Mark Twain National Wildlife

Annada District

Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge Anna.da., Missouri

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1991

U.s. Department of the Interior and Wildife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Mark Twain Hational Wildlife Refuge Annada District Annada, Missouri

AHHUAL HARRATIUE REPORT Calendar Year 1991

Refuge Manager

Project Leader Date

Refuge Supervisor Review Date

Regional Office Approval Date INTRODUCTION

Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, located in Pike County, Missouri, one mile east of Annada, is situated within the Mississippi River floodplain adjacent to Pool No. 25. The refuge has 12 manageable moist units totaling 1,362 surface acres, 237 acres of green tree reservoirs, 4 semi-permanent bodies totaling 72 acres, 750 acres of recently tilled cropland and 1,330 acres of other lands including forests, brush, grass and water. Total acreage is 3,751. A levee around the perimeter of the refuge provides protection from the Mississippi River floodwaters in most years.

The refuge was purchased fee title in 1964 with funds from the sale of migratory waterfowl stamps. The refuge, named after Congressman Clarence Cannon, was established with the primary objective of providing a feeding and resting area for waterfowl during migration. Recent emphasis has elevated the importance of management of moist to provide for the needs of waterfowl and other wildlife while de-emphasizing the cropland management program thus vastly improving biological diversity on the refuge. 4 2 3 1

Personnel

1 . H. Ross Ada ms . Refuge Mana ger. GS- ll. PFT . EOD 1/23/84

2. Diane M. ~itchen , Refuge Operat i o ns Specialist. GS-9 . PF T. EOD 3/25/ 99

3. Carolyn A. Watts . Adm inistratiue Technician, GS- 6, PPT. EOD 4/19/81

4 . John D. Al lan . Maintenance Mechanic. WG-9. PFT, EOD 2/20/67 INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS...... 1

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ...... 1-3

C. LAND ACQUISITION ...... 4

1. Fee Title...... 4 2. Easements ...... Nothing To Report 3 . Other ...... Nothing To Report 4. Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements ...... 4

D. PLANNING...... 5

1. Master Plan ...... Nothing To Report 2. Management Plan ...... Nothing To Report 3. Public Participation ...... Nothing To Report 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Mandates ...... 5 5. Research and Investigations ...... Nothing To Report 6. Other ...... Nothing To Report

E. ADMINISTRATION...... 5-11

1. Personnel...... 5-6 2. Youth Programs...... 6-S 3. Other Manpower Programs (Job Corps) ...... Nothing To Report 4. Volunteer Program...... 8 5. Funding...... 8-10 6. Safety...... 10 7. Technical Assistance ...... Nothing To Report S. Other ...... 11

F. MANAGEMENT ...... 11-14

1. General ...... Nothing To Report 2. ...... 11-12 3. Forests ...... Nothing To Report 4. Croplands...... 12 5. Grasslands ...... Nothing To Report 6. Other ...... Nothing To Report 7. Grazing ...... Nothing To Report 8. Haying ...... Nothing To Report 9. Fire Management...... 12 10. Pest Control...... 12-13 F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT (continued)

11 . Water Rights ...... Nothing To Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas •...... Nothing To Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring ...... Nothing To Report 14. Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements ...... 13 15. Private Lands ...... 13-14 16. other Easements ...... Nothing To Report

G. WILDLIFE ...... 14-18

1. Wildlife Diversity ...... Nothing To Report 2. Endangered and/or Threatened ...... 14-15 3. Waterfowl...... 15 4. and Water Birds...... 15-17 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species ...... 17 6. Raptors ...... 17 7. Other Migratory Birds ...... Nothing To Report 8. Game Mammals...... 17 9. Marine Mammals ...... Nothing To Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife ...... 17 11 . Fisheries ...... 17 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking ...... Nothing To Report 13. Surplus Disposal ...... Nothing To Report 14. Scientific Collections ...... Nothing To Report 15. Animal Control...... 17 -18 16. Marking and Banding.~ ...... Nothing To Report 17. Disease Prevention and Control ...... Nothing To Report

H. PUBLIC USE...... 18-21

1 . General...... 18 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students...... 18 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers ...... 18 4. Interpretive Foot Trails ...... Nothing To Report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes ...... 18 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations ...... 18-19 7. Other Interpretive Programs...... 19 8. Hunting ...... Nothing To Report 9. Fishing ...... Nothing To Report 10. Trapping ...... Nothing To Report 11. Wildlife Observation...... 19 12. other Wildlife oriented Recreation ...... Nothing To Report 13. Camping ...... Nothing To Report 14. Picnicking ...... Nothing To Report 15. Off-Road Vehicling ...... Nothing To Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation ...... Nothing To Report 17. Law Enforcement...... 19-21 18. Cooperating Associations ...... Nothing To Report 19. Concessions ...... Nothing To Report I. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES ...... •...... 21-24

