. ~· I 'r

MANAGEMENT PLAN PARTS I AND II

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge 6975 Mower Road Saginaw,

.Approval: l '

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CONTENTS

Page I. Pa.rt I: Background Informatton...... l

II. Part II: Ob,ject:L ves ;;mel Management Strategy

Ob.j ecti ves...... 5

Table 1. Refuge Ob.jecti ves Swmnary...... 7

Table 2. Five-year Output Production History~ 1979 - l98J...... 8

Table J, Comparison of Average, Objective, and Current (1983) Output Levels ...... 9

Management Strategy ...... 10

Figure l. NWR Location Map

Figure 2. Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Map ', page l

I I

PAHT I - Background Information

l. Location: Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is located in the central port:i.on of M:i.ch:i.ean's lower peninsula, Saginaw County,, near the south end of . The north boundary of the refuge ad,ioins the south botmdary of the City of Saginaw. It is in the tenth U. S. Congressional District of Mi.ch:Lgan. The Mich:Lgan bland:_; NWH and W,yandotte Islandf; NWH are also ad.rnin­ j_stered by Shiawr.1ssee NIVH. I.ocat:i.ons are shown on the map, Figure l.

2. History: From tlle pain L of view of an archaeologist, the Shiawa::;see Flats displayed a great potcnUal for human subsistence frmctions. Not only did the river system radiating from this area present natural avenues for transit and trade but a transition zone between upland and lowland faW1al and floral types existed as well. Thj.s intersection of well-drained up­ lands and the marshes of the Shiawassee Flats must have presented a prolific subsistence resource base for native populations. A number of specific archaeological sites have been excavated in the vicinity of the Flats. Most important of these has been the Schultz site located near Green Point Nature Center at the confluence of the Shiawassee and Tittabawassee Rivers. Others include the Andrews and Stroebel sites on the Tittabawassee River, the Schmidt site on the Cass River, and the Hodges site on the .

During the period between 1870 - 1910 the Saginaw VaJ.ley was the center of timber operations in lower Michigan. The various tributaries in the Sagi­ naw Hiver watershed carried logs to sawmills located throughout the valley. As the mixed stands of deciduous and .coniferous trees were logged from the valley, agricultural development expanded on cleared land. Because o.f the lower levels and wet conditions of the Shiawassee Flats area, little farrmng development occurred until about 1925. It then became apparent that the vast areaG of ma.rsrl grar.~::;e:::, which up i.o tlwt i"J.me hnd provided excel­ lent waterfowl habitat, could be cleared, plowed, and farmed when water levels would permit. In time, farmers in this marginal area began construc­ ting open ditches to improve drainage and by 1940 many protective dikes had been built. Since that time there have been continous improvements to dikes, ditches, drainage tile, and pumping stations to alleviate flood problems and expand cultivation areas.

The Shiawassee NWR was established as part of a dedicated wildlife area in the floodplain area of central Saginaw County. The area consists of two operating units, the Shiawassee NWR administered by the U. S. Fish and Wild­ life Service; and the State Game Area administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. These units consist of approxi­ mately 9,000 acres each and share the primary objective of providing a major resting and feeding area for migratory waterfowl. Establishment of the Shiawassee project was authorized by the N!igratory Bird Conservation Com­ mission and the Michigan Conservation Commission in March 1953. The Shia­ wasf::ee Flats and nearby Saginaw Bay of have been historically important waterfowl concentration points. The substantial decrease in natural marsh habitat due to land use changes (i.e. agricultural, indus­ trial, and residential developments) forced waterfowl into more restricted flight lanes. These factors, together with increasing hrmting pressure, page 2 .. '

have changed the traditional habits of migratory waterfowl and forced many species lnto southern wintering areas too early each fall and caus~d winter food supplies there to be prematurely exhausted. The chief objective of the Sl1iawassee effort was to retard· this early southward migration for sev­ eral weeks each fall. Initial management plans also provlded for food sup­ plies to be left for use during the spring migration to improve the physical c:ond:i:L:i.on of breeding b:i.rd::; Lliat are returning to ne:JL:i.ng ground:::.

Shiawassee NWR was acquired with funds primarily derived from federal duck stamp sales while the StaLe Game Area lands were acquired with ftmds avail­ able from the Pittman-Robertson Act supplemented by State hunting license receipts.

