New Alternative Developed for Swan Lake NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Review Period Begins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 2, 2010

CONTACTS:

Steve Whitson: 660-856-3323

Refuge Manager

The U.S.F.W.S. has released a new preferred alternative for future management of Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) as part of the comprehensive conservation plan, or CCP, being developed for the Refuge. A public review and Review period for the new alternative begins Sept. 2, 2010, and closes on Oct. 4.

Located near Sumner, Mo., Swan Lake NWR includes approximately 11,000 acres of bottomland forest, grasslands and wetlands, and includes Silver Lake, a 2,100-acre impoundment.

"Alternative four is a good faith effort to address the concerns we heard from area residents," according to Steve Whitson, Refuge Manager. "We're trying to balance the community's interests with what we need to do to increase waterfowl habitat and be consistent with the mission and policies of the U.S.F.W.S.."

Alternative four calls for increasing the amount of aquatic and wetland vegetation in Silver Lake and expanding its role to provide food for waterfowl in addition to the loafing habitat it currently provides. This would be done by seasonally varying water levels. No changes to Silver Lake would occur until the Refuge completes a more detailed habitat management plan, and the habitat management project would incorporate the results of an ongoing study of wetlands, soils, and water movement within the Lower Grand River watershed. Alternative four specifies that management actions would occur in steps and be monitored to measure their success and to learn how to enhance future actions.

Alternative four also includes retaining 400 acres of cropland. Converting cropland to native habitats provides food and cover for a greater variety of wildlife, including many that find little habitat beyond the Refuge. However, converting cropland takes time and is dependent on a number of factors, including staff and the availability of native seed.

An objective to increase habitat for the state-listed threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake has been removed from Alternative 4.

The Service announced that a new alternative would be developed to address the community's concerns shortly after the close of the Review period for the Outline CCP in July. The Service received approximately 500 comments on the Outline CCP both supporting and opposing the suggested plan.

A plan update describing how Alternative four responds to the issues that drew the most comments has been mailed to individuals on the plan mailing list and to local libraries, and it is accessible at the Refuge.

The plan update and a more detailed description of Alternative four are accessible on-line at the Swan Lake NWR planning page:

Comments on Alternative four can be e-mailed to the Service at: r3planning@fws.gov

Comments can also be mailed to the Refuge at: Swan Lake NWR, 16194 Swan Lake Avenue, Sumner, MO, 64681.

Comprehensive conservation projects are 15-year projects for managing national wildlife refuges that provide continuity in refuge management and clearly communicate the desired future condition of the refuge to area residents and visitors. The CCP establishes refuge goals and identifies objectives and strategies for accomplishing those goals. As long-term plans, CCPs are typically implemented over the course of several years.

The mission of the U.S.F.W.S. is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit