Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan February 2013 Front cover: Waterfowl Hunter Dave Menke, USFWS Greater Yellowlegs at Puddlers Marsh ©Doug Racine Duck Banding Bernie Stopper Refuge Staff Measuring Cedar USFWS American Bald Eagle and Blue Heron ©Cathy McCollumn Child Observing Wildlife Andrea VanBeusichem, USFWS Back cover: Montezuma NWR Visitor Center ©Doug Racine This blue goose, designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, has become the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of over 150 million acres including more than 555 national wildlife refuges and thousands of waterfowl production areas. The Service also operates 70 national fish hatcheries and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, administers the Endangered Species Act, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance Program which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies. Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs) provide long-term guidance for management decisions on a refuge and set forth goals, objectives, and strategies needed to accomplish refuge purposes. CCPs also identify the Service’s best estimate of future needs. These plans detail program levels that are sometimes substantially above current budget allocations and, as such, are primarily for Service strategic planning and program prioritization purposes. CCPs do not constitute a commitment for staffing increases, operational and maintenance increases, or funding for future land acquisition. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan February 2013 Refuge Vision Statement Amid the clamor of thousands of birds, huge flocks of migrating waterfowl alight on freshwater marshes while bald eagles soar overhead. Sweeping vistas of expansive wetlands, interspersed with cattail-stands and forest, invite a closer look at areas teeming with a diversity of migratory birds and other wildlife. These are some of the images that reward and inspire visitors of Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Nestled in the heart of New York State’s pastoral Finger Lakes region, the refuge is an essential link in an international network of wetlands and conservation lands. The refuge belongs to a coalition of partners which make up the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, part of what once was historically a 50,000-acre swamp and marshland where the sky is often “black with ducks.” Through the collaboration of current and newly forged partnerships, the refuge continues to demonstrate and promote wise and responsible resource stewardship and showcase wetland restoration management practices applied on a landscape level to benefit both wildlife and people. Visitors of all ages and abilities feel welcome at the refuge and enjoy spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. The refuge continues to be an important component of the local economy and community, and provides a full complement of quality wildlife-dependent recreation, education and interpretation programs, and other public uses. We work closely with our friends, local citizens, and partners to enhance and improve nature-based tourism through community outreach, education, and advocacy. We hope all refuge visitors from everywhere continue to value Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge for enhancing their quality of life. Within the National Wildlife Refuge System, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is treasured for conserving wetlands and wildlife and providing inspirational outdoor experiences for present and future generations of Americans. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan February 2013 Summary Type of Action: Administrative – Development of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan Lead Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Location: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca Falls, NY Administrative Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters: Seneca Falls, NY Responsible Official: Wendi Weber, Regional Director, Region 5, Northeast For Further Information: Lia McLaughlin, Natural Resource Planner U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Regional Office 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 Phone: (413) 253-8575 Email: [email protected] This Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the 9,809-acre Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is the culmination of a planning effort involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), New York State agencies, local partners, the Friends of Montezuma Refuge, and the local community. This CCP establishes the 15-year management goals and objectives for the refuge’s wildlife and habitats, public use programs, and administration and facilities. This plan sets forward the management direction that we think best achieves the refuge’s purposes, vision, and goals, and responds to public issues. Under this plan, we will focus on our marsh and wetland restoration efforts, expand and improve public use opportunities on the refuge, and improve visitor services and refuge staffing. Table of Contents Chapters Chapter 1 The Purpose of, and Need for, Action Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1-1 The Purpose of, and Need for, Action ................................................................. 1-2 Project Area ......................................................................................................... 1-2 The Service and the Refuge System: Policies and Mandates Guiding Planning ................................................................................................... 1-6 Conservation Plans and Initiatives Guiding the CCP ........................................ 1-11 Refuge Operational Plans (“Step-down” Plans) ................................................ 1-19 Refuge Purposes and Land Acquisition History ................................................ 1-19 Refuge Vision Statement ................................................................................... 1-21 Refuge Goals ...................................................................................................... 1-22 Chapter 2 The Planning Process The Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process .......................................... 2-1 Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities .................................................................... 2-3 Chapter 3 Existing Environment Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3-1 Physical Environment .......................................................................................... 3-1 Biological Environment ..................................................................................... 3-18 Cultural and Historical Resources ..................................................................... 3-35 Socioeconomic Environment ............................................................................. 3-38 Refuge Administration ....................................................................................... 3-41 Refuge Public Use .............................................................................................. 3-42 Chapter 4 Management Direction and Implementation Introduction .......................................................................................................... 4-1 General Refuge Management .............................................................................. 4-2 Refuge Goals, Objectives, and Strategies .......................................................... 4-19 Chapter 5 Consultation and Coordination Introduction .......................................................................................................... 5-1 Planning to Protect Land and Resources ............................................................. 5-1 Partners Contacted for Refuge Planning .............................................................. 5-3 Planning Contact Information .............................................................................. 5-5 Chapter 6 List of Preparers Members of the Core Planning Team .................................................................. 6-1 Assistance from Other Service Personnel ............................................................ 6-1 Table of Contents i Table of Contents Glossary and Acronyms Glossary .......................................................................................................... Glos-1 Acronyms ...................................................................................................... Glos-27 Bibliography Bibliography ................................................................................................... Bibl-1 Appendixes Appendix A Species and Habitats of Conservation Concern at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Resources of Concern ........................................................................................