Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Blue Iris: Photo by Marijke Holtrop - 12 - Chapter 2: The Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process NWRs. Additional issues and a need for more information prompted us to later split Mashpee and Massasoit NWRs from the draft as well. The Service solicited comments on the draft CCP/EA for Great Meadows, Assabet River, and Oxbow NWRs from July 20 to September 3, 2003. We contracted with the U.S. Forest Service’s Content Analysis Team (CAT) to compile the nearly 2,000 comments that we received. The CAT developed a summary report of comments (Appendix B) as well as a database of individual comments. We utilized the original comments received, CAT report and comment database to develop a list of comments that required responses. Editorial suggestions and notes of concurrence with or opposition to certain proposals were noted and included in the decision making process, but do not receive formal responses. We have included our responses to requests for additional information or clarification, provisions of additional information, and specific concerns as Appendix C. We have made changes to the CCP where appropriate. The final product of the process is three stand-alone CCPs, one for each refuge. Implementation of the CCPs can occur once the Finding of (No) Significant Impact (FONSI) is signed. Each year, we will evaluate our accomplishments under the CCPs. Monitoring or new information may indicate the need to change our strategies. The collection of additional data at Assabet River NWR will likely require modification and specification of the wildlife and habitat management strategies. We will modify the CCP documents and associated management activities as needed, following the procedures outlined in Service policy and NEPA requirements. The CCPs will be fully revised every 15 years or sooner if necessary. Wilderness Assessment The planning team conducted a Wilderness Assessment, as required by Refuge Planning Policy, to determine if any lands and waters in fee title ownership were suitable to be proposed for designation as a Wilderness Area. During the inventory stage, we determined that the Assabet River NWR does not fulfill the eligibility requirements for a Wilderness Study Area as defined by the Wilderness Act. The refuge and its surrounding area have been altered in some way by man, with the imprint of man’s work generally noticeable. The refuge does not have 5,000 contiguous acres, and is not of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition. Furthermore, permanent roads are contained within the refuge. Therefore, suitability of the refuge for Wilderness Designation is not analyzed further in this document. Assabet River NWR
Chapter 2: The Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities Issues, concerns, and opportunities were brought to the attention of the refuge planning team through early planning discussions with local governments, state, and federal representatives, and through the public scoping process. We received comments from the public both verbally at open houses and in writing, through Issues Workbooks and individual letters. In addition issues were identified by the Service and from comments received on the Draft CCP/EA. Many issues that are very important to the public often fall outside the scope of the decision to be made within this planning process. In some instances, the Service cannot resolve issues some people have communicated to us. We have considered all issues throughout our planning process, and have developed plans that attempt to address the important issues where possible. Habitat and Wildlife Management Many people were interested in our management programs. The refuge has begun additional surveys and inventories to collect baseline information. Our efforts at the refuge will help us develop a Habitat Management Plan (HMP) which will provide a detailed description of our goals and objectives for habitat management on the refuge. Individuals and groups expressed a great deal of interest in how we manage migratory birds and upland habitats on the refuge. The public is concerned about what will happen with fencing that currently surrounds the refuge and how it impacts wildlife movement. The fencing was not removed when the property was transferred to the Service. Control of Invasive, Injurious, and Overabundant Plant and Animal Species Invasive species, including Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia), and spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) and are a concern at the refuge. These species limit the productivity of wildlife habitat. Management to control invasive species was mentioned as a watershed-wide priority to some conservation associations. We continue our efforts to control known invasives on the refuge. Hunting Requests were made at public meetings and through written comments both to allow and not to allow deer hunting on the refuge. We received a petition requesting consideration of bow hunting at Assabet River NWR. There were suggestions to provide lawful hunting opportunities on the refuge to control deer populations and deter poaching. Cooperation with Comprehensive Conservation Plan - 13 -
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Chapter 2: The Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process<br />
Issues, Concerns, <strong>and</strong> Opportunities<br />
Issues, concerns, <strong>and</strong> opportunities were brought to the attention of the<br />
refuge planning team through early planning discussions with local<br />
governments, state, <strong>and</strong> federal representatives, <strong>and</strong> through the public<br />
scoping process. We received comments from the public both verbally at<br />
open houses <strong>and</strong> in writing, through Issues Workbooks <strong>and</strong> individual<br />
letters. In addition issues were identified by the <strong>Service</strong> <strong>and</strong> from<br />
comments received on the Draft <strong>CCP</strong>/EA. Many issues that are very<br />
important to the public often fall outside the scope of the decision to be<br />
made within this planning process. In some instances, the <strong>Service</strong> cannot<br />
resolve issues some people have communicated to us. We have considered<br />
all issues throughout our planning process, <strong>and</strong> have developed plans that<br />
attempt to address the important issues where possible.<br />
Habitat <strong>and</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> Management<br />
Many people were interested in our management programs. The refuge has<br />
begun additional surveys <strong>and</strong> inventories to collect baseline information.<br />
Our efforts at the refuge will help us develop a Habitat Management Plan<br />
(HMP) which will provide a detailed description of our goals <strong>and</strong> objectives<br />
for habitat management on the refuge.<br />
Individuals <strong>and</strong> groups expressed a great deal of interest in how we<br />
manage migratory birds <strong>and</strong> upl<strong>and</strong> habitats on the refuge. The public is<br />
concerned about what will happen with fencing that currently surrounds<br />
the refuge <strong>and</strong> how it impacts wildlife movement. The fencing was not<br />
removed when the property was transferred to the <strong>Service</strong>.<br />
Control of Invasive, Injurious, <strong>and</strong> Overabundant Plant <strong>and</strong> Animal<br />
Species<br />
Invasive species, including Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum),<br />
black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia), <strong>and</strong> spotted knapweed (Centaurea<br />
maculosa) <strong>and</strong> are a concern at the refuge. These species limit the<br />
productivity of wildlife habitat. Management to control invasive species was<br />
mentioned as a watershed-wide priority to some conservation associations.<br />
We continue our efforts to control known invasives on the refuge.<br />
Hunting<br />
Requests were made at public meetings <strong>and</strong> through written comments<br />
both to allow <strong>and</strong> not to allow deer hunting on the refuge. We received a<br />
petition requesting consideration of bow hunting at <strong>Assabet</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>NWR</strong>.<br />
There were suggestions to provide lawful hunting opportunities on the<br />
refuge to control deer populations <strong>and</strong> deter poaching. Cooperation with<br />
Comprehensive Conservation Plan - 13 -
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