posting of new boundary lines. —Located and removed numerous patches of Purple Loosestrife, —Removed one mile of vegetation from boundary fence on Old Route 13. —Cut access paths to newly opened ponds, —Removed vegetation from around Headquarters and parking areas. —Completed course in CPR and First Aid. —Leveled, graveled, and installed retaining walls in campsites. —Seeded and mulched sod waterways. —Removed illegal fire scars, —Removed overhanging limbs and brush from roadways and foot trails. —Assisted Sub-headquarters personnel. —Wood-chipped firing range lanes and foot trails.

4. Volunteer Program

The volunteer program has continued to grow since starting in 1983, with 209 hours of donated work to 1,426 hours of volunteer time in 1986. Experience has been that organizations provide more benefits as volunteers than individuals because less supervisory time is required, and more can be done in a shorter period of time.

Volunteer organizations included: Boy Scouts, Crab Orchard Lake Bass Club, Southeastern Junior College, SIU Forestry Club, SIU Wildlife Club, SIU Photography department, and the Audubon Society.

Sixteen individuals volunteered time for wildlife photography, goose and eagle nest observations, wildlife census work and habitat surveys. All volunteers were given letters of appreciation and newspaper coverage. Volunteer Jim Schultz observing bald eagle nest activity at Grassy Bay. 4/86-3 SLB

Volunteers from Crab Orchard Waterfowl Hunters Assn. mowing brush areas to improve upland game habitat.

10/86-4 EFW Page 16

5. Funding

FY 83 FY 84 FY 85 FY 86 FY 87*

1260 1,051,000 1,041,000 965,900 882,800 826,000

6860 218,000 273,000 328,900 328,900 129,000

t TOTAL 0 & M 1,269,000 1,314,000 1,294,800 1,211,700 1,155,000

Small ARMMS — — 66,400 28,500 —

Large ARMMS — 225,000 102,000 128,000 55,000

Station Total: 1,269,000 1,539,600 1,463,200 1,368,200 1,210,000

*Subject to reduction as final appropriations adjustments are made by Regional Office.

Refuge receipts for the past five calendar years were:

1982 1983 1984 1985 196 6

Building Rent 359,230 363,104 357,948 393,163 39^937

Water 39,902 39,325 38,211 42,694 61,326

Sewer 17,169 22,190 20,274 22,869 29,343

Total Industrial 416,301 424,619 416,433 458,726 484,606

Wildlife 6,823 10,415 9,590 5,585 5,194

Recreation 36,818 18,734 26,310 27,377 25,684

Total Refuge Receipts 459,942 453,768 452,333 491,688 515,484

Payments to counties under the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act for FY 85 were: Williamson - $145,480, Jackson - $1,825, and Union - $2,559. Page 17

6. Safety

There were six fatalities on Grab Orchard Refuge from 1976 through 1985. Three fatalities occurred in 1986;

June 26, 1986, Donna L. Hunt, 44, Johnston City, pulled her vehicle into the Gateway Marina north parking lot from State Highway 13, got out of the car and died. She had a history of heart problems, and death was ruled due to natural causes.

August 23, 1986. Matthew Ray, 19, Alabama, drowned at Lookout Point beach while swimming with a group of Morganfield, Kentucky Job Corps enrollees. Efforts of the lifeguard and Carterville Rescue Unit personnel failed to revive Mr. Ray.

December 28, 1986. Rand Duncan, 37, Belleville, was drawing for a goose blind in the Refuge goose check station when he collapsed to the floor. CPR efforts failed, as Mr. Duncan had died immediately from an aneurism.

On November 23, 1985, Mark Early, 16, Carbondale, drowned in Crab Orchard Lake as a result of a drag racing incident. Both vehicles entered the lake at 85 to 90 miles per hour. Other vehicle occupants swam to shore. The Early family brought suit against both drivers and the Refuge for $10.3 million each. Personnel from Safety, Solicitor's office and the U. S. Attorney's office reviewed the situation on November 3, 1986, and felt the government could not be found liable. An out-of-court offer of $25,000 was made to the Early family to have the Refuge claim withdrawn. The offer was refused, and further legal action is expected in 1987.

Incidents involving the Refuge staff included;

On July 8, Buelna strained a shoulder during self-defensive tactics class at Glynco law enforcement training school. Recurring problems re­ sulted in November.

During August, Bolander developed knee problems while on a Canada band­ ing assignment, requiring extensive walking in marshes using hip boots. Both knees require surgery, and the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is handling the case.

YCC injuries included a bruised hand by a crew leader upon striking a tire rim, inflamed arm scratch by an enrollee, and bruised hand by an enrollee upon striking a tree.

Public use injuries requiring medical attention were;

June 8 - Dawn Cochran, Carbondale, pulled back muscles from fall while waterskiing.

June 14 - Leo Davis, Johnston City, badly cut arm from fall off water sled being pulled by power boat. Rope caught his arm. Page 18

August 2 - William Bradley, Carbondale, car ran off road at Line 11, Devils Kitchen Lake. Driver and passenger treated for minor injuries.

November 1 - John Love, Columbia, badly cut arm while working on power boat engine. Moving flywheel caught his arm.

December 13 - Alfred Schaefers, Crestwood, compounded broken leg from fall out of tree while deer hunting. Transported to hospital by Priest and Lalor, which prevented further injury or exposure to cold weather.

YCC enrollees and staff were given basic first aid and CPR courses by Illinois State Police instructor Mel Kirsten.

The Refuge safety committee held regular meetings and assisted with quarterly safety inspections. Monthly staff/safety meetings were held. Page 19

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

2. Wetlands

The A-41 moist soil units (82 acres) were de-watered in late May, providing shorebird and wader habitat. Because of damage to the water diversion structure, it was not possible to re-flood the units to con­ trol undesirable vegetation. Some units were dominated by cocklebur, but this was mixed with wild millet, marsh smartweed, rice cutgrass, sedges, and Bidens spp. The units were slowly re-flooded in October and November with excellent waterfowl response. In December the repair of a acrew-gate made possible the flooding of a sixth unit. Duck use peaked on December 8, with 8,000 mallards in this newly-flooded corn and Bidens field. Goose use was consistently over 1,000, and bald eagles were frequently sighted over the units.

The Little Creek impoundment was drawn down, and maintenance crews again repaired the spillway. The unit was re-flooded to half of its normal fall level, leaving many loafing areas for waterfowl. This resulted in increased duck and goose use. The impoundment will be completely re- flooded in January in order to maintain proper water levels around the northern bald eagle nest.

The Firehouse Pond was not drawn down this year, as it was opened to public fishing for the summer.

Hoist soil units below A-41 Pond provided excellent natural stands of millet and smartweed. Plans are to expand the acreage under moist soil unit control.

