Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Comprahoosive Plan .."",. u,s, Filh ~JJ1 WUiill Sgf'Ii:g Ft.li1Ia,,·"? 11iI~ JM\I ~1oIr: HCl4.1loI e7 Vnlimlirlil. II:I'.WJI u.s. R.h MIl Wbifll !l;rviSI w~ P.cIl...... 5CIl R.fuLlil f1l "oJ P,D.1m 25'166, [fC ~ CIJ&rl2Ii - • .. d kM:~ ..,4thz ....AJ*~~[ktt 'aI\.;­ Table of Contents Summary ...............................................................................................................................................7 Introduction / Background ................................................................................................................ 11 Refuge Overview: History of Establishment, Acquisition & Management ................................................................ 11 Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge History ................................................................................................... 11 Habitat Management History ................................................................................................................................. 12 Water Rights/Management History ....................................................................................................................... 12 Wildlife Management History ................................................................................................................................ 12 Bison ................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Elk .................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Pronghorn Antelope ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Bighorn Sheep .................................................................................................................................................. 13 Native Birds and Other Wildlife ...................................................................................................................... 13 Texas Longhorn Cattle History........................................................................................................................ 14 Public Use History .................................................................................................................................................. 14 Figure 1. Canoeing - Tubing Visitation 1993-1997 .................................................................................................... 14 Current Refuge Resources Management ............................................................................................................... 15 Grassland/Fenced Animal Management ......................................................................................................... 15 Riparian and Woodland Management ............................................................................................................. 16 Threatened and Endangered Species .............................................................................................................. 16 Native Birds and Other Wildlife ...................................................................................................................... 16 Exotic and Invading Species ............................................................................................................................ 16 Public Use ......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Cultural and Paleontological Resources ......................................................................................................... 18 Purpose of and Need for Comprehensive Conservation Plan ...................................................................................... 18 Figure 2. Vicinity Map ................................................................................................................................................... 19 National Wildlife Refuge System Mission, Goals and Guiding Principles ................................................................. 21 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission ....................................................................................................................... 22 Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Vision Statement ......................................................................................... 23 Legal and Policy Guidance ............................................................................................................................................ 23 Existing Partnerships ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 Planning Process .............................................................................................................................. 25 Description of Planning Process ................................................................................................................................... 25 Planning Issues .............................................................................................................................................................. 26 Texas Longhorn Cattle ............................................................................................................................................ 26 Recreational Use and Resources of the Niobrara River ........................................................................................ 27 Habitat and Wildlife Management ........................................................................................................................ 29 Funding and Staffing to Manage the Refuge ........................................................................................................ 30 Other Public Uses and Recreation.......................................................................................................................... 30 Public Involvement Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 31 4 Fort Niobrara Comprehensive Conservation Plan - September 1999 Summary of Refuge and Resource Descriptions ............................................................................ 33 Geographic/Ecosystem Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 33 Climate .................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................................... 34 Topography .............................................................................................................................................................. 34 Geology .................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Soils .................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Refuge Resources, Cultural Values and Uses ............................................................................................................... 35 Water Resources and Associated Wetlands .......................................................................................................... 35 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................................................... 35 Grasslands ........................................................................................................................................................ 35 Woodlands ........................................................................................................................................................ 36 Figure 3. Wetland Map .................................................................................................................................................. 37 Figure 4. Vegetation Map ............................................................................................................................................. 39 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Birds .................................................................................................................................................................. 41 Mammals .......................................................................................................................................................... 41 Amphibians and Reptiles ................................................................................................................................. 41 Fishes ...............................................................................................................................................................