1. New Construction .....•...... •...... •... Nothing To Report 2. Rehabilitation ...... •...•... 21-22 3. Major Maintenance...... 23 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement ...•...... ••...... • 23 5. Communications Systems...... 24 6. Computer Systems ....•...... •...... •.....•...... Nothing To Report 7. Energy Conservation...... 24 8. Other ...... •...... •...... ••...•.... Nothing To Report

J. OTHER ITEMS ...... •...•...... •....• 24-25

1. Cooperative Programs ...... •...... Nothing To Report 2. Other Economic Uses ...... •...•..•.. Nothing To Report 3. Items of Interest...... 24 4. Credits...... • ...... • ...... • ...... • ...... 25

K. FEEDBACK...... • • . . . • ...... • 26-28

L. INFORMATION PACKET ...... Inside Back Cover 1

A. HIGHLIGHTS

Administrative Technician Watts received a $400 special achievement award for assisting the Brussels District in the absence of their office assistant. Watts also celebrated 10 years of Federal service this year (Section E.1.).

The refuge staff received a Special Act Service Award for completing the year without an accident (Section E. 6.).

Three wetlands on private lands were restored through refuge efforts (Section E. 8.).

Maintenance action team efforts neared completion on moist soil unit 8 ( Sect ion r. 2 . ) .

Refuge Operation Specialist Kitchen prepared a Preliminary Project Proposal for the Mark Twain Complex which could add 30,000 acres of valuable wetlands to the Refuge (Section C. 1.).

Manager Adams participated in a study of goose nesting at Winisk, Ontario (Section K.).

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The year began with ice and snow cover, making for hazardous driving conditions. All water was frozen until about mid-February. By the end of March, soils were dry enough that farmers were starting to work some fields. Then the rains fell. For the second year in a row, spring was a very wet , preventing construction and farming activities. The Mississippi River remained at stage for months. In June, the rains stopped and the weather pattern shifted from flooding to with only .77 inches of rain falling for the month (3.24 inches below normal). By July, the river finally receded and the last of the draining was accomplished via gravity flow. By late August pumping-in was required to bring water to optimum levels for foraging waterfowl during fall migration. November brought an early winter with 3 inches of snow and temperatures dropping to -6°F. However, by the end of the month and into December, the temperatures were above normal and the weather was extremely mild (another white Christmas was too much to hope for). The year ended with near normal .

The year's total rainfall was 32.97 inches, actually 3.02 inches below the average. The low temperature for the year was November's -6°F; a low of -3°F was recorded in January as well. A high temperature of 98°F was recorded for both July and August, which is relatively mild.

Climatic conditions are summarized in Figures 1 and 2, pages 2 and 3. FIGURE 1 2

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C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title

Several tracts of land are available for sale near the refuge, as well as adjacent to the Delair, Gardner, and Gregory Landing Divisions. However, no lands were purchased this year, and according to the Realty Division, no lands will be purchased until a decision document is compiled for these areas. Therefore, refuge staff started on this lengthy and cumbersome process by completing and submitting a preliminary project proposal for additions to the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge, which included the Wapello and Brussels Districts as well. The proposal was approved by the Regional Land Protection Review Committee. By year's end, the proposal is in the hands of Realty and has yet to be submitted for the Director's approval. Upon approval of the proposal, work will begin on a decision document.

The proposal calls for acquisition of available wetlands and other valuable wildlife habitat within the Mississippi River corridor stretching for 300 miles from Rock Island, Illinois, to Valmeyer, Illinois. The proposal includes habitat from bluff top to bluff top and includes lands in Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa.

4. Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements

Refuge staff inspected nine properties in 1991 and recommended three easements, which were on pre-inventory properties in Clark county (Perry and Tripp) and Lewis County (Boudreau). The total number of easements currently managed by the refuge is 18, along with 3 properties requested as fee title. In addition, refuge staff have requested easements on 5 pre-inventory lands.

One of the easements (Whitaker) was re-evaluated based on the 1990 Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act which placed limitations on conservation. This re-evaluation replaced an earlier easement proposal conducted when the property was still pre-inventory.

All of the easements were visited in 1991. Boundary posting was completed on the Durk easement in Marion County and the Maune easement in Franklin County. Magnetic markers were placed on the surveyed corners of each of the 13 posted easements.

Contaminant surveys and Certificate of Inspection and Possession surveys were completed on five easements.

Letters were sent out to each landowner of the easements, thanking them for their cooperation during the past year. 5

D. PLANNING

4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Mandates

Several applications for Corps 404 permits were submitted in 1991 for wetland restorations on the Boling easement and Gregory Landing Division. To date, the permit for the Boling easement has been approved and received.

