U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Greetings,
The Fish and Wildlife Service is preparing a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) to help
guide the conservation of natural resources and
promote appropriate public uses of the Arrowwood
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Your ideas and
concerns are important to us and will aid us in
preparing a plan that is sensitive to your needs.
We invite you to attend one of the Open Houses to be
held in local communities in August 2001. Alternatively,
you may choose to complete the enclosed Issues
Workbook, details of which are included elsewhere in
this document. The Open Houses will provide a forum
for us to not only inform you of exactly what we are
doing, but will offer an informal setting for you to share
with us your thoughts about this important resource
and how you would like to see it managed. If you are
interested in Arrowwood NWR, we want to hear from
you. Dates, times, and locations of the open houses are
provided in this document and will also be announced in
local newspapers and on the radio.
The Refuge staff is also available to meet with
individuals or groups at any time. If you are interested
in a special presentation, or would like to make
arrangements to meet individually, please contact the
Refuge Headquarters.
We look forward to working with you throughout this
exciting and important planning process.
Sincerely,
Mark Vaniman
Refuge Manager
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
Contact: Mark Vaniman Phone: 701/285-3341
Refuge Manager Fax: 701/285-3350
Address: 7745 11th Street SE E-mail: FW6_RW_Arrowwood_NWR@fws.gov
Pingree, ND 58476 July 2001
Help Shape the Future of Your National Wildlife Refuge
Background
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Part of the Department of the Interior, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is the only Federal
agency with the specific mandate to conserve the
nation’s fish, wildlife, and plants for the benefit of
the American people.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
mission is, working with others, to
conserve, protect and enhance fish,
wildlife, and plants and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of
the American people.
National Wildlife Refuge System
The Service manages the National Wildlife Refuge
System, the largest collection of lands set aside
specifically for the protection of fish and wildlife
populations and habitats. The Refuge System
began in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt
designated a pelican and heron rookery in Florida
as the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Today, over 530 national wildlife refuges are spread
from Alaska to Puerto Rico and Maine to Hawaii.
National wildlife refuges provide important
habitat for native plants and many species of
mammals, birds, fish, insects, amphibians, and
reptiles. They also play a vital role in preserving
endangered and threatened species. Refuges offer
a wide variety of recreational opportunities and
many have visitor centers, wildlife-observation
trails, and environmental education programs.
Nationwide, more than 30 million visitors
annually hunt, fish, observe, and photograph
wildlife or participate in interpretive activities on
refuges.
National Wildlife Refuge System Mission
The mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System is to
administer a national network
of lands and waters for the
conservation, management, and
where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife,
and plant resources and their habitats within the
United States for the benefit of present and future
generations of Americans.
National Wildlife Refuge System
Four Guiding Principles
3 Habitat. Fish and wildlife will not prosper
without high-quality habitat, and without fish
and wildlife, traditional uses of refuges cannot be
sustained. The Refuge System will continue to
conserve and enhance the quality and diversity of
fish and wildlife habitat within refuges.
3 Public Use. The Refuge System provides
important opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent
recreational activities involving
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and
interpretation.
3 Partnerships. America’s sportsmen and women
were the first partners who insisted on
protecting valuable wildlife habitat within
wildlife refuges. Conservation partnerships with
other Federal agencies, State agencies, Tribes,
organizations, industry, and the general public
can make significant contributions to the growth
and management of the Refuge System.
3 Public Involvement. The public should be given a
full and open opportunity to participate in
decisions regarding acquisition and management
of our national wildlife refuges.
Arrowwood NWR Background
The Arrowwood NWR is situated in the Prairie
Pothole Region of North Dakota. It was established in
1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory
birds and other wildlife. Located along the James
River in east central North Dakota, Arrowwood’s
15,934 acres are made up of lakes, marshes, coulees,
and cultivated fields. As the river meanders its way
across the prairie it passes through four main water
areas; Arrowwood, Mud and Jim Lakes and the DePuy
Marsh. These are naturally occurring riverine lakes
that have had control structures added at their
outlets. Spring and fall bring spectacular numbers of
birds to the area during their annual migrations and
resident wildlife, such as grouse and white-tailed
deer, can be seen year-round.
The Arrowwood NWR Planning Process
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required to
manage all refuges in accordance with an approved
Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which, when
implemented, will achieve refuge purposes; help
fulfill the Refuge System mission; maintain and,
where appropriate, restore the ecological integrity of
each refuge and the Refuge System; help achieve the
goals of the National Wilderness Preservation
System; and meet other mandates. The CCP will
guide management decisions and set forth goals,
objectives, and strategies to accomplish these ends.
Step-down management plans may also be required
to provide additional details about meeting CCP
goals and objectives and to describe strategies and
implementation schedules. Each plan will be founded
on principles of sound fish and wildlife management
and available science, and be consistent with legal
mandates and other Service policies, guidelines, and
planning documents. The Service will prepare refuge
plans that, above all else, ensure that WILDLIFE
COMES FIRST on national wildlife refuges.