Wyandotte NWR was established by an act of Congress, Aueust 3, 1961, to "be maintained as a refuge and breeding place for migratory birds and other wildlife". It consists of two islands, Grassy and Mammy Juda or Marrunajuda, and adJacent shallow water areas approximately to the six-foot contour denth in the Ietroi t River just offshore from the cities of Wyandotte and Ecorse. Total acreage is approximately 304 acres. From 1948 to 1961 the islands were utilized by the U. S. Coast Guard.

The Mlchigan Islands NWE was established by Executive Order 93.34 on April 21,, 191,3 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wUclli.fe. The~;e three :i:::land;;:: Shoe and Pismire in Lake Michigan and Scare­ crow in Lake Huron are 2, J, ::md 7 acres in size and are similar in charac­ ter. In 1965 a fourth island, Thunder Bay, was added to the refuge by the U. S. Coast Guard tmder a revocable permit (five-year renewal periods). The Service has secondary jurisd:i.ction on 121 acres of the total 168 acres at Thunder Bay Island. Gull Ir.~land ( 230 acres) became the fifth island in the syr.;tem in 1969 when it w::_1;3 ceded to the Service by the U. S. Coast Guard. The three or:i.ginal "i.:=;lnncls j n the MiehJgan Islands NWR. were desienated as Wilderness Areas in 1970 under Public Law 91-504, Stat. 1104.

3. Environment: Shiawassee NWR, a portion of an area known locally as the Shiawassee Flats, has a contributing drainage area of approximately 6,060 square miles (10.6 percent of the State of Michigan). Four rivers converge in the Shiawassee NWR accounting for the majority of the contributing drain­ age a.rea. These rivers, along with their drainage area at the nearest USGS gage, are as follows: the Tit tabawassee with a 2, L,OO square mile drainage at gage on river mile 23; the Flint with a 1,200 square nule drainage at gage on river mile 12; the Cass with an 850 square mile drainage at gage on river mile 17, and the Shiawassee with a 640 square mile drainage at' gage on river mile 14. In addition to the four main tributaries there are sever~ al smaller streams which enter the Shiawassee River within or just upstream of the refuge. The larger of these are the Bad River draining 248 square miles, Misteguay Creek draining 137 square miles, and Swan Creek draining 127 square miles. At the northeastern edge of the Shiawassee NWR, at the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Shiawassee Rivers, the proper begins. The Saginaw H~.ver, 22 miles long, flows northerly from this point tl1rough the dties of Saginaw and Bay City to discharge into Saginaw Day, an arm of Lake Huron.

Topography on the Slliawar:>see NWH is flat and generally ranges from 580 to 590 feet m.s.l. Flooding of the refuge area occurs often due to the in­ ability of the Saginaw Ri.ver to carry the full load of runoff from the page J

various tributary rivers. Flooding may be compounded by ice blockage of the various river channels during late winter breakup. Water level elevations in the Saginaw Bay also have a heavy :influence on flooding events in the refuge area. Bay water levels are influenced by winds which may change water level elevations by four feet or more. The average water level in Saginaw Bay :is 579.5 feet m.s.l.; however, deviations above and below that level are the rule rather tl1a.n the exception. Although water level fluctua­ tions from these "wind tides" are not of as high a magnitude on the refuge as on the Bay, day to day changes of one or two feet are quite common. The combination of high Bay water levels and high river discharges occurring concurrently poses the greatest threat of flooding.

Precipitation in the Shiawassee NWR area is relatively well distributed an­ nually with the maximum ammmts occurring in summer ( JO. 39" average annual precipitation). July temperatures average in the low seventies while Janu­ ary temperatures are in the low twenties. Snowfall averages about 46 in­ che~~ annually. Weather conditions at Wyandotte NWR are similar to Shiawas­ see while the Michigan Islands NWR experiences cooler temperatures and more severe winters.

L.. Resources: Habitat types and acreages are roughly as follows:

National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Type Shiawassee Michigan Islands Wyandotte

Seasonally flooded basins or flats 10 50 Shallow fresh marshes 100 40 20 Deep fresh marshes 1,200 20 Open fresh water 184 Rivers and streams 400 Other - moist soil 1.mits 600 Croplands 1,700 Grasslands 500 Non-commercial forests 4,100 250 Brush 150 20 Rocks 10 Sands 53 10 Aclministrat:i. ve lands 234 TOTAL ...... 8,984 J6J 304

-)(·Figure 2 gives a map showing prevalent habitat types on Shiawassee NWR.

