Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Represented by the following Members of Management Activities Congress: n Protect fragile wetland plant Senator Robert C. Byrd (D) communities and control Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D) accelerated erosion on uplands. Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-1st) n Protect habitats of threatened and endangered species Contact n Perpetuate nesting habitat for Stan Skutek, Refuge Manager grassland-dependent migratory Canaan Valley National Wildlife birds Refuge n Maintain early successional HC 70, Box 200 habitat for songbirds and USFWS Davis, WV 26260 American woodcock Woodcock on nest Phone: 304/866 3858 n Control invasive species Fax: 304/866 3852 TDD: 800/982 8771 E-mail: [email protected] Highlights Forty-one miles of trails are open The refuge contains a wetlands to public uses, including 31 miles for Purpose complex of more than 5,171 acres pedestrians, 22 miles for horseback The Canaan Valley National that has national significance. riders, 23 miles for bicyclists and Wildlife Refuge was established 7 miles for motorized vehicles. to preserve the unique plant The valley has one of the largest Ten additional miles of trails are and wildlife communities of the shrub swamps and the fourth largest available for cross-country skiing on nationally significant Blackwater bog in the eastern United states. the refuge. River wetlands. The refuge was also created to perpetuate wildlife The climate supports a relict boreal Issues species, including migratory birds and ecosystem that includes at least 580 Boundary posting continues on threatened and endangered species, species of plants, 109 of which are existing property. protected by federal law. representative of latitudes in Maine. Although the refuge has acquired Public Use Notes Canaan Valley is a regionally about 66 percent of its approved n Visitor center significant breeding ground and boundary, two major land n Nature trails migratory stopover for American acquisitions are still required to n Hunting (subject to state and woodcock. ensure protection of the watershed refuge regulations) and the biological integrity of the n Fishing The refuge supports populations of Canaan Valley. the threatened Cheat Mountain salamander and the endangered The refuge will begin West Virginia northern flying comprehensive conservation squirrel. In 2003 refuge staff planning in 2006. confirmed the presence of West U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Virginia northern flying squirrel and 1 800/344 WILD will continue to survey to define its http://www.fws.gov distribution. January 2006 More than 280 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish are known or expected to occur in the diverse habitats of the Canaan Valley..

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Area Information
AREA INFORMATION The area is known as the Potomac Highlands. The Allegheny Mountains run right through the region which is the highest watershed for the Potomac River, the largest river feeding into the Chesapeake Bay. The region is renowned for amazing views, high elevation blueberry and spruce stands, dense rhododendron thickets, hundreds of Brook Trout streams, and miles of backcountry trails. Much of the Potomac Highlands is within the one million acre Monongahela National Forest which features National Wilderness areas like Otter Creek, Dolly Sods, Cranberry Glades, Roaring Plains West, and Laurel Fork North. The region is ideal for hiking, rock climbing, skiing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and hunting which are all popular activities in the area. The Shavers Fork is a stocked trout stream and maintained by WV Division of Natural Resources, as are many other rivers in the area. Wonderful skiing can be experienced at Timberline, Canaan Valley, Whitegrass Nordic Center Ski areas and Snowshoe Mountain Resort, which are all less than 40 miles from our door. State Parks and forests in the area include Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Audra, Kumbrabow, Seneca, and Cathedral. Federal Recreation areas include Spruce Knob & Seneca Rocks management area, Smoke Hole Canyon, Stuarts Recreation Area, Gaudineer Knob, and Spruce Knob Lake. The region is within 5 hours of half of the nation’s population yet offers a mountain playground second to none. Elkins deserves its high ranking in America's Best Small Art Towns. Elkins is home to Davis and Elkins College and the Augusta Heritage Arts Center, The Mountain State Forest Festival and our thriving Randolph County Community Arts Center (www.randolpharts.org).
