DRAFT Mosquito Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Great Meadows Unit at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge Prepared by: ____________________________ Date:_________________________ Refuge Manager Concurrence:___________________________ Date:_________________________ Regional IPM Coordinator Concured:______________________________ Date:_________________________ Project Leader Approved:_____________________________ Date:_________________________ Assistant Regional Director Refuges, Northeast Region Table of Contents Chapter 1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION ...................................................................................... 5 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Refuge Location and Site Description ............................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................................................ 7 1.3.1 Purpose and Need for Proposed Action ............................................................................................................ 7 1.3.2 Historical Perspective of Need .......................................................................................................................... 9 1.3.3 Historical Mosquito Production Areas of the Refuge ..................................................................................... 10 1.3.4 How the Proposed Action Would Be Accomplished ........................................................................................ 10 1.3.5 Objectives of the Proposed Action .................................................................................................................. 11 1.4 Issues and Concern .......................................................................................................................................... 11 1.4.1 Public Participation ........................................................................................................................................ 11 1.4.2 Issues Related to the Proposed Action ............................................................................................................ 11 1.5 Summary of Laws, Regulations, and Policies Governing the Proposed Action .............................................. 11 1.5.1 National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 ......................................................................... 11 1.5.2 National Wildlife Refuge System Regulations ................................................................................................. 12 1.5.3 Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C.1531-1544) ................................................. 12 1.5.4 Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health policy (BIDEH, 601 FW 3) ................................ 12 1.5.5 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy (569 FW 1) .................................................................................. 12 1.5.6 Appropriate Refuge Uses policy (603 FW 1) .................................................................................................. 13 1.5.7 Compatibility policy (603 FW 2) ..................................................................................................................... 13 1.5.8 Special Use Permits ........................................................................................................................................ 13 1.5.9 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) ............................ 14 1.6 Decision to be Made ........................................................................................................................................ 14 Chapter 2 ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION ...................................................................... 15 2.1 The Process Used to Develop the Alternatives ............................................................................................... 15 2.2 Description of Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action and No Action .................................................. 15 2.2.1 Factors Common to All Alternatives ............................................................................................................... 15 2.3 Alternative A – Proposed Action – Phased Approach to Mosquito Control ................................................... 15 2.3.1 Phase 1 ............................................................................................................................................................ 18 2.3.2 Phase 2 ............................................................................................................................................................ 18 2.3.3 Phase 3 ............................................................................................................................................................ 19 2.3.4 Phase 4 ............................................................................................................................................................ 19 2.3.5 Phase 5 ............................................................................................................................................................ 19 2.3.6 Access .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 2.3.7 Mosquito Monitoring and Surveillance ........................................................................................................... 20 2.3.8 Wildlife Monitoring and Surveillance ............................................................................................................. 21 2.3.9 Pesticide Approval Process ............................................................................................................................. 21 2.3.10 Mosquito Control Pesticides ........................................................................................................................... 22 2.3.11 Annual Meeting/Training ................................................................................................................................ 25 2.4 Alternative B – Monitoring and Larvicide Only ............................................................................................. 26 2.5 Alternative C – No Action .............................................................................................................................. 26 2.6 Alternatives Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................................... 27 3.1 Physical Environment ...................................................................................................................................... 27 3.1.1 Climate ............................................................................................................................................................ 27 3.1.2 Topography, Geology, and Soils ..................................................................................................................... 28 3.1.3 Air Quality ....................................................................................................................................................... 28 3.1.4 Water and Water Quality ................................................................................................................................ 29 3.2 Biological Considerations ............................................................................................................................... 29 3.2.1 Vegetation and Habitat Types ......................................................................................................................... 29 3.2.2 Special Biological Communities/Critical Wildlife Habitat ............................................................................. 30 3.2.3 Noxious Weeds/Exotic Plants .......................................................................................................................... 30 3.2.4 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................................................ 34 3.3 Socioeconomic Considerations ....................................................................................................................... 40 3.3.1 Cultural Resources .......................................................................................................................................... 40 3.3.2 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice.................................................................................................... 40 3.3.3 Land Use ......................................................................................................................................................... 41 3.3.4 Aesthetics 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