Shiawassee NWR is a significant concentration area for waterfowl during spring and fall migrations. Tennessee Valley Population Canada geese and mallards are by far the most abl.IDdant species. In addition to Canada geese, blue and snow geese are occasional migrants, particularly during the fall. Tundra swans are common in early spring (up to 5,000 peak population) but rarely seen in large numbers during the fall months. In addition to the mallard, other dabbling duck species include-the black duck, blue-winged teal, wood duck, pintail, green-winged teal, wigeon, shoveler, and gadwall in descending order of occurrence. Common mergansers log the highest number of use days by divers on the refuge. Other divers include reri-breasted mergansers, hooded mergan­ sers, redheads, canvasbacks, lesser scaup, ring-necked ducks, common goldeneye, page 4 ..

bufflelleads, and rudd,y duc.k:~. 11 moderate amount of waterfowl production occur::: on the refuge; primarily Cannda geese~ mallards, and wood dus:ks. While a bald eagle may he seen at any ·time on the refuge, most sightings are made during the spring and fall migration seasons. Bald eagles are not presently nesting here.

Wyandotte NWR historically was a major waterfowl concentration area particu­ larly for redheads and canvasbacks; however, urbanization, industrialization, and associated pollutants have destroyed much of the value of the area.

Michigan Islands 1\lWR is used heavily by migrating and nesting birds. Most notable wildlife usage is as nesting areas for species such as gulls and terns, herons and cormorants, and some waterfowl.

5. 1\dm.i.n:lstraUon: Sh:i.awu:j:.;ee NWH headquarters is located six m:i.les :oouth of Saginaw, one-half mile west of Michigan Highway M-13 on Curtis Road. This site is several m..i.les southeast of the refuge proper. The secondary headquarters includes a rnDintenance building, a building constructed for the YACC, and a cold storage lllli J.d:ing. This area :is located within the refuge on Bartel Road. The current staff consists of a IV!aintenance Worker, Tractor Operator, Administrative Technician, Refuge Manager, Primary Assistant, Secondary /\s::;:i.stant, and Refuge Manager TraJnee.

Hecent funding history i~:; as follows:

Fiscal Year Funded 1979 ...... $ 235,000 1980 ...... 243,000 1981 ...... 272,000 1982...... 231' 700 1983 ...... 275,600

6. Land Status: All refuge land at Shiawassee NWR is held in fee title. Consumers Power Co. has been granted various right-of-way permits for wooden pole overhead service lines (4800V) to the secondary headquarters and pumps located at Farm Unit l, Mo:i.st Soil Un:i.ts 1 and 2, Farm Unit 5, and Farm Unit 9E on Houlihan Road. Consumers Power Co. also holds fee title to a right­ of-way for high power transmission lines (on steel towers) across approxi­ mately one and one-half miles of the Jol1nson Tract on the north side of the refuge. Eastern Panhandle Gas Co. has an easement for a gas pipeline run­ ning from the Evon Road area 1mder the Sh:iawassee River and through the Johnson Tract on the north side of the refuge. Various local drainage ditches have rights-of-way through refuge lands to the Saginaw River tributaries lo­ cated within refuge boundaries. There are no private inholdings located in the project. No additional land acquisition is currently being considered for inclus:i.on :in the refuge. Depending on the outcome of a pending Corps of Engineers' Flood Control Pro,ject, river channel right-of-way through the refuge may be changed to accommodate offset levees built for the project. With the exception of Thunder-Island, all other lands in the Michigan Islands and W,yandotte NWR' s are tmder full control of the Service.

7. Current Jv!.anagernent Direction: Shiawassee NWR has supported a relatively stable local use pattern for migrating waterfowl during the past ten years. During this period, peak bird numbers have not increased to the extent that page 5 ..,

bird use days have risen. This pattern may be attributed to the refuge de­ velop:i.nG ar; a trad:i.U.onal wnterfowl stae;ing area over the years. 1;\nother reason may be that the relatively mild winters of the recent past have re­ sulted in birds delaying their migration until later in the season. Mru1age­ me11t concern::: for Sh:i.awa:3:_:ee :i.n the immediate future center arou.ncl l1ab:i.tnt maintenance and rehab:i.Utatlon as' opposed to new project development. The re­ pair or improvement of various dikes and water control structures must be made to protect the present bird u:3e patterns and maintain the1t mariJ:i.n of hnb:i.tat which will permit increases :i.n bird populations and subsequent use days. Man­ agement efforts to increase waterfowl numbers will stress increases in duck production. This will require increases in grassland nesting habitat on the refuge.

