United States Department of the Interior NSH A¡ID WILDLIFE SERVICE Bishop Henry Whipple Fedcral Buitding I Fedcral Drive Fort Snelling, MN 55lll-4056 IN REILYNEFEN,T(} NWRS/CP Jlur:re29,2010 Dear Reviewer: We are pleased to provide you with this Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Crane Meadows NWR was established in 1992 for'... the conservation of the wetlands of the Nation...' under the Emergency'Wetland Resources Act of 1986. The Service owns and manages approximately 1,800 acres of 13,540 acres proposed for acquisition in Morrison County, Minnesota. The unique wetland complex contains rare and declining habitat types, important archaeological resources, a diversity of local and migratory species, and an abundance of recreational opportunities. The CCP will guide management of the Refuge for the next 15 years and will help the Refuge meet its purpose and contribute to the mission of the National V/ildlife Refuge System. The CCP will provide both broad and specific guidance on various issues; describe the Refuge's vision, goals, and measurable objectives; and list strategies for reaching the objectives. We invite you to review and comment on the Draft CCP and EA. By sharing your thoughts, you can help ensure that the final CCP is both visionary and practical. V/e will host an open house where you will be able to ask questions and voice concerns and suggestions. This event will take place in the Refuge maintenance building from2 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20,2010. The meeting date and location will be announced through the media and other means. Written comments are also welcome during the 30-day comment period and should be addressed to: U.S. Fish and V/ildlife Service, Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Attention: CCP Comment, 19502 his Road, Little Falls, Minnesota 56345. You may also send comments to us through the following web address: http://www.fws.gov/midwestþlanning/CraneMeadows To be considered in preparing the Final CCP, comments must be received by August 6,2010. We look forward to continuing the dialogue on the future of the Refuge, and thank you for your continued interest in keeping this Refuge a special place for wildlife and people. Sincerely, Dean Granholm Acting Chiet Division of Conservation Planning Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................I Chapter: 1 Introduction and Background .................................................................................................. 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................1 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service .............................................................................................................................4 Mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ....................................................................................................4 The National Wildlife Refuge System ........................................................................................................................4 Mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System ...............................................................................................4 Goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System ...................................................................................................4 Laws and Directives for Refuge Planning ...................................................................................................................5 Purpose of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan ........................................................................................................5 Refuge History and Establishment ..............................................................................................................................6 Refuge Purposes .........................................................................................................................................................7 Refuge Vision ..............................................................................................................................................................8 Crane Meadows NWR Vision Statement ............................................................................................................8 Chapter: 2 The Planning Process ............................................................................................................... 9 The CCP Planning Process ...........................................................................................................................................9 Preplanning ..........................................................................................................................................................9 Scoping ................................................................................................................................................................9 Habitat ........................................................................................................................................................10 Land Acquisition .........................................................................................................................................10 Water Resources ........................................................................................................................................11 Wildlife .......................................................................................................................................................11 Visitor Services ...........................................................................................................................................11 Hunting ................................................................................................................................................11 Fishing .................................................................................................................................................11 Environmental Education ....................................................................................................................11 Trails ...................................................................................................................................................12 Facilities ..............................................................................................................................................12 Archaeological Resources ..........................................................................................................................12 Support .......................................................................................................................................................12 Alternatives Development .................................................................................................................................12 Draft Preparation and Review ...........................................................................................................................12 Wilderness Review ...................................................................................................................................................13 Chapter: 3 Refuge Environment and Current Management ................................................................. 14 Section 1 – Refuge Environment ................................................................................................................................14 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................................14 Other Units Administered ..................................................................................................................................14 Farm Services Administration Conservation Easements ...........................................................................14 Crane Meadows NWR / Draft CCP i The Local Conservation Landscape ...........................................................................................................................15 Ecological Context .....................................................................................................................................................20 Historic Vegetation ...................................................................................................................................................23 Current Land Use / Land Cover .................................................................................................................................25 Migratory Bird Conservation Initiatives ....................................................................................................................25 North American Waterfowl Management Plan ................................................................................................27 North American Land Bird Conservation Plan ...................................................................................................29 U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (2001) ..........................................................................................................32