Proposed Establishment of Green River National Wildlife Refuge

At the January 29, 2001, meeting of the Membership and Board of Directors of the Friends of Audubon, a motion was unanimously approved to support the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in their goal to establish a national wildlife refuge in Henderson County.  It was our opinion that this proposed refuge is consistent with the goals of FOA.  Mike Morton of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service explained to the group that participation of the present land owners was strictly voluntary.  Present land owners could sell the land outright, sell "conservation easements", enter into co-operative agreement to manage the land in a manner consistent with the refuge, or continue using the land as it is presently being done.   In addition to wildlife management, this plan would encourage tourism in our area, and provide our schools an opportunity to expose our children to the wonders of nature!

Please read the following paragraphs taken out of the draft Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan.  If you agree that this would benefit Henderson and Kentucky, please submit your comments to the address below.  Comments must be received by March 9, 2001

PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION

Introduction

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Southeast Region, proposes to protect and manage certain lands along the confluence of the Green River and Ohio River in Henderson County, Kentucky, through the establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose of the proposed refuge is to restore and manage a valuable complex of wetland habitats for the benefit of migratory birds. Establishment of the refuge, habitat restoration, and proper management would provide excellent migratory bird habitat and contribute to the habitat conservation goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Lower Mississippi River Joint Venture.
 

 The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is "... to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans" (National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997). National wildlife refuges provide important habitat for native plants and many species of mammals, birds, fish, insects, amphibians, and reptiles. They also play a vital role in preserving endangered and threatened species. Refuges offer a wide variety of wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities and many have visitor centers, wildlife trails- and environmental education programs. Nation-wide, about 30 million visitors annually hunt, fish, observe and photograph wildlife, or participate in educational and interpretative activities on refuges.

The proposed Green River National Wildlife Refuge would consist of three units with the majority of the lands on the south side of the river. The Scuffietown Unit (approximately 15,630 acres) and the Horseshoe Bend Unit (approximately 5,420 acres) lie along the south bank of the Ohio River and are separated by U.S. Highway 41. The Green River Island Unit (approximately 1,820 acres) is located west of Highway 41 along the north bank of the Ohio River.

Proposed Action

The Service proposes to protect and manage the identified lands along the Green and Ohio Rivers by acquisition through fee title purchases from willing sellers and through leases, conservation easements, or co-operative agreements from willing landowners. All lands and waters acquired would be managed by the Service as a national wildlife refuge. The goals of the proposed refuge would be to provide (1) habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl, (2) habitat for non-game land birds, (3) habitats for a natural diversity of fish and wildlife, (4) nesting habitat for wood ducks and other locally nesting migratory waterfowl, (5) quality hunting and sport fishing opportunities, and (6) opportunities for environmental education, interpretation, and wildlife oriented recreation.

Submit comments to:

Mr. Charles R. Danner
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 420
Atlanta, Georgia 30345

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