Refuge Looks for Public Input on Suggested Border Plan

Category: Wildlife
Type: News
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Date: Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has suggested to construct a communication relay tower within the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area in southern Arizona. The refuge is required to conduct a compatibility determination for all suggested uses of National Wildlife Refuge lands. As part of this process the refuge has prepared a outline Compatibility Determination and is currently accepting comments from the public on this draft. Comments will be accepted through February 1, 2010.

�A copy of the outline Compatibility Determination is accessible at: www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/cabeza/

The Department of Homeland Security has suggested to construct a steel lattice tower, attached to a concrete foundation mounted to the ground with rock anchors. The structure will be approximately 33.5 feet high. In addition, a 16 foot wide by 14 foot tall solar panel array will be attached to the tower. There will also be 3 storage units placed within the footprint of the tower to store batteries and communication equipment. The temporary construction buffer will be 35 feet x 35 feet and the permanent footprint will be 14 feet x 14 feet. The suggested plan is part of the larger Ajo1 Plan suggested by the Department.

The 1997 Refuge Improvement Act requires that before a new activity is allowed on a National Wildlife Refuge the refuge manager must 1st assess the compatibility of the activity. A "compatible use" is one "that will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the mission of the Refuge System or the purpose of the refuge". The public is invited to provide relevant information and express views on whether or not this Plan will materially interfere with or detract from the refuge's ability to meet its mandated purposes.

Comments should be directed to Curt McCasland, Refuge Manager at : Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, 1611 N. Second Ave. Ajo, Arizona 85321, Curtis_McCasland@fws.gov, or faxed to 520-387-5359.

________________________________________________________________________

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 www.fws.gov.

User Comments

There are currently no comments for this story. Be the first to add a comment!
Click here to add a comment about this story.

A Compatibility Determination for commercial filming on Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is accessible for a 14-day public review
... to ensure compatibility. A outline compatibility determination has been crafted for the suggested uses and is ... agencies. A Compatibility Determination for commercial filming on Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is accessible for ...

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Delivers Supplemental Information on Access Through Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge for Ruby Pipeline
... federal law requires the Service to review a suggested use within a national wildlife refuge to determine whether it is compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established. A Outline Compatibility Determination has been ...

Refuge Extends Period for Public Input on Suggested Border Plan
... in southern Arizona. The refuge is required to conduct a compatibility determination for all suggested uses of National Wildlife Refuge lands. As part of this process the refuge has prepared a outline Compatibility ...

Agency Extends Public Review Period for Suggested Construction of Towers on National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S.F.W.S. (Service) has extended the public review period for the outline Compatibility Determination (CD) for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security?s (DHS) request to construct towers associated with the Secure Border ...

Agency Requests Public Review on Suggestion for Construction of Towers on National Wildlife Refuge
... by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 for all suggested uses of National Wildlife Refuge lands. The assessment that the suggested use is compatible is based on certain stipulations being ...

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Looks for Comments on Outline Recreational Hunting Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Compatibility Determination for Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
... on Outline Recreational Hunting Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Compatibility Determination for Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge A Outline Recreational Hunting Project and Environmental ...

U.S.F.W.S. Looks for Comments on the Compatibility Determination for Hunting at Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge
A Compatibility Determination for Hunting on Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Madison and Tensas Parishes is ... stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility. A outline compatibility determination has been crafted for the suggested uses and is ...

U.S.F.W.S. Looks for Comments on the Compatibility Determination for Hunting at Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge
A Compatibility Determination for Hunting on Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Concordia Parish is ... and stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility. A outline compatibility determination has been crafted for the suggested uses and is ...

KOFA NWR LOOKS FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON OUTLINE COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATION
(Yuma, AZ) Kofa National Wildlife Refuge declares the availability of a Outline Compatibility Determination for public review and review on the suggested Southern California Edison-Devers Palo Verde #2, 500 Kilovolt ...

Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge Outline Environmental Assessment and Outline Compatibility Determination on Bain's Gap Road Opening and Enhancements Accessible for Review and Review
... (EA) and Compatibility Determination for Bain?s Gap Road Enhancements on Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge , ... adverse environmental effects to adjacent refuge natural communities. The Outline Compatibility Determination evaluates the impacts of ...