[This page intentionally left blank.] Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan September 2010 Prepared by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System, Southwest Region Division of Planning P. O. Box 1306 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103 [This page intentionally left blank.] [This page intentionally left blank.] Table of Contents Table of Contents Dear Reader .......................................................................................................................................... i Title Page ............................................................................................................................................. iii Plan Approval ....................................................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................... vii Refuge Vision ....................................................................................................................................... xi 1. Introduction and Background ............................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Refuge History and Purposes ................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need for the Plan ................................................................................. 1-5 1.3 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission .................................................................... 1-6 1.4 National Wildlife Refuge System Mission and Goals ............................................. 1-6 1.5 Legal and Policy Guidance ........................................................................................ 1-8 1.5.1 Coordination with the State of Texas (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) ............................................................................................ 1-8 1.6 Existing Partnerships ................................................................................................ 1-9 2. Planning Process: Issues, Considerations, and Perspectives .......................................... 2-1 2.1 Strategic Habitat Conservation ................................................................................ 2-1 2.2 The Ecosystem Approach to Management ............................................................. 2-1 2.3 The Texas Gulf Coast Ecosystem ............................................................................. 2-2 2.4 Other Plans and Initiatives Relevant to CCP Planning ......................................... 2-4 2.5 Planning Perspectives ............................................................................................. 2-19 2.6 Planning Issues ........................................................................................................ 2-19 2.7 Expected Planning Outcomes ................................................................................. 2-23 2.8 Planning Process and Public Involvement ............................................................ 2-24 3. Refuge Resources ..................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Habitats ....................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Fish and Wildlife ........................................................................................................ 3-5 3.3 Climate ...................................................................................................................... 3-18 3.4 Geology ...................................................................................................................... 3-18 3.5 Soils ............................................................................................................................ 3-19 3.6 Water Management: Quality and Quantity ........................................................... 3-19 3.7 Fire Management ..................................................................................................... 3-20 3.8 Refuge Law Enforcement ....................................................................................... 3-21 3.9 Archaeological, Cultural, and Historical Resources ............................................. 3-22 3.10 Public Access and Wildlife-Dependent Recreational Uses .................................. 3-23 3.11 Socioeconomic Environment ................................................................................... 3-31 3.12 Special Designations ................................................................................................ 3-34 3.13 Environmental Contaminants ................................................................................. 3-35 Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan vii Table of Contents 4. Management Direction ........................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Goal 1 ........................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Goal 2 ......................................................................................................................... 4-12 4.3 Goal 3 ......................................................................................................................... 4-20 5. Implementation and Monitoring .......................................................................................... 5-1 5.1 Funding and Personnel ............................................................................................. 5-1 5.2 Step-down Plans ........................................................................................................ 5-4 5.3 Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 5-7 5.4 Plan Amendment and Revision ................................................................................ 5-7 Planning and Terminology CCP Preparation and Planning Team Glossary Abbreviations and Acronyms Appendices A. Refuge Biota B. Federal Threatened and Endangered Species – Laguna Atascosa NWR C. Texas Threatened and Endangered Species – Laguna Atascosa NWR D. Appropriate Refuge Uses and Compatibility Determinations E. Refuge Establishing Documents F. Key Legislation and Service Policies G. Intra-Service Section 7 (Endangered Species) Consultation H. Public Involvement – Response to Comments I. Environmental Impact Statement J. Finding of No Significant Impact K. References viii Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Table of Contents Tables and Figures Figure 1-1. Laguna Atascosa NWR and Vicinity ......................................................................... 1-5 Figure 1-2. National Wildlife Refuge System ................................................................................ 1-7 Figure 2-1. Texas Gulf Coast Ecosystem Map .............................................................................. 2-2 Figure 2-2. Biotic Communities of the LRGV ................................................................................ 2-3 Figure 2-3. Refuge Boundary Map ................................................................................................. 2-5 Figure 2-4. Coastal Corridor Acquisition Area .............................................................................. 2-7 Figure 2-5. Wildlife Conservation Corridors ............................................................................... 2-10 Figure 3-1. Waterfowl Flyways and National Wildlife Refuges .................................................. 3-7 Figure 3-2. Roads and Trails ......................................................................................................... 3-27 Table 3-1. Laguna Atascosa NWR Focal Species ........................................................................ 3-18 Table 5-1. Current staff .................................................................................................................... 5-1 Table 5-2. Proposed staffing positions ............................................................................................ 5-2 Table 5-3. Funding Categories and Average Annual Funding (Fiscal Years 2003–2007) ........ 5-3 Table 5-4. Annual Operation Budget (k) needed for full implementation of the CCP ............... 5-4 Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan ix Table of Contents [This page intentionally left blank.] x Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Refuge Vision Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) comprises a unique and rare assemblage of south Texas habitats that represent some of the last undeveloped coastal areas in the United States. The Refuge is a unique blend of temperate, subtropical, coastal and desert habitats. Several biotic communities exist on the Refuge, including brushlands, coastal prairies, freshwater and brackish pothole wetlands, estuarine wetlands, lomas (clay ridges), wind tidal flats, and barrier island beaches and dunes. Mexican plants and wildlife reach their northernmost limits here, while migratory birds stop to rest and feed during the spring and fall. This combination makes Laguna Atascosa world famous for