Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges Complex Summary Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

              1
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Illinois River
National Wildlife and Fish Refuges
Complex
Summary
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment
Contents
Introduction to the Illinois River National Wildlife & Fish Refuges Complex / 1
Who We Are and What We Do / 3
Comprehensive Conservation Planning / 3
The Planning Process / 4
Management Alternatives / 5
Goals and Objectives / 7
Implementing the CCP / 9
Where You Can Find the Draft CCP / 11
How You Can Be Involved / 11
Introduction to Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges
Complex
The Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges Complex stretches along 124 miles
of the Illinois River in west central Illinois (see the figure on the following page). The
Complex includes three refuges: Meredosia National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Chautauqua NWR and
Emiquon NWR. The three refuges, which together
total 12,163 acres, are a mix of backwater lakes,
bottomland forests, floodplain wetlands and a small
amount of upland forest.
The Refuge Complex provides habitat for between 60
percent and 70 percent of the waterfowl that migrate
along the Illinois River and has been designated as an
Important Bird Area and accepted into the Western
Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. In addition
to being important to migratory birds, the refuges’
backwater lakes serve as spawning and nursery
habitat for a highly productive river fishery.
Illinois River NW&FR Photograph
2
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
Located in Mason County north of Havana, Illinois, Chautauqua NWR is 4,488 acres in
size. The Refuge serves as the headquarters for the Illinois River NW&FR Complex and
also manages the 1,709 acre Cameron-Billsbach Division, which is located in Marshall
County between Sparland and Henry, Illinois. The 4,488-acre refuge includes roughly
3,250 acres of backwater lake, 930 acres of bottomland hardwoods, and 320 acres of
woodlands and prairie.
Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge
Meredosia NWR is located in Cass and Morgan counties within the Illinois River flood-plain
in the upper end of Alton Pool and extends up river for five miles from Meredosia.
The Refuge presently owns and manages 3,852 acres of land within the approved 5,255
acre boundary. Meredosia Lake is a meandered lake and, therefore, is under the control
of the Illinois Division of Water Resources. The Illinois Department of Natural Re-sources
manages waterfowl hunting and fishing on Meredosia Lake.
3
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge
Emiquon NWR is located in Fulton County, Illinois. As of April 2003, the Service owned
and managed 2,114 acres of land within the 11,122-acre authorized boundary. Approxi-mately
90 percent of the land within the Service's authorized purchase boundary is
cropland. However, the partnership restoration of wetlands and associated upland
habitats should result in a highly productive, functioning system to support historical
biological diversity for the enjoyment and use by American people.
Who We Are and What We Do
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is the primary federal agency responsible
for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the
continuing benefit of the American people. Specific responsibilities include enforcing
federal wildlife laws, managing migratory bird populations, restoring
nationally significant fisheries, administering the Endangered Species
Act, and restoring wildlife habitat such as wetlands.
The Service’s role also includes managing the National Wildlife Refuge
System, the world’s largest collection of lands specifically managed for
fish and wildlife. The System is a network of more than 530 national
wildlife refuges and wetland management districts encompassing more
than 93 million acres of public land and water. The majority of these lands – 82 percent –
are in Alaska, with approximately 16 million acres spread across the remaining states and
several island territories. National wildlife refuges and wetland management districts
provide habitat for more than 5,000 species of birds, mammals, fish and insects.
Refuges and wetland management districts are also unique places for people. When it is
compatible with wildlife and habitat needs and the purpose for which the refuge or
district was established, they can be used for wildlife-dependent activities such as
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education and environ-mental
interpretation.
Comprehensive Conservation Planning
The Comprehensive Conservation Plan, or CCP, is a guide for management of Illinois
River NW&FR over the next 15 years. The document provides an outline for how we
will accomplish our mission and make our vision become a reality. Several legislative
mandates within the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 have
guided the development of the Plan. These mandates include:
â–  The focus of management on the Refuges is to benefit wildlife conservation.
â–  Recreation or other uses are encouraged if they are compatible with wildlife
conservation.
â–  Wildlife-dependent recreation activities, (hunting, fishing, wildlife observation,
wildlife photography, environmental education and interpretation) will be empha-sized.
The CCP will benefit management of the Refuge by:
4
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
â–  Providing a clear statement of direction for future management of the Refuge.
â–  Giving Refuge neighbors, visitors and the general public an understanding of the
Service’s management actions on and around the Refuge.
â–  Ensuring that the Refuge's management actions and programs are consistent
with the mandates of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
â–  Ensuring that Refuge management takes into consideration other federal, state
and county plans.
