Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Appendix C: Responses to Substantive Comments
boundary. These individuals expressed a preference that the land remains in town
control.
Assabet River, Great Meadows, and Oxbow NWRs are a part of the much larger Refuge
System. The Service is developing a plan for strategic growth of the Refuge System. This
plan will allow the Service to prioritize land acquisition and boundary expansions for the
System as a whole. The process for changing land acquisition boundaries is long and
complex and takes a great deal of staff time. The plan for strategic growth will also allow
Refuge System staff to focus boundary expansion efforts to those areas that are of
greatest value to the System as a whole. Certainly, the refuges encompassed in the draft
CCP/EA contribute a great deal to fulfilling the Refuge System mission. Any boundary
expansion must also be shown to have a necessary contribution. Staff will continue to work
toward boundary expansions within Service policy and guidelines.
Expansion of the boundaries at locations that provide important habitats is still possible.
Staff will need to pursue these acquisition boundary issues as a separate process.
Congress has specifically identified the Devens South Post land as appropriate for transfer
to the Service. The transfer would not be hindered by the lack of an acquisition boundary
around that land.
We would like to point out that the acquisition boundary identifies natural areas that are
important to the purposes of the refuges. However, the Service does not plan to condemn
land that is being protected by other entities. In the event that a group or individual, such
as a town conservation commission, is attempting to sell some of this land, the Service
would be interested in acquiring the land rather than allowing it to be developed.
Buildings and Facilities
Respondents voiced a myriad of opinions regarding what kinds of buildings and facilities
should be provided at the refuge. Citing the importance of public education, many people
ask the FWS to locate kiosks at strategic locations throughout the refuge. Comments
regarding refuge parking focus on lot location with a number of people discouraging
parking at Heard Pond. These respondents contend that there has been too much garbage
dumping and vandalism at the Heard Pond site to make it a desirable parking place.
We are sensitive to the fact that there are a wide variety of opinions regarding
development of buildings, restroom facilities, and parking areas at the refuges. We will
work to ensure that buildings are sited to provide the greatest benefit to the groups that
will use them, while at the same time reducing any associated impacts. Where
appropriate, we will site and build kiosks to provide educational and informational
opportunities. We understand the concern over past activities at Heard Pond. The
proposed parking lot will be located along the road and not set back like the previous lot.
We have proposed a limited expansion of no more than 6 cars depending on available area
that will allow more visitors to enjoy the area.
Comprehencive Conservation Plan - 167 -