THEODORE ROOSEVELT and HOLT COLLIER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES Sharkey and Washington Counties, Mississippi
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Background ................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Purpose and Need for the Plan .................................................................................................. 4 National Wildlife Refuge System ................................................................................................ 4 Legal and Policy Context ........................................................................................................... 5 Legal Mandates and Administrative and Policy Guidelines ............................................... 5 Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Policy ........................................ 6 National and International Conservation Plans and Initiatives .................................................... 6 National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan ................................................................... 6 North American Bird Conservation Initiative ...................................................................... 7 Climate Science Centers .................................................................................................. 9 Relationship to State Wildlife and Habitat Protection Agencies .................................................. 9 II. Refuge Overview ......................................................................................................................... 11 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 11 Refuge Description, History of Establishment, and Purposes ................................................... 11 Special Designations ............................................................................................................... 11 Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area ........................................................................ 11 Ecosystem Context .................................................................................................................. 14 Landscape Context .................................................................................................................. 17 Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative .......................... 17 Regional Conservation Plans and Initiatives ............................................................................ 17 Recovery Plans .............................................................................................................. 17 Southeastern Coastal Plain Colonial Waterbird Conservation Plan ................................ 19 Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley/West Gulf Coastal Plain ShoreBird Management Plan .......................................................................................................... 19 Lower Mississippi River Ecosystem Team Goals and Objectives ................................... 20 Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture ........................................................................... 20 State and Local Conservation Plans and Initiatives .................................................................. 21 Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy .............................................................. 21 Ecological Threats and Problems ............................................................................................ 22 Deforestation and Alteration Of Habitat .......................................................................... 22 Exotic, Invasive, and Nuisance Species ......................................................................... 23 Potential Impacts Associated with Climate Change ........................................................ 23 Physical Resources ................................................................................................................. 24 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 24 Geology and Topography ............................................................................................... 24 Soils ............................................................................................................................... 25 Hydrology ....................................................................................................................... 26 Air Quality ....................................................................................................................... 27 Water Quality and Quantity ............................................................................................. 28 Biological Resources ............................................................................................................... 28 Flora - Habitat ................................................................................................................. 28 Fauna - Wildlife .............................................................................................................. 30 Flora - Plants .................................................................................................................. 32 i Cultural Resources ...................................................................................................................33 Historical Period ..............................................................................................................34 Socioeconomic Environment ....................................................................................................35 Demographic Data ..........................................................................................................36 Economy, Recreation, and Tourism .........................................................................................39 Refuge Administration and Management ..................................................................................39 Land Protection and Conservation ..................................................................................39 Visitor Services ...............................................................................................................40 Personnel, Operations, and Maintenance .......................................................................41 III. Plan Development.......................................................................................................................43 Public Involvement and the Planning Process ..........................................................................43 Priority Resource Issues ...........................................................................................................43 Fish and Wildlife Population Management ......................................................................43 Habitat Management .......................................................................................................44 Resource Protection ........................................................................................................44 Visitor Services ...............................................................................................................44 Refuge Administration .....................................................................................................45 Wilderness Review ...................................................................................................................45 IV. Management Direction ...............................................................................................................47 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................47 Vision .......................................................................................................................................47 Goals, Objectives, and Strategies ............................................................................................48 Refuge Goals ..................................................................................................................48 Summary ........................................................................................................................48 Fish and Wildlife Population Management ......................................................................49 Habitat Management .......................................................................................................52 Resource Protection ........................................................................................................55 Visitor Services