U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
A outline Sport Hunting Project and Environmental Assessment for Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Morehouse and Union Parishes is accessible for a 30-day public review beginning February 14, 2007. The review period will end March 14, 2007.
The Project describes 2 alternatives for hunting on the refuge: (1) the no action alternative would continue the hunting plan that is currently in place and (2) the suggested action would open an additional 4,762 acres of hunting on the Mollicy Unit of the refuge and hold a limited, youth turkey hunt. Under the suggested action, hunting of deer, rabbits, quail, squirrels, coyote, hogs, beaver, and migratory birds such as waterfowl, dove, woodcock and snipe would occur on the additional acreage. Hunting would be carried out in accordance with Federal and State of Louisiana regulations and refuge-specific regulations.
Copies of the Project can be requested from the refuge and copies are accessible for review at the following libraries:
Ouachita Parish: 315 Cypress, West Monroe; 1800 Stubbs Ave., Monroe
Union Parish: 202 West Jackson St., Farmerville
Morehouse Parish: 107 S. 16th St, Bastrop
Written comments, requests for the plan, or questions can be directed to Sharon Fuller, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, at 11372 Hwy 143, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241; (318) 387-1114 x 203. Email comments can be provided to the following address: sharon_fuller@fws.gov.
The Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge is currently 42,594 acres and is located in Morehouse and Union Parishes of Louisiana. The refuge lies on both sides of the Ouachita River bordered on the north by the Arkansas state line and is approximately 20 miles long and from one to 6 miles wide. Hunting opportunities are available, along with fishing, wildlife observation, photography, and environmental education.
The U.S.F.W.S. is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses in excess of 542 National wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 Countrywide fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid plan that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