9/86-5 GAW Page 20

Moist soil unit cross dike washes during periods of heavy precipitation. Dike improvement is scheduled for FY 88. 4/86-6 GHU

3. Forests

Three Refuge forest compartments were inventoried and forest management prescriptions written. Thinning work was prescribed for 250 acres, mostly pine plantations, marking began, and sales are to begin in 1987 (see map). ' ;

Crab Orchard Refuge contains approximately 3,000 acres of pine planta- , tion, most of which has never been thinned, or has not been thinned in recent years. This has created closed canopy conditions with little or no understory present. The primary forestry recommendations in 1986 were aimed at thinning those plantations, creating either pine-hardwood stands or open canopy pine stands with grass and forest understory, by use of controlled fire. Page 21

Ninety-one firewood permits were issued to local citizens. The $5 permit authorized cutting and removal of one pickup load of wood. Approximately 45 cords of wood were removed with receipts totaling $455. The firewood cutting program was changed from one of removing dead and down wood around the Refuge to a management program utilizing firewood cutting as a manage­ ment tool. Trees are removed which would otherwise have to be removed by Refuge maintenance staff, and small stands are thinned.

Dead and dying trees were marked within recreation areas to be removed by concessionaires for safety.

Forestry assistance was provided to other refuges in Division 2. The Mingo Refuge was inventoried, a forest compartment prescription written, and prescribed timber marking started on Mingo. Wood duck nest cavity trees were aged on Muscatatuck Refuge for incorporation into the wood duck study done there. Thirty-five acres of clear cuts were marked on Mark Twain Refuge in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers foresters. Page 22 Page 23

A. Croplands

Total grain yield average was down 10% from past years. Above normal temperatures in May and July contributed to this lower crop yield. Dry weather conditions did allow for grain harvesting to be completed at an early date. Cropland acreage and yield by crop are summarized below:

Refuge Share Crop Acres Yield Left in Field

Corn 1,895 76.48 ave. bu/ac. 32,187 bu. Milo 496 72.2 ave, bu/ac. 3,627 bu. Red Clover 1,800 4,500 ton Hay-Green Browse Winter Wheat 328 Green Browse

Cooperative farmers harvested 2,242 bushels of Refuge corn and delivered it to P & S Grain Elevator, Marion. Of this, 1,971 bushels were trans­ ferred to Horicon Refuge, and 271 bushels were used at Crab Orchard Refuge for the goose banding program.

The following fertilizers were applied to Refuge cropland by cooperative farmers:

Compound Amount-Tons

Di-Ammonium 81

Anhydrous 79 Potash 87 Starter Fertilizers 122

Nitrogen 76 Ag. Lime 1,133

Johnson grass continues to be a problem in some cropland units. In the "B" unit, Carterville and Greenbriar cropland units 300 acres were removed from row crops because of Johnson grass. These areas were disced at three intervals and treated with Roundup herbicide. In late August they were seeded to winter wheat in an attempt to control the Johnson grass.

Emphasis continued on biological farming methods. Efforts to find a cooperative farmer to participate in the biological farming program were not successful. However, agricultural unit A-9, consisting of 228 acres, was set aside for the biological farming program. On March 7, under con­ tract, 93 acres were seeded to red clover by Twin County Service Company, Marion, at a cost of $1,183. Page 24

During March a request for bids for biological fanning was advertised. Two bids were received, and the low bid was awarded to Rodney Laningham, Marion, for $2,110. A summary of work performed by Lanningham: rotary mow 93 acres, moldboard plow 33 acres, disc 33 acres two times, and drill 33 acres at two bushels of wheat per acre. No fertilizer or pesticide was used on this wheat planting. Plans for 1987 are to plow and plant the 33 acres in corn without using fertilizer or herbicide.

7. Grazing

Thirteen permittees paid fees of $4,379 for 1,459 acres of grazing land. Number of cattle totaled 549, and number of animal unit months grazed was 1,946.

Fescue grass stems were collected from seven grazing units and sent to a state laboratory for analysis. All units were found to be infested from 60% to 100% with fescue fungus (Epichloe typhina). The fungus probably has always been present. The only way to rid a grazing unit of this fungus is to plow or spray with herbicide and re-seed with fungus free seed.

8. Haying

Cooperative farmers harvested approximately 2,500 tons of hay from 1,000 acres of second-year red clover.

9. Fire Management

During March and April 28 controlled bums covering 1,712 acres were carried out. Bums were conducted in three major habitat types: hardwood, brush, grasslands, and pine plantations. Primary reasons for the burns were habitat manipulation and hazard fuel reduction. This com­ pares to two burns covering 20 acres carried out in 1985 and 16 burns covering 990 acres proposed for 1987 (see tables and map).

The Refuge responded to 15 wildfires burning 118 acres. As shown on the map, these fires were concentrated in a relatively small area with several occurring on the same dates. It is believed that most were fires set by one person. Page 25

1986 Control Burns

Fire Number Date Acres Cover Type

3003 January 13 23.0 Hardwood Brush and Grass 3004 January 14 70.0 Hardwood Brush and Grass

3005 January 15 35.0 Hardwood Brush and Grass 3006 January 16 80.0 Hardwood Brush, Grass and Pine Plantation 3007 March 3 62.5 Hardwood Brush, Grass ahd Pine Plantation 3008 March 3 22.5 Hardwood Brush and Grass

3009 March 5 70.0 Hardwood Brush and Grass 3010 March 5 70.0 Hardwood Brush and Grass 3011 March 5 17.5 Pine Plantation

3012 March 5 75.0 Hardwood Brush and Grass and Pine Plantation 3013 March 17 50.0 Grass

3014 March 17 22.5 Hardwood Brush and Grass 3015 March 17 60.0

3016 March 18 42.5 Hardwood Brush and Pine Plantation

3017 March 24 42.5 Hardwood Brush and Grass 3018 March 26 40.0 Grass 3019 March 26 10.0 Grass

3020 March 27 7.5 Grass

3045 March 27 15.0 Hardwood Brush and Grass 3046 March 28 80.0 Grass

3047 March 28 120.0 Hardwood Brush

3048 March 28 155.0 Pine Plantation 3049 April 1 240.0 Pine Plantation 3050 April 2 70.0 Grass

3051 March 21 12.5 Hardwood Brush and Grass 3052 April 10 60.0 Grass 3053 April 11 50.0 Pine Plantation

3074 April 17 107.5 Grass

TOTAL FIRES - 28. 1,712.5 acres Page 26

1986 Controlled Bitr 1986 Wildfires 1987 Proposed Burns

R. I W.| R. 1 E. ROAD NETWORK

CRAB ORCHARD SCALE 1:24.000 NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE M U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE I DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PREPARED 3-3-78 REFUGE LOCATION

4 Pine plantations were burned to remove honeysuckle and other dense vegetation. 3/86-7 EFW

Grassland areas were burned to kill woody vegetation such as juniper trees shown here. ^/ra-r ff Page 28

10. Pest Control

Purple loosestrife was discovered in four locations on Crab Orchard Lake and in one area on Little Grassy Lake. It is also cultivated by several residents living adjacent to the Refuge. All Refuge loosestrife was treated with 2% Rodeo solution. These and other areas will be monitored for this plant next summer, and Rodeo will again be applied if necessary. Page 29

G, V7ILDLIFE

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

Bald eagle nesting activity was the highest in Refuge history with two pairs of eagles producing one eaglet each. These were the only success­ ful bald eagle nests in Illinois this year.

