Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan

              Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Southeast Region
August 2008
COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN
LOGAN CAVE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Benton County, Arkansas
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Southeast Region
Atlanta, Georgia
August 2008
Table of Contents i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN
I. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 3
Purpose And Need For The Plan ................................................................................................. 3
Fish and Wildlife Service .............................................................................................................. 4
National Wildlife Refuge System .................................................................................................. 4
Legal and Policy Context .............................................................................................................. 5
National and International Conservation Plans and Initiatives ..................................................... 5
Relationship To State Wildlife Agency .......................................................................................... 6
II. REFUGE OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 7
Introduction and Purposes ............................................................................................................ 7
Ecosystem Context ....................................................................................................................... 7
Ecological Threats and Problems ............................................................................................... 10
Physical Resources .................................................................................................................... 12
Climate .............................................................................................................................. 12
Geology and Topography .................................................................................................. 12
Soils ................................................................................................................................. 13
Hydrology .......................................................................................................................... 13
Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 14
Water Quality and Quanity ................................................................................................ 14
Biological Resources .................................................................................................................. 14
Habitat ............................................................................................................................... 14
Wildlife ............................................................................................................................... 15
Cultural Resources ..................................................................................................................... 16
Socioeconomic Environment ...................................................................................................... 16
Refuge Administration and Management ................................................................................... 17
Land Protection and Conservation .................................................................................... 17
Visitor Services ................................................................................................................. 17
Personnel, Operations and Maintenance .......................................................................... 17
III. PLAN DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................. 19
Overview .................................................................................................................................... 19
Public Involvement and the Planning Process ........................................................................... 19
Summary of Issues, Concerns and Opportunities ...................................................................... 19
Fish and Wildlife Population Management ................................................................................. 20
Threatened and Endangered Species .............................................................................. 20
Karst Dependant Species ................................................................................................. 20
Neo-tropical Migratory Birds .............................................................................................. 21
Habitat Management .................................................................................................................. 21
Logan Cave ....................................................................................................................... 21
Logan Stream .................................................................................................................... 21
Surface Habitat ................................................................................................................. 22
Land Protection .......................................................................................................................... 22
Recharge zone .................................................................................................................. 22
Bat Foraging Area ............................................................................................................. 22
ii Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Visitor Services.......................................................................................................................... 22
Scientific Monitoring & Research ...................................................................................... 24
Refuge Administration ................................................................................................................ 24
Funding and Staffing ......................................................................................................... 24
Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................... 24
Fences/Gates/Boundary Signs ......................................................................................... 24
Wilderness Review ..................................................................................................................... 24
IV. MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ......................................................................................................... 25
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 25
Vision ........................................................................................................................................ 25
Goals, Objectives, and Strategies .............................................................................................. 25
Goal 1. Fish and Wildlife Population Management .......................................................... 26
Goal 2. Habitats ............................................................................................................... 28
Goal 3. Resource Protection ............................................................................................ 30
Goal 4. Education and Visitor Services ............................................................................. 31
Goal 5. Refuge Administration ......................................................................................... 33
V. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................................................................. 35
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 35
Proposed Projects ...................................................................................................................... 35
Fish And Wildlife Population Management ....................................................................... 35
Habitat Management......................................................................................................... 37
Resource Protection ......................................................................................................... 37
Visitor Services ................................................................................................................. 38
Refuge Administration ...................................................................................................... 38
Funding and Personnel .............................................................................................................. 39
Partnership/ Volunteers Opportunities ....................................................................................... 39
Step-Down Management Plans .................................................................................................. 39
Monitoring and Adaptive Management ....................................................................................... 39
Plan Review and Revision.......................................................................................................... 41
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................ 43
APPENDIX B. REFERENCES AND LITERATURE CITATIONS ....................................................... 53
APPENDIX C. RELEVANT LEGAL MANDATES AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS .................................. 55
APPENDIX D. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ............................................................................................ 65
Summary Of Public Involvement Process .................................................................................. 65
Summary Of Public Draft CCP Comments ................................................................................. 65
Draft Plan Comments and Service Response .................................................................. 66
APPENDIX E. APPROPRIATE USE DETERMINATIONS ................................................................. 69
APPENDIX F. COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATIONS ........................................................................ 73
APPENDIX G. INTRA-SERVICE SECTION 7 BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION ...................................... 77
Table of Contents iii
APPENDIX H. WILDERNESS REVIEW .............................................................................................. 83
Summary of Refuge Wilderness Review ........................................................................... 83
APPENDIX I. REFUGE BIOTA ............................................................................................................ 85
APPENDIX J. BUDGET REQUESTS ................................................................................................. 87
Refuge Operating Needs System (RONS) ................................................................................. 87
Maintenance Management System Needs ................................................................................. 88
APPENDIX K. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ................................................................... 89
Overview .................................................................................................................................... 89
APPENDIX L. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ................................................................... 91
Water Quality from Soil Disturbance and Use of Herbicides ............................................. 93
Wildlife Disturbance .......................................................................................................... 94
Vegetation Disturbance ..................................................................................................... 94
User Group Conflicts ......................................................................................................... 94
Effects on Adjacent Landowners ....................................................................................... 94
Land Ownership and Site Development ............................................................................ 94
iv Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Vicinity map of Logan Cave NWR ......................................................................................... 8
Figure 2. Management boundary for Logan Cave NWR ...................................................................... 9
Figure 3. Fish and Wildlife Service Ark/Red Rivers Ecosystem ......................................................... 18
Figure 4. Recharge zone for Logan Cave NWR showing priority areas for protection ....................... 23
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Summary of projects ............................................................................................................. 40
Table 2. Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge step-down management plans related to the
goals and objectives of the CCP ......................................................................................... 41
Executive Summary 1
Executive Summary
The Fish and Wildlife Service has prepared this Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) to guide
the management of Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge (Logan Cave NWR) in Benton County,
Arkansas. The CCP outlines programs and corresponding resource needs for the next 15 years, as
mandated by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Improvement Act).