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WV Hunting & Trapping Regulations
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An Evaluation of the Wetland and Upland Habitats And
AN EVALUATION OF THE WETLAND AND UPLAND HABITATS AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN SOUTHERN CANAAN VALLEY CANAAN VALLEY TASK FORCE SUBMl'l*IED BY: EDWIN D. MICHAEL, PH.D. PROFESSOR OF WILDLIFEMANAGEI\fENT DIVISION OF FORESTRY WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY MORGANTOWN, WV 26506 December 1993 TABLB OP' CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 INTRODUCTION 6 OBJECTIVES 6 PROCEDURES 6 THE STUDY AREA Canaan Valley .... ..... 7 Southern Canaan Valley .... 8 Development and Land Use 8 Existing Environment Hydrology ........ 9 Plant Communities .... 11 1. Northern hardwoods . 11 2. Conifers ... 11 3. Aspen groves . 11 4. Alder thickets 12 5. Ecotone 12 6. Shrub savannah 12 7. Spiraea 13 8. Krummholz 13 9. Bogs ..... 13 10. Beaver ponds 13 11. Agriculture . l4 Vegetation of Southern Canaan Valley Wetlands 14 Rare and Endangered Plant Species 16 Vertebrate Animals 16 1. Fishes .. 16 2. Amphibians 18 3. Reptiles 19 4. Birds 20 5. Mammals 24 Rare and Endangered Animal Species 25 Game Animals 27 Cultural Values 28 Aesthetic Values 31 1. Landform contrast 31 2. Land-use contrast 31 3. Wetland-type diversity 32 4. Internal wetland contrast 32 5. Wetland size ... 32 6. Landform diversity .... 32 DISCUSSION Streams 32 Springs and Spring Seeps 34 Lakes . 35 Wetland Habitats 35 ii Wildlife 36 Management Potential 38 Off-road Vehicle Use 42 Fragmentation . 42 Cultural Values 44 Educational Values SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AREA OF CONCERN FOR FULFILLMENT OF THE CANAAN VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 1979 EIS OBJECTIVES 46 CONCLUSIONS .. 47 LITERATURE CITED 52 TABLES 54 FIGURES 88 iii LIST OF TABLES 1. Property ownerships of Canaan Valley ... ..... 8 2.
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Canaan Valley
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Tracking an enormous black bear one morning in the mid 1700s, George Casey Harness came to a spot, "on the western slope of the Alleghenies which overlooked a wide, well-watered, wooded and grassy valley. The breathtaking beauty tpfthe wild valley so impressed young Harness that he involuntarily cried out, 'Behold! The Land of Canaan!' "* This story is but one of the ways that the valley may have got its name. Quoted from Jack Preble's book Land of Canaan, Balsam fir in fog (1960, McClain Printing Company, p. 1) Ken SturWUSFWS Conserving the Welcome to Canaan Valley National Nature of the Wildlife Refuge, the nation's 500th! Mountains The refuge works to preserve the unique wetlands and uplands of this high elevation, moist valley. You may enjoy the refuge by participating in wildlife-dependent recreation, including wildlife observation and photography, hunting, fishing, environmental education and interpretive programs. The combination of wet soils, forests, shrub lands and open ground throughout the valley provides a diversity of wildlife habitat. In these habitats, animals, such as deer, raccoon, geese and squirrel are easy to see. Others, such as mink, bobcat and X is barred owls stay hidden most of the X time. Beavers use trees to build dams, •J. altering water levels to suit their needs. /. Woodcock treat us to them breeding £ display in spring. Elusive turkey and I ruffed grouse provide a challenge for hunters. Along with native brook trout, South Canaan Valley in the snoiv you will also find other species of trout and bass in the river.
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Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Management Plan
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Management Plan Photo Credit: Kent Mason September 2017 Canaan Valley NWR Habitat Management Plan Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Management Plan Prepared by: _______________________________________ ______ Wildlife Biologist, Canaan Valley NWR Date Submitted by: _______________________________________ ______ Project Leader, Canaan Valley NWR Date Concurred by: _______________________________________ ______ Chief, Division of Natural Resources and Conservation Planning Date Concurred by: _______________________________________ ______ Refuge Supervisor, South Zone Date Approved by: _______________________________________ ______ Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System Date ii September 2017 Canaan Valley NWR Habitat Management Plan Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Photo Credit: Kent Mason .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Scope and Rationale .................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Legal Mandates ..........................................................................................................................
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Walk Across West Virginia Route Descriptions
WWAALLKK AACCRROOSSSS WWEESSTT VVIIRRGGIINNIIAA RROOUUTTEE DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONNSS Few of us have the time to actually Walk Across West Virginia (WAWV), but we can do a virtual Walk Across West Virginia by walking a distance equal to walking across the state. On the following pages are descriptions of five routes across West Virginia. Two are existing trails, two are hypothetical straight line routes through the geographical center of the state and one is a combination of trails and public roads. The longest route across the state is 281 miles. If you walked 5.5 miles a week or 21.5 miles a month, in your local neighborhood, you would equal the longest distance in less than a year. So why not set a personal goal of Walking Across West Virginia this year! Record the date you reach a specific mileage point on one of the routes to track your progress. You can use the mileage tracking chart found on the WAWV website to track your accumulated miles. Include your family members in your trip. You might enhance the “virtual” experience by actually walking parts of the existing trails nearest you, or by visiting some of the areas traversed by the hypothetical routes. The West to East route across the state also includes “trivia questions” about West Virginia. See how much you know about West Virginia.! Allegheny Trail Milage Listing Date Mileage Elevation Description _____ 0.0 2182 Pennsylvania/West Virginia State Line close to Bruceton Mills on Local Route 4 _____ 8.0 1495 Cross under I-68 _____ 13.3 1693 Mt.