â–  Wildlife-dependent recreation involving compatible hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation and photography, or environmental education and interpretation, are
the priority public uses of the Refuge System.
â–  Other uses have lower priority on the refuge system and are only allowed if they
are compatible with the mission of the Refuge System, and with the purposes of
the individual refuge.
â–  Providing a basis for the development of budget requests on the Refuge's
operation, maintenance, and capital improvement needs.
The Planning Process
This planning project was launched with public meetings aimed at giving neighbors, the
community, State and local government, and State and federal agencies an opportunity to
describe the issues they believe should be addressed in long-term planning.
The planning area used for this Comprehensive Conservation Plan spanned the Illinois
River Corridor from roughly Hennipen, Illinois, downstream to Meredosia, Illinois.
Management direction was developed for land within the authorized boundaries of Illinois
River National Wildlife and associated land within the Illinois River Corridor.
Public meetings were held between April 19-21, 1999, in the communities of Meredosia,
Henry and Lewiston, Illinois, to solicit public comment on refuge planning. Refuge staff
have met with the Illinois Division of Water Resources, the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources, and several non-government organizations. Staff have participated in
several technical groups and have met with local organizations. Most recently, Refuge
staff and planners hosted a public meeting at the Dickson Mounds Museum to discuss the
CCP. In addition, Refuge staff and planners have asked for regional office comment on
the issues that should be considered in planning.
The issues established by talking to partners, neighbors, federal and state agencies, and
interested citizens include:
Wildlife Management Issues
â–  Protect listed species
â–  Perpetuate waterfowl and other migratory birds
â–  Recover native fish and mussels
â–  Safeguard biological integrity, diversity and environmental health.
â–  Wildlife are creating crop depredation problems on neighboring farm fields.
â–  Avian botulism has been a serious problem on Lake Chautauqua and continued
monitoring is needed.
5
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Habitat Management Issues
â–  We are losing wetlands
â–  We are losing native forest
â–  We are losing native grasslands
â–  We are losing native savanna
â–  Habitat is being degraded
â–  An oxbow restoration on Emiquon NWR is affecting drainage on local land, and
the Refuge needs to find another means of drainage for the North Globe.
â–  Sedimentation is resulting in backwater lakes, sloughs and side channels of the
Illinois River Corridor filling in.
Visitor Services Management Issues
â–  The public has identified additional recreational opportunities that the Refuge
Complex could provide.
â–  Refuge Complex infrastructure needs to be upgraded for safety reasons as well
as for universal accessibility.
â–  The Refuge Complex needs to increase its visibility and understanding of its
mission.
â–  Waterfowl hunting quality is being hurt/helped by a structure at the mouth of
Quiver Creek.
â–  Some hunters have suggested that the Refuge Complex serve as sanctuary for
waterfowl and not produce food, thus improving hunting on area clubs.
Management Alternatives
After examining the issues and challenges facing Illinois River NW&FR, three manage-ment
alternatives were developed based on comments received from the public, partners,
state and federal agencies, and local communities. These alternatives include:
Alternative 1 (No Action)
The No Action alternative considers a future based on recent trends in operation and
management of the Refuge Complex and subsequent conservation of the Illinois River
Corridor for the benefit of Service trust resources. As such, Alternative 1 represents
the status quo in the management of the Refuge Complex. Analysis of a No Action
alternative is a requirement of the NEPA and Service planning procedures.
Under Alternative 1, Refuge management direction would continue under existing
guidance contained in Refuge Complex management plans (e.g., Refuge Master Plan,
Step-down plans, etc.). For the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, existing management
direction is contained in the final environmental assessment and decision document (1993)
that was prepared when that Refuge was originally planned. In all cases, management
under this alternative would be carried out according to written documentation contained
in Refuge Complex management plans and within the existing approved boundaries of
Chautauqua, Meredosia, and Emiquon National Wildlife Refuges. Work outside Refuge
boundaries would continue through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program through-out
the 20-county district.
We would manage 200 acres of native grassland within the Refuge Complex. Coopera-tive
farming would be continued to control undesirable species in areas to be planted to
native grasses. No savanna habitat would be protected or restored. By 2017, we would
manage 4,500 acres of native forest. We would continue to manage 6,000 acres of wet-lands.
6
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Under this alternative we would support hunting and fishing at 2003 visitation levels.