Refuge staff catalogued the botanical and archaeological "museum" items in the refuge collection as per a request from the Regional Office.

A cultural survey was conducted on the proposed wetland restoration on the Boling easement in Marion County. The survey and report were conducted by Joseph L. Harl, Timothy E. Baumann, and Joseph M. Nixon of the Archaeological Survey, University of Missouri at st. Louis, Division of Continuing Education - Extension. Their findings indicated no problems with constructing the wetland, because no significant cultural resources were located within the proposed wetland construction area.

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel

Administrative Technician Watts received a $400 Special Achievement Award for assisting the Brussels District with clerical and administrative duties in the absence of their Office Assistant during 1990. She also assisted them on several occasions in the beginning of 1991 until their new Office Assistant came on board.

Maintenance Mechanic Helper McSpadden resigned effective December 13, 1991.

Refuge Operations Specialist Kania became Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen when she married Art Kitchen, Franklin County District Conservationist for the Soil Conservation Service, on October 12, 1991.

Administrative Technician Watts received a length of service certificate and a pin in recognition of 10 years of dedicated and proficient Federal service.

Administrative Technician Watts was promoted to a well-deserved GS-6 in December.

Administrative Technician Watts increased her work schedule from three days a week to four days a week in August. 6

Administrative Technician Watts with her pin and award for completing ten years of Federal service. NRA ( 4 /91)

2. Youth Progr ams

The Youth Conservation Corps program began June 3, 1991, and ran through August 8, 1991. The two enrollees, Kris Turner and Heather Schieffer, worked 4 days a week, 8 hours a day, for 10 weeks. This schedule worked out well since it allowed Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen, who supervised the enrollees, one day each week without them. 7

YCC enrollees Kris Turner and Heather Schieffer hard at work clearing a beaver dam. DMK (07/91)

The major activity of the summer was posting and placing magnetic markers on 13 Farmers Home Administration conservation easements. other projects included monitoring wood duck boxes, painting, washing vehicles, general cleaning, landscaping, mB .::.ntenance of water control structures, entering waterfowl data, filing, monitoring purple loosestrife, a nd mo nitoring acorn plantings. The enrollees were also certified in CPR and first aid; and tested for Lyme disease. A well-de served field trip to the Lock and Dam and Ted Shanks Wildlife Area was also included as part of the program.

The two enrollees were excellent workers with an ambitious and enthusiastic attitude. They were punctual and dependable and worked in a mature, professional manner. In addition, they were both interested in wildlife.

The 17-year-old male enrollee, Kris Turner, was presented with the Missouri Conservationist award from the Missouri Department of Conservation for his work in their "Frontiers" program. He was only the fifth person to receive this award since the "Frontiers" program began in 1984. 8

YCC enrollee Kris Turner with Missouri Conservationist award, received from Missouri Department of Conservation for his work in their "Frontiers" program. NRA (07/91)

4. Volunteer Program

Volunteers contributed 318 hours of their , assisting with various District projects. Refer to the Delair and Gregory Landing sections of t he narrative for details.

Letters of appreciation were sent to all of the refuge volunteers during National Volunteer Recognition Week April 21 through 27.

5. Funding

Refuge funding for fiscal year 1991 is shown in Figure 3, page 9. FIGURE 3 9

~ 0 .-+.10 W I,· ... "

cU' oCO ~ Z ;,...; .C

~~ ..-I L.L...... ~ 0") CI') ~ ....- O""l ::~ u... 10

A summary of refuge funding over the past five years follows:

FY o & M Special Maintenance Funds 1120 8260 YCC 9120

1991 $204,777 $45,700 Maintenance $35,900 $1737 $4200 $1100 Management Funds

1990 $133,774 $55,024 (1262) $4000 $2036 $7200 $ 6,000 MAT $16,000 Flex Funds

1989 $185,300 $4,994 Quincy LE and $1000 $1898 computer

1988 $139,500 $1,100,000 Flood Damage $178 $3400 $ 200 Supplemental $ 37,500 ARMMS $ 14,285 Contaminants

1987 $138,000 $ 37,000 Small ARMMS $2500 $ 250,000 Large ARMMS

6. Safety

Refuge staff completed another year without an accident for which they received a Special Act Service award.

Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen, with assistance from Refuge Operations Specialist Anduss, conducted a safety and health inspection in April. A few minor safety problems were noted and corrected.

Maintenance Mechanic Allan trained and certified equipment operators throughout the region during June, July, and August. In addition, Allan presented an equipment operator safety program to Missouri Department of Conservation staff at the Ted Shanks Wildlife Area.