Want to Get Involved?
To gather as much public input and to reach as many
people as possible, the Arrowwood National Wildlife
Refuge staff has developed several opportunities for
your participation.
Open Houses
We are conducting four Open Houses, as follows:
L August 14, 2001, Tuesday
Jamestown, Law Enforcement Center,
205 6th Street SE, 4-7 pm
Pingree, Edmunds/Pingree Community Center,
Highway 281 South, 8-11 pm
L August 15, 2001, Wednesday
Carrington, Dakota Central Telecommunications
Cooperative, 630 5th Street North, 4-7 pm
Kensal, Kensal Community Café,
424 Main Street, 8-11 pm
These Open Houses will be announced in local
newspapers and on radio.
Issues Workbooks
You may also get involved by completing the
attached Issues Workbook.
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process 1
Issues Workbook
The workbook is provided to everyone on our mailing list and anyone who attends an open
house. Additional copies will be kept at Refuge headquarters for distribution by request.
Read through each of the sections and jot down your thoughts. Let us know how you feel about
the issues and whether you have additional issues or concerns. Your responses to these
questions will help us better understand our constituents and public opinion and guide the
planning process. All of the comments we receive, by whatever means, will be considered in the
preparation of the CCP. However, in order to be most helpful, please provide comments and
return the Issues Workbook by September 30.
After you have completed the Workbook, simply fold it in half (with the preaddressed return
mailer on the outside), tape it together (do not staple), put on the proper postage, and drop it in
the mail. Thanks for your help; we really appreciate it. If you have any questions or would like
more information about this project, please call Arrowwood NWR at 701-285-3341.
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook
2 Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process
1. What do you value most about Arrowwood NWR?
Please indicate a rating of 0, 1, 2 or 3 with:
0 = don’t know
1 = no value
2 = some value
3 = most value
Topic Rating
Open Space
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Wildlife Observation
Hunting Opportunities
Fishing Opportunities
Trapping Opportunities
Birdwatching Opportunities
Scenic Quality
Religious and Cultural Opportunities
Native Prairie Grasslands
Research Opportunities
Photography Opportunities
Historical/Archaeological
Interpretation
Education & Interpretive Programs
Other (Please Specify)
Comments:
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process 3
2. What do you want the future to hold for Arrowwood NWR?
Please indicate a rating of 0, 1, 2 or 3, with:
0 = don’t know
1 = no importance
2 = some importance
3 = most importance
Topic Rating
More Public Use and Access
Less Public Use and Access
More Recreational Opportunities
Less Recreational Opportunities
Biodiversity Increased
Sustainable Wildlife Populations
More Farming and Ranching
Opportunities
Stricter Enforcement of Regulations
Increased Resource Stewardship
More Economic Uses (e.g., haying,
grazing)
Little or No Change from Today
Other (Please Specify)
Comments:
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook
4 Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process
3. What concerns do you have about Arrowwood NWR?
Please indicate a rating of 0, 1, 2 or 3, with:
0 = don’t know
1 = no concern
2 = some concern
3 = most concern
Topic Rating
Wildlife Disturbance
Habitat Disturbance
Incompatible Use (Please Specify)
Pesticides
Exotic Plants/Weeds
Increasing Public Use and Access
Federal Control
Religious and Cultural Opportunities
Reduced Water Management
Capabilities on Refuge
Predator Control
Other (Please Specify)
Comments:
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process 5
4. Any additional problems or issues you want to see addressed in the CCP?
5. What improvements would you recommend for Arrowwood NWR?
6. In what town and state do you reside?_________________________
7. Any additional thoughts, suggestions, comments, or criticisms that you would like to share
with us?
Important!
Would you like to be on our Mailing list?
In order to place your name and address on our mailing list, we must have your written
permission. This is because Federal government mailing lists must be released to the public
upon request under the Freedom of Information Act. If you wish to receive future information
about the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning
Project, please fill in the information requested below and return this form to the following
address. (If you have already completed one of these forms you do not need to fill out another
one.) If you are returning a completed Issues Workbook, you may return this form with it.
Return to: Arrowwood NWR Planning Project
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
7745 11th Street, SE
Pingree, ND 58476-8308
Yes, I wish to be on the mailing list to receive future information about the Arrowwood
National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Project. I understand that
names and addresses on Federal mailing lists must be released to the public upon request,
under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act of 1974.
Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: _________________________
First Name: ________________________________ Last Name: _____________________________
Mailing Address:_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
City: _________________________________ State: ______________________________
Zip Code: _____________________________
If you are acting in an official capacity as the representative of an organization, please complete
the following two items:
Organization: ________________________________________________________________________
Title: _______________________________________________________________________________
Fold here, tape the two halves together (do not staple), affix postage, and drop in the mail.
_________________________ Place
Stamp
_________________________ Here
_________________________
_________________________
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
7745 11th Street SE
Pingree, ND 58476-8308
