Mingo, Pilot Knob and Ozark Cavefish National Wildlve Refuges Comprehensive conservation Plan Approval Submitted by: I Date Refuge Manager Concur: #/a/? / Date hefuge Supervisor, Area 2 Lt.ol~20d7 Nita M. Fuller Date Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System Approve: ylljhYicn.m~ APR 1 7 2007 Robyn ~horson~ Date Regional Director Mingo, Pilot Knob and Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction and Background ..................................................................................................................1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................1 Mingo National Wildlife Refuge ..........................................................................................................1 Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge ....................................................................................................1 Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge .............................................................................................3 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service .......................................................................................................3 The National Wildlife Refuge System ...........................................................................................3 Refuge Purposes ...........................................................................................................................................4 Mingo National Wildlife Refuge ..........................................................................................................4 Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge Purpose ......................................................................................4 Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge Purpose ...............................................................................5 Refuge Visions ..............................................................................................................................................5 Mingo National Wildlife Refuge ..........................................................................................................5 Preamble ........................................................................................................................................5 Vision Statement ...........................................................................................................................5 Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge ....................................................................................................6 Vision Statement ...........................................................................................................................6 Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge .............................................................................................6 Vision Statement ...........................................................................................................................6 Purpose and Need for Plan ...........................................................................................................................6 Existing Partnerships ....................................................................................................................................6 Volunteers and Friends Group ......................................................................................................................7 Museums and Repositories ..........................................................................................................................7 History and Establishment ...........................................................................................................................7 Legal Context ................................................................................................................................................9 Chapter 2: The Planning Process ..............................................................................................................................10 Preparation of the CCP ...............................................................................................................................10 Public Involvement .....................................................................................................................................10 Mingo National Wildlife Refuge ........................................................................................................10 Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge ..................................................................................................11 Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge ...........................................................................................12 Summary of Issues, Concerns and Opportunities ......................................................................................12 Mingo National Wildlife Refuge ........................................................................................................12 Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge ..................................................................................................16 Public Use ....................................................................................................................................16 Mingo National Wildlife Refuge / Comprehensive Conservation Plan i Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge ...........................................................................................16 Habitat Management ..................................................................................................................16 Public Use ....................................................................................................................................17 Preparation, Publishing, Finalization and Implementation of the CCP ......................................................17 Chapter 3: Refuge Environments and Management ..............................................................................................19 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................19 Mingo Wilderness Area .....................................................................................................................20 Special Management Areas ...............................................................................................................20 Geographic/Ecosystem Setting ..................................................................................................................20 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecosystems ........................................................................................20 Migratory Bird Conservation Initiatives ..............................................................................................21 The North American Waterfowl Management Plan ..........................................................................22 Partners In Flight .................................................................................................................................22 Region 3 Fish and Wildlife Resource Conservation Priorities .....................................................23 Other Recreation and Conservation Lands in the Area ......................................................................23 Socioeconomic Setting ...............................................................................................................................25 Population and Demographics ............................................................................................................25 Employment ........................................................................................................................................25 Income and Education .........................................................................................................................25 Potential Refuge Visitors ....................................................................................................................25 Climate .......................................................................................................................................................26 Geology and Soils .......................................................................................................................................26 Bottomland Soils .................................................................................................................................26 Upland Soils ........................................................................................................................................26 Water and Hydrology .................................................................................................................................27 Refuge Resources .......................................................................................................................................27 Plant Communities ..............................................................................................................................27 Wetlands .....................................................................................................................................27 Upland Forests .............................................................................................................................30