Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

摘要

For thousands of years, the Mississippi River (River) corridor has served as an important migration route for millions of ducks, geese, shorebirds, waterbirds, songbirds, hawks, eagles and gulls. This network of wetlands, forests, and grasslands has also provided habitat for a variety of fish and resident wildlife species. The Upper Mississippi River (UMR) floodplain has been greatly altered for agriculture, urbanization, navigation and flood control. The quantity and quality of wildlife habitat on the River has declined. We believe that partnerships will play a key role in achieving the long-term ecological integrity of the UMR. Cooperative working relationships between federal and state agencies, industry, and the public are crucial to achieving a balance between commercial navigation, recreation, River habitat for wildlife and safe municipal water. Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex) lands will contribute to larger public policy goals regarding floodplain management. Research and monitoring data must be current, readily available, and applicable to land management decision-making needs. In the future, the Complex management program on 500 miles of the UMR will be an exemplary model for partnerships and science-based wildlife management.