In March, a hoist and chain expert inspected refuge equipment and found one faulty chain. The chain hoist and all other chains were okay.

Safety meetings were held each month, covering the following topics: safe winter driving, defensive driving, ATV safety, stress, nutrition, accident reporting, safe housekeeping, outdoor-related safety, AIDS, alcohol, dental hygiene, disaster awareness, and eyesight safety.

Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen, Office Assistant Watts, Maintenance Mechanics Allan and McSpadden, and YCC enrollees were certified in CPR and first aid training in June.

All refuge staff and YCC enrollees participated in Lyme disease tests.

Refuge Manager Adams, Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen, and Maintenance Mechanic Allan and McSpadden participated in hearing tests. 11

8. ---Other Maintenance Mechanic Simon from the Brussels District assisted Maintenance Mechanic Allan with raising 3,100 feet of road as part of a Maintenance Action Team Project involving the creation of four additional moist soil units on the refuge.

Maintenance Mechanic Allan assisted the Brussels District in a Maintenance Action Team Project to develop a wetland near their refuge visitor center.

A refuge revenue sharing check for $24,814.00 was delivered and presented to the treasurer of Pike County, Missouri, in April.

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

2. Wetlands

The refuge currently has twelve manageable moist soil units totalling 1,362 acres, three green tree reservoirs totalling 237 acres, and four semi-permanent water bodies totalling 72 acres.

Water is supplied to the managed units via a ditch system, Crissafulli pump, and a stationary 20,000 gallon per minute pump that pulls water from Bryants Creek. Timely precipitation and/or high river levels can greatly affect operations by lowering pumping requirements, but are not dependable sources of water when water is needed.

Following is a summary of the 1991 water management program: All moist soil units were frozen over until about mid-February. By the end of February, the water control structure on the main ditch was opened and plans were underway to drain the ditch. Draw-downs were initiated on moist soil units 6 and 7 in late February because the units were planned for farming.

By the end of March, the refuge received over three inches of rain and the Mississippi River was up to flood stage at 25 feet. In April, May, and June pumping-out was required in order to drain the green tree reservoirs, croplands, and construction sites.

In late June and July, moist soil units 1, 2, 4, and 5 were opened for draw downs. By July, the river finally receded and the last of the draining was accomplished via gravity flow. However, the wet conditions prevented the cooperative farmer from farming moist soil unit 6 as planned.

In August, September, and October pumping-in was required to bring water to optimum levels for foraging waterfowl during the fall migration. Water levels were excellent and resulted in a dramatic waterfowl response. In August, portions of moist soil units 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 were mowed to control cocklebur and cottonwood problems and to create openings for waterfowl. 12

When the fall pumping needs were coming to a close, the pump broke and became inoperable. The pump was operated for 827 hours, using 4,535 gallons of diesel fuel. Substantial repairs will be required before August 1992 to achieve pumping required to flood moist soil units for the fall migration.

In July, managers from the Upper Mississippi Refuge visited Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the Delair Division and the state-owned Ted Shanks area, to view and discuss moist soil management activities.

In September, Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen attended a moist soil unit workshop in southeast Missouri at the University Forest Facility. Field trips were held at the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. The workshop was informative and productive.

4. Croplands

The cooperative farmer planted 254 acres of corn, 158 acres of wheat overseeded with clover, and 301 acres of soybeans. All of the wheat and 80 acres of corn were left unharvested for wildlife food. In spite of a wet spring and late planting dates, crops were excellent. A 60-acre wheat field planted in 1990 was mowed in August to provide food for doves, regrowth of wheat, and clover for goose browse in the fall.

Moist soil unit 7 was included in the cropland program in 1991 to set succession back and will remain in crop production in 1992. Moist soil unit 6 was also included in the crop plan but wet conditions prevented tillage in this unit. Moist soil units 2 and 6 will be included in the 1992 crop program.

9. Fire Management

In April, moist soil unit 7 was prescribed burned. One objective of the burn was to reduce litter build-up, since the unit was planned for farming. The burn was a fairly good one, but the fuel was light and the ground was damp in places.

10. Pest control

The Corps of Engineers found 300 zebra mussels in their lock chamber when it was dewatered for maintenance in December. Lock and Dam 24, located at Clarksville, Missouri is only 10 river miles upstream from Clarence Cannon Refuge. of the 12,800 acres in the Annada District, 2,535 acres were planted to row crops in 1991 by five cooperative farmers on four divisions. The croplands were treated with the following chemicals for control of grasses and broadleaf weeds. 13

Chemical Acres Total Pounds Crop Used Treated AI Applied

Soybeans Blazer 565 141

Soybeans Basagran 346 184

Soybeans Classic 125 2.5

Corn 2,4-0 200 100

Soybeans poast 414 103

Soybeans Pursuit 500 31.25

Purple Rodeo 1 .16 Loosestrife

Corn Roundup 45 45

Corn Treflan 339 339

14. Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements

Much work was accomplished in preparation for a wetland restoration on the Boling easement in Marion County. Several meetings were held with the landowner, an application for a Corps 404 permit was submitted, the proposed wetland site was surveyed by Soil Conservation Service technicians, an archaeological survey was conducted, and finally, a contractor was selected for the project. All permits and clearances were received by year's end. The project will be completed, as soon as the weather permits, in the spring of 1992.

