Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuge Complex Manager - Lloyd Culp M i s Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, s i s 7200 Crane Lane, Gautier, MS, 39553 s i p p MMiissssiissssiippppii SSaannddhhiillll CCrraannee i S Phone: (228) 497-6322 S a n d NNaattiioonnaall WWiillddlliiffee RReeffuuggee e-mail: [email protected] h i l l C C r U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service a ComprehensiveComprehensive ConservationConservation PlanPlan n e N 1 800/344 WILD N a t i o http://www.fws.gov n a l W W i l d l i f September 2007 e R R e f u g e Comprehensive ConservationPlan USFWS Photo 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 program planning 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. Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region September 2007 MISSISSIPPI SANDHILL CRANE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Comprehensive Conservation Plan Jackson County, Mississippi U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region Atlanta, Georgia September 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN I. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of and Need for the Plan ................................................................................................ 2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ...................................................................................................... 3 National Wildlife Refuge System .................................................................................................. 3 Legal Policy Context ..................................................................................................................... 4 National Conservation Plans and Initiatives .................................................................................5 Partners in Flight ................................................................................................................. 5 North American Waterfowl Management Plan ....................................................................5 U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan and Wading Bird Plan ..................................................6 American Woodcock Management Plan .............................................................................6 North American Bird Conservation Initiative .......................................................................6 Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation ...............................................................6 Relationship to State Conservation Agencies ..............................................................................7 II. REFUGE OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 9 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 9 Refuge History and Purposes .......................................................................................................9 Special Designations .................................................................................................................. 12 Central Gulf Coast Ecosystem Context ......................................................................................12 Central Gulf Coast Ecosystem Plan ...........................................................................................14 Ecological Threats and Problems ............................................................................................... 14 Habitat Loss and Fragmentation .......................................................................................14 Alterations to Hydrology ....................................................................................................16 Proliferation of Invasive Aquatic Plants and Animals ........................................................17 Hurricane Katrina .............................................................................................................. 17 Physical Resources .................................................................................................................... 17 Climate .............................................................................................................................. 17 Geology and Topography ..................................................................................................18 Soils .................................................................................................................................. 18 Hydrology .......................................................................................................................... 19 Air Quality ..........................................................................................................................20 Water Quality and Quantity ...............................................................................................20 Biological Resources .................................................................................................................. 20 Habitat ............................................................................................................................... 20 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................... 26 Cultural Resources ..................................................................................................................... 32 Socioeconomic Environment ...................................................................................................... 34 Refuge Administration and Management ...................................................................................35 Land Protection and Conservation ....................................................................................35 Education and Visitor Services .........................................................................................44 Personnel, Operations, and Maintenance .........................................................................46 III. PLAN DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................. 49 Public Involvement and the Planning Process ...........................................................................49 Table of Contents i Wilderness Review ..................................................................................................................... 50 Summary of Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities .....................................................................50 Wildlife and Habitat Management .....................................................................................50 Resource Protection ..........................................................................................................51 Public Use and Environmental Education .........................................................................51 Refuge Administration .......................................................................................................52 IV. MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ........................................................................................................ 53 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 53 Vision .......................................................................................................................................... 53 Goal A – Wildlife and Habitat Management ......................................................................54 Goal B – Resource Protection ...........................................................................................71 Goal C – Public Use and Environmental Education ..........................................................75 Goal D – Refuge Administration ........................................................................................81 V. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................................................................. 83 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 83 Project Summaries ..................................................................................................................... 83 Wildlife and Habitat Management .....................................................................................83 Resource Protection ..........................................................................................................85 Education and Visitor Services .........................................................................................86