DRAFT Savannah NWR Hunt Plan and Environmental Assessment
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SAVANNAH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AMERICAN ALLIGATOR, ARMADILLO, BEAVER, OPOSSUM, AND RACCOON DRAFT HUNT PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Savannah National Wildlife Refuge 694 Beech Hill Ln. Hardeeville, SC 29927 March 2020 Table of Contents Section A. Draft Hunt Plan ............................................................................................................ 1 I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 2 A. Refuge Land Acquisition History ....................................................................................... 4 B. Overview of Refuge Management ...................................................................................... 5 II. Statement of Objectives ............................................................................................................. 8 III. Description of Hunting Program ............................................................................................... 9 A. Areas to be Opened to Hunting ........................................................................................... 9 B. Species to be Taken, Hunting Periods, Hunting Access ..................................................... 9 C. Hunter Permit Requirements............................................................................................. 10 D. Consultation and Coordination with the State .................................................................. 11 E. Law Enforcement .............................................................................................................. 11 F. Funding and Staffing Requirements ................................................................................. 11 IV. Conduct of the Hunting Program ............................................................................................ 12 A. Hunter Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures ........................... 12 B. Refuge-Specific Hunting Regulations .............................................................................. 12 C. Relevant State Regulations ............................................................................................... 12 D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Hunting ............................................................ 13 V. Public Engagement .................................................................................................................. 13 A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Hunting Program ..................................... 13 B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Hunting Program....................................................... 13 C. How Hunters Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations ............................... 13 VI. Compatibility Determination .................................................................................................. 13 References ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Section B. Environmental Assessment ......................................................................................... 15 1.0 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................... 16 Proposed Action ........................................................................................................................ 16 Background ............................................................................................................................... 18 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action .............................................................................. 20 2.0 Alternatives ............................................................................................................................. 20 Alternatives Considered ............................................................................................................ 20 Alternative A – Continue Current Management – No Action Alternative ........................... 20 Alternative B – Implement 2020 American Alligator, Armadillo, Beaver, Opossum, and Raccoon Hunt Plan – Proposed Action ................................................................................. 21 3.0 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ..................................................... 22 Affected Environment ............................................................................................................... 22 Natural and Physical Resources ............................................................................................ 22 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................ 25 Wildlife-Dependent Recreation ............................................................................................ 26 Socioeconomic Environment ................................................................................................ 26 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................................... 26 Cumulative Impact Analysis ................................................................................................. 28 Hunted Species – White-tailed Deer ..................................................................................... 30 Hunted Species - Wild Turkey .............................................................................................. 30 Hunted Species – Rabbit and Squirrel .................................................................................. 31 Hunted Species – Migratory Birds ........................................................................................ 32 Hunted Species - Coyote ....................................................................................................... 33 Hunted Species – Feral Hog ................................................................................................. 34 Hunted Species –American Alligator ................................................................................... 34 Hunted Species – Armadillo, Beaver, Opossum, and Raccoon ............................................ 35 Threatened and Endangered Species and Other Special Status Species ............................... 35 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................. 36 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................ 37 Water Resources ................................................................................................................... 37 Visitor Use and Experience .................................................................................................. 38 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................ 38 Refuge Management and Operations .................................................................................... 39 Socioeconomics .................................................................................................................... 39 Climate Change and Local Weather ..................................................................................... 41 Humaneness and Animal Welfare Concerns ........................................................................ 41 Environmental Justice ........................................................................................................... 41 Natural Resources ................................................................................................................. 42 Visitor Use and Experience .................................................................................................. 42 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................ 43 Refuge Management and Operations .................................................................................... 43 Socioeconomics and Other Topics........................................................................................ 43 Summary of Analysis ................................................................................................................ 45 Monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 47 4.0 List of Sources, Agencies, and Persons Consulted ................................................................. 47 References ................................................................................................................................. 47 List of Preparers ........................................................................................................................ 49 State Coordination .................................................................................................................... 49 Tribal Consultation ................................................................................................................... 49 5.0 Public Outreach ......................................................................................................................