15. Private Lands

Maintenance Mechanic John Allan spent three weeks in September with the staff of ottawa National Wildlife Refuge restoring wetlands on private lands in their District. This is the fourth year that John has contributed his skilled use of dozers and backhoes in restoring wetlands.

Three wetland restorations on private land were completed in 1991. A 4.4 acre wetland was constructed at Shaw Arboretum in Franklin County, which is associated with the st. Louis Botanical Gardens. The wetland will serve as a wetland interpretive facility for the visitors to the Arboretum. The Arboretum contracted the construction of a low level dike in a bottomland field adjacent to Brush Creek, with placement of a pipe and spillway. Total cost of the project was $15,000, with the refuge contributing $5,000 to the project. An anonymous Arboretum member donated the remaining funds. 14

A 7-acre wetland was constructed in Lewis County on land owned by steve Bozoian. The wetland consisted of a bottomland field adjacent to Troublesome Creek, which involved much dike work. Total cost of the project was $10,000. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and the landowner all cost-shared on the project.

A 70-acre wetland was restored in Shelby County on land owned by Martha and John Hurt. The area, along the Salt River and Dutchman's Creek, had never been farmed. The hydrology of the area had changed over the years, so the area was not holding water as well anymore. The restoration simply required two ditch plugs with two water control structures for a total cost of $5,000. The landowner cost-shared on the wetland.

In addition, much groundwork was accomplished in finding and preparing future sites for wetland restorations. Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen attended the Soil Conservation Service's Franklin County field day where she discussed the Service's private lands program with area farmers. The discussion was held at the Menke wetland restoration, which was completed in 1990. In addition, letters were mailed to Soil and Water Conservation Districts advising them of opportunities for reimbursement of costs for wetland restorations.

G. WILDLIFE

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

Bald eagles frequent the refuge during the winter months, usually leaving every spring and not returning until the following fall. Total use days for the year were 2,204. Bald eagle use days have steadily increased over the past five years. A peak of 56 eagles occurred in February.

When freeze-up occurs on the refuge, the bald eagles move to open water on the Mississippi River. A favorite spot is below Lock and Dam 24 at Clarksville, Missouri, ten miles north of the refuge. Clarksville is host to the annual Missouri Department of Conservation's Eagle Days event, held in January. Eagle numbers peaked at just over 400 birds, below the dam, in January.

In recent years, four bald eagle nests have been built on or near the refuge. In 1991, bald eagles successfully fledged two young from one of the nests, located on the privately-owned Slim Island in the Mississippi River. The nest could easily be observed from the refuge levee. Refuge staff were made aware of the nest in March. By April, the eaglets had hatched and by the end of June, the young had left the nest permanently. After leaving the nest, they were observed in the Crane area on the refuge. The nest is the first successful one for northeastern Missouri in recent .

The eagle nest in the Goose Pasture Green Tree Reservoir was built in January of 1988. The eagles tended to it every winter, but the nest was never successfuL Over the years, the nest decreased in size considerably 15 and by 1991 the nest was gone.

Two nests have been built in the Crane Pond Green Tree Reservoir, one in 1989 and one in December 1991. All nesting activity is believed to be the work of a single pair of eagles. Hopefully, they are well established in the area and fledgling young will be an annual event. state endangered and threatened species occurring on the refuge include the king rail, northern harrier, little blue heron, black-crowned night heron, Mississippi kite, and snowy egret. The northern harrier is especially common, with 270 total use days for the year. Little blue herons were also common during the summer of 1991, recording 118 use days.

3. Waterfowl

Large numbers and a variety of waterfowl use the refuge during spring and fall migrations. None of the waterfowl winter on the refuge and only the breeding ducks stay through the summer. The first brood of ducks was observed on April 30. Waterfowl production in 1991 was as follows: 175 wood ducks, 50 mallards, 25 hooded mergansers, 10 blue-winged teal, 10 pied-billed grebe, and 10 Canada geese.

