Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan September 2002 Prepared by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 700 Green River, Wyoming 82935 and Division of Refuge Planning Region 6, Mountain-Prairie Region P.O. Box 25486, DFC Denver, Colorado 80225 Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Approval U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6 s,.i1'-;",iJ-sf=- u." f\efu-ge Progn S~ &_"./C1. ~ Dats: R;;w;j A Vlli!JTl,J(l. ftl 0 1IegI(J1II1 O'ltel Nato:reI 'M1d"-1 Refuge Sy.;!edI TTTable of Contents SummarySummarySummary ............................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Photo Display .................................................................................................................................................................. 4 I.I.I. Introduction / Background Refuge Overview: History of Refuge Establishment, Acquisition and Management .......................................... 7 Seedskadee NWR Overview .................................................................................................................................. 7 History of Seedskadee NWR Establishment, Acquisition, and Management ................................................ 7 Purpose of and Need for Comprehensive Conservation Plan .................................................................................. 11 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Mission ........................................................................................................................... 12 National Wildlife Refuge System Mission, Goals, and Guiding Principles ............................................................. 12 Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge Purpose(s) ...................................................................................................... 14 Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge Vision Statement .......................................................................................... 14 Legal and Policy Guidance ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Existing Partnerships ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 Potential for Refuge Expansion .................................................................................................................................... 18 II.II.II. Planning Process Description of the Planning Process ............................................................................................................................ 19 Planning Issues .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Wildlife and Habitat Management Issues Threatened and Endangered Wildlife and Plants....................................................................................... 20 Riparian Habitats ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Wetlands............................................................................................................................................................ 20 Upland Habitats .............................................................................................................................................. 21 Riverine Habitats ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Weeds .............................................................................................................................................................. 21 Predators and Nuisance Species ................................................................................................................... 21 Fire Management ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Public Use and Recreation Issues Access Management ........................................................................................................................................ 22 Universal Access ............................................................................................................................................. 22 Wildlife Viewing and Photography ............................................................................................................... 22 Hunting ............................................................................................................................................................. 22 Recreational Trapping .................................................................................................................................... 22 River Access..................................................................................................................................................... 22 Sport Fishing.................................................................................................................................................... 23 Commercial Guide Fishing ............................................................................................................................. 23 Camping ............................................................................................................................................................ 23 Boating .............................................................................................................................................................. 23 Visitor Use Level............................................................................................................................................. 23 Environmental Education .............................................................................................................................. 23 Environmental Interpretation ...................................................................................................................... 24 Public Information ........................................................................................................................................... 24 Cultural Resources .......................................................................................................................................... 24 Partnerships ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 Administrative Management Issues Land Acquisition.............................................................................................................................................. 25 Minerals ............................................................................................................................................................ 25 Right-of-Way .................................................................................................................................................... 25 Livestock Access ............................................................................................................................................. 25 Grazing .............................................................................................................................................................. 25 Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - September 2002 i III.III.III. Refuge and Resource Descriptions Geographic / Ecosystem Setting .................................................................................................................................. 26 Climate ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Geological Resources .............................................................................................................................................. 28 Soil Resources .......................................................................................................................................................... 29 The Seedskadee Project and Mitigation - Early Proposals .............................................................................. 30 Fontenelle Dam and Reservoir and River Hydrology ...................................................................................... 31 Area Socio-Economics ............................................................................................................................................ 34 Population Growth .................................................................................................................................................. 34 Income ..................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Economic Development Trends and Pressures .................................................................................................. 35 Changes in Demand for Outdoor Recreation .....................................................................................................