Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge & Management Area Comprehensive Conservation Plan Chapter 1: Introduction and Background ..................................................................................................................1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................1 Purpose and Need for Plan .........................................................................................................................................1 Establishment of the Refuge .......................................................................................................................................3 Refuge Purposes .........................................................................................................................................................4 Refuge Vision ..............................................................................................................................................................4 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service .............................................................................................................................4 The National Wildlife Refuge System ........................................................................................................................4 Legal and Policy Guidance ..........................................................................................................................................6 Compatibility Policy .............................................................................................................................................6 Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Policy ........................................................................7 Other Guidance ....................................................................................................................................................7 Existing Partnerships ...................................................................................................................................................7 Volunteers and Friends Group .....................................................................................................................................8 Museums and Repositories ........................................................................................................................................8 Chapter 2: The Planning Process ................................................................................................................................9 Public Scoping .............................................................................................................................................................9 The Comments .....................................................................................................................................................9 Internal Scoping .................................................................................................................................................10 Preparation, Publishing, Finalization and Implementation of the CCP .....................................................................11 Summary of Issues, Concerns and Opportunities .....................................................................................................11 Chapter 3: Refuge Environment and Management ................................................................................................14 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................................14 Wetland Loss in Indiana ...........................................................................................................................................14 The Ohio River Valley Ecosystem ..............................................................................................................................16 Other Units Administered .........................................................................................................................................20 Migratory Bird Conservation Initiatives ....................................................................................................................20 North American Waterfowl Management Plan ................................................................................................20 Partners In Flight ................................................................................................................................................21 U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan .....................................................................................................................21 Waterbird Conservation for the Americas ........................................................................................................22 North American Bird Conservation Initiative ....................................................................................................23 Region 3 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Priorities ..................................................................................................24 Indiana Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy ................................................................................................................24 Other Recreation and Conservation Lands in the Area ............................................................................................24 Sugar Ridge Fish & Wildlife Area ....................................................................................................................24 Glendale Fish & Wildlife Area ..........................................................................................................................24 Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area / Comprehensive Conservation Plan i Pike State Forest ...............................................................................................................................................24 Ferdinand State Forest .....................................................................................................................................26 Other Recreation and Conservation Lands ........................................................................................................26 Socioeconomic Setting .............................................................................................................................................26 Population ..........................................................................................................................................................26 Employment .......................................................................................................................................................26 Income and Education .......................................................................................................................................27 Potential Refuge Visitors ...................................................................................................................................27 Climate ......................................................................................................................................................................27 Climate Change .........................................................................................................................................................28 Observed Climate Trends ..................................................................................................................................29 Scenarios of Future Climate ..............................................................................................................................29 Midwest Key Issues ..........................................................................................................................................29 Reduction in Lake and River Levels ............................................................................................................29 Agricultural Shifts ......................................................................................................................................30 Changes in Semi-natural and Natural Ecosystems ....................................................................................30 Air Quality .................................................................................................................................................................31 Geology and Soils ....................................................................................................................................................32 Geology ..............................................................................................................................................................32 Minerals .............................................................................................................................................................32 Oil ...............................................................................................................................................................32 Gas ..............................................................................................................................................................32