Waterfowl numbers peaked at 10,000 ducks and 11,000 geese during spring migration and 30,000 ducks and 25,000 geese during fall migration. The geese during fall migration consisted mostly of Canada geese. By year's end the refuge had about 10,000 ducks and 2,000 geese remaining. Usually the waterfowl depart by year's end due to freeze-up of refuge , but 1991's fall and winter was anything but usual. In November, waterfowl numbers were building rapidly when an early winter brought sub-zero temperatures and three inches of snow. All waterfowl departed for open water and milder temperatures. However, an influx of waterfowl occurred later in the month and stayed through the end of the year, as temperatures remained extremely mild.

Waterfowl use days are summarized in Figure 4, page 16. In 1991, 825,667 duck use days and 625,510 goose use days were recorded for the refuge. Factors that have influenced waterfowl numbers on the refuge in the past have been water levels and food availability. For several years in a row, the refuge experienced severe drought. Refuge funds could not support the continuous pumping that was necessary for optimum water levels.

A pair of tundra swans was observed on the refuge for several weeks in the fall of 1991. In early December, refuge staff discovered that one of the swans had a broken wing. A concerned Corps ranger from Quincy, Illinois, Ed Adcock who has the appropriate permits for rehabilitation of migratory birds, captured the bird and took it to a veterinarian. The veterinarian had no choice but to amputate the wing. The swan was released at a pond at a Veteran's home in QUincy.

4. Marsh and Water Birds

The refuge supports a variety of marsh and water birds, including the American bittern, great blue heron, little blue heron, green-backed heron, great egret, cattle egret, king rail, and pied-billed grebe. The great ;.:, CLk:.l L/ ~)I\(L I f'(J

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-- FIGURE 4 16 17 blue heron is the most common resident within this group, observed throughout the year except during freeze-up. Great-blue heron numbers peaked at 70 in June.

Marsh bird use-days in 1991 were 10,000. Use days have steadily increased over the last couple of years; previous years were much lower due to the drought.

5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species

The most common birds within this group that inhabit the refuge include dowitchers, gulls, killdeer, sandpipers, terns, woodcock, and yellowlegs.

This group recorded 11,600 use days in 1991.

6. Raptors

Common raptors on the refuge include the bald eagle, northern harrier, red-tailed hawk, and barred owl. Raptor use days in 1991 were 3,000.

Refuge staff captured a red-tailed hawk on the refuge in Decembe~. The hawk appeared to be injured since it was found alongside the roadway and wasn't flying. Upon inspection, refuge staff couldn't find a thing wrong with it. A day later, the hawk readily flew away when given the chance.

8. Game Mammals

The deer on the refuge has increased over the past several years which causes concern. The estimated population of 300 is acceptable at present. The situation will be monitored closely and if the population approaches the point where overbrowsing and substantial competition with waterfowl for available food resources is a problem, a special hunt will be considered.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

The muskrat and beaver , estimated at 500 and 25 respectively, have increased to a level where they are interfering with refuge operations in some cases. Beaver have plugged water control structures and ditches and cut stop logs; and muskrat have damaged dikes.

Seventy-two muskrat houses were observed on Crane Pond and 170 muskrat houses were observed on Big Pond in 1991.

11. Fisheries Resources

In July, Fisheries Services treated Display Pond, the borrow area directly east of the visitor center and refuge headquarters, to remove a large population of carp in preparation for stocking forage fish for wading birds.

15. Animal Control

A trapping permit to control the beaver and muskrat populations was not 18 issued for the 1990-91 season. However, by March of 1991 the refuge trapper, Bob Wilson, was called into action to remove beaver that were damaging dikes and levees. Three beaver were trapped prior to the season ending.

A trapping permit was issued to Mr. Wilson for the 1991-92 season. By year's end, he caught three beaver.

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

Public use is limited to driving, hiking, photography, and berry, nut, and mushroom picking. Hunting, fishing, and trapping are not permitted on the refuge. The refuge does not have an interpretive tour route, interpretive foot trails, camping, or picnicking.

Visitation in 1991 was estimated at 2,700 people. Most of the visitation consists of people driving through the refuge in the evenings and, on the weekends when the office and visitor center is closed. In addition, visitation is high in January when the local town of Clarksville, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation, hosts their annual Eagle Day event.

2. OUtdoor Classrooms - students

Refuge Manager Adams met with the Pleasant Hill, Illinois, School Superintendent in May to discuss development of a curriculum for wetland for grades 3 through 5. A proposal to develop the curriculum and a video tape on wetland ecology was submitted to the Regional Office for possible funding.

3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers

In October, 32 teachers from local schools visited the refuge to discuss environmental education opportunities on the refuge.

5. Interpretive Tour Route

Although the refuge does not currently have an interpretive tour route, a sign order was placed in August for seven "Wildlife Drive" signs which will guide people through a designated auto route.

