U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Plan April 2021 - DRAFT Cranberry pool – Ken Sturm/USFWS Appendix A – Compatibility Determination Appendix B – Environmental Assessment Appendix C – Intra-Service Section 7 Evaluation Estimated Lead Agency Total Costs Associated with Developing and Producing the EA (per ERM 10-12): L...___I$7,067 ____JI Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Plan April 2021 DRAFT U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge 29 Tabor Rd. Swanton, VT 05488 Submitted By: Project Leader ______________________________________________ ____________ Signature Date Concurrence: Refuge Supervisor ______________________________________________ ____________ Signature Date Approved: Regional Chief National Wildlife Refuge System ______________________________________________ ____________ Signature Date Table of Contents I. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 II. Statement of Objectives ........................................................................................................... 3 III. Description of Hunting Program .......................................................................................... 3 A. Areas to be Opened to Hunting ............................................................................................ 3 B. Species to be Taken, Hunting Periods, Hunting Access ...................................................... 4 C. Hunter Permit Requirements ............................................................................................... 5 D. Consultation and Coordination with the State ..................................................................... 6 E. Law Enforcement ................................................................................................................. 6 F. Funding and Staffing Requirements .................................................................................... 6 IV. Conduct of the Hunting Program ......................................................................................... 7 A. Hunter Permit Application, Selection, and/or Registration Procedures .............................. 7 B. Refuge-Specific Hunting Regulations ................................................................................. 8 C. Relevant State Regulations .................................................................................................. 9 D. Other Refuge Rules and Regulations for Hunting ............................................................... 9 V. Public Engagement ................................................................................................................ 10 A. Outreach for Announcing and Publicizing the Hunting Program ...................................... 10 B. Anticipated Public Reaction to the Hunting Program ........................................................ 10 C. How Hunters Will Be Informed of Relevant Rules and Regulations ................................ 11 VI. Compatibility Determination .............................................................................................. 11 List of Tables 1. Table 1. Funding and Staffing Requirements ............................................................................. 7 Appendices Appendix A – Hunting Compatibility Determination ................................................................ A-1 Appendix B – Environmental Assessment ................................................................................. B-1 Appendix C – Intra-Service Section 7 Analysis ........................................................................ C-1 I. Introduction National wildlife refuges are guided by the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System), refuge-specific objectives and purposes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) policy, and laws and international treaties. Relevant guidance includes the Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (NWRSAA), as amended by the Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, and selected portions of the Code of Federal Regulations and Fish and Wildlife Service Manual. The mission of the Refuge System, as outlined by the NWRSAA and amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), is to: “... administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” The NWRSAA mandates the Secretary of the Interior in administering the System to (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(4): • Provide for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats within the Refuge System; • Ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the Refuge System are maintained for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans; • Ensure that the mission of the Refuge System described at 16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(2) and the purposes of each refuge are carried out; • Ensure effective coordination, interaction, and cooperation with owners of land adjoining refuges and the fish and wildlife agency of the States in which the units of the Refuge System are located; • Assist in the maintenance of adequate water quantity and water quality to fulfill the mission of the Refuge System and the purposes of each refuge; • Recognize compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general public uses of the Refuge System through which the American public can develop an appreciation for fish and wildlife; • Ensure that opportunities are provided within the Refuge System for compatible wildlife- dependent recreational uses; and • Monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each refuge. Missisquoi NWR Hunting Plan - DRAFT 1 Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (NWR, refuge) lies on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, near the Canadian border in Franklin County, Vermont (Figure 1). Established in 1943 under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act “...for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or any other management purposes, for migratory birds,” the 6,760-acre refuge includes most of the Missisquoi River Delta, the largest wetland complex in the Lake Champlain Basin. As it flows through the refuge, the Missisquoi River passes through the largest and perhaps highest quality silver maple floodplain forest in the State. The river meanders through extensive natural and managed marshes of wild rice, buttonbush, and tussock sedge that host thousands of waterfowl during migration. Part of the river located in the refuge harbors rare freshwater mussels, turtles, and fish. The rivers delta is a critical link for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway. Refuge lands protect the Shad Island great blue heron rookery, the largest in Vermont. Other important refuge habitats include pitch pine woodland bog, patches of oak and northern hardwood forest, grasslands, alder thickets and other shrub lands. The refuge was designated a Ramsar “Wetland of International Importance” in 2013. The separate 458-acre Eagle Point unit, located approximately 50 miles east of the refuge near Lake Memphremagog, will remain open to all seasons per State regulations for Wildlife Management Areas with the exception of dog training. This area was previously evaluated in a 2014 Environmental Assessment (EA) and Compatibility Determination (CD). The refuge is currently open to white-tailed deer, rabbit, hare, gray squirrel, ruffed grouse and migratory bird hunting. The refuge has a longstanding Junior Waterfowl Training Program, which emphasizes mentored hunts to encourage youth waterfowl participation. This program has successfully recruited waterfowl hunters at Missisquoi for over 43 years and is proposed to continue under this hunt plan. Furthermore, we will retain and reactivate adult hunters who can share their experience with the juniors. The Service proposes to expand opportunities for hunting at Missisquoi NWR to better align with State regulations. We propose the following changes to the existing hunting program: • Upland game hunting will be opened for coyote, red fox, gray fox, skunk, raccoon, weasel, and opossum. Method of take and bag limits for these species will be in alignment with the State regulations. The refuge will limit coyote, skunk, weasel, and opossum hunting to the State’s rabbit and hare season, the current upland game season on the refuge. • The refuge will adopt changes to the State’s deer hunting regulations aimed at increasing recruitment of new hunters, including the addition of a “novice” hunt day. This day coincides with the State’s Youth Weekend each year. The refuge will also be open to the 4 day antlerless muzzleloader season in late October. • Hunting for woodcock and snipe will be opened on Stephen J. Young Marsh in the Tabor Road/Maquam Swamp and Bog unit of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and seasons. Missisquoi NWR Hunting Plan - DRAFT 2 II. Statement of Objectives The objectives for the hunting program at Missisquoi NWR are to provide the public with high quality wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities that align with refuge purposes and management objectives. The Service has long recognized that hunting is an integral part of a comprehensive wildlife management program and that positive benefits