93d Congress, 2d Session ...... House Document No. 93-403

PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT OE THE TRANSMITTING

PROPOSALS FOR THIRTY-SEVEN ADDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM AND DEFERRAL OF ACTION ON FIVE AREAS SUITABLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE SYSTEM, AND RECOMMENDATIONS AGAINST THE INCLUSION OF FOUR OTHER AREAS STUDIED, PURSUANT TO SECTION 3 OF THE WILDER- NESS ACT OF 1964 [16 USC 1132]

PART 24 FORT NOIBRARA WILDERNESS

DECEMBER 4, 1974.— Referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and ordered to be printed with illustrations.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1974 42 797 O THE WHITE HOUSE

WAS HIN GTO N

December 4, 1974

Dear Mr. Speaker: Pursuant to the of September 3, 1964, I am pleased to transmit herewith proposals for thirty-seven additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System. As described in the Wilderness Message that I am con- currently sending to the Congress today, the proposed new wilderness areas cover a total of over nine million primeval acres. In addition, the Secretary of the Interior has recommended that Congressional action on five other areas which include surface lands suitable for wilderness be deferred for the reasons set forth below:

A. Three areas which are open to mining might be needed in the future to provide vital minerals for the Nation, but these areas have not been adequately surveyed for mineral deposits. The areas are the Kofa Game Range, Arizona; Charles Sheldon Antelope Range, Nevada and Oregon; and, Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Range, Montana.

B. One area is subject to withdrawals for power purposes and additional study is needed of the West's potential energy needs before a wilderness decision can be made. This is Lake Mead , located in Arizona and Nevada. C. Certain parts of one area are subject to selection by the village of Mekoryuk under the terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and a wilderness recommenda- tion should be made only after the completion of the Native selection process. The area in question is the Nunivak in Alaska. Four other possibilities considered by the Secretary of the Interior in his review of roadless areas of 5,000 acres or more were found to be unsuitable for inclusion in the Wilderness System: Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon and Idaho; Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland; Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky; and, Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. I concur in this finding and in the other recommendations of the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, all of which are transmitted herewith.

Wilderness designation of both of these new wilderness areas and those already submitted that are pending be- fore the Congress would dramatically demonstrate our commitment to preserve America's irreplaceable heritage, and I urge the Congress to act promptly in this regard.

Sincerely,

The Honorable Carl Albert Speaker of the House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 United States Department of the Interior

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240

Dear Mr. President:

It is with pleas.ure that I recommend the establishment of areas totaling approximately ^,635 acres in National Wildlife Refuge as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

The recommendation stems from this Department's responsibility under the Wilderness Act (78 Stat. 890) to recommend to the President areas within its jurisdiction suitable for designation as wilderness. Having reviewed potential areas in Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, we conclude that ^,635 of the refuge's 19»122 acres should be designated wilderness.

Originally a military post, the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge was converted to a refuge in 1912. It is located in north central Nebraska, eight miles south of the line. The refuge is managed primarily to support herds of American bison, elk, and Texas longhorns.

The refuge is divided by the into a northern portion, characterized by high grazing lands which are furrowed with deep canyons, and a southern portion, an elevated, rolling plain. Large areas of the refuge are fenced into pastures which, in rotation, are devoted to haying and grazing and left fallow. Most of the northern portion, as well as the river segment in the refuge, is recommended for wilderness designation.' Remaining areas of the refuge are too intensively managed for the benefit of wildlife to qualify as wilder- ness. A mineral survey of the refuge lands has not been made. A test for oil and gas reserves has been conducted just west of the refuge, with negative results: conditions on the refuge are thought to be similar.

In accordance with the requirements of the Wilderness Act, a public hearing on the recommendation was held at Valentine, Nebraska, on March 23, 197^* Analyses of the hearing records and written expressions received, together with the letters received from other Federal agencies, are contained in the enclosed synopsis. Complete records have been compiled and are available for inspection by the public. Enclosed is a draft bill which, if enacted, would incorporate the recommended area of Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge into the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Sincerely yours,

t/u^k.-? fan Aftting A33i3t£B* secretary of the Interior

The President The White House Washington, D. C. 20500

Enclosure A B I L L

To designate certain lands in the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Cherry County, Nebraska, as Wilderness.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that, in accordance with section 3(c) of the Wilderness Act of September 3, 196U (78 Stat.

890, 892; 16 U.S.C. 1132(c)), certain lands in the Fort Niobrara National

Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska, which comprise about 4,635 acres and which are depicted on a map entitled " Proposal", dated November 1973, are hereby designated as wilderness.

SEC. 2. As soon as practicable after this Act takes effect, a map of the wilderness area and a description of its boundaries shall be filed with the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees of the United

States Senate and the House of Representatives, and such map and description shall have the same force and effect as if included in this

Act: Provided, however, That correction of clerical and typographical errors in such map and description may be made.

SEC. 3. The area designated by this Act as wilderness shall be known as the "Fort Niobrara Wilderness" and shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the applicable provisions

of the Wilderness Act governing areas designated by that Act as wilderness areas, and where appropriate any reference in that Act to the Secretary

of Agriculture shall be deemed to be a reference to the Secretary of

the Interior.

42-797 O - 75 - pt. 24 - 2 SEC. h. Subject to all valid rights existing on the date of enactment of this Act, lands designated as wilderness by this

Act are hereby withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws and from disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral leasing and all amendments thereto. PUBLIC HEARING ANALYSIS

FORT NIOBRARA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

On March 23, 1974 pursuant to the requirements of the Wilderness Act, a public hearing was held et Valentine, Nebraska to ascertain public views on the desirability to include the Fort Niobrara National Wild- life Refuge in the National Wilderness Preservation System. The hearing record remained open until April 23, 197** in order to allow sufficient time for interested agencies and individuals to submit written state- ments for inclusion in the official record. The public hearing was officially opened at 10 a.m. on March 23, 1974 at the Cherry County Courthouse, Valentine, Nebraska. The hearing officer was Edward L. Meredith, Attorney Advisor, Billings, Montana. Prepared statements were read by Mr. Meredith and Mr. Gilbert Key of the Pierre Area Office, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. A slide presentation was given by Mr. Robert Ellis, Refuge Manager of the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The'proposal made by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife as a result of a study was as follows: "Approximately A,635 acres qualify for inclusion in the Notional Wilderness Preservation System. The re- maining 14,488 acres were found not suitable and should not be considered." A total of 36 individuals attended the hearing. No elected public officials were present. Statements were presented by 14 individuals. Speakers were called to make statements in the order they registered. A telegram was read into the record from Patricia D. Duncan, Vice President, Save the Tall Grass Prairie, Inc., supporting wilderness designation of 4,635 acres. Organization representatives that presented statements in favor of the BSFW proposal in- cluded the following: The Wilderness Society, National Wildlife Federation, Platte Valley Sierra Club, Bluestem Sierra Club, Group of the Sierra Club, Nebraska Agricultural Extension Service, Valentine Chamber of Commerce, and Temple Earth. Organizations opposing wilderness included the following: Cherry County Farm Bureau, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, and the Valentine Rural Fire Protection District. Opposition from these three organizations stemmed from the danger of grass fires and the hazards to nearby ranchers owing to the lack of proper fire suppression (this matter was discussed in great deta'U during the question and answer period and was resolved for some but not all the opposition). Five individuals represented themselves - of these, four favored the proposal and one was against. The entire proceedings lasted one hour and forty-five minutes, whereupon the hearing officer announced that the hearing record would remain open for 30 days. According to all the statements made at this hearing, there was a majority in favor of designating 4,635 acres of Fort Niobrara as wi Iderness. ANALYSIS OF WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

FORT NIOBRARA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Communicat Tons From Elected Officials

Comments were received from Nebraska Senators Frank Lewis, Shirley Marsh, and Ramey C. Whitney. Senators Lewis and Marsh favored the wilderness proposal, while Senator Whitney opposed such action. .

Communications From State and Local Officials and Departments

None were received

Communications From Federal Departments and Agencies

None were received • Communications From Organizations

A total of 19 letters were received from various organizations. Eighteen supported the proposal with one against. The Valentine Rural Fire Protection District submitted a resolution against the proposal based chiefly on the grass-fire hazards.

Communications From Citizens

A grand total of 252 letters were received from citizens throughout the United States.. All were in favor of the Bureau's proposal. Fort NIOBRARA national wildlife refuge NEBRASKA WINDER

FORT NIOBRARA N.W.R.

DSPRINGVIEW

J^MCKELVIE NATL. FOREST )

A VALENTINE N.W.R.

VICINITY MAP FORT NIOBRARA N.W.R. CHERRY COUNTY NEBRASKA

o 15 30

THEDFORD

NEBFQ NATL. FOREST.

This report was prepared pursuant to the Wilderness Act, Public Law 88-577. Publication of the findings and recom- mendations herein should not be construed as representing either the approval or disapproval of the Secretary of the Interior. The purpose of this report is to provide informa- tion and alternatives for further consideration by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Secretary of the Interior, and other Federal agencies.