In addition, the Missouri Department of Transportation replaced the signs on Highway 79 advising visitors of the turnoff to the refuge.

6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations

The refuge visitor center was visited by about 500 people in 1991. Although it is small, the center contains a variety of interesting features, including interpretive panels, a video program offering four different presentations, a touch table, a leaflet dispenser, a slide 19 program containing slides of 65 refuge birds and , and a spotting scope that looks out onto the refuge.

A bulletin board outside of the headquarters door contains information on the refuge, including refuge regulations and a graph with a narrative, explaining the current bird and wildlife species inhabiting the refuge.

In addition, an observation deck, which was built voluntarily by a local carpentry class in 1987, is just outside the headquarters/visitor center. This deck contains interpretive panels and a leaflet dispenser.

The refuge bird list was reprinted this year. An ornithologist from the Missouri Department of Conservation reviewed the list and provided assistance.

Comments from the station operations inspection suggested that the first impressions by visitors leave them "cold." A request for assistance from the Regional Design Team to redesign the visitor center to be more appealing to the public was submitted to the Regional Office.

7. Other Interpretive Programs

Refuge Manager Adams, Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen, and Administrative Technician Watts all presented programs throughout the year to various groups, including school groups, garden clubs, boy scouts, and 4-H groups.

Administrative Technician Watts hosted a Fish and Wildlife Service booth at "Duck Day" at the Missouri Department of Conservation's Ted Shanks Wildlife Area on October 20. The crowd of 1,500 people had an opportunity to view the System 70 on refuges, as well as ask questions and buy duck stamps. Watts sold 21 duck stamps throughout the day.

Refuge Manager Adams and Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen judged the Pike County science fair projects for kindergarten through high school in February. In November, Adams judged seventh and eight grade science projects at the Clopton School science fair.

11. Wildlife Observation

Most public use on the refuge was observation of waterfowl and eagles in refuge wetlands and croplands. Many people also enjoy driving around the refuge at dusk and watching deer.

17. Law Enforcement

Maintenance Mechanics Allan and McSpadden constructed six metal knock-down targets to be used in the annual law enforcement refresher training.

Refuge Operations Specialist/Firearms Instructor Kitchen requalified officers from Mingo, Swan Lake, Chautauqua, and Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuges plus Special Agent Burleson.

In September, Refuge Manager Adams participated in a search of refuge 20

lands for marijuana, using an Illinois National Guard helicopter. No evidence of marijuana was found.

Refuge Manager Adams and Refuge Operations Specialist Kitchen attended the annual law enforcement refresher in Des Moines, Iowa, in March. Kitchen attended both sessions of the refresher, in order to assist with the Firearms Instruction. Both Adams and Kitchen requalified with the handguns during the fall requalifications as well, and practiced regularly throughout the year.

The refuge was patrolled during the Missouri deer season and regularly throughout the year. No problems were encountered.

A case report was submitted through law enforcement channels to initiate litigation on Mr. Darwin Anderson, owner of the Rogers conservation easement in Lewis county and the Murphy conservation easement in Clark county. Mr. Anderson hayed, planted, and cut trees wi thin the Rogers easement. After many letters and a verbal warning, Mr. Anderson continued to violate the rights of the easement conditions, which are contained in the quit claim deed . He cut more trees on the Rogers easement, disked and planted ground on the Rogers easement, removed and relocated three easement boundary signposts on the Rogers easement, and limed ground on the Murphy easement.

Ground planted to soybeans, within conservation easement. Sign and signpost marks the easement boundary. DMK (10/91) 21

Pin oak trees cut from within conservation easement and placed in ditch. DMK (10/91)

I. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

2. Rehabilitation

The refuge borrowed a jackhammer and compressor from the Mingo Job Corps Center to break up concrete pads on the refuge. The job proved to be too much for the staff , so bids were requested for renting heavier equipment. By August, the contractor was selected and work was compl e ted. The concrete will be used for rip-rap around water control structures.

Lexan panels were installed on three tractors to provide additional protection for operators while mowing.

Much work was accomplished on the road rehabilitation proj ect by the Maintenance Action Team wh i ch was made up of Maintenance Mechanics Allan and Simon. Simon and the Case 1450 dozer were on loan from the Brus s e ls District. When completed, the project will create four additional moist soil units on the refuge.

The underground storage tanks on Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge and the Dela ir Division were removed in June. Both sites were contaminated by leaking tanks. Later it was discovered that the contractor had removed and disposed of the tank s without proper authorization. At year's end, refuge staff were awaiting recommendations on how to proceed further with removal of the contaminants.

Two new concrete fuel tanks were delivered and placed on a new concrete pad constructed south of the equipment storage building. 22 (~ Eight hundred tons of gravel, for a total cost of $5,000, was placed on refuge roads in August.