Public use visitatlon has increased dramatically during the late '70's and early 80's. The bulk of the increase has been for non-consumptive uses, pri­ marily hiking trails. A new trail on the north side of the refuge (one­ quarter mile from the Saginaw City limits) opened in 1981, coupled with the older Waterfowl Trail are the only public use facilities located on the refuge at this time. A fishing trail along the Cass River will be built to complement a Mtchigan Department of Natural Resources' public access site being constructed ad.jacent to the refuge on Highway M-13. There is currently no active managment occurring on any of the five islands presently comprising the Michigan Islands NWR. Protection of the area from forces other than natural lake occurrences is the primary management objec­ tive. Islands of the Michigan Islands Refuge are posted and available for use on a permit basis for scientific and educational purposes only. Permi.ts will be issued only during those Umes of the year when disturbance to nest­ ing and brood-rearing activities will be minimized. Visual inspection of islands is conducted yearly via aircraft to determine condition of habitat and refuge signage. Administration of Wyandotte NWR has been conducted similarly to Mi.chigan Islands NWR.

8. Agreements 311d Permits: At Shiawassee NWR, annually issued cooperative farming agreements are utilized with eight or nine farmers on approximately 1,'700 acres of cropland now in production. One Special Use Permit is cur­ rently in effect for approximately fifteen beehives located adjacent to the JOO-acre Moist Soil Units 1 and 2. Thunder Island, a part of the Mtchigan Islands NWR, is administered under a revocable permit from the U. S. Coast Guard which is renewed every five years.

PART II: Ob.jecti ves and Management Strategy

OBJECTIVES Since active management programs are predominately restricted to Shiawassee NWR, the following ob.jectives and management strategies sre restricted to Std. awns see NWfl. alone (wilderness area pre:servation being an exception). The ob,jecti ves are described in the three following tables: Table 1 gives an ob­ jectives swnmary; Table 2 shows the outputs for the calendar years 19'79-83; and Table 3 makes a comparison between ob,iective levels and the current (1983) outputs and the five-year average levels for 19'79-83. A11 levels or outputs are listed by calendar year. page 6 .·,

Several factors should be kept in mind when these objective levels are ex­ amined. One factor is the accuracy of censusing. With the more visible species, such as bald eagles 1md migrating waterfowl, the goal is to obtain population estimates within plus or minus twenty percent of actual. The census:i.ng of waterfowl production and the special recognition groups is ham­ pered by dense vegetation, sec:ret:i.ve nature of some species, nocturnal ac­ ·U v:i.ty patterns, erratic rn:i graL:i.on:3, etc. Therefore, it is estimated that counts for those groups are within plus or minus f:i.fty percent of actual.

A :_;ceond factor to be kept :in rn:i.nd :i.s the effect of out:d de influencec' on m:i.grat:i.on act:i.v:i.ty. factors such as temperature, precipitation, nesting success, and the amount of off-refuge food supplies can have a great deal of influence on both the numbers or birds occurring on the refuge and the length of time they stay. In view of these factors the ob.iective levels should be used as long-term and not short-term goals. Short-term (1-3 years) deviations from the objectives should not be cause for alarm but can most of­ ten be explained as .outside :influences affecting the local migration. Long­ term (3-5 years) deviations are cause for greater concern and should be exam­ ined with much greater scrutiny.

A third factor to be kept in mind in establishing objectives is the habitat requirements of the wildlife supported here and the fact that management for one species may positively or negatively affect a second species. There­ fore, each management decision must take into account the whole range of wildlife present and not just consider the welfare of a single species. Ef­ forts are made to conduct management in a balanced approach that benefits as broad an array of species as possible. page 7

Table 1. Refuge Objectives Summary

Objective Coal Statement Output Level

Hir;;her.;t Priority

Prov:Lde habitat and pro­ Dald eagle ur.-:e days 1,000 tection for threatened species.

Provide habitat and maJn­ TVP Canada goose maintenance (UD) 2,100,000 tenance requirements for Dabbler duck maintenance (UD) 2,900,000 migrating waterfowl con­ Diver duck maintenance (UD) llO,OOO sistent with nationwide Tundra swan maintenance (UD) 25,000 distribution objectives. TOTAL WATERFOWL ...... 5,135,000

High Priority

PreE:erve Michigan Islands Number islands preserved 3 Wilderness Areas

Provide ne:·:t:i.ng and brood Duel< 11:roduction (ea. ) 750 habitat for the produc­ Canada goose production (ea.) 150 tion of wa~erfowl.