Two nests were constructed at the Little Creek impoundment in the winter of 1985. One of these nests is in the isolated north end of the impound­ ment, and the other is located on the south end where there is considerable human activity. The eagles used the north nest and by April had produced one eaglet. The south nest proved to be an alternate. The young eagle disappeared at the anticipated fledging time, but unconfirmed sightings of an immature eagle in the area suggest that the bird did fledge successfully. In late October a third nest was discovered in the middle of the impoundment, and eagles have been seen in and around it frequently.

Early in the year two adult eagles constructed a nest on Grassy Bay of Crab Orchard Lake. After this nesting area was discovered, the bay was closed to public use. Shortly thereafter, one of the eagles disappeared and was not seen for several weeks. In mid-March an immature female began to frequent the nest and eventually mated with the remaining adult. This pair successfully raised one eaglet which fledged in late August, the tenth eaglet to have been produced on Crab Orchard Refuge since 1980.

The wintering bald eagle population reached 30 in late December.

A Peregrine falcon was seen three times in late October.

Seventeen birds on the State of Illinois endangered species list were spotted on the Refuge this year:

Double-crested Cormorant Bittern Red-shouldered Hawk Black-crowned Night Heron Osprey Upland Sandpiper Marsh Hawk Wilson's Phalarope

Black Rail Common Tern

Short-eared Owl Black Tern Yellow-headed Blackbird Brown Creeper Cooper's Hawk Great Egret

Little Blue Heron

3. Waterfowl

The Canada goose population peaked at 80,000 on December 22. This is down from last year's peak of 88,000. Fall use (October-December) was 4.2 million use-days, up 40% from last year. Graph 1 shows the relationship Page 30

between standing grain and goose use in recent years. Graph 2 shows monthly goose populations for Crab Orchard and other southern Illinois refuges.

Canada geese, and one white-fronted goose, made use of Pigeon Creek moist soil unit along the auto tour route.

12/86-9 EFW

Total duck use was 647,632 use-days. This is up from 1984 and 1985, but well below the objective level of 3,500,000 use-days. The mallard population peaked at 10,000 in December.

Wood duck production was estimated to be 168, the highest since 1980 when the production estimate was 400 young. GRAPH I. Relationship between oneain and Fall goose-use dags JL2Mi 1 . Grain Poten t i al -- 70K

i0Hi1.-- -- 60K

8Mi 1. -- 58K

40K : Bushels Fall of Goose 6Mi1, Standing Use-days an S 30K

4Mi1. --

— 20K

2Mi1. — -- 10K

©Mil. 9K 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 VEAR Page 32

G » 2 . Ho n t >* 1 a Go o s e Po jpu 1 i< t ions £ o ** S- o u t lie jrki> I11 i n o i s inn a Ba 11s*.v>A Cty - . KV Be £ tiy e s 35(3K -r

300K -f

So . I I. I„ -ana Baliai-a Co . . KV 1.3 8 6. - 8 V X 3 a 1. -8 5 25 OK A v

sook --

Can aaa Go os e Po poI a t i o n

15OK

1. ©OK

Cifalb One Bana

iaea-87 1981-85 Aogr . Page 33

A. Marsh and Water Birds

Two unusual birds, a Black Rail and a Sandhill Crane, were sighted on the Refuge in September.

5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species

Fall and early winter Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gull use was evident on Crab Orchard Lake. Several thousands of gulls fed on dead and dying shad on Crab Orchard Lake. Storms on the Great Lakes force the gulls south.

6. Raptors

Sightings of Osprey and Golden Eagles were frequent this year. Also sighted was a Merlin, seen in October.

7. Other Migratory Birds

The Christmas Bird Count produced a list of 98 species, tying the record set in 1949. A Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen during the count. This bird has never before been sighted on Crab Orchard Refuge.

8. Game Mammals

The Refuge deer census, conducted by SIU students, indicates a continued gradual decline in the deer population. The pre-hunt census and data taken during the deer hunt suggest that the deer herd is in excellent con­ dition and that the objective census index of 2.5 deer per mile has been met. A slight decrease in hunting permits issued should maintain this population level.

Harvest data for the 1986 hunt are:

Age Male No. % Female No. % Total No. %

0.5 95 17.4 87 15.9 182 33 .3 1.5 147 26.9 57 10.4 204 37.3 2.5 24 4.4 58 10.6 82 15.0 3.5 10 1.8 32 5.9 42 7.7 4.Si- 7 1.3 27 5.0 34 6.3 Unknown 0 0 2 0.4 2 0.4

283 51.8 263 48.2 546 100.0

10. Other Resident Wildlife

Turkey sightings continue to increase, mostly on the west side of the Refuge. Page 34

11. Fisheries Resources

Stocking:

Lake Species Number Size

Crab Orchard Lake Threadfin Shad 3,000 Adult

Devils Kitchen Lake Rainbow Trout 7,000 8-inch Little Grassy Lake Channel Catfish 10,000 8-inch

Source of fish:

Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish were from the Illinois Department of Conservation. Threadfin Shad were donated by the Southern Illinois Bass Busters, purchased from a private source with proceeds from the spring bass tournament held on Crab Orchard Lake.

Cameron with the first Flathead Catfish to be caught from the 1984 stocking of this species.

7/86-10 EFW Page 35

The City of Marion's new sewage treatment plant is now in operation. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency reports Crab Orchard Creek is in much better condition. A water quality survey was completed last fall with results due in 1987.

The City of Carterville is in the process of diverting its effluent out of Crab Orchard Lake and into the Big Muddy. River. The system will be operative late next summer. This should improve water quality in the vicinity of Crab Orchard Beach and slow eutrophication lakewide.

Fishery surveys were conducted on Crab Orchard Lake, Devils Kitchen Lake, Little Grassy Lake, and Visitor Pond. Fisheries management recommenda­ tions are current.

The Aeromonas outbreak which caused a substantial fish kill on Crab Orchard Lake during the fall of 1985 did not recur in 1986.

15. Animal Control

No requests for propane cannons were received, and the cannons remained with the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

Limited beaver control was carried out on Job Corps Pond and the A-16 Pond. Beaver activity is a problem in many areas, and pond outlets require regular cleaning.

16. Marking and Banding

Refuge staff again participated in pre-season Canada goose banding. Warm weather made trapping difficult, as the bait was less attractive to the geese. A total of 363 birds was marked with leg bands and neck collars. In addition, 30 after-second-year females were captured for SIU's radio collar research.

17. Disease Prevention and Control

Routine monitoring of Refuge ponds did not reveal any disease problems. Page 36

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

Public use has declined considerably in recent years. During 1986, 1,004,233 visits were recorded, which was approximately 200,000 fewer than average for the last decade. Reasons for this decline are the lingering stigma of possible pollution of Crab Orchard Lake, development of area recreational lakes, and management practices that have de-emphasized non-wildlife recreation. The management practices included stricter control of concession-operated fee areas and the closure of nuisance beaches. Refuge objectives can now be more easily attained, with an average of approximately 1,000,000 visitors annually.