Public involvement in the development of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environment Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Logan Cave NWR was sought throughout the planning
process. The planning team held one public scoping meeting and solicited public reaction to the
proposed alternatives. Also, a 30-day public review and comment period of the Draft CCP/EA was
provided.
The Service developed and analyzed three alternatives. Alternative 1 represented a custodial
approach. Refuge management or resource protection would not occur; fish and wildlife populations
would not be monitored, habitats would not be managed or monitored, no land protection would
occur, and no law enforcement activities would be performed. Under this alternative, the Service
would probably enter into management agreements with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
and/or The Nature Conservancy.
Alternative 2 represented no change from current management of the refuge. All refuge
management activities would have been directed toward achieving the refuge’s primary purpose (to
properly administer, conserve, and develop the 123-acre area for protection of a unique cave
ecosystem that provides essential habitat for the endangered gray bat, endangered Benton cave
crayfish, the threatened Ozark cavefish, and other significant cave dwelling wildlife species). Active
habitat and wildlife management would continue to be limited to protection of the cave entrances and
limited access to surface and subsurface habitats. Little to no environmental education and wildlife
interpretation would occur. No improvements would be made to the exterior for wildlife observation or
photography. Under this alternative, the refuge would not seek partnerships with adjacent
landowners nor other state and federal agencies to contribute to the overall natural resource
conservation effort in the area.
The primary focus under Alternative 3, the preferred alternative, will be to add a staff person and
equipment in order to manage, maintain, restore, and protect the refuge’s habitats and wildlife
species. Intensive biological monitoring for all species of concern will occur. Active habitat
management will be implemented to maintain and enhance water quantity and quality within the cave
system, the recharge zone (ground water recharge areas), and waterways within the bat foraging
areas through best management practices, easements, and partnerships with private landowners and
other federal and state agencies. Continuous groundwater quality monitoring, which is crucial to the
existence of the aquatic species utilizing the cave stream and groundwater corridors, will occur.
Utilizing various partners, the refuge will develop a small environmental education program, focusing
on karst environments. Limited staff- or volunteer-guided wildlife observation and photography and
environmental education and interpretation will occur on the surface. The refuge will develop a
community-based volunteer program by establishing a Cave Steward or Friends program.
The Service selected Alternative 3 as its preferred alternative and it is reflected in this CCP.
Alternative 3 is selected for implementation because it properly administers, conserves, and develops
the 123-acre area for protection of a unique cave ecosystem that provides essential habitat for the
endangered gray bat, endangered Benton cave crayfish, the threatened Ozark cavefish, and other
significant cave-dwelling wildlife species, while contributing to other national, regional and state goals
2 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
to protect and restore karst habitats and species. At the same time, these management actions
provide balanced levels of compatible public use opportunities consistent with existing laws, Service
policies, and sound biological principles. It provides the best mix of program elements to achieve
desired long-term conditions.
Under this alternative, all lands under the management and direction of the refuge will be protected,
managed, maintained, and enhanced and those lands adjacent to the refuge will be prioritized for
protection to best achieve national, regional, ecosystem, and refuge-specific goals and objectives
within anticipated funding and staffing levels. In addition, the action positively addresses significant
issues and concerns expressed by the public.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 3
I. Background
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has developed this Comprehensive Conservation Plan
(CCP) for Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge (Logan Cave NWR) to guide management actions and
direction for the refuge. Fish and wildlife conservation will receive first priority in refuge management;
wildlife-dependent recreation will be allowed and encouraged as long as it is compatible with, and does
not detract from, the mission of the refuge or the purposes for which it was established.
A planning team developed a range of alternatives that best met the goals and objectives of the
refuge and that could be implemented within the 15-year plan period. This CCP describes the
Service’s preferred management action. The Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) was made available to state and federal government
agencies, conservation partners, and the general public for review and comment. Comments from
each entity were considered in the development of this Final CCP.
PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PLAN
The purpose of the CCP is to develop an action that best achieves the refuge purpose; attains the
vision and goals developed for the refuge; contributes to National Wildlife Refuge System mission;
addresses key problems, issues and relevant mandates; and is consistent with sound principles of
fish and wildlife management.
