Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction, Purpose and Need, Planning Background ......................................................1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Refuge Purpose and Management Background ..................................................................................................1 Refuge Vision Statement .....................................................................................................................................2 Purpose and Need for the Plan ............................................................................................................................2 Purpose .........................................................................................................................................................2 Need .............................................................................................................................................................4 National Wildlife Refuge System Mission, Goals, and Principles ......................................................................5 Goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System ............................................................................................5 Legal and Policy Framework ................................................................................................................................6 Compatibility Policy ......................................................................................................................................6 Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Policy .................................................................7 Wilderness Review ..............................................................................................................................................7 Chapter 2: The Planning Process .................................................................................................................8 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................8 Meetings and Public Involvement .......................................................................................................................8 Issues Identified in Scoping ................................................................................................................................9 Review of the Draft EIS/CCP .............................................................................................................................10 Final EIS/CCP and Record of Decision ...............................................................................................................10 Chapter 3: Refuge Environment and Management ..................................................................................11 Physical Environment .........................................................................................................................................11 Upper Mississippi River/Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem ...............................................................................11 Migratory Bird Conservation Initiatives ..............................................................................................12 Region 3 Fish and Wildlife Resource Conservation Priorities ............................................................12 Climate .......................................................................................................................................................14 Soil and Water ...........................................................................................................................................14 Fire .....................................................................................................................................................................15 Socioeconomic Environment .............................................................................................................................15 Refuge Resources ..............................................................................................................................................15 Habitat/Vegetation .....................................................................................................................................15 Algific Talus Slopes ............................................................................................................................16 Wildlife .......................................................................................................................................................17 Threatened and Endangered Species .......................................................................................................19 Threats to Resources .........................................................................................................................................20 Administrative Facilities ....................................................................................................................................20 Cultural Resources .............................................................................................................................................20 Public Use .........................................................................................................................................................22 Current Refuge Management Activities ............................................................................................................22 Grassland Habitat .......................................................................................................................................32 Forest Habitat .............................................................................................................................................32 Streams ......................................................................................................................................................32 i Endangered Species ................................................................................................................................... 33 Recreation .................................................................................................................................................. 33 Cultural Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Refuge Staff and Budget ................................................................................................................................... 34 Partnerships ....................................................................................................................................................... 34 Chapter 4: Management Direction ............................................................................................................. 35 Summary of Future Management Direction ...................................................................................................... 35 Habitat ........................................................................................................................................................ 35 Species Management ................................................................................................................................ 36 Visitor Services ......................................................................................................................................... 36 Cultural Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 36 Goals, Objectives and Strategies ...................................................................................................................... 40 Habitat Goal ............................................................................................................................................... 40 Species Management ................................................................................................................................ 43 Visitor Services Goal .................................................................................................................................. 45 Chapter 5: Plan Implementation ................................................................................................................. 47 Personnel and Office Needs .............................................................................................................................. 47 Funding Needs ................................................................................................................................................... 48 Step-down Management Plans ......................................................................................................................... 48 Partnership Opportunities ................................................................................................................................. 48 Volunteer Program 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