John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum CComprehensiveomprehensive CConservationonservation PPlanlan AAugustugust 22012012 Front cover: Little horseshoe at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Larry Woodward/USFWS Interns USFWS Skyline Derik Pinsonneault/USFWS Earth Day hike Kyle Gronostajski Back cover: Little horseshoe at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Larry Woodward/USFWS 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 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. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Comprehenisve Conservation Plan August 2012 Submitted by: Gary Stolz Date Refuge Manager John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Concurrence by: Susan McMahon Date Deputy Regional Chief, Region 5 National WIldlife Refuge System Scott Kahan Date Regional Chief, Region 5 National Wildlife Refuge System Approved by: Wendi Weber Date Regional Director, Region 5 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Comprehensive Conservation Plan August 2012 John Heinz John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is a green respite nestled National Wildlife within the urban setting of the city of Philadelphia. Refuge lands are a thriving sanctuary teeming with a rich diversity of fish, wildlife, and plants native to the Refuge at Tinicum Delaware Estuary. Healthy and productive expanses of freshwater tidal marsh, Vision Statement open waters, mudflats, and forests support the hundreds of species that breed, rear their young, rest during migration, and call the refuge home year-round. With partners’ support, the refuge leads by example in the restoration and conservation of freshwater tidal marsh within the Delaware Estuary. Also, given its accessibility and visibility to over 35 million Americans living within a 2-hour drive, the refuge serves as a prominent ambassador of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Its high quality programs promote natural and cultural resource stewardship, demonstrate the conservation of urban wildlife habitat, encourage compatible outdoor public use, and serve as a living classroom to connect people with nature and local history. Those who visit John Heinz NWR are inspired to take action to improve the quality of life for themselves and those around them. i U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Comprehensive Conservation Plan August 2012 Summary Type of Action: Administrative — Development of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan Lead Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Location: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Philadelphia, PA Administrative Headquarters: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Philadelphia, PA Responsible Offi cial: Wendi Weber, Regional Director, Northeast Region For Further Information: Lia McLaughlin, Natural Resource Planner U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035-9587 Phone: (413) 253-8575 Email: [email protected] This Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the 993-acre John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is the culmination of a planning effort involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania State agencies, local partners, refuge neighbors, private landowners, the Friends of Heinz Refuge, and the local community. This CCP establishes 15-year management goals and objectives for the refuges’ 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 increased restoration of freshwater tidal marsh and providing environmental education programs for urban youth. We will also increase efforts to monitor for the effects of climate change. iii Table of Contents Chapters Chapter 1 The Purpose of, and Need for, Action 1.1 Introduction to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. 1-1 1.2 Purpose of, and Need for, the Proposed Action . 1-2 1.3 Service and Refuge System: Policies and Mandates Guiding Planning . 1-7 1.4 Refuge Establishing Purposes . 1-12 1.5 Conservation Plans and Initiatives Guiding the Proposed Action . 1-12 1.6 Refuge Vision . 1-16 1.7 Refuge Goals . 1-16 Chapter 2 The Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process 2.1 Introduction . 2-1 2.2 Steps in the Planning Process . 2-1 2.3 Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities. 2-3 Chapter 3 Existing Environment 3.1 Introduction . 3-1 3.2 The Physical Landscape . 3-1 3.3 The Cultural Landscape Setting and Land Use History . 3-2 3.4 The Current Climate and Potential Effects of Climate Change. 3-5 3.5 Air Quality . 3-10 3.6 Soils. 3-11 3.7 Hydrology and Water Quality . 3-11 3.8 Noise and Soundscapes . 3-14 3.9 Socioeconomic Landscape . 3-15 3.10 Refuge Administration . 3-17 3.11 Refuge Natural Resources . 3-18 3.12 Refuge Biological Resources . 3-19 3.13 Special Use Permits, Including Research . 3-36 3.14 Refuge Visitor Services Program . 3-37 3.15 Archaeological and Historical Resources . 3-40 Chapter 4 Management Direction and Implementation 4.1 Introduction. 4-1 4.2 General Refuge Management. 4-2 4.3 Conducting Additional NEPA Analysis . 4-14 4.4 Refuge Goals, Objectives, and Strategies . 4-14 Chapter 5 Consultation and Coordination 5.1 Introduction. 5-1 5.2 Planning to Protect Land and Resources . 5-1 5.3 Partners Involved in Refuge Planning . 5-4 5.4 Contact Information . 5-8 Chapter 6 List of Preparers 6.1 Members of the Core Planning Team . 6-1 6.2 Assistance from Other Service Personnel . 6-1 Table of Contents v Table of Contents Chapters (cont.) Bibliography Bibliography . Bibl-1 Glossary and Acronyms Glossary. .Glos-1 Acronyms . Glos-12 Appendixes Appendix A Known Species of Conservation Concern Known Species of Conservation Concern . A-1 Appendix B Findings of Appropriateness and Compatibility Determinations Finding of Appropriateness—Dog Walking in Designated Areas . B-1 Compatibility Determination—Dog Walking in Designated Areas . B-3 Finding of Appropriateness—Jogging . B-9 Compatibility Determination—Jogging. B-11 Finding of Appropriateness—Non-motorized Boating . B-19 Compatibility Determination—Non-motorized Boating . B-21 Finding of Appropriateness—Bicycling . B-27 Compatibility Determination—Bicycling . B-29 Compatibility Determination—Recreational Fishing . B-35 Compatibility Determination—Wildlife Observation, Photography, Environmental Education, and Interpretation. B-43 Appendix C Final Habitat Management Plan Final Habitat Management Plan . .C-1 Appendix D Refuge Staffing Charts Current Staffing . .D-1 Proposed Staffing . .D-2 Appendix E Refuge Operating Needs System (RONS) and Service Asset Maintenance Management System (SAMMS) Budget and Refuge Operations Needs System (RONS) Projects for John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum . E-1 Service Asset Maintenance Management Systems (SAMMS) Projects for John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum . E-2 Appendix F Wilderness Review F.1 Introduction . F-1 F.2 Minimum Wilderness Criteria . F-1 F.3 Inventory Conclusions . F-2 F.4 Service Summary and Conclusion of Wilderness Inventory Findings . F-2 Appendix G Wild and Scenic Rivers Review G.1 Introduction . .G-1 G.2 Wild and Scenic River Review . .G-1 G.3 Service Summary and Conclusion of Wild and Scenic River Review. .G-1 vi John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Comprehensive Conservation Plan Table of Contents Appendixes (cont.) Appendix H USGS Phase I Environmental Education Report USGS Phase I Environmental Education Report. .H-1 Appendix I Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) Report Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) Report . I-1 Appendix J Facility Design Plan Facility Design Plan . J-1 Appendix K Summary of Public Comments and Service Responses on the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Introduction . .K-1 Summary of Comments Received . .K-1 Service Responses to Comments by Subject . .K-2 Appendix L Finding of No Significant Impact Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) . L-1 List of Figures Figure 2.1 The Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process . 2-1 Figure 3.1 Aerial photograph of John Heinz NWR lands in 1928 (prior to refuge establishment). 3-4 Figure 3.2 Monitored Sea Levels at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1900 to 2000) . ..