The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is revisiting their Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge.
Some have feared that a priority to conserve habitat for the American white pelican at Lake Walcott might trump any hunting and fishing opportunities. And it certainly is not unfounded fear. The USF&W Service stated 7 goals, upon which they seek comment, as the CCP is drafted. They are:
1. Maintain and protect open water and aquatic habitats to benefit nesting, migrating, and molting waterfowl and waterbirds.
2. Maintain and protect riparian habitat and islands to benefit colonial nesting waterbirds and nesting and migrating landbirds.
3. Maintain, protect, and enhance upland habitats, including sage-steppe, grasslands, sand dunes, juniper shrublands, basalt outcrops, and bluffs, to benefit native wildlife and contribute to the Refuge’s biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health.
4. Perpetuate ecological resistance and rapidly respond to the pervasive
threat of invasive species by using appropriate Integrated Pest Management techniques.
5. Gather scientific information (surveys, research and assessments) to support adaptive management decisions.
6. Protect and manage the Refuge’s prehistoric and historic resources to ensure present and future generations recognize the significance of the area’s past.
7. Increase public understanding and appreciation of wildlife, and build support for the Refuge by providing opportunities for all visitors to participate in safe,
quality wildlife-dependent recreation and education programs, while minimizing wildlife disturbance or other impacts to wildlife populations or habitats.
These do appear to be listed by priority, so take special notice of what comes last.
There were two meetings held last month, one in Burley, and one in Pocatello, that encouraged public comment. Some internet chatter indicated that USF&W Service will likely keep things "as-is." However, I wouldn't bet on it.
They will be accepting public comment via mail or email until the end of the month. You can find the contact info here.
Or you can sign your name to the letter I will be sending in via email on November 20, 2011. If you wish to do so, please email me your name and the town you reside in to idahomansite@live.com, with "Minidoka Letter" as the subject. Below is the letter:
Dear United States Fish & Wildlife Service & Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge,
This is your boss speaking - We The People. Thank you for asking our input on what you might propose to do with the Minidoka Wildlife Refuge and Lake Walcott. We are citizens who have enjoyed this lake, the state park, and the rest of the refuge, and the activities it affords us and our families.
We understand that many of your goals and objectives are to provide habitat for wildlife in the refuge, and to conserve that habitat. It is our opinion that you can achieve those goals and keep all sporting (including hunting, fishing, and frisbee golf) activities allowed on the Refuge unchanged.
If you come to a different opinion, please check back with us before you make any final decisions.
Sincerely,
...
...
...
Once the letter is sent, I will email all signers a copy of it that shows all signatures.
~ J. Bunch
