APPENDIX B GREEN BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE DRAFT FISHING PLAN Draft Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge ​ ​ ​ ​ Fishing Plan January 2019 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge W4279 Headquarters Road Mayville, WI 53050 Submitted By: Project Leader ______________________________________________ ____________ Signature Date Concurrence: Refuge Supervisor ______________________________________________ ____________ Signature Date Approved: Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System ______________________________________________ ____________ Signature Date Page 2 Table of Contents I. Introduction 4 II. Statement of Objectives 6 III. Description of Fishing Program 7 A. Areas to be Opened to Fishing 7 B. Species to be Taken, Fishing Periods, Fishing Access 7 C. Angler Permit Requirements 7 D. Consultation and Coordination with the State 7 E. Law Enforcement 7 F. Funding and Staffing Requirements 8 IV. Conduct of the Fishing Program 8 A. Angler Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures 8 B. Refuge-Specific Regulations 8 C. Relevant State Regulations 8 D. Other Rules and Regulations for Anglers 8 V. Public Engagement 9 A. Outreach Plan for Announcing and Publicizing the Fishing Program 9 B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Fishing Program 9 C. How the Public Will be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations 9 VI. Compatibility Determination 9 ​ ​ VII. References 9 Page 3 DRAFT GREEN BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ​ ​ FISHING PLAN I. Introduction ​ National wildlife refuges are guided by the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), the purposes of an individual refuge, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) policy, and laws and international treaties. Relevant guidance includes the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, and selected portions of the Code of Federal Regulations and Fish and Wildlife Service Manual. Green Bay NWR was established by Executive Order 1487, February 21, 1912… “…as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds.” Public Law 91-504, October 23, 1970 designated the Green Bay NWR as a Wilderness Area. Green Bay Refuge, Plum and Pilot Islands Additions were established by Public Land Order 7681, dated October 17, 2007… “…to protect native and migratory bird habitat and endangered species habitat within the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem.” Green Bay Refuge, St. Martin Island, was acquired September 21, 2015 for administration by the Secretary of the Interior through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under authority of the NWRS Administration Act of 1966. “…to protect native and migratory bird habitat and endangered species habitat within the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem.” Green Bay Refuge, Rocky Island, was acquired August 14, 2014 pursuant of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956. “…to protect native and migratory bird habitat and endangered species habitat within the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem.” Page 4 Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) currently consists of six islands that stretch from the Door Peninsula of Wisconsin to the Garden Peninsula in Michigan, totaling 1732 acres. The refuge is administratively managed by staff based at Horicon Refuge in Mayville, Wisconsin. The chain of islands protect rare habitats including coastal fens and alvars as well as nesting colonies of migratory birds. These islands are an important part of the Great Lakes ecosystem and are important stopover areas for migrating birds crossing the Great Lakes. Island habitats include forest, wetlands, sedge meadows, and rocky barrens. Biodiversity on the islands is rich including; bird, plant, mammal, and reptile species occurring uniquely or in abundances different than mainland character. The backdrop for the refuge is Lake Michigan. Among the five lakes collectively known as the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is second only to Lake Superior in depth and volume. Besides having a storied history in early exploration of the region and bearing important shipping routes, The Great Lakes are the third largest concentration of freshwater by volume on earth, after the polar ice caps and Lake Baikal in eastern Russia. Lake Michigan, which holds the refuge islands has an average depth of 279 ft. and holds 1,180 cubic miles of water within a surface area of 22,300 square miles (EPA 2015). Fishery resources on Lake Michigan are abundant and diverse with many opportunities for anglers. Anglers spent an estimated 2,542,842 hours fishing on Lake Michigan and Green Bay during 2017 with boat-angler effort at 2,083,505 hours, or almost 82% of the total hours (WI DNR 2018). The estimated harvest of 533,469 fish was dominated by yellow perch (119,893) followed by coho salmon (119,686). The boat fishery, comprised of launched-boat, moored-boat, and charter-boat anglers, dominated the fishery by harvesting an estimated 490,718 fish, which was 92% of the total harvest and was led by coho salmon and yellow perch. Pier anglers harvested primarily yellow perch, followed by Chinook salmon. Shore anglers harvested primarily brown trout, followed by yellow perch and Chinook salmon (WI DNR 2018). Smallmouth bass abundance in the area is due to prime spawning habitat in the shallow waters occurring around islands. State regulations prevent the fishing of smallmouth bass in the outlying waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan within 1/4 mile of Washington, Detroit, Plum, Pilot, Hog or Rock Islands before July 1 (WI DNR 2018). While many people in the area fish from boats, shore fishing is also desirable and fishing from islands presents a unique fishing experience for those who do not have boats for large lake fishing. The refuge currently includes one island conducive to public fishing, that being Plum Island. The other refuge islands are either difficult to access or have significant bird nesting colonies, closing them to public use. Plum Island has a dock for access and adequate shoreline for walking access and fishing. Islands acquired in the future may be opened to shore fishing if there is adequate access and it is compatible with refuge purposes. The mission of the NWRS, as outlined by the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (NWRSAA), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), is to: Page 5 “... to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” The NWRSAA mandates the Secretary of the Interior in administering the System to (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(4): ● Provide for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats within the NWRS; ● Ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the NWRS are maintained for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans; ● Ensure that the mission of the NWRS described at 16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(2) and the purposes of each refuge are carried out; ● Ensure effective coordination, interaction, and cooperation with owners of land adjoining refuges and the fish and wildlife agency of the States in which the units of the NWRS are located; ● Assist in the maintenance of adequate water quantity and water quality to fulfill the mission of the NWRS and the purposes of each refuge; ● Recognize compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general public uses of the NWRS through which the American public can develop an appreciation for fish and wildlife; ● Ensure that opportunities are provided within the NWRS for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses; and ● Monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each refuge. Therefore, it is a priority of the Service to provide for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, when those opportunities are compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Public fishing on the refuge has not previously occurred. This plan will open fishing on designated areas according to state regulations. Currently, only the 325 acre Plum Island will be opened to fishing. Additional islands may be opened to shore fishing in the future if there is adequate public access and it is compatible with refuge purposes. II. Statement of Objectives ​ The objectives of a fishing program on the refuge are to provide: ​ ​ ● The public with a recreational experience to experience wildlife on more refuge lands and increase opportunities for anglers. ● Wildlife-dependent public recreation as mandated by and according to Service law and policy. ● Educate the public and neighboring landowners about Great Lakes resources. Page 6 The refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2013) and associated Environmental Assessment (EA) has objectives to provide public access to enjoy quality wildlife-dependent recreation but did not specifically address fishing. A draft EA will address fishing and any potential impacts. Current Service policy (605 FW 3) recognizes fishing as a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime deeply rooted in the American heritage. Fishing can also instill a unique understanding and appreciation of fish and wildlife, their behavior and their habitat needs. III. Description of Fishing Program