U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Modoc National Wildlife Refuge Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment December 2009 Vision Statement “Located near the confluence of the north and south forks of the Pit River, Modoc National Wildlife Refuge will conserve, restore, protect, and manage a mosaic of seasonal wetlands, semi- permanent wetlands, wet meadows, riparian, and sagebrush-steppe habitats. These habitats will provide important resting, feeding, and nesting areas for ducks, geese, and other migratory birds. Modoc Refuge’s high- quality habitat will play a key role in the long-term recovery of Central Valley greater sandhill cranes. As an integral part of the surrounding community, Modoc Refuge will provide high quality wildlife-dependent recreation including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, and interpretation. The Refuge will continue to be known for its high-quality environmental education program offered to generations of students. Visitors will develop a greater understanding and appreciation for the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and refuge management programs and for the importance of protecting lands for wildlife conservation.” Disclaimer CCPs provide long term guidance for management decisions and set forth goals, objectives, and strategies needed to accomplish refuge purposes and identify the Service’s best estimate of future needs. These plans detail program planning levels that are sometimes substantially above current budget allocations and, as such, are primarily for Service strategic planning and program prioritization purposes. The plans do not constitute a commitment for staffing increases, operational and maintenance increases, or funding for future land acquisition. Modoc National Wildlife Refuge Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan Prepared by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 8 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832 Sacramento, CA 95825 Modoc National Wildlife Refuge PO Box 1610 Alturas, CA 96101 December 2009 -- Date: J ~ -/ S--o ? egional Director, Pacific Southwest Region Implementation of this Comprehensive Conservation Plan and alternative management actions/programs have been assessed consistent with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 USC 4321 et seq.) Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction and Background ............................................................................. 1 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 2. Purpose of and Need for Plan .................................................................................... 3 3. Legal and Policy Guidance ......................................................................................... 3 3.1 National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act ..................................... 3 3.2 Appropriate Use Policy ..................................................................................... 4 3.3 Compatibility Policy ........................................................................................... 5 3.4 Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Policy .............. 6 4. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ........................................................................... 6 5. The National Wildlife Refuge System ...................................................................... 7 6. Modoc Refuge .............................................................................................................. 9 6.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 9 6.2 Refuge History ................................................................................................... 9 7. Refuge Purposes........................................................................................................ 10 8. The Refuge Vision ..................................................................................................... 11 9. Existing and New Partnerships .............................................................................. 11 10. Wilderness Review .................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 2. The Planning Process .......................................................................................... 13 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 13 2. The Planning Process ............................................................................................... 13 3. Planning Hierarchy ................................................................................................... 14 4. The Planning Team ................................................................................................... 15 5. Pre-Planning .............................................................................................................. 16 6. Public Involvement in Planning ............................................................................... 17 7. Public Outreach ......................................................................................................... 18 8. Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities ...................................................................... 18 9. Development of the Refuge Vision .......................................................................... 19 10. Determining the Refuge Goals, Objectives, and Strategies ................................. 19 10.1 Goals .................................................................................................................. 19 10.2 Refuge Management Goals ............................................................................. 19 10.3 Objectives, Rationale, and Strategies ............................................................ 20 - i - 11. Development of the Refuge Management Alternatives ........................................ 20 11.1 Alternative A: No Action ................................................................................. 21 11.2 Alternative B: Habitat Emphasis ................................................................... 21 11.3 Alternative C: Proposed Action ...................................................................... 21 11.4 Alternative D: Visitor Services Emphasis ..................................................... 22 12. Selection of the Refuge Proposed Action ............................................................... 22 13. Plan Implementation................................................................................................. 22 Chapter 3. The Refuge Environment ..................................................................................... 23 1. Refuge Description ................................................................................................... 23 2. Geographic/Ecosystem Setting ............................................................................... 23 3. Physical Environment............................................................................................... 28 3.1 Climate and Air Quality ................................................................................... 28 3.2 Water Supply and Water Quality ................................................................... 30 3.3 Geology and Soils ............................................................................................. 33 4. Habitat ........................................................................................................................ 33 4.1 Wetlands ............................................................................................................ 36 4.1.1 Seasonal wetlands ................................................................................. 37 4.1.2 Semi-permanent wetlands .................................................................... 37 4.1.3 Wet meadows ......................................................................................... 37 4.2 Riverine ............................................................................................................. 38 4.3 Reservoir ........................................................................................................... 38 4.4 Riparian ............................................................................................................. 39 4.5 Sagebrush-steppe ............................................................................................. 40 4.6 Croplands .......................................................................................................... 40 5. Habitat Management ................................................................................................ 41 5.1 Water Management ......................................................................................... 41 5.1.1 Seasonal wetlands ................................................................................. 41 5.1.2 Semi-permanent wetlands .................................................................... 41 5.1.3 Wet Meadows ........................................................................................ 41 5.2 Vegetation Management ................................................................................. 42 5.2.1 Sagebrush-steppe .................................................................................. 42 5.2.2 Croplands ..............................................................................................