By RUSTY DENNEN
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has a new conservation plan for its refuge along the lower Rappahannock River.
A draft plan, open for public comment, will steer programs and development of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge over the next 15 years.
"We've given it a great deal of thought, we're engaging the public and we're looking forward to implementing it," said Joe McCauley, the refuge manager.
Three management alternatives are proposed in the draft. One would make no changes, another would emphasize forest management.
The third, and preferred, alternative would focus on three areas--wildlife and habitat management, visitor services and refuge administration. Under this proposal, the refuge would:
Enhance grassland and field habitats, expanding them up to 1,200 acres, restore riparian areas and upland forest habitat, phase out within five years any farming that does not directly benefit wildlife or other refuge programs, and expand wildlife inventory and monitoring.
Increase visitation through new trails and access on refuge parcels, improve program quality, promote interpretation of culture sites on the land, and evaluate opportunities for waterfowl and turkey hunting.
Increase staff by four positions and build a new refuge headquarters.
The Rappahannock refuge now has approximately 20 parcels covering nearly 8,200 acres.
Tracts are on both sides of the river, most lying between Tappahannock and Port Royal. They are secured through purchase from willing landowners, or protected with conservation easements.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy and Trust for Public Land work with the refuge on land acquisition and easements.
The refuge is the newest of four comprising the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Established in 1996, it aims to protect 20,000 acres of wetlands and uplands along the Rappahannock and its major tributaries.
Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com
WHAT: Public meeting on draft plan for the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow WHERE: Rappahannock Community College, Warsaw campus, Annex Building, Room 202 ON THE NET: fws.gov/northeast/rappahannock/ |