Provide habitat and main­ Great blue heron ( UD) 72,000 tenance requirements for Other specially recognized species 800,000 specially recognized mi­ marsh and waterbirds.· gulls and gratory birds. terns, shorebirds, raptors.

Manage habitat Lo main­ Nun1ber species recorded: tain high wildlife diver­ 13:i. rcls 206 sity. Mammals 37 Reptiles and amphibians 21 Moderate Priority

Provide visitors with a Wildlife observation (AH) 80,000 higb quality, safe and enjoyable recreational ex­ perience oriented toward wLLdl:i.fe and hab:i.tat.

Provide high quality, Goose hunting (AH) 7,400 safe and enjoyable Deer hunting ( AH) 33,000 hunting and fishing Fishing ( AH) 29,000 opportunities. ·~

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Table 2. Five-year Output Production History, 1979 - 1983

Current Output 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983

Bald eagle UD 1,100 1,060 590 760 1,100 Canada goose maintenance UD 2,270,000 3,100,000 1,510,000 1,900,000 1,890,000 Dabbler duck maintenance UD 2,950,000 4,600,000 1,900,000 2,590,000 2,700,000 Diver duck maintenance UD 99,000 156,000 95,000 93,000 100,000 Tundra swan maintenance UD 27,000 34,000 13,000 31,000 18,000 Wilderness area NO 3 3 3 3 3 Duck production NO 905 615 458 500 550 Goose production NO 250 350 200 200 150 Special recognition species UD 675,000 1,250,000 644,000 677,000 804,000 Great blue heron UD 64,000 80,000 79,000 68,750 70,000 Wildlife-related recreation AH 40,000 63,600 79,000 91,000 78,000 Waterfowl hunting AH 7,400 6,000 6,400 9,840 7,400 Deer hunting AH 63,000 77,000 79,000 33,200 33,200 Fishing AH 3,100 5,100 24,000 23,000 29,000

'0 P' IJQ ro 00 ._ ...

Table 3. Comparison of Average, Objective, and Current (1983) Output Levels

Current Level 5-year (79-83) Gojecti ve Deficit/excess Deficit/excess ( CY 1983) Average Level Level 5-year Average Current Year Level

Bald eagle UD 1,100 920 1,000 -80(8%) +100(10%) Canada goose maintenance UD 1,890,000 2,100,000 2,100,000 0 -210,000(10%) Dabbler duck maintenance UD 2,700,000 2,900,000 2,900,000 0 -200,000 (7%) Diver duck maintenance UD 100,000 109,000 110,000 -1,000(1%) -10,000 ( 9%) Tundra swan maintenance UD 18,000 25,000 25,000 0 -7,000(28%) Wilderness areas NO. 3 3 3 0 0 Duck production NO. 550 605 750 -145(19%) -200(27%) Goose production NO. 150 230 150 +80( 47%) 0 Special recognition species UD 804,000 818,000 800,000 +18,000(2%) +4,000 (l%) Great blue heron UD 70,000 72,000 72,000 0 -2,000 (3%) Wildlife-related recreation AH 78,000 70,000 80,000 -:-·10 ,000( 13%) -2,000 ( 3%) Waterfowl hunting AH 7,400 7,400 7,400 0 0 Deer hunting AH 33,000 57,000 33,000 +22 ,000( 33%) 0 Fishing AH 29,000 16,840 29,000 -12 ,000( 42%) 0

'0 c;, ()"q (l) -.0 page 10

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Threatened Species Ma:Lntemmce involves protection and monitoring of resident and migrant bald eagles. Increased refuge use may be connected to continuing water quality improvement::; in and around the refuge. i\lthough no nesting presently occurs on the refuge, there have been nest building activities at one site :i.n the ad.jacent Sh:i.awassee River State Game Area and eagles poten­ tially will reestablish nesting (and successful reproduction) in or near the refuge in the future.

Canada Goose Maintenance involves providing food and sanctuary for a segment of the Tennessee Valley Population of Canada geese. In recent years, about 2,000,000 use days have occurred here annually with use divided almost equal­ ly between spring and fall migrations. Management will be conducted in ac­ cordance with Regional Resource Plans and the TVP Management Plan upon its completion.

