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

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One of the buildings that has been
removed from Assabet NWR: Staff
photo
Chapter 4: Management Direction
endangerment of health arise, we will work, in coordination with the
MassWildlife, to either trap and relocate individual animals from problem
sites, permit licensed sports trappers or hunters to reduce population
numbers, remove individual beavers through trapping or shooting by
refuge staff, or to permit a licensed animal damage control firm to reduce
population numbers by trapping. If needed, we will issue a special use
permit and complete a compatibility determination outlining specific
requirements and conditions for beaver removal.
We will monitor mute swans on the refuge. In an effort to keep this
aggressive, non-native species from becoming a resident on the refuge,
territorial or nesting swans on the refuge will be lethally removed after
obtaining appropriate permits from our migratory bird office.
Goal 3: Build a public that understands, appreciates, and supports
refuge goals for wildlife.
Objective 1: Mitigate existing physical safety hazards, complete
necessary public use plans and regulations, and open
portions of the refuge in phases.
Strategy 1: Correct the currently known safety hazards. Prior to opening
specific portions of the refuge, we will remove concertina wire, razor wire,
unneeded barbed wire and old Army communications wire; secure the
buildings either by boarding windows and doors or by demolishing and
removing buildings (if architectural/ engineering condition and historical
significance assessments indicate that to be appropriate); install refuge
signs to deter entrance into or around sites, where needed; and secure the
large diameter, open hand-dug wells by filling in accordance with MADEP
requirements. Most or all of these wells pre-date the Army’s acquisition of
the property in 1942. If any of the wells are determined to be of historical
significance, we will coordinate with the State Historic Preservation Office
to determine the appropriate closure method (filling, capping with concrete
or wood closures, etc).
Strategy 2: Within 3 years, develop a Visitor Services Plan.
This document will include specific goals and strategies for the
public use program. It will be available for public review and
comment.
Strategy 3: Open portions of the refuge in phases. The sequencing
of the portions to be opened may vary depending on availability of
funding, completion of building condition and historical
assessments, and continuation of support from the Friends of the
Assabet River NWR and volunteers who have been assisting with
this work. All opened trails are existing roads and will not require
clearing of additional land. Our current conceptual plan (Map 4-1) is
Assabet River NWR