Fishing and recreation reports were issued to three newspapers and one radio station weekly, from March to November. The Take Pride in America Campaign was promoted, and 47 news releases were issued during 1986. Bolander and Wagner assisted Regional Office personnel in conducting a hearing on the National Wildlife Refuge System environmental impact state­ ment in St. Louis.

2. Outdoor Classrooms-Students

Most Refuge involvement in outdoor classroom instruction occurred in con­ junction with the educational activities at the six youth camps and SIU's Touch of Nature Learning Center at Little Grassy Lake. As a matter of policy, youth camp personnel provided at least one hour of environmental education to each camper each day. At Touch of Nature students of all ages are immersed in environmental education activities for their entire visit.

Environmental education group at Devils Kitchen Lake hears explanation of the unglaciated rugged terrain found there. 5/86-11 EFW Page 37

3. Outdoor Classrooms-Teachers

Most environmental education activities involving teachers in the vicinity of the Refuge were conducted at the professionally staffed and well equipped Touch of Nature facilities. Refuge personnel participated in these activi­ ties when requested. Wagner coordinated a six-hour training session for 44 counselors from Little Grassy Lake youth camps prior to the camping season.

4. Interpretive Foot Trails

Chamnesstown School Trail was walked by approximately 10,000 visitors. Eight groups were given conducted walks.

5. Interpretive Tour Routes

A seven-mile auto tour route was opened in December. The route interprets Crab Orchard Refuge management practices and offers wildlife viewing oppor­ tunities at 14 roadside stations. A photocopied handout was available at the Chamnesstown Trail to explain each station. The handout will be up­ graded to a more professional looking leaflet in 1987.

6. Interpret ive Exh ib its/Demons trat ions

The Refuge Headquarters and Sub-headquarters served as visitor contact stations, and hosted 15,885 visitors. These visitors viewed the indoor exhibits while obtaining information and leaflets from Refuge personnel. An additional 36,050 visitors are estimated to have viewed outdoor exhibits, including the new interpretive panels at the goose observation platforms.

7. Other Interpretive Programs

Several Refuge management sessions were conducted on the Refuge for high school and university students by Cameron, Wolf and Wagner.

Off-refuge programs presented by Wagner included six sessions for 500 fifth graders in a one-day, round-robin fashion, with three other con­ servation agency instructors. Approximately 45 off-refuge programs were presented to students, service clubs and other organized groups. Page 38

Wagner with Elderhostel group during Canada goose banding operation.

10/86-12 Donated

8. Hunting-Big Game

There were 1,152 permits issued for the two three-day Area II shotgun deer hunts. During the November 21-23 season, 524 hunters registered and took 296 deer for a success rate of 56%. During December 12-14, 250 deer were taken by 519 registered hunters for a success rate of 48%. The number of deer taken in the open portion of the Refuge, Areas I and III, is included in the total Williamson County figure of 483, Approximately 400 of these deer were taken from the Refuge. Union and Jackson County portions of the Refuge accounted for another 25 deer, which brought the Refuge total to 971 deer harvested by shotgun hunters. Four handicapped hunter permits were issued, but no deer were taken.

Archers accounted for an estimated 2,800 hunting visits during the 86-day bow season. Archers are not required to check their deer in, therefore there is no harvest estimate. Page 39

Migratory Birds

Goose hunting season, November 24-DeceTOber 28, was stopped in the four- county quota zone, which includes the Refuge, after the 24,000 quota was exceeded. Illinois Department of Conservation officials calculated that 25,858 geese were harvested during the 42-day season by 50,663 hunters for a .51 goose-per-effort harvest rate. On Refuge "controlled" goose hunting areas, 2,501 hunters harvested 539 geese for a .21 goose-per-effort. An additional 1,189 goose and duck hunters hunted the uncontrolled area of the Refuge. Harvest figures for these areas are not collected, but are considered to be relatively insignificant.

Approximately 380 hunters had minimal success hunting doves, woodcock, snipe and rails.

Upland and Small Game

An estimated 4,149 hunters pursued squirrel, rabbit and quail. Squirrel hunters had an excellent season with many daily bag limits reported. Due to a good spring prescribed burning program, quail and rabbit hunters also enjoyed better than average success. Williamson County turkey hunters registered 29 turkeys, most of which were taken on the Refuge.

9. Fishing

Fishing continued to be a popular Refuge activity and accounted for more than 244,000 visits. Crappie anglers at Crab Orchard Lake often filled five-gallon buckets with eight to twelve-inch fish and caught some fish almost every day of the year. Hybrid white bass x striped bass provided sport for many anglers, and some fish weighed eight pounds. Devils Kitchen Lake produced rainbow trout up to 3.5 pounds.

Five ponds were opened to summer fishing for the first time. The ponds opened in conjunction with A-41 Pond are: Visitor Pond, Bluegill Pond, Heron Pond, Old 13 Pond, and Honker Corner Pond. Bluegill and bass were caught most. Visitor Pond has a bass size limit of 21 inches, and the other ponds have a 14-inch limit.

Three sanctioned largemouth bass tournaments were hosted on Refuge waters, two on Crab Orchard Lake and one on Devils Kitchen Lake. During the two Crab Orchard Lake tournaments, 674 anglers caught and released 939 bass weighing a total of 2,261 pounds. Tournament anglers numbering 196 on Devils Kitchen Lake caught and released 381 bass weighing a total of 450 pounds. Visitor with bass from Visitor Pond. Five ponds were opened to fishing with Visitor Pond having a 21-inch size limit. 8/86-13 EFW

Wagner with seven-pound hybrid white bass x striped bass taken from Crab Orchard Lake. -i^ioc 1/ t>tt Page A1

10. Trapping

Eighteen trapping permits were issued for the 1986-87 season. The annual Trapping Plan was submitted and approved. A very mild December provided continuous open water and created better than usual muskrat and beaver harvests. Animals taken included: muskrats 178, raccoon 51, mink 18, beaver 15, opossum 14, red fox 6, coyote 4, skunk 4, and gray fox 2.

11. Wildlife Observation

Most wildlife observation occurs from vehicles by visitors on evening and weekend drives. A great deal of wildlife viewing was done at the two goose observation platforms and by campers at the concession-operated campgrounds and the Little Grassy Lake youth camps. Deer remain the number one viewing target, with Canada geese the second favorite during their migration season. Eagles, great blue herons, turkeys, beaver and coyotes also interest spectators.

12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation

Campers at Devils Kitchen Lake and Little Grassy Lake concession-operated campgrounds were primarily fishermen and hunters. Youth campers at Little Grassy Lake are wildlife oriented and especially enjoy the majestic land­ scape and the sights and sounds of turkeys, owls and coyotes.

An estimated 965 people utilized the Refuge to gather wild foods such as nuts, fruits, berries and salad greens.

13. Camping

Most campers at Crab Orchard Lake spend their time fishing, boating, skiing or swimming. Negative publicity regarding the hazardous waste dump site has subsided, and campers used the Crab Orchard Campground at nearly double the 1985 rate. Total Refuge camping was 53,073 camper nights.

