U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service LittleLittle DarbyDarby CreekCreek ConservationConservation ThroughThrough LocalLocal InitiativesInitiatives FinalFinal ReportReport AugustAugust 20022002 Acknowledgments A proposal to establish the Little Darby National Wildlife Refuge did not result in a refuge. Our hope is that it resulted in something with even greater potential to benefit the natural resources of the Little Darby Creek Watershed. The road to local conservation action has been long and sometimes bumpy. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service appreciates the time and energy so many people devoted by attending meetings and reviewing draft documents. We are also indebted to the many individuals, elected officials and agency staff who spent time with Service representatives in July 2002 to share their visions of local conservation action. We thank Gretchen Green, Director of the Madison County Historical Society, and volunteers Charles Fisher and Pat VanHorn for their invaluable help in gathering information on Madison County’s history. Most of all, we thank in advance the people who will roll up their sleeves and begin the work that is inherent in a locally driven conservation effort. Here and across the nation, you are the backbone of conservation. Final Report i Little Darby Creek Conservation Through Local Initiatives A Final Report Concluding the Proposal to Establish a National Wildlife Refuge on the Little Darby Creek in Madison and Union Counties, Ohio August 2002 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service BHW Federal Building 1 Federal Drive Ft. Snelling, Minnesota 55111 Contents Acknowledgments ................................................................................................. i Chapter 1: Introduction...................................................................................... 1 Purpose of This Report ........................................................................................... 1 The Little Darby National Wildlife Refuge Proposal ......................................... 1 Chapter 2: History of Service Involvement in the Area ................................. 4 The Refuge Proposal ............................................................................................... 5 Decision to Withdraw the Refuge Proposal .................................................. 5 Goals of This Report ................................................................................................ 6 Chapter 3: Natural Resource Values of the Little Darby Creek Area .......... 7 Natural History and Habitat Loss......................................................................... 7 Wet and Mesic Tallgrass Prairies ................................................................... 7 Oak Savannas ..................................................................................................... 8 Wetlands ............................................................................................................. 9 Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystem ............................................................... 9 Biological Diversity......................................................................................... 10 Threatened and Endangered Species .......................................................... 10 Invertebrates ................................................................................................... 10 Fish .................................................................................................................... 12 Amphibians and Reptiles ............................................................................... 13 Birds .................................................................................................................. 13 Mammals........................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 4: The Changing Environment ........................................................... 15 Chapter 5: Historical Review of the Little Darby Creek Area .................... 18 Chapter 6: Past and Present Conservation Efforts ....................................... 23 1. County Planning ................................................................................................. 23 2. Joint Board of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) Supervi- sors Watershed Planning Effort .......................................................................... 24 3. Ohio Department of Natural Resources ......................................................... 24 Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves .......................................... 24 Other State Programs .................................................................................... 25 4. U.S. Department of Agriculture ...................................................................... 26 Farmland Preservation .................................................................................. 26 Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) ............................................................... 26 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ....................................................... 26 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) .......................... 27 5. Partners For Fish and Wildlife ........................................................................ 28 6. Other Programs .................................................................................................. 28 Chapter 7: The Communities’ View of Important Elements of Local Conser- vation Action................................................................................................ 29 The Views of Madison and Union County Residents ........................................ 29 Are there issues to address(Questions 1-4)? ............................................... 29 Who is responsible to address those issues (Question 5)? ......................... 29 How would you define a fair and sensible approach to addressing the Final Report iii issues (Question 6)? ......................................................................................... 30 How would you know if those responsible for resolving the issues had listed to you and valued your input (Question 7)? ...................................... 30 What specific issues must be addressed in any local conservation action initiative or that would enhance such an initiative (Question 8)? ............ 31 Are you a resident of Madison or Union Counties (Question 9)? ............. 31 The Views of Interested Parties Living Outside of Madison and Union Counties ................................................................................................................... 32 Are there issues to address(Questions 1-4)? ............................................... 32 Who is responsible to address those issues (Question 5)? ......................... 32 How would you define a fair and sensible approach to addressing the issues (Question 6)? ......................................................................................... 32 How would you know if those responsible for resolving the issues had listed to you and valued your input (Question 7)? ...................................... 32 What specific issues must be addressed in any local conservation action initiative or that would enhance such an initiative (Question 8)? ............ 33 Are you a resident of Madison or Union Counties (Question 9)? ............. 33 Survey Discussion Conclusion: ............................................................................. 33 Chapter 8: Resources Available to Assist Local Conservation Efforts ....... 34 A. County Assistance and Programs ................................................................... 34 B. State Assistance and Programs ...................................................................... 35 1. Clean Ohio Fund .......................................................................................... 35 2. Ohio Department of Agriculture............................................................... 36 a. Office of Farmland Preservation ....................................................... 36 3. Ohio Department of Natural Resources .................................................. 36 a. Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry ...... 36 1) Forestry Landowner Assistance Program............................... 36 2) Regional Forestry Associations ................................................. 37 3) Tree Seedlings Sales .................................................................... 37 4) GreenWorks................................................................................... 37 b. Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Real Estate and Land Management ............................................................................ 38 1) Clean Ohio Trails Fund ................................................................ 38 2) Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) ................................ 38 3.) Natureworks: Parks & Recreation ........................................... 38 4) Recreational trails Program ....................................................... 38 c. Ohio Department Of Natural Resources Division Wildlife ............ 38 Grassland Restoration: Pastures-to-prairies................................ 39 Wetland Restoration ........................................................................ 39 d. Ohio Department Of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. .........................................................................................