Comprehensive Conservation Plan Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge and Lacreek Wetland Management District February 2006 Prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge and Lacreek Wetland Management District 29746 Bird Road Martin, SD 57551 605/685 6508 and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6 Division of Refuge Planning PO Box 25486 DFC Lakewood, CO 80225 303/236 4365 Approved by: J. Mitch King Date Regional Director, Region 6 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lakewood, CO Comprehensive Conservation Plan Approval Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge and Lacreek Wetland Management District Submitted by: __________________________________ ________________ Tom Koerner Date Refuge Manager Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge and Lacreek Wetland Management District Martin, SD Concurred with: __________________________________ ________________ David Wiseman Date Refuge Program Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6 Lakewood, CO and __________________________________ ________________ Richard A. Coleman, Ph.D. Date Assistant Regional Director National Wildlife Refuge System U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6 Lakewood, CO Contents Summary . S-1 1 Introduction . 1 Purpose and Need for Plan . .1 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System . .2 Ecosystem Descriptions and Threats . .3 National and Regional Mandates . .4 The Planning Process . .4 2 Lacreek NWR and Lacreek WMD Background . 11 Establishment, Acquisition, and Management History . 11 Vision and Goals . 13 Special Values . 14 Planning Issues . 14 3 Refuge Resources and Description. .21 Geology and Soils . 21 Water Resources . 22 Vegetation Communities . 23 Wildlife . 25 Cultural Resources . 27 Special Management Areas . 28 Visitor Services. 28 Fire and Grazing History . 29 Socioeconomics . 30 Air Quality . 30 4 Management Direction . .35 Introduction . 35 Management Direction . 35 Personnel . 54 Funding . 54 Step-down Management Plans . 54 Monitoring and Evaluation . 55 Plan Amendment and Revision. 55 Glossary . 59 i Comprehensive Conservation Plan—Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge Appendices . 67 Appendix A. Compatibility Determinations . 69 Appendix B. Key Legislation and Policies . 75 Appendix C. Public Involvement . 81 Appendix D. Planning Team and Contributors . 85 Appendix E. Black-tailed Prairie Dog Management Plan, Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. 87 Appendix F. Fire Management Program . 115 Appendix G. Species List. 117 Appendix H. Refuge Operating Needs System . 129 Appendix I. Maintenance Management System. 131 Appendix J. Environmental Compliance. 133 Bibliography . 137 ii List of Figures and Tables Figures 1. USFWS ecosystem map . 5 2. The steps in the CCP process . 6 3. Location map . 12 4. Prairie dog management . 15 5. Habitat map . ..