14. Picnicking

An estimated 40,960 picnickers used the eight Refuge picnic areas, 16,000 more than in 1985. Exceptionally nice weather contributed to this increase, along with improved facilities. Encroaching vegetation was cut back, and six vandal resistant concrete picnic tables were installed. Page 42

Wallace looking over picnic area litter after a weekend. Use here is non-wildlife oriented recreation.

5/86-15 GHU

15. Off-Road Vehicles

Off-road vehicles are not permitted, but vehicle trespass continues to be a minor problem.

16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation

Crab Orchard Refuge is mandated by Congress to provide this type of recreation. During 1986, 136,870 visitors participated in non-wildlife oriented recreational activities, including picnicking, camping, swim­ ming, boating and waterskiing. This was approximately 19,000 fewer than in 1985.

17. Law Enforcement and Fire Protection

Five employees have law enforcement authority, with three working full- time at law enforcement, one in the Refuge Law Enforcement series and two in the Refuge Manager series. During 1986, 105 citations were issued Page 43

Ihauthorized Use/Trespass - 66

No Fishing License - 17

Hunting Violations 7 Undersized Bass - 4

Possession of Lead Shot - 3

Speeding - 2 Abandoned Property - 2 Public Nudity - 2

Vehicle Violation - 2

Updike going through law enforcement stress firing course. Illinois DOC officers record time and critique performance. 10/86-16 JTC

The Refuge fire department responded to 19 fire calls, including: 12 brush fires, four requests for assistance under a mutual aid agreement, one auto fire, one dumpster fire, and one false alarm. Assistance was provided for the 1,700 acres of area controlled burned. Page 44

Fire Agreement

In July a bid solicitation was issued for fire suppression services for the Refuge, Two bids were received, one from a private company and one a combined bid from the local fire departments of Marion, Herrin, Carter- ville and Lake of Egypt. Both bid amounts were over $100,000 per year, so no award was made. The Refuge then contacted the City of Herrin and negotiated an acceptable price of $65,000 per year and awarded a five- year contract as of January 1987. The award of the contract was somewhat a milestone since the Refuge had been trying to contract fire suppression services for the past 20 years. Remaining Refuge fire station personnel were transferred to other positions, equipment will be transferred, and the fire station transformed into a public contact station.

18. Cooperating Associations

On June 30 the Refuge entered into a cooperative sales agreement with the Mid-West Interpretive Association, Nebraska, and began selling books and posters. Sales for FY 86, from June 30, totaled $263. The Association returned a profit of $60 to the Refuge which will go toward reprinting of publications.

The Refuge became a sales outlet for the Mid-West Interpretive Association. 10/86-17 EFW Page A5

19. Concessions

Based on preliminary reports from concessioners, gross receipts of Refuge concession operations for 1986 will increase considerably over the same period in 1985. The hazardous waste site media coverage in 1985 took its toll on concession operations, particularly on Crab Orchard Lake. 1986 appeared to be a recovery year for the concessions, and gross receipts for concession operations will again exceed one million dollars.

Devils Kitchen Lake concession has made a remarkable improvement in gross receipts, from $30,000 in 1985 to $54,500 in 1986.

Effective January 1, 1987, the Little Grassy Lake concession will change concessioners. The new concessioners, Helen and Norman Johnson, appear to be the type of people that could have the same effect on the Little Grassy concession as did the new concessioners at Devils Kitchen. TOTAL FOR 1986 Page 46 >UBLIC USE REPORT

Page 1 of 3 NO. ACTIVITY com-std anpux type VISITS i rxms ror. Rnn- 27-35 36-45 46-55 INTERPRETATION S&PP* :v>>>XwX;Xv •>>X%\vXvIvX Wildlife Trails - Konraotorized >X*XwXvXw

Self Guided •\ i ^Qn 11.690 Conducted 1^4 Wildlife Tour Routes - Motorized

Self Guided 4 - OAS 4 045

Conducted 918 1.836 Interpretive Center Visitor Contact Station Interpretive Exhibits - Deraonstra wm Self Guided Tb.OSO 6 .OOfi Conducted 19

Other On-Refuge Programs 625 695

ENVIRflhWENTAL EDUCATION wmm

Students • q.m? Q j 01 9

Teachers 104 694

RECREATION-WILDLIFE ODNSUMPTIVE Hunting Mig. Birds - Waterfowl Ducks 1 - 390 5.560 Geese 2.300 9.200 Swans General Waterfowl Hunting Mig. Birds - Other 380 1 560 f

OONTROL TOTALS

let ion 03 Stntion Crab'Orchard NWR TOTAL FOR 1986 Page 47

>UBLIC USE REPORT

Pige 2 of 3 NO. AcrmiY NOM-std OUIPUT TYPE VISITS HOURS 1U1. RTU* 27-35 36-45 46-55 REQIEATI ON-WILDLIFE OONSUMPTIVECc't Hunting Resident Game v.y.v.v.v.v.v

Upland Game Birds 2,224 8,896 Big Game

Deer - Gun 1.950 7.800 Deer - Bow 2-525 10.100

•

Small Game 1 t92S 7J7nn Other Game in 4on Trapping ] Fishing

WaniKater 9A1 Ron ft^Q 9nn

- Coldwater 2.242 fi.QAR Saltwater

Clams vCraks f0ysters.Frogs An 60 Other Consuaptive Wildl. Rec. a ^5 RTi g^vXvg::; :xw::::>>x-x-: RBCREATIQN-WILDLIFE NDN-OKSUHPTrVE Canping 9/. AR9 ATA 1QA Picnicking 1 1 - 800 n 800

•

• OOKTROL TOTALS

Eeglon 03 Station Crab Orchard NWR TOTAL FOR 1986 Page 48 >UBUC IJSE REPORT

NO. OUTPUT CON-STD OUTPUT TYPE VISITS IKITS 1U1. RBU5 27-35 36-45 46-55 / RECREATION-WILDLIFE NW-ODNSUMPTIVE tM&I >>!<%*XvXv!v> Wildlife/WildlanJs Observation

Foot 9.210 9.210 Land Vehicle 404 r2Dn AOA,900 Boat S. 300 10,600 Other

Photography 1 .1 31 1 r 1 31 Field Trials RECREATION - NDN-WILDLIFE Camping IS 3QO ??ni6Rn Picnicking 9Q 1^0 90 IfiO

Swimming 58.750 58.750 •

Boating 12,900 25,800

Waterskiing 17.670 35.340 Off Road Vchiding Other [TOTAL VISITS TO REFUGE | >X%<%vX*vX*X

(FISH ^ WILDLIFE INFORMATION SPer.^ara, Public Inquiries . 9.255 News Releases 43 Personal Appearances 70 Professional Services 37 Exhibits

ODNTROL TOTALS *

03 Crab Orchard NWR Region^ Station Page A9

1. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

2. Rehabilitation

Comfort Station Construction 86-0106. J and W Allen Construction, Marion, $119,326. A minority set-aside contract to construct five masonry comfort stations and set five toilet vaults. The contract was awarded in September, and work is scheduled to begin spring 1987.

Water Plant Heat System. By force account, the old fuel oil heat system, with boiler, outside heat ducts and fuel tanks, was removed and replaced with an internal electric boiler system.