Additional recreational facilities would include three new interpretive trails at Emiquon
NWR. We would provide two photo/hunting blinds and access trails for wildlife observa-tion
and hunting. We would construct an accessible fishing platform at Chautauqua
NWR. We would continue to provide environmental education to 1,900 students each
year. We would continue current outreach efforts to local groups.
Alternative 2, Refuge Focus
Under Alternative 2, management
direction at the Refuge Complex
would proceed under new guidance
brought about through the develop-ment
of a Comprehensive Conserva-tion
Plan and its step-down manage-ment
plans. A common feature linking
action items in Alternative 2 is the
emphasis on completing land acquisi-tion
within the authorized boundaries
of Emiquon NWR and Meredosia
NWR as funding allows. There would be increased restoration of habitats and more
wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities. Work outside Refuge boundaries would
continue through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program throughout the 20-county
district.
Under this alternative our objective would be to restore a proportion of the native fish
and mussel species on the Refuge Complex. We would also seek to add diversity within
the Refuge Complex by converting pine plantations to upland hardwood forests. We
would manage the deer population with controlled hunts.
We would manage 1, 000 acres of native grassland within the Refuge Complex. Coopera-tive
farming would continue for management purposes. We would seek to manage 200
acres of savanna. By 2017, we would manage 6,000 acres of native forest and 10,000 acres
of wetlands.
Under this alternative we would seek to expand hunting opportunities by evaluating and
opening additional existing and acquired lands and providing accessible blinds. We
estimate that in 15 years an additional 4,000 acres could be opened to hunting. We would
expand fishing opportunities beyond the current planned program by opening additional
areas to bank fishing, providing two accessible fishing facilities, and constructing a boat
ramp. In addition to currently planned facilities, we would increase the opportunities for
wildlife observation by expanding the hours of the auto-tour and developing additional
pull-off areas. We would provide environmental education to 2,500 students each year.
Additional support to environmental education and interpretation would be offered
through an additional staff person, programs, materials, and facilities that would include
signs and restrooms. We would expand our outreach activities in partnership with
others through special programs, tours, website, and other media beyond what is cur-rently
done.
Alternative 3, Refuge Resource Area Focus (Preferred Alternative)
Under Alternative 3, management direction at the Refuge Complex would proceed under
new guidance brought about through the development of a Comprehensive Conservation
Illinois River NW&FR Photograph
7
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Plan and associated step-down management plans. We would complete land acquisition
within the authorized boundaries of Emiquon NWR and Meredosia NWR as funding
allows. There would be increased restoration of habitats and more wildlife-dependent
recreation opportunities. The Service would concentrate efforts of the Partners for
Wildlife and Fish Program within five focus areas: Meredosia, Lower Sangamon River,
Emiquon, Chautauqua, and Hennepin-Lacon that encompass 236,160 acres.
The major difference between this alternative and Alternative 1 and 2 is in the conserva-tion
efforts made in Illinois River Focus Areas. Under this alternative, like in Alterna-tives
1 and 2, the Refuge Complex would enhance fish and wildlife habitat protection,
restoration, and management within the boundaries of the Illinois River Refuges. The
acres managed , recreational opportunities offered, and facilities that would be devel-oped
are the same as in Alternative 2.
Unlike Alternative 2, conservation efforts would be actively encouraged within the five
focus areas over the next 15 years. The Refuge Complex would refocus its Partners for
Wildlife Program across the five focus areas in the hope of developing additional volun-tary
partnership agreements in these areas. We would work toward protecting 380
acres of native grassland, 200 acres of savanna, and 1,300 acres of native forest, and 4,000
acres of wetlands within the focus areas through voluntary partnerships.
Goals and Objectives for Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish
Refuges
Wildlife Management Goal: Perpetuate listed species, waterfowl and other migra-tory
birds, and native fish and mussels, within the
Illinois River Corridor while restoring and conserving
the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental
health of the Refuge Complex.
Objectives:
â–  Protect Bald Eagles occurring on Refuge Complex land from human disturbance.
â–  Protect Decurrent False Aster populations occurring on Refuge Complex land
from human disturbance, including constructing physical barriers to restrict
vehicle and foot traffic (minimum 50-foot protective zone).
â–  If Indiana bats occur on the Refuge Complex, protect them from human distur-bance.
â–  Encourage colonization of Indiana bats on Refuge Complex land through forest
restoration (day roost and nursery habitat) on Emiquon and Meredosia Refuges
throughout the life of this plan.