Unloading of the new fuel tanks. BMA (12/91)

New 1,000 gallon fuel tanks in place, alongside of the Brussels District's new trailer. NRA (12/91) 23

3. Major Maintenance

At the end of fall pumping needs, the shaft or impeller on the pump broke. The pump will be looked at and fixed in 1992. If the problem is of a major one, a manifold will be built from the existing east pump to the west pump, so that pumping can be accomplished from the west pump. Currently, a $100,000 proposal for rehabilitation of the existing pump station exists within the maintenance management system. However, building an entirely new pump station at the upper end of the refuge, where water would be drawn directly out of the Mississippi River, would allow for a more efficient and effective water management program. A Project Proposal Worksheet has been submitted for a new pump station at a cost of $285,000.

4. Equipment utilization and Replacement

The refuge received a new F-800 Ford stake truck purchased by WAM-2. This nice vehicle will replace the 24-year-old truck and will allow safe transportation of refuge equipment to the various divisions of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge. Later in the year, the stake bed on the truck was exchanged for a bed with grain sides and a trip tailgat,e, both which were more suitable for refuge needs.

The refuge received a new Jeep Cherokee carryall in June. The vehicle is the refuge's first passenger vehicle.

A technician from an overhead door company adjusted all doors and installed an electric door opener for the big door on the west end of the equipment storage building.

The refuge received a new Savin 9250 copy machine in June. The new machine has many nice features available.

The University of Missouri, Agricultural Engineering Department received funding under a cooperative agreement for construction of a two row, no­ till acorn planter to be used in restoring bottomland hardwoods on District lands.

The refuge purchased several hundred pounds of pin oak, white oak, and burr oak acorns in preparation for direct seeding of bottomland hardwoods.

The refuge purchased a draft line for the fire pumper and an extra set of blades for the Bush Hog mower.

A new engine for the 21,000 gallon per minute pump and a new backhoe to replace the Shield Bantam crane were delivered in November. 24

Project Lea der Stratton on refuge landing s t r i p with Servic e p l ane used for monitoring the refuge. NRA (08/91 )

5. Communications Systems

In January, an FTS l ine was i ns talled as part o f the FTS 2000 proje c t. Over t he year, t here hav e been severa l occurrences of l i ne trouble on the FTS line, but for the most part refuge staff are pleased with the new phone line.

7. Energy Cons e rvation

Over 2,000 gallons l e s s diesel fuel was used in 1990 than in 1989 , which was a drought year. This energy efficiency was a d i r ect r e s ult of timely rainfalls in 1990. However, 1991 wasn't as energy efficient due to the amount of pumping-in and pump ing-out that was r equi red .

Energy conservation measu r es used at this station include recycling aluminum cans , recycling white paper, and r ecycling scrap culve r ts.

J. OTHER ITEMS

3. Items of Interest

Refuge Op erations Specialist Kitchen visited wi t h Congr ess man Volkmer duri ng h i s b rief visit to the Annada Post Office . He didn' t have time to a ccep t t he invita t ion to visit the refuge , but promised to do so in the futur e. 25

4. Credits

Refuge Operation Specialist Kitchen wrote all sections of the narrative except E.S. which was completed by Administrative Technician Watts and F.4. and K. which were written by Refuge Manager Adams. Kitchen and Watts edited and assembled the report. 26

K. FEEDBACK

I was fortunate to have been selected to participate in a visibility bias nest study of the Mississippi Valley Population of Canada geese at Winisk, Ontario in early June. The study was a cooperative venture between the states in the Mississippi Flyway Council, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Kingsville, Texas.

The study site was on the Polar Bear Provincial Park which comprised 9,300 sections of Hudson Bay lowlands. The flight from Moosonee, Ontario to Peawanuck (location of Park Headquarters) crossed 300 miles of wetlands with no visible impacts of man --- one of the most spectacular sights that I have ever witnessed.

The study group included five state employees, three ministry employees and a graduate student from the Institute. The study group searched 84 kilometers of transects through the subarctic tundra and black spruce habitat. Walking the transects through the wetlands and fending off the hoards of mosquitoes were somewhat trying at times but well WQ~th the experience.

Results of the study will aid managers of the Mississippi Valley Population of Canada geese in accurately determining the reproductive success of the population, so there is considerable biological value in the study itself. From a personal and professional standpoint the experience was of great value to me. It was an outstanding opportunity to get away from the daily routine and paper storm of the refuge, interact with biologists from other resource agencies, and work closely with native Americans who still depend on these resources for sustenance. On a scale of one to ten I would rate this experience a solid ten and I highly recommend this detail to any Service personnel who has the opportunity to participate.