Fence Replacement. A minority set-aside contract was sent out for con­ struction of 1.4 miles of barbed wire boundary fence construction; old fence to be removed force account and government furnished supplies. Contractor price was $8,400, and engineering estimate for the project was $4,800. The contract was not awarded, and the work will be done force account in 1987.

3. Major Maintenance

Road Surface 85-100. Interface Construction, Wood River, $76,500. A minority set-aside contractor treated 15 miles of blacktop roads in the recreational areas with oil and chips. Actual work was performed by Illini Asphalt Company, Benton.

Surfaced roads in the recreation areas received a coat of oil and chips. 5/86-18 EFW Page 50

Roof replacement - Water Plant Storage Building 86-051. Vaughn's S and D Roofing, Marion, $3,531.. ^Old roof was removed and new shingles placed. Some decking and trim boards were replaced.

Warehouse Painting. Refuge occupied warehouses in Area 3, four buildings, were spray painted tan by force account.

Roadside brush and hazards were removed for more efficient mowing in future years. Refuge D-4 in operation. 7/86-19 EFW

4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement

Equipment purchases included:

4-wheeler vehicle - Honda - $2,000 Lawnmower - Steiner - $6,800 Snowplow Blade - Western - $1,600 Page 51

Other major purchases included

Lift Station Pumps - $A,000 Paint for VJarehouses - $1,800 Cabinet for Book Sales - $2,400 Concrete Picnic Tables - $1,100 Gasoline Pump - $1,300 Electric Boiler $2,500 Gravel Stockpile - $9,800

Quarters 1 was sold on bid for $2,200 and removed from the Refuge. This was the last Refuge house out of 35 being occupied and maintained in the 1950's.

5. Communications Systems

Headquarters Alarms. Smoke-heat detector systems were placed in the office and shop buildings with a receiving signal at the Refuge Fire Station. During 1987 the signal will be changed to a central receiving station for relay to the City of Herrin fire department.

6. Computer Systems -

A Datapoint 2150 computer system was transferred from Ottawa Refuge. The system is being used as a printer. New equipment is programmed for 1988.

7. Energy Conservation

Gas-Diesel fuel use was 19,900 gallons, 1,100 gallons more than 1985, but still well below the station allotment of 29,600 gallons. Page 52

Eastman providing instruction on use of new 4-wheeler vehicle. 9/86-20 EFW

Quarters 1, the last of 35 Refuge houses, was sold and moved off the Refuge. 9/86-21 EFW Page 53

J. OTHER ITEMS

1* Cooperative Programs

Industry Little Egypt Grain Company, Murphysboro, leased 10 warehouses in Area 7 for surplus grain storage. The company has a three-year con­ tract with the U. S. Department of Agriculture for grain storage. They have 950,000 bushels of com and 65,000 bushels of soybeans in these warehouses.

Industrial tenant rented 10 warehouses to store surplus grain under government contract. 10/86-22 EFW

Pennzoil Company moved from the Refuge to larger facilities in Marion. Lack of opportunity to expand was their reason for leaving.

In mid-summer Olin Corporation vacated all warehouses in Area 11. This completes the removal of all tenants from Areas 11 and 12, and building demolition can begin as funds become available. Page 54

Fire - Water Agreements

As written earlier, a fire agreement with the City of Herrin was finalized. Work continues with General Services Administration toward an agreement for the Rend Lake Water Conservancy District to supply the Refuge with treated water through the City of Herrin system. FY 89 funding is planned for this project with the Bureau of Prisons paying a substantial part of the hook-up construction cost estimated at $750,000.

3. Items of Interest

City of Marion Water Request - The City of Marion continues to seek Devils Kitchen Lake as a raw water supply to replace their reservoir of inadequate capacity. In 1984 a non-compatibility finding was made and the request denied. In 1986 Congressman Kenneth Gray attached an amendment to a water bill requiring the Fish and Wildlife Service to sell water overflowing Devils Kitchen Dam to the City of Marion. The issue is at a standstill as the Secretary of the Interior has not approved the project, no environmental impact studies have been initiated, questions of how to move this water "over the dam" to the City of Marion and where to store it have not been answered, and it has not been shown that such a project will even work from an engineering standpoint. The City of Marion did begin construction of a new water treatment plant but has no dependable raw water source. The Service has taken the position that obtaining treated water from the Rend Lake Intercity Water Conservancy District would be cheaper to the City and less damaging from an environmental standpoint.

Contaminants Studies - Military - The military occupied the Refuge Area II from 1942-47. Fourteen sites were identified for study to determine the presence or absence of any chemical contamination caused by military related activities during operation of the Ordnance Plant. Ten areas are suspected burial and/or burning sites and four are holding ponds. Work will include surface water samples, sediment samples, installation of ground water monitoring wells, analysis of ground water and soil samples and a magnetometer survey. Field testing is to be completed February 1987 with a final report due April 1987. The Corps of Engineers using a sub-contractor, is conducting and paying for the study.

Contaminants Studies - Industrial Sites - Industrial tenants have occupied the military constructed facilities in Refuge Area II since 1947. On-site dumping by tenants occurred from 1947 until approxi­ mately 1962. In 1980 indications of metals contamination were found, and detailed studies since have shown polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to be present at some sites, along with high concentrations of lead. Historical data are detailed in the 1984 and 1985 Refuge narra­ tive reports. A Remedial Investigative Field Study is being conducted by O'Brien and Gere, a New York environmental testing company, with the Fish and Wildlife Service paying $1.2 million for sites outside the number 9 dump site, and a former tenant, Sangamo Weston Company, paying for the number 9 site. Phase I of the study to look at 34 sites was completed and Phase II, detailed follow-up at three problem areas, sampling was completed. All test results should be completed during 1987 and alternatives and recommendations for corrective clean-up action available in 1988. Quality control changes required by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency have delayed the process.

Dams Safety - The Fish and Wildlife Service has been studying the three major dams for recommendations to improve safety, institute a monitoring/ maintenance program, and provide for passage of a probable maximum flood through the system.

Plan summaries for each dam are:

Devils Kitchen Dam - Reservoir of 24,500 acre-feet and spillway elevation at 510.0. FY 87 funds, $80,000, will be used to add retain­ ing walls to each abutment and make downstream spillway improvements. Contract inspection will be done by the Corps of Engineers.

Crab Orchard Dam - Reservoir of 57,000 acre-feet and spillway elevation at 405.0. Dam crest is at elevation 415.0. Funds for FY 88, $4 million, will be used to construct a 1,300 foot auxiliary spillway at elevation 405.0 and fuse plug spillway at 415.0. Funds to raise the existing dam to 420.0 were withdrawn. This work, costing $1.5 million, will have to be re-programmed for future years.

Little Grassy Dam - Reservoir of 23,700 acre-feet and spillway elevation at 500.0. Dam crest is at elevation 507.9. Funds of $7 million have been identified for FY 90 work to construct an 800-foot wide auxiliary spillway with fuse plug at elevation 503.0.

