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Muleshoe and Grulla National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan July 2004 Prepared by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2, Division of Planning P.O. Box 1306 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103 Comprehensive Conservation Plans provide long term guidance for management decisions; set forth goals, objectives, and strategies needed to accomplish refuge purposes; and identify the Fish and Wildlife Service’s best estimate of future needs. These plans detail planning program levels that are sometimes substantially above current budget allocations and, as such, are primarily for Service strategic planning and program prioritization purposes. The plans do not constitute a commitment for staffing increases, operational and maintenance increases, or funding for future land acquisition. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Grulla NWR will serve as a management tool to be used by the refuge staff and its partners in the preservation and restoration of the ecosystem’s natural resources. In that regard, the plan will guide management decisions over the next 15 years and set forth strategies for achieving refuge goals and objectives within that time frame. The results of the planning process are represented within this document. Management actions identified within this document reflect a need to achieve a number of refuge goals that are supported by measurable objectives and specific implementation strategies. The goals of the CCP are designed to fulfill the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) mission for the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System), as well as the established purposes of Muleshoe and Grulla NWRs. The accomplishment of the management objectives and the employment of associated activities and strategies will assist in the achievement of the following broad refuge goals: Goal 1: Natural Diversity: Provide habitat and manage for migrating and wintering waterfowl, sandhill cranes, other migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, and other species of concern by implementing appropriate management strategies. Goal 2: Cultural Resources: Identify, protect, and interpret the prehistoric and historic cultural resources on Muleshoe and Grulla NWRs for the benefit of present and future generations. Goal 3: Ecological Integrity: Protect the areas’ resource values through land protection strategies that protect tracts of land with desirable habitats. Strategies could include agreements with private land owners, and consideration of developing boundary expansion proposals for eventual purchase of fee title and less than fee title interest in adjacent lands. Goal 4: Recreational Uses: Further the public’s interest and involvement with Muleshoe and Grulla NWRs through wildlife interpretation, education/outreach programs, and quality wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities. Goal 5: Partnerships and Interagency Coordination: Maintain or strengthen existing interagency and jurisdictional relationships and establish new partnerships within the community to cooperate on mutually beneficial programs for improving wildlife and habitat resources on the refuge, within the High Plains region, and the Edwards Plateau Ecosystem. Goal 6: Administrative, Budgetary and Staff Resources: Develop program support sufficient to provide the necessary staffing, facilities, equipment, and operational funds to accomplish the goals of the refuge and fulfill the mission of the Refuge System. Objectives with measurable outcomes will guide the refuge staff in a consistent direction toward the accomplishment of each goal. The major objectives of the CCP include the following: C Document the diversity of native flora on refuge lands by developing a comprehensive vegetation map of Muleshoe and Grulla NWRs by 2006. C Develop a comprehensive biological data base for Muleshoe and Grulla NWRs, revise and update the refuge biological program including wildlife inventory plans using the most current information, and prepare habitat management plans for Muleshoe and Grulla NWRs by 2006. C Continue and improve protection strategies for populations of rare and declining species (including endangered and threatened species and species of concern) and maintain or improve their habitats on refuge and adjacent lands. C Implement waterfowl management activities to provide migrating and wintering habitat for a minimum of 10,000 lesser sandhill cranes, 150 Canada geese, and 3,000 ducks. When possible, address and incorporate the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Central Flyway, and regional plans into refuge habitat and inventory plans. C Implement a long-term (10 year) monitoring program for priority species of neotropical migratory birds, shorebirds, and other nongame migratory birds to determine density and population response to management. Incorporate population and habitat objectives developed for priority species in refuge wildlife and habitat management programs by 2008. C Enhance populations of lesser prairie chickens and other upland bird species on Muleshoe NWR through habitat restoration of 200 acres of native grasslands. C Manage refuge grasslands using the most effective methods available to maintain the natural range of diversity in the native short and mid- grass prairie that occurs on the refuge. Enhance the plant species diversity on 3,725 acres of native grasslands through natural plant succession and land management programs such as prescribed fire, grazing, and removal of invasive and invader plant species; and implement vegetation monitoring to document changes as a result of management activities. C Secure and protect existing water sources and pursue alternative water sources to support wetlands on Muleshoe and Grulla NWRs. C By 2006, establish dialogue with area universities (Eastern, UNM, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, etc) and other institutions to develop research that will improve the biological or archaeological database of the refuge and contribute to habitat restoration and management activities. C By 2010, survey for archaeological sites on current refuge lands and future acquisitions to obtain baseline archaeological information. Monitor known sites for disturbance or deterioration. Ensure all refuge management activities are in compliance with the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA). C Pursue land protection strategies involving private land adjacent to the refuges (approximately 350 acres at Grulla NWR and 370 acres at Muleshoe NWR) that are necessary to improve boundary management at both refuges, increase opportunities for management and protection of wildlife habitat, and provide additional public access. C Establish a bi-annual review process for Farm Service Agency (FSA) inventory lands to protect and enhance native biological communities by 2008. C Maintain and/or install 32 miles of boundary fences at Muleshoe and Grulla NWRs to protect the refuge habitats from disturbance by humans (both refuges) and overgrazing by trespassing cattle (Grulla only). This includes 27 miles of fence maintenance at Muleshoe and 5 miles of new fence construction at Grulla. C Develop a land protection proposal for review by the Regional Office to better protect area lands with important water resources by 2010. C Provide interactive visitor services and enhance current visitor facilities, increase public contacts, and better secure public use areas on Muleshoe and Grulla NWRs. C In cooperation with TPWD, develop and improve compatible wildlife- dependent recreational opportunities on refuge lands to increase visitation by 10 percent within three years and 20 percent within 10 years. C Develop an outreach program that interprets the resources of the area and generates interest in the refuge. Pursue contacts with school groups, community business groups and adjacent land owners. Provide at least five community outreach programs annually by 2010 in towns of Muleshoe, Morton, Littlefield and Sudan, Texas. These products and activities might include community presentations, community involved habitat restoration projects, and/or refuge staff representation at public events that will foster the public’s appreciation and understanding of fish and wildlife resources and the mission of the Refuge System. C Participate with other government, non-governmental organizations (NGO)s, and private groups in partnerships such as the High Plains Initiative, Partners in Flight (PIF), and Playa Lakes Joint Venture that are mutually beneficial and will ultimately benefit the fish and wildlife resources of the refuge and surrounding private lands within the High Plains region and the Edwards Plateau Ecosystem. C Provide the funding and support of Regional Office (RO) staff specialists to accomplish the goals of this plan. C Continue to provide a safe, efficient, and productive work environment for refuge employees and a safe infrastructure for refuge visitors. The goals and objectives of this plan are the management framework providing direction and continuity in refuge programs over a 15 year period. Strategies and management activities are suggested to progressively work toward achieving the specific objectives. The strategies may be modified in the future as a result of a broader understanding or knowledge of an issue. Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY VISION ...................................................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ..................... 3 1.1 Purpose of and Need for Action...................... 3 1.2 Legal,

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