â–  By 2006, in cooperation with state and federal biologists, inventory and assess
listed species and their habitats throughout the Illinois River Corridor and
determine the extent to which the life cycle needs of listed species are being met
within each habitat type. Evaluate the potential reintroduction of species
suitable to the habitat of the Refuge Complex (e.g., Higgins Eye Pearly Mussel;
Least Tern).
8
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
â–  By 2017, restore and maintain native fish and mussel
species diversity on Refuge Complex land to 85 percent
(fish) and 50 percent (mussel) of those that were histori-cally
present in the Illinois River System at the end of the
19th century. Presently there are approximately 102
species of fish, 37 species of mollusks, and 10 species of
crustaceans found in the vicinity of the Refuge Complex
(Appendix 5). This objective would be accomplished in
accordance with strategic planning efforts of the State of
Illinois.
â–  Safeguard management options and prevent further
degradation of landscape processes by promoting diverse
and productive plant and animal communities within the
Refuge Complex that are appropriate to soil type,
climate, and landform.
â–  Safeguard management options and prevent further
degradation of landscape processes by promoting diverse
and productive plant and animal communities within
Illinois River Focus Areas that are appropriate to soil
type, climate, and landform.
â–  Manage or eliminate exotic and invasive species on the Refuge Complex below
present levels.
Habitat Management Goal: Provide the most productive habitat possible within the
Illinois River Corridor for the benefit of listed species,
waterfowl and other migratory birds, native fish and
mussels, and native biological diversity.
Objectives:
â–  By 2017, the Refuge Complex will protect and manage 1,000 acres of high quality
native grassland habitat for the benefit of listed species, waterfowl and other
migratory birds, and native biological diversity (currently the Refuge has
roughly 200 acres of high quality native grassland habitat).
â–  By 2017, the Refuge Complex will protect, restore, and manage 200 acres of high
quality native savanna habitat for listed species, waterfowl and other migratory
birds, upland game species, and native biological diversity (currently the Refuge
Complex protects or manages no savanna habitat).
â–  Protect, restore, and maintain 200 acres of existing or restorable native savanna
habitat within the Chautauqua-Emiquon Focus Area (approximately 15 acres
per year) through voluntary partnership agreements.
â–  By 2017, the Refuge Complex will protect and manage 6,000 acres of high quality
native forest habitat (e.g., upland hardwood, bottomland hardwood) for listed
species, waterfowl and other migratory birds, and upland game species (cur-rently
the Refuge protects and manages roughly 4,500 acres of forest habitat).
â–  Protect, restore, and manage an additional 1,300 acres of existing or restorable
native forest habitat within the Meredosia Focus Area (approximately 100 acres
per year).
Photograph by Bernie Angus
9
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
â–  By 2017, the Refuge Complex will protect and manage 10,000 acres of high
quality wetland habitat characteristic of the historic Illinois River Corridor (e.g.,
hemi-marshes, moist soil habitats, wet prairie, side channels, backwater lakes,
tributary streams) (currently the Refuge has roughly 6,000 acres of wetlands).
Visitor Services Management Goal: Provide the public with abundant and high-quality
public use opportunities on Refuge land including
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photog-raphy,
and environmental education and interpre-tation.
Objectives:
â–  Refuge stakeholders will appreciate the high quality recreational opportunities
afforded by the Refuge Complex such that the Refuge Complex becomes recog-nized
as a premier destination to participate in natural resource based recreation.
â–  Provide structured on-site environmental education programs to 2,500 students
annually.
â–  Refuge stakeholder will feel connected to the Refuge, and will actively partici-pate
in the stewardship of the Refuge, the National Wildlife Refuge System, and
the ecosystems within the Illinois River Corridor.
â–  Land owners within Refuge Focus Areas will have a greater awareness of
conservation and restoration potential on their lands.
Administration Goal: Provide leadership and support to federal, state, local
and private partners at the Refuge, ecosystem and
landscape scales that is proactive in addressing a wide
range of conservation opportunities and issues.
â–  Continue to enforce laws for which the Service is responsible on the Refuge
Complex, including the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979; the
Lacey Act (1981 amendments); the Endangered Species Act; the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act; the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act; and the
National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act, including state laws governing
hunting, fishing, and motor vehicle use.
â–  Increasing compliance of state and Federal regulations on Refuge land will be a
priority for the Refuge throughout the life of this CCP.
â–  Continue to serve as leader, facilitator, and source of information for natural
resources issues along the Illinois River.
Implementing the CCP
Personnel Needs
Currently the staff of the Refuge Complex consists of six positions: refuge manager,
refuge operations specialist, administrative technician, wildlife biologist, maintenance
mechanic, and maintenance worker.