Project Manager Award - Wayne D. Adams, Crab Orchard Refuge Project Manager from 1973-85, received the Department of Interior's Distinguished Service Award. 4. Credits The following were contributors: Sections A, B, C - Updike; Section D - Bolander; Section E - Updike and Wagner; Section F - Bolander, Boykin and Stapleton; Section G - Bolander; Section H - Cameron, Wagner and Case; and Sections I, J and K - Updike. Updike edited, and Bonnie typed the report. Page 57

K. FEED BACK

Job Order Projects - The requirement that any project exceeding $2,000 by force account or contract requires a job order is wrong. Little can be done on any project for less than $2,000. The review of a project and establishment of a job order requires unnecessary administrative time at the Refuge and Regional Office levels. The limit should be at least $10,000 unless engineering or contracting assistance is required. Project Leaders should be given more authority to carry out projects at the local level.

Accelerated Refuge Maintenance System - As stated in the 1985 narrative report, funds for ARMS projects are good if used as intended. It appears that as ARMS funding increases, basic operations and maintenance funds do not keep pace. It appears that stations are having to fund basic operations and maintenance from ARMS funding.

Improvement - Items of concern from the past that have improved are: elimination of A-76, reduction of YCC, new uniform program, and sub­ mission of payroll data at the end of the pay period. The uniform and payroll improvements have greatly reduced the administration work load. BIRDS Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

• / '' • a'

'/•L ;*

Illinois

This list contains 245 species which have been recorded on the refuge. Another 29 species, very rare or accidental and out of their normal range, are listed under "Accidental" birds. S—Spring March-May s —Summer June-August F—Fall September-November W—Winter December-February a —abundant—common species that is very numerous, c—common—certain to be seen in suitable habitat, u—uncommon—present but not certain to be seen, o—occasional—seen only a few times during a season, r—rare—seen only once or twice a year; some years not at all. * — nests on refuge. • — Irruptive species seen only during invasion years (2-10 year intervals). S s F W S s F W Common Loon Red-shouldered Hawk* . Pied-billed Grebe* Broad-winged Hawk* ..., Horned Grebe Red-tailed Hawk* Eared Grebe Rough-legged Hawk Golden Eagle American White Pelican American Kestrel* Double-crested Cormorant .. Merlin American Bittern Wild Turkey* Least Bittern Northern Bobwhite* Great Blue Heron Great Egret Virginia Rail Little Blue Heron Sora Cattle Egret Common Moorhen Green backed Heron* American Coot . Black-crowned Night-heron* . Black-bellied Plover .... Yellow-crowned Night-heron* Lesser Golden-plover... Greater White-fronted Goose. Semipalmated Plover... Snow Goose Killdeer* Canada Goose* American Avocet Greater Yellowlegs Wood Duck* Green-winged Teal Lesser Yellowlegs Solitary Sandpiper American Black Duck Mallard* Willet Spotted Sandpiper* Northern Pintail Blue-winged Teal* Upland Sandpiper Northern Shoveler Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Gad wall American Wigeon Semipalmated Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Canvasback White-Rumped Sandpiper Redhead Baird's Sandpiper Ring-necked Duck Pectoral Sandpiper Greater Scaup Dunlin Lesser Scaup Oldsquaw Stilt Sandpiper White-winged Scoter Short-billed Dowitcher ... Long-billed Dowitcher ... Common Goldeneye Common Snipe Bufflehead American Woodcock* ... Hooded Merganser Wilson's Phalarope Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Franklin's Gull Ruddy Duck Bonaparte's Gull Ring-billed Gull Black Vulture Herring Gull Turkey Vulture* Caspian Tern Osprey Common Tern Bald Eagle* Forster'sTern Northern Harrier Least Tern Sharp-shinned Hawk Black Tern Cooper's Hawk* Northern Goshawk* Rock Dove* S s F W S s F W Mourning Dove* c c HouseWren* Black-billed Cuckoo .. Winter Wren . Yellow-billed Cuckoo* Sedge Wren . Marsh Wren.. Eastern Screech-owl * Great Horned Owl* .., Golden-crowned Kinglet Barred Owl* Ruby-crowned Kinglet .. Short-eared Owl Blue-gray Gnatcatcher* . Common Nighthawk* Eastern Bluebird*... Chuck-will's-widow* Veery Gray-cheeked Thrush Whip-poor-will* Swainson'sThrush.. Chimney Swift* Hermit Thrush Ruby-throated Hummingbird' Wood Thrush* Belted Kingfisher* American Robin* ... Red-headed Woodpecker* Gray Catbird* Red-bellied Woodpecker* Northern Mockingbird* Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Brown Thrasher* Downy Woodpecker* Water Pipit Hairy Woodpecker* Cedar Waxwing* Northern Flicker* Loggerhead Shrike* Pileated Woodpecker* ... Olive-sided Flycatcher ... European Starling* Eastern Wood-pewee* ... White-eyedVireo* ... Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Bell's Vireo* Acadian Flycatcher* Solitary Vireo Alder Flycatcher Yellow-throated Vireo* Willow Flycatcher Warbling Vireo* Least Flycatcher Philadelphia Vireo ... Eastern Phoebe* Red-eyed Vireo* Great Crested Flycatcher* Blue-winged Warbler Eastern Kingbird* Golden-winged Warbler Horned Lark* u u Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler.... Purple Martin* Nashville Warbler Tree Swallow* Northern Rough-winged Swallow* Northern Parula* Yellow Warbler* Bank Swallow Chestnut-sided Warbler Cliff Swallow* Magnolia Warbler Barn Swallow* Cape May Warbler Blue Jay* Black-throated Blue Warbler . American Crow* Yellow-rumped Warbler Carolina Chickadee* Black-throated Green Warbler Tufted Titmouse* ... Blackburnian Warbler Red-breasted Nuthatch • Yellow-throated Warbler*.... White-breasted Nuthatch* Pine Warbler* Brown Creeper Prairie Warbler* Palm Warbler Carolina Wren* . Bay-breasted Warbler Bewick's Wren*

*1 Bird S s F W Bird S s F w Blackpoll Warbler c o Orchard Oriole* Cerulean Warbler* u o c c o Northern Oriole* Black-and-white Warbler u r u c c u American Redstart c u c Purple Finch c u c Prothonotary Warbler* u c o Pine Siskin* u u o Worm-eating Warbler* u u o American Goldfinch* c c c c Swainson's Warbler o Evening Grosbeak* u u Ovenbird u o 0 House Sparrow* c c c c Northern Waterthrush u u Louisiana Waterthrush* c c o Kentucky Warbler* c c o Connecticut Warbler r Mourning Warbler r Sighting Notes Common Yellowthroat* c c c r Hooded Warbler u o Wilson's Warbler u u Canada Warbler u o Date Yellow-breasted Chat* c c u Summer Tanager* c c u Time in Field Scarlet Tanager* c u u Northern Cardinal* c c c c Weather Rose-breasted Grosbeak u u Blue Grosbeak* ; u u u Indigo Bunting* c c c Dickcissel* c c Rufous-sided Towhee* c c c u Observers American Tree Sparrow c o c Chipping Sparrow* u u o Species Total Field Sparrow* c c c c Vesper Sparrow u r u Location Lark Sparrow r r Savannah Sparrow u c u GrasshopperSparrow* u u o Henslow's Sparrow r LeConte's Sparrow o o u Fox Sparrow u o c Song Sparrow* c u u c Lincoln's Sparrow u u r Swamp Sparrow c c c White-throated Sparrow c c c White-crowned Sparrow c c c Dark-eyed Junco c c c Lapland Longspur o u o Bobolink u r Red-winged Blackbird* c c a c Eastern Meadowlark* c c c c Rusty Blackbird u o u Common Grackle* c c a c Brown-headed Cowbird* c c c c