COVE/? PHOTO: Harvey L Gonderson Preface

The Wilderness Act of September 3, 1964 (Public Law 88-577) requires that the Secretary of the Interior review every roadless area of 5,000 contiguous acres or more and every roadless island, regardless of size, within the National Wildlife Refuge System within ten years after the effective date of the Act, and report to the President of the United States his recommendations as to the suitability or nonsuitability of each such area or island for preservation as wilderness. A recom- mendation of the President for designation as wilderness does not become effective unless provided by an Act of Congress. In defining wilderness, the Act also included areas of less than 5,000 acres that are of sufficient size to make preservation and use in an unimpaired condition practicable. Sections 4(a) and (b) of the Wilderness Act provided that: (1) the Act is to be within and supplemental to the purposes for which National Wildlife Refuges are established; and (2) wilderness areas shall be ad- ministered so as to preserve their wilderness character and shall be devoted to the public purposes of recreational, scenic, scientific, educa- tional, conservation and historical use insofar as primary refuge objectives permit. Wilderness designation does not remove or alter an area's status as a National Wildlife Refuge. This summary describes the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge which has been studied by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife at the direction of the Secretary of the Interior to determine its poten- tial for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Introduction

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1912 by Executive Order No. 1461. The refuge is under exclusive administra- tion of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and contains 19,123 acres of high benchlands and rolling plains — traversed by the Niobrara River. The original goals were to preserve and protect the bison which at the time the refuge was established were in danger of extinction. Later, Texas longhorns and elk were added to the management program. Emphasis now is in the maintenance of bison and elk herds representa- tive of the vast herds that once roamed the northern plains. The long- horn herd is maintained as one of two government herds to protect the historical strain of basic breeding stock. Secondary objectives include: (1) Manage habitat to provide wildlife diversity and prevent extinction of rare and endangered wildlife species; (2) Expand understanding and appreciation of wildlife and wildlands and man's role in this environment; and (3) Preservation of the natural- ness and historical features of the area. ^j| A- F^sta fftSsttfS&'ISl ^StfP^W

TWr.N'TV-HFTH REGCl.AK 1XFAXYKV

History

Prior to 1870, Indians inhabited this portion of Nebraska. The first white settlers came from Texas and established residency along the Niobrara River mainly to raise cattle to sell to the Federal Govern- ment for Indian Reservations in nearby South Dakota. The Fort Niobrara Military Reservation, containing some 55,000 acres, was established in 1879 to keep the Sioux on their South Dakota reservation and control cattle and horse rustling. The Fort stimulated the movement of more homesteaders into the area as did the Kincaid Act of 1904. The Fort was abandoned as a military post in October of 1906, but the land was retained as a remount station until 1911. In 1911 about 13,280 acres were set aside as a refuge for breeding native birds. Early in 1912, Mr. J. W. Gilbert offered 6 bison, 17 elk and 2 white- tailed deer to the Federal Government for preservation with the under- standing they would remain in Nebraska. Since there were no Federal funds available for fencing the refuge for big game animals, the citizens of Valentine, Nebraska generously offered to assist in the construction of a 213 acre fenced pasture. In 1936, six Texas longhorn cattle were transferred to the refuge from the Wichita Mountains Refuge in Oklahoma. Since the first introductions, active herds of bison, elk and longhorns have been maintained. Physical Description

The refuge is within the Niobrara River Basin near the geographic center of the vast Basin. The Niobrara River divides the refuge into two well-defined units. The area north of the river is high benchland capped with sandy soil. Six deep canyons divide the benchland diagonally from northwest to southeast. Five of these canyons, covered with interior Ponderosa pine and mixed hardwoods, carry water to the Niobrara River. This northern area contains 4,550 acres, including a 200 acre Ponderosa pine natural area. The portion south of the river, containing approximately 13,000 acres, is an elevated rolling plain about 100 feet above the valley floor. The area is comprised of loose sandy soil not suitable for cultivation but supports moderate stands of mid to tall grasses. This area also con- tains several pasture fences and the headquarter complex with associated recreation facilities. The climate of the area is one of considerable variation. Winters are cold with northwest prevailing winds, while summers are quite warm with prevailing winds from the south. Temperatures vary between -38° to 110° with an annual precipitation of 17 inches. The average frost-free period is about 150 days.