10
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
As the Refuge activities have expanded and Refuge visitation has increased with a
demand for higher quality wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities, it has become
difficult to efficiently run the Refuge to meet the demands of the resources and the
public. To meet these needs, our plan is to add a full-time park ranger to coordinate the
public use program, a full-time law enforcement officer, and a full-time private lands
biologist.
New and Existing Projects
The future management of the Refuge Complex will require consistent operational and
maintenance funding to implement the strategies in this plan. The costs to implement the
strategies and projects identified in this Plan are captured in Service budget databases,
including the Refuge Operating Needs System (RONS), Maintenance Management
System (MMS), and Land Acquisition Priority System (LAPS). The following list
contains the highest priority Refuge projects (Tier 1), as chosen by the Refuge staff.
Tier 1 RONS projects include:
â–  Enhance existing wetlands on the Cameron/Billsbach Division (RONS No. 99015)
â–  Improve Refuge public use and outreach by adding an outdoor recreation planner
to the staff (RONS No. 97009).
â–  Improve resources data analysis on the Illinois River Refuges by adding a
biologist position (RONS No. 99005).
â–  Construct an accessible fishing platform at Chautauqua NWR (RONS No.
99011).
â–  Undertake prairie restoration on the Shearl and Skinner tracts on Meredosia
NWR (RONS No. 97003).
â–  Improve the entrance road to the Illinois River Refuge's headquarters (RONS
No. 99004).
Monitoring And Evaluation
Monitoring is critical to successful implemen-tation
of this plan. Monitoring is necessary to
evaluate the progress toward objectives and to
determine if conditions are changing.
Accomplishment of the objectives described in
this CCP will be monitored annually by the
Refuge Manager and his or her supervisor.
The public will be informed about the activities
of the Refuge Complex staff through periodic
mailings to persons on the mailing list and
published on the Refuge Complex website.
The techniques and details for monitoring
related to objectives will be specified in the
Inventory and Monitoring Step-down Plan.
The direction set forth in this CCP plus specifically identified strategies and projects will
be monitored throughout the life of this plan. Periodically, the Regional Office will
assemble a station review team to visit the Refuge Complex and evaluate current Refuge
Illinois River NW&FR Photograph
11
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
activities in light of this plan. The team will
review all aspects of Refuge management, includ-ing
direction, accomplishments and funding. The
goals and objectives presented in this CCP will
provide the baseline from which this field station
will be evaluated.
Plan Amendment And Revision
The CCP is meant to provide guidance to Refuge
managers and staff over the next 15 years.
However, the CCP is also a dynamic and flexible
document and several of the strategies contained
in the plan are subject to natural, uncontrollable
events such as floods and droughts. Likewise,
many of the strategies are dependent upon Service funding for staff and projects. Fi-nally,
the CCP was developed using the best information available at the time of prepara-tion.
As new and better information emerges, the direction and strategies of the CCP
may need to be re-evaluated. Because of these factors, the recommendations in the CCP
will be reviewed periodically and, if necessary, revised to meet new circumstances. If any
revisions are major, the review and revision will include the public.
Where You Can Find the Draft CCP
The Draft CCP is available for review at the Illinois River NW&FR Headquarters,
which is located at 19031 East County Road 2110N, near Havana, Illinois. Copies are also
available at local libraries. If you would like to receive a copy of the plan, please call the
Refuge Complex at 309/535-2290.
The Draft CCP can also be viewed in portable document format (pdf) on the Service's
web site for this planning project (http://www.midwest.fws.gov/planning/Ilrivtop.htm)
How You Can Be Involved
Public participation is the cornerstone of comprehensive conservation planning. By
letting us know what you think of the draft comprehensive conservation plans, you can
help the Service develop plans that accomplish conservation goals and fulfill the needs of
people visiting Illinois River NW&FR.
A public review period follows the release of the draft CCP and this summary. Comments
will continue to be welcome throughout the planning process, however in order for your
thoughts to be considered in preparation of the final CCP, we need to receive your
comment by September 20, 2003.
Written comments can be submitted either through the mail or electronically through our
Web site (http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/ilrivtop.htm). Please address written corre-spondence
to:
Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex
19031 East County Road 2110N
Havana, IL 62644
Illinois River NW&FR Photograph
Illinois River
National Wildlife and Fish Refuges Complex
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Summary
August 2003
Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges Complex
19031 East County Road 2110N
Havana, IL 62644