Dabbler Duck· Maintenance is dominated by mallards with lesser numbers of black ducks, wood ducks, green-winged <:md blue-winged teal, and pin tails. Use varies considerably from year to year and is heavily influenced by weather conditions. Dabbler duck maintenance is an important factor in determining water management practices on the refuge.

Diver Duck Use averages only about four percent of dabbler duck usage. Domi­ nant species include common mergansers, common goldeneye, redhead, ruddy duck, and rJcaup. Generally, trw r.:pr:i.ng migration has higher numbers and greater diversity of diving ducks than does the fall migration. Sufficient open water areas such as river channels, backwater areas, and deeper areas of managed marr:;hes presently accormnodate eli ving ducks on the refuge. Therefore, d:i. ving duck u::;e does not heavily influence water management practices.

Tundra Swan usage of the refuge varies considerably from year to year with the b1.1.lk of the use occurring during the spring m.i.gration. This species along with Canada geese and white-tailed deer are high-visibility species that at­ tract many visitors to the refuge wildlife trail. Water management practices conducted here for Canada geese and ducks also meet the needs of migrating tundra swans.

Michigan Islands Wilderness Area Preservation primarily involves protection of the three wilderness islands from human disturbances. All islands in the Mich­ igan Islands NWR are posted and available for use on a permit basis for scien­ tific and educational purposes only. Permits are issued in such a manner as to minimize disturbance to bird nesting and brood rearing. Visual inspection of the islands is conducted annually by aircraft to determine the condition of habitat and of refuge signs.

Duck Production over the last five years has been dominated by mallards (37%), wood ducks (26%), blue-winged teal (14%), and redheads (11%). Black ducks, green-winged teal, ruddy ducks, and hooded mergansers each contributed J% to refuge duck production totals. Our objective is to substantially increase duck production. This will necessitate efforts such as increasing grassland acreage and decreasing encroachment of woody vegetation into the relatively few existing grassland areas. Conversion of existing farmland into grassland areas is also a factor to be considered in this regard. page ll ·• .. .., '

Canada Goose Production is planned to stay at or near 198J levels. This re­ presents a decline from the previous five year's average production: 198J levels are used as ob,j ecti ves primarily for two reasons: ( 1) Canada geese compete with ducks for nesting and brood-rearing habitat and duck production h; at pre~;ent, a h:i.gh priority; and ( 2) maintainj.nr_; the resident giant Canada goose flock at present levels will keep proble.Pls and/or complaints involving depredations on agricultural crops, urban golf courses, etc. at an acceptable level.

Specially Recogni7.ed Migratory Birds include a wide variety of birds broadly grouped as rnar:;;h and water bird::;; shorebirds, gull:->, and terns, and raptors. Trler-;e birds are an important consideration in water management. Several species in this category are National Snecies of Special Emphasis and should be mentioned here. One is the ilmerican woodcock ( locall,y a common migrant and occasional breeder) which warrants special consideration in timber manage­ ment activities. A second species is the osprey which is an occasional mi­ grant here. Shiawassee NWR and the nearby Shiawassee· River State Game Area provide suitable habitat and would provide a good location for an osprey re­ introduction effort.

Great Blue Herons were separated from the general category of specially re­ cognized m1gratory birds because of their status as a regional resource priority species and their relatively high usage of the refuge. A rookery, which is located in Pool 5, will be preserved and water management decisions at Pool 5 in particular and on the entire refuge will take into acco\.Ult the specific habitat requirement of great blue herons.

W:i.ldlife Diversity i;~ a factor which is considered :i:n all management deci­ sions, parU.cuj_arly in those j nvolving habitat manipulation. Efforts are made to maintain diverse habitats which, in turn, support a diversity of wildlife species. Emphasis :i.s placed primarily on migratory birds, species considered rare or endangered by the State of Michigan. and resident wildlife such as deer and pheasant whid1 are favorites among our human visitors.

WildJ.ife-related, Non--con::;wnrU.ve Uses is a collecHve term which includes all visitor use other than llUJlt:i.ng or fishing activities. The dominant use in this area is wildlife observation on our two hiking trails; Waterfowl Trail'( 5 miles) on the south side of the refuge and Vloodland Trail ( 4 miles) north of the Sh:i.awassee Ri. ver. Cross-country skiing is a popular activity on these two trails during the winter. Environmental education and other on-refuge interpretive programs will be conducted on an "as available" basis. Off-refuge programs will remain a minor activity.