Resources

The most important resources of Fort Niobrara Refuge are its wildlife and associated land. The bison, truly a symbol of American heritage, has been successfully managed from near extinction to a herd of 225 animals. The same is true of Texas longhorn cattle. Starting with a few head the refuge now maintains a herd of 232. While increasing the number in the herds, control was maintained to assure the natural blood strain remained representative of the herds of the old days. Other big game species present on the refuge include elk, antelope, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Elk number about 40, while both deer species average 30. Antelope are maintained strictly for exhibition purposes. At the present time five animals are available for the public to view. A variety of prairie rodents are present with the colorful prairie dog topping the list. A town of 15 acres is located near the exhibition pasture. Other mammals commonly seen are coyote, bobcat, weasels, skunks and badger. Bird life is quite numerous due to the diversity of habitat. A total of 205 species have been recorded with 79 species using the area for nesting. Waterfowl are not common because of the lack of wetland areas. The grassland areas are home for the sharptail grouse and the endangered Northern prairie chicken. Two active prairie chicken boom- ing grounds are located on the refuge. In the river brakes and wooded canyon can be found Merrian's wild turkey, turkey vultures, bobwhite quail, fly catchers and numerous song birds. There is a wealth of fossil materials on the refuge. Seventeen distinct fossil sites have been excavated. Most of these sites have been re- verted back to a natural state and exhibit little disturbance by man. Many valuable paleontological specimens have been removed and are on display at the Nebraska State Museum, Yale Peabody Museum, University of California Museum of Paleontology, the Frick Collection of the American Museum of Natural History in New York and at the refuge museum. No significant mineral resources of commercial value are known to exist on the refuge. A test for gas and oil reserves just west of the refuge proved negative and conditions on the refuge are deemed similar.

o Management development

Refuge management emphasizes the preservation and maintenance of representative herds of American bison, Texas longhorns and elk for enjoyment of the American public. Management is also concerned with the preservation of rare and endangered species, resident wildlife and their associated habitat. Present management of the bison herd is to maintain a level of 225 head with a 50-50 sex ratio of all age classes. In September, the entire herd is rounded up for selection of surpluses and at the same time young of the year calves are vaccinated and branded. Surplus animals are selected on the basis of old age, injuries and norirepre- sentative types and sold live at a public auction hi early October. The longhorn management program is geared to maintenance of a herd of 232 animals. Detailed records on parentage and lineage are kept on every animal in the refuge and all adult breeding stock are regis- tered with the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association. Adult longhorn steers are pastured as exhibition animals for the public to see. Culled animals are placed on sale during the October auction or donated to tax supported organizations. Elk are limited to 40 head with surplus animals donated to tax supported organizations. Big game management at Fort Niobrara requires special facilities. Fences are constructed with 9-gauge wire, usually 7 to 8 feet high. Corrals are constructed of heavy timbers and carefully maintained to ensure safety of refuge personnel. Windmills and cattle rubs are located hi certain pastures. The entire refuge is divided into 34 grazing units by 84 miles of fence. There are 46 miles of sand trails and six miles of graded road into the headquarters area. The majority of buildings were constructed in the 1930's. The existing Fort Niobrara Museum and office building were constructed hi 1954. Located one-half mile east of headquarters are all the facilities for handling the surplus disposal program. Future developments are oriented to provide a safe, uncrowded oppor- tunity for the public to enjoy the aesthetic values of the wildlife and wildlands of the area. Auto tour routes and overlooks will be added but not to the point of conflict with the primary purpose of wildlife management. Public use Recreational opportunities at Fort Niobrara are almost exclusively oriented to the wildlife and wildlands on the area. Total visitors to the area in 1972 were 63,512. Most of these visitors spent their time observing wildlife and wildlands. Most visitors are interested in observing bison, elk and Texas long- horns hi their native environment. The headquarters exhibition pasture provides an excellent opportunity to see a few animals, but plans are to provide two pastures over 4,000 acres in total size completely void of man-made objects for viewing the larger herds free of the "zoo" effect. Another major attraction is the museum and Fort Falls. The museum contains information on the old military fort, archeological specimens, grasses and wildlife. Fort Falls is reached by a foot trail where the visitor takes a leisurely walk to view a natural waterfall. Most public use occurs between May and September. Popular spring and early summer activities include canoeing and floating the Niobrara River. The launching site is on the refuge and the take out area just off the refuge. These activities will continue to be permitted within the proposed wilderness area. Social & economic considerations

Economic use of the refuge by local individuals is not a major con- sideration. Prior to 1960, over 10,000 acres of grassland were leased to local permittees for haying and grazing. Since then no economic use of the resource has been offered. Under the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act, Cherry County receives annually from five to ten thousand dollars. This figure represents 25 percent of the net receipts from the surplus animal disposal program and would not be affected by wilderness status. The attraction to the area by visitors appears to be the most beneficial social and economic consideration. The annual visitation to the refuge has steadily increased since 1968. Should this trend continue and should a wilderness area be established the economic benefits to near- by Valentine, Nebraska would be highly beneficial. FORT NIOBRARA WILDERNESS PROPOSAL FORT NIOBRARA N.W,R.