— <1 Crab Orchard Wilderness Area Illinois

*1 Congress designated 4,050 acres of the Carolinas. The white settlers soon pushed Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge as the Shawnee out of southern Illinois and by "Wilderness Area" in 1976. This 1840 had established villages and primitive designation insures that the area will be roads through most of the area. A road to protected against destructive acts of man Jonesboro ran through the present-day for future generations to enjoy and study. Wilderness Area following part of the path that Rocky Comfort Road now takes. The Land The glaciers that covered northern and Recreation central Illinois did not reach beyond the The Crab Orchard Wilderness Area has northern boundary of the Crab Orchard been preserved for people as well as Wilderness Area. The landscape remains wildlife, and some types of wildlife-oriented steep with many sandstone outcroppings. recreation are permitted. The Shawnee Numerous creeks interlace the area and National Forest and Giant City State Park two man-made lakes (Devils Kitchen and border the Wilderness Area on the south Little Grassy) border the wilderness area. and west, providing excellent opportunities for a back-country experience. Birdwatchers, hunters, fishermen, and Flora and Fauna hikers are welcome in the Wilderness Area; but for the protection of the area no The Wilderness Area is home to a wide camping, fires, or motor vehicles are variety of plants and animals. Plant species permitted. Backpackers planning to visit ranging from orchids to prickly-pear cactus the area may camp at Giant City State are found there along with other unusual Park, the Shawnee National Forest, or one wildflowers and 115 different types of trees. of the Refuge campgrounds. Wildlife species include beaver, raccoon, coyote, fox, deer, and possibly bobcat. A small number of poisonous copperhead snakes are present and visitors should be alert in rocky areas. History Southern Illinois was an unoccupied Indian hunting ground when the Shawnee tribe settled there in 1740. In the half-century that followed, the Shawnee were invaded by a steady trickle of white homesteaders from Kentucky, Tennessee, and the LEGEND

///// Wilderness Area — Vehicle Road Foot Trail ^rab Orchard National • Access Point Wildlife Refuge (Parking) ^Wilderness Area X Campground* ^-//^ Streams

GIANT CITY STATE

Information All Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge regulations apply to the Wilderness Area along with the special regulations previously noted. For more information contact Refuge Headquarters at 618-997-3344, or write the *Camping is not permitted in the wilder­ Project Manager, Crab Orchard National ness area. For area camping information, contact the State and U.S. Forest Service. Wildlife Refuge, Box J, Carterville, III. 62918.

For Shawnee Forest information write: U.S. Forest Service, 317 E. Popular St., Harrisburg, III. 62946.

For State Park information write: Illinois Dept. of Conservation, Land and DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Historic Sites Division, Springfield, III. 62706. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

RF 3-33610-1-6/83

^. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

History deer, common year-round, can be seen in many areas. Other species of animals Recreation History is as close to the Crab Orchard sometimes seen by visitors are coyotes, Wildlife-oriented recreation is encouraged visitor as an Indian mound along a beaver, muskrat, opossum, and raccoon. A at Crab Orchard, and opportunities for creekbank, or an overgrown cemetery bird list is available at refuge headquarters. wildlife observation are excellent. Hikers stumbled upon in a thicket. Straight-rowed can walk the self-guided Chamnesstown pine plantations remind visitors of the School Trail, explore the reconstructed 1930's when tree planting and the Industry Chamnesstown Schoolhouse, or venture development of Crab Orchard Lake out along old fire trails in "open" areas of Industry is important for the economy of provided work for the Works Project the refuge. Some may wish to climb southern Illinois and on Crab Orchard, it Administration and the Civilian observation towers to watch geese, drive coexists with wildlife. Industries located on Conservation Corps. World War II may be public roads to look for deer, or lunch at the refuge manufacture a wide variety of brought to mind by metal-sided refuge established picnic areas by Crab Orchard products with minimal impact to the buildings dating back to the time when the Lake. Illinois Ordinance Plant was one of the environment. largest producers of ammunition and Hunting and fishing are popular activities Wildlife can often be seen near industrial explosives in the nation. In 1947, the entire at Crab Orchard. Concession-operated buildings. Many buildings now housing project was transferred to the Department campgrounds and marinas are located on industries were used in the manufacture of of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Crab Orchard, Little Grassy, and Devij's explosives in World War II and most of the Service, and the Crab Orchard National Kitchen lakes for the convenience of concrete "igloos" once used for munition Wildlife Refuge was established. The visitors, and swimming beaches are storage are now leased to private industry. Congressional act that created the refuge provided on Crab Orchard and Little Grassy specified that management would be for lakes. Fees are charged for the use of wildlife, recreation, agriculture, and campground and beach facilities. industry. Agriculture Farming is an important wildlife Today the Crab Orchard Refuge covers management tool at the refuge, and 5,000 Information 43,000 acres that includes 3 lakes, 12 acres are planted annually to provide food The Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge natural areas, and a 4,000 acre wilderness for the wintering goose flock. Local farmers is located betwen Carbondale and Marion, area. sharecrop refuge land and take a certain Illinois, and is easily accessible from 1-57. percentage of the crop, leaving the rest in the field for wildlife. Wildlife For the protection of the public and refuge resources, visitors are permitted only in Livestock grazing is permitted on 2,700 Forest, prairie, and wetland species of designated areas of the refuge. Camping is acres of land on a fee basis. Cattle graze plants and animals coexist at Crab allowed only in designated campgrounds, the pastures all summer and are removed Orchard. Wildlife management is centered no off-road vehicle traffic is permitted, and in October to give arriving geese around providing a winter feeding and fires are to be confined to established undisturbed use of the area. resting area for Canada geese, and the fireplaces/grates. refuge goose flock may build up to 120,000 Other management activities on the refuge birds by December. Many species of ducks General information, including leaflets, visit the refuge in fall and winter and bald include the planting of wildlife food plots, limited controlled burning and pine regulations, and maps may be obtained by eagles may often be seen sitting in trees visiting refuge headquarters (open 8:00-4:30, overlooking the goose flock. thinning. These practices make different types of food and cover available to wildlife Monday-Friday), subheadquarters (open 24 hours), or by contacting the Project Spring brings the departure of most and allow the refuge to support a greater variety of animals. Manager, Crab Orchard National Wildlife migratory waterfowl and eagles, while other Refuge, Post Office Box J, Carterville, species become more active. White-tailed Illinois 62918. As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural re­ sources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wild­ life, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and pro­ viding for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recrea­ tion. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Depart­ ment also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.