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

Appendix F: Staffing Charts
wildlife, removing or trampling of plants, littering, vandalism and entrance into closed
areas. We will not be creating new trails, rather improving existing trails. There will be
some removal of vegetation to place the observation platforms and photo blinds. In the
event of persistent disturbance to habitat or wildlife the activity will be restricted or
discontinued. Little energy will be expended by wildlife leaving areas of disturbance.
Public Review and Comment: The compatibility determination was included in the Draft
CCP/EA. The Draft CCP/EA was available for comment from July 20 through September
3, 2003. Refuge staff held four public meetings to collect public comments, written and
verbal, on the draft CCP/EA, including all compatibility determinations.
Determination:
Use is not compatible ___.
Use is Compatible with the following stipulations _X_.
The following stipulations are required to ensure compatibility:
Additional funding will be necessary to fully implement the wildlife observation and
photography program outlined in the CCP. The level of implementation will be
determined by the amount of funding allocated to the refuge over the next 15 years.
Law enforcement patrol of public use areas should minimize the above-mentioned types of
violations. The current “Refuge open ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset”
regulation restricts entry after daylight hours, and should be maintained along with
“Public Use Restricted to Trails Only”.
Special use permits are required for organizations conducting wildlife observation and
photography activities on the refuge. A fee may be charged for the special use permit. The
areas used by such tours will be closely monitored to evaluate the impacts on the resource;
if adverse impacts appear, the activity will be moved to secondary locations or curtailed
entirely. Specific conditions may apply depending upon the requested activity and will be
addressed through the special use permit.
Commercial photography is subject to a special use permit and commercial photographers
will be charged a fee. The fee is dependent on size, scope and impact of the proposed
activity.
Periodic evaluations will be done on trails to assess visitor impacts on the habitat. If
evidence of unacceptable adverse impacts occurs, these uses will be curtailed, relocated or
discontinued. Refuge regulations will be posted and enforced. Closed areas will be
established, posted and enforced. The known presence of any threatened or endangered
species likely to be disturbed by trail activity will preclude use of that site as a trail.
All photographers must follow refuge regulations. Photographers in closed areas must
follow the conditions outlined in the special use permit which normally include notification
of refuge personnel each time any activities occur in closed areas. Use of a closed area
should be restricted to inside blinds to reduce disturbance to wildlife. No baits or scents
may be used. At the end of each session, the blind must be removed. All litter will be
removed daily.
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Assabet River NWR