Waterfowl H\.Ultlng for Canada geese is conducted by the refuge \.Ulder a con­ trolled permit system. Emphasis j_s placed on providing a high quality, safe, and enjoyable hunting opportunity. Elements such as special youth hunts are also incorporated to serve as both recreational and educational events. Pool 4 which is an area somewhat isolated from the rest of the refuge is open to both goose and duck hunting under a cooperative agreement with, and adminis­ trated by, the :rv!ichigan D:!partment of Natural Resources.

Deer 1-iunting is permitted as a means of controlling the deer herrl. (which tends to grow to large unless harvested) and providing recreational h\.Ulting oppor­ tunities. Archery and muzzle loader hur1ts are the preferred methods of ht.mting. Srw Lgun hunting wj.ll he a.llowcd .only when deer numbers are rising too rapidly. page 12 ~· '. ~ ..

Fishing is an activity that has gradually increased on refuge rivers as water quality has improved. A cooperative project is presently in .the plan­ ning stages at a Michigan DNR public access site on the Cass River at High­ way M-13 in which the refuge would construct a trail to increase access for fishing. Water quality in refuge rivers is still not good; however, especi­ ally in the Tittabawassee lli.ver which still carries the Michigan DNR warning "don't eat the fish". Therefore, a cautious approach is being taken in the use of the station's fishery resource. ,,· It_. • •

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1' N

/)JJt!HIGIIN

SC:AL[ 0 t~ 110 100 IUI.ES

FIGURE l : NWR LOCATION MAP ,! , ,.. ~,

-·-·-·-·-·- ...... ·, I

N I

~s

SCALE IN MILES 0

0 1.6 SCALE IN KILOMETERS

LEGEND

•••••••••••••••• REFUGE BOUNDARY ::~\~;M@~I~~}\li~W MOIST SOIL ••••••··•·••••••••••••· DIKE WITH ROAD SHIAWASSEE ...... DIKE AGRICULTURE LANDS ----- PATROLROAD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BRIDGES SAGINAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN ------TRAILS •

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PARKING '-~-----''--] RIVER & POOLS • DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SERVICE AREA .._[ _.._:;____,] TREES & WOODS 0 (NO HUNTING) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

\ DATE: VeoembVL 14, 1984 me.~orandum REPLY TO ~/~··r--·r,-,,~ OF: J,f,-- · --•·-~ Re.6u.ge. Ma.nagVL, SIUawM.6e.e. NWR, Saginaw, MI 71 I((. . ., -~ r~): 1 Su.bm-i.Mion Manage.me.n;t Plan Pcvz;t I and II JU U./ DEc /gn!i ' // 2 4

TO: Re.gionaf Re.6u.ge. Su.pVLvi-6oJz., FWS, Twin CJ.;Ue..6, MN (RF-1? -~~... ,. 1' · /,J ~....__:/.1 A:ttac..he.d i-6 a 11.e.vi-6ion o6 the. Ma.nage.me.n;t Plan Pevtt6 I and II inc..fu. --Y!~~J.r.e.- / vi-6e.d obje.c..tive.-6. Ke.n GJz.anne.mann hM fuc..u.Me.d the. 6oJz.mat, Jz.e.c..omme.nde.~-1 c..hange..6 in the. o!z.iginaf dJz.ant, e;t c.. at fe.ngth. wdh Vic..k. Stunbac..h, Ste.ve. Wild.6, e.t.af. p!z.ioJz. to Jz.e.dJz.a6ting ou.Jz. o!z.iginaf .6u.bmi-6.6ion.

I be.Ue.ve. d ptie.tty well inc..fu.de..6 the. va!z.iou..6 poin:to you. c..ovVLe.d at ou.Jz. June OpVf..i.OI'lh. ~ -;t~ ~~t~?/ti

JOE W. HARVY

Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 (REV. 7-76) GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.11 501 D-112 (

R gion l R fuge Supervisor, FWS, Twin Cities, Minn ota (RFl)

Man go ent Pl n Parts I and II

R fug Man g ~. Shiawasso NtiR, S ginaw, Mighigan

Attach d i the ap rov d original of Shi wasse NtiR's Managem nt Plan

Parts I and II. The copy has been kept for the Regional Offic files.

Richard E. Toltzmann

RBl:SWilds:cjw:9/l8/85:x4145