Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge: Comprehensive Management Plan.Environmental Assessment

摘要

For nearly 60 years, Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) has providedimportant resting, nesting, and feeding habitat for thousands of birds during their annual migrations north and south. During years of drought, the Refuge's stable water conditions provide critical habitat for many regional species. The Refuge is located in Kossuth County, Iowa. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others are concerned for the Refuge's long-term environmental health and wildlife productivity. Recent studies have documented a declining status of numerous grassland and wetland dependent wildlife populations, while others have demonstrated how habitat loss and alteration are common causal factors in many of these declines. Since the early 1950's, grassland nesting duck production has been unacceptably low, and water quality in Refuge wetlands has deteriorated due to sedimentation and eutrophication due to runoff. More and more it is recognized that the long-term biological health of the Refuge is highly dependent on the ecological health of the Refuge watershed. In response to these concerns, the decision was made to develop a Comprehensive Management Plan (Plan) for the Refuge. The Plan articulates Service management direction (goals, objectives, strategies) for a 15 year period that would (1) intensify and concentrate federal, state, local, and private habitat restoration and preserving mechanisms in the Union Slough Refuge and portions of its watershed; (2) improve the quality of water entering the Refuge; and (3) provide the public with additional high quality wildlife-dependent environmental education and recreation opportunities at the Refuge.