Specifically, the plan is needed to:
􀁹􇤠 Provide a clear statement of refuge management direction;
􀁹􇤠 Provide refuge neighbors, visitors, and government officials with an understanding of Service
management actions on and around the refuge;
􀁹􇤠 Ensure that Service management actions, including land protection and recreation/education
programs, are consistent with the mandates of the National Wildlife Refuge System;
􀁹􇤠 Ensure that refuge management is consistent with the purpose for which the refuge was
established;
􀁹􇤠 Ensure that refuge management is consistent with federal, state, and local plans and
contributes to the mission of the ecosystem it is located in; and
􀁹􇤠 Provide a basis for the development of budget requests for operations, maintenance, and
capital improvement needs.
Perhaps the greatest need of the Service is communication with the public and the public’s
participation in carrying out the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Many agencies,
organizations, institutions, and businesses have developed relationships with the Service to advance
the mission of national wildlife refuges.
4 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
As part of its mission, the Service manages more than 540 national wildlife refuges, covering over 95
million acres. These areas comprise the National Wildlife Refuge System, the world’s largest
collection of lands set aside specifically for fish and wildlife. The majority of these lands, 77 million
acres, is in Alaska. The remaining acres are spread across the other 49 states and several United
States territories. In addition to refuges, the Service manages thousands of small wetlands, national
fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices, and 78 ecological services field stations. The Service
enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird
populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat, and helps
foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that
distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state
fish and wildlife agencies.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, as defined by the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997 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 IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1997
An important milestone occurred in 1997 with the passage of the National Wildlife Refuge System Act
(Improvement Act), which has been called the “Organic Act” of the Refuge System. The
Improvement Act established, for the first time, a clear legislative mission of wildlife conservation for
the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Actions were initiated in 1997 to comply with the direction of this new legislation, including an effort to
CCPs for all refuges. These CCPs, which are completed with full public involvement, help guide the
future management of refuges by establishing natural resources and recreation/education programs.
Consistent with the Improvement Act, approved CCPs will serve as the guidelines for refuge
management for the next 15 years. The Improvement Act states that each refuge shall be managed
to:
􀁹􇤠 Fulfill the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System;
􀁹􇤠 Fulfill the individual purposes of each refuge;
􀁹􇤠 Consider the needs of wildlife first;
􀁹􇤠 Fulfill requirements of comprehensive conservation plans that are prepared for each unit of
the refuge system;
􀁹􇤠 Maintain the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the refuge system; and
􀁹􇤠 Recognize that wildlife-dependent recreation activities including hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation are
legitimate and priority public uses; and allow refuge managers authority to determine
compatible public uses.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 5
The National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) hosts over 38 million annual visitors.
Economists found that these refuge visitors contribute more than $400 million annually to local
economies. In 2001, on conservation lands throughout the nation, approximately 37.8 million
people participated in wildlife-related activities, most to observe wildlife in their natural habitats.
These visitors represented nearly 40 percent of the county’s adults who spent $108 billion on
wildlife-related pursuits in 2001, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife
Associated Recreation (U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S.
Department of Commerce, U. S. Census Bureau 2002). As visitation continues to grow on
conservation lands and waters in general and specifically on refuges, adjacent local communities
are realizing significant economic benefits.
Volunteers continue to be a major contributor to the success of the Refuge System. In 2002,
volunteers contributed more than 1.5 million hours on refuges nationwide, a service valued at
more than $22 million.
The wildlife and habitat vision for national wildlife refuges stresses that wildlife comes first; that
ecosystems, biodiversity, and wilderness are vital concepts in refuge management; that refuges must
be healthy and growth must be strategic; and that the Refuge System serves as a model for habitat
management with broad participation from others.
LEGAL AND POLICY CONTEXT
Administration of national wildlife refuges is guided by the mission and goals of the Refuge System,
congressional legislation, presidential executive orders, and international treaties. Policies for
management options of refuges are further refined by administrative guidelines established by the
Secretary of the Interior and by policy guidelines established by the Director of the Fish and Wildlife
Service. Refer to Appendix C for a complete listing of relevant legal mandates.
Lands within the Refuge System are closed to public use unless specifically and legally opened. All
programs and uses must be evaluated based on mandates set forth in the Improvement Act. Those
mandates are to:
􀁹􇤠 Contribute to ecosystem goals, as well as refuge purposes and goals;
􀁹􇤠 Conserve, manage, and restore fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats;
􀁹􇤠 Monitor the trends of fish, wildlife, and plants;
􀁹􇤠 Manage and ensure appropriate visitor uses as those uses benefit the conservation of fish
and wildlife resources and contribute to the enjoyment of the public; and
􀁹􇤠 Ensure that visitor activities are compatible with refuge purposes.
The Improvement Act further identifies six priority wildlife-dependent recreational uses: hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation. As
priority public uses of the Refuge System, they receive priority consideration over other public uses in
planning and management.
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION PLANS AND INITIATIVES
Multiple partnerships have been developed among government and private entities to address the
environmental problems affecting regions. There is a large amount of conservation and protection
information that defines the