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Canaan Valley
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Permitted: Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Hiking, cross-country skiing, 6263 Appalachian Highway snowshoeing, horseback riding Davis, WV 26260 Canaan Valley and bicycling are allowed on 304/866 3858 designated routes. E-mail: [email protected] National Wildlife http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Canaan_Valley/ Hunting is permitted in accordance with state and To report emergencies or violations call Refuge refuge regulations. A refuge 304/815 3000 hunt permit is required. Federal Relay Service Persons possessing, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing transporting or carrying 1 800/877 8339 firearms on national wildlife refuges must comply with all U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provisions of state and local law. 1 800/344 WILD Firearms are not allowed in any http://www.fws.gov Federal buildings. Dogs must be on a leash, not left January 2016 unattended, and are restricted to designated pedestrian routes except when used for hunting in accordance with refuge regulations. Prohibited: Camping Open fires Cutting firewood Littering Off-road vehicles including snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles Feeding wildlife Abandoning wild or domestic animals on the refuge Collecting plants, animals or other natural, historical or archeological items Overnight parking in parking lots except in designated lots Permanent structures such as tree stands, stairways or rope swings Bobolink Steve Maslowski/USFWS Tracking an enormous black bear one morning in the mid- 1700s, George Casey Harness came to a spot, “on the western slope of the Alleghenies which overlooked a wide, well-watered, wooded and grassy valley. The breathtaking beauty of the wild valley so impressed young Harness that he involuntarily cried out, ‘Behold! The Land of Canaan!’” *This story is but one of the ways that the valley may have gotten its name.
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Canaan Valley Hunting Catex
U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION STATEMENT FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is expanding hunting opportunities for migratory game birds, upland game, and big game on a total of 1,096 acres at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR, refuge) in accordance with the refuge’s Hunting Management Plan. Within the spirit and intent of the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other statutes, orders, and policies that protect fish and wildlife resources, I have established the following administrative record and determined that the following proposed action is categorically excluded from NEPA documentation requirements consistent with 40 CFR 1508.4, 43 CFR 46.205, and 516 DM 8.5. The Service has fully satisfied the other requirements for expanding these opportunities on the refuge, including: □ determining that the opportunities are compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (see attached Compatibility Determination); □ ensuring the opportunities are consistent with existing State, local, and refuge-specific regulations (50 CFR 32.67); *Use of signs and brochures may supplement the refuge-specific regulations □ complying with the NEPA (see attached); □ complying with the Endangered Species Act section 7 evaluation (see attached Consultation documentation); OR □ N/A because there are no candidate, threatened or endangered species present; □ complying with the National Historic Preservation Act section 106 consultation (see attached Consultation documentation); OR □ N/A because there are no cultural or historic resources present; The Service is, therefore, waiving the requirement to prepare an opening package in compliance with Service policy (605 FW 2.9A).
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2021-2022 Hunt Permit/Brochure Here
Signature (permits are not transferable) not are (permits Signature Expires August 31, 202 31, August Expires herein. 8QLW$UFKHU\RQO\ ,QFOXGHVFURVVERZ v your understanding of the regulations contained contained regulations the of understanding your KHU\ 8QLW5LIOH HOHYDWHGVWDQGRQO\ 6KRWJXQ0X]]OHORDGHU$UF v permit for all refuge hunts and acknowledges acknowledges and hunts refuge all for permit 8QLW5LIOH6KRWJXQ0X]]OHORDGHU$UFKHU\ v When signed and carried, this serves as your your as serves this carried, and signed When 1HZIRU —202 202 Permit Hunting Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Refuge Wildlife National Valley Canaan further information. further Hunting Regulations for for Regulations Hunting hunting. to State Migratory Bird Bird Migratory State to closed to migratory bird bird migratory to closed number. Please refer refer Please number. “No Hunting Zones” are are Zones” Hunting “No Information Program (HIP) (HIP) Program Information refuge headquarters, and and headquarters, refuge through February 28. 28. February through snipe, woodcock) snipe, stamps and a Harvest Harvest a and stamps Natural Area, area around around area Area, Natural seasons from September 1 1 September from seasons dove, coot, rail, gallinule, gallinule, rail, coot, dove, may also need additional additional need also may refuge lands. The Research Research The lands. refuge accordance with State State with accordance (waterfowl, mourning mourning (waterfowl, Migratory bird hunters hunters bird Migratory Hunting is permitted on most most on permitted is Hunting Hunting is permitted in in permitted is Hunting Migratory Bird Hunting Hunting Bird Migratory permit. permit. hunting. hunting. possess a refuge hunting hunting refuge a possess closed to upland game game upland to closed opossum, skunk) opossum, Night hunters must also also must hunters Night “No Hunting Zones” are are Zones” Hunting “No woodchuck, coyote, coyote, woodchuck, issued by the refuge.
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