PREUMINARY-SUiJECT TO CHAHOE

:::::fi:::^^

' '' ' LEGEND "^^--^±^^'.1^ "STUHE jl ^w-r PROPOSED WILDERNESS \J V«- FOOT TRAIL

IRI08E

TOWER

CLAr PIT : TRAILS !1,11 I t,ONGMORi N ,' PUBLIC USE ROAD

PRIMARY FENCE

PICNIC AREA

' 7 - /•'' REFUGE HEADQUARTERS

STOCK WATERING WELLS

FISH BROOD PONBS

FOSSIL DIGGINGS POWER LINE

SERVICE TRAILS (CI..M ,„ p,wlt) Conclusion

Since all of the existing and planned developments and intensive man- agement occurs in the south portion of refuge below the Niobrara River, this area is not suitable for wilderness status. Approximately 14,488 acres are contained in this portion of the refuge. The area north of the Niobrara River appears suitable for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This area is virtually free of developments and contains approximately 4,635 acres in a single manageable unit. The Niobrara River will be included and will serve as the main source of access for the public to enter the wilder- ness. There are no inholdings and no additional land need be required for the wilderness proposal. Some administrative vehicle entry will be necessary to maintain the boundary fence and treat or salvage diseased or disabled animals. An Environmental Statement has been prepared for this proposal and is available on request. List of Document Parts - - House Document 93-403

PART

1. Mount Rainier Wilderness, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington 2. Kenai Wilderness, Kenai National Moose Range, Alaska 3. Wilderness, , 4. Agassiz Wilderness, Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota 5. Sheldon Wilderness, Sheldon National Antelope Refuge, Nevada (and proposed deferral of action on portions of the Charles Sheldon Antelope Range, Nevada and Oregon) 6. Monarch Wilderness, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests, California 7. Santee Wilderness, Santee National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina 8. Everglades Wilderness, Everglades National Park, Florida 9. Salmon River and Idaho Wildernesses, Boise, Challis, Payette, Salmon, Bitterroot, and Nezperce National Forests, Idaho 10. Parker River Wilderness, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Massa- chusetts 11. Hawaii Volcanoes Wilderness, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii 12. Big Lake Wilderness, Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas 13. Aleutian Islands Wilderness, Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska 14. Beartooth Wilderness, Custer and Gallatin National Forests, Montana 15. Dinosaur Wilderness, Dinosaur National Monument, Utah and Colorado 16. Lacassine Wilderness, Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana 17. , , Wyoming 18. Mattamuskeet Wilderness, Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, N. Car.; Swanquarter Wilderness, Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge, N.Carolina; Cedar IslandWilderness, Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, N. Carolina; Pea Island Wilderness, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina 19. Organ Pipe Cactus Wilderness, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona 20. J. N. "Ding" Darling Wilderness, J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida 21. Trinity Alps Wilderness, Klamath, Shasta-Trinity, and Six Rivers National Forests, California 22. Assateague Island Wilderness, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland and Virginia 23. Death Valley Wilderness, Death Valley National Monument, California and Nevada 24. Fort Niobrara Wilderness, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska 25. Medicine Lake Wilderness, Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Montana 26. Great Smoky Mountains Wilderness, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee 27. Big Blue, Courthouse Mountain, Dolores Peak, and Sneffels and Mount Wilson Wildernesses, San Juan and Uncompaghre National Forests, Colorado 28. Lake Woodruff Wilderness, Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, Florida 29. Anaho Island Wilderness, Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada 30. Noxubee Wilderness, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi 31. UL Bend Wilderness, UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Montana 32. Bombay Hook Wilderness, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware 33. Back Bay Wilderness, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia 34. Gila Wilderness, New Mexico (addition) 35. Proposed areas for which deferral of action is recommended: Kofa Game Range, Arizona Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Range, Montana Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada and Arizona Nunivak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska 36. Areas found unsuitable for inclusion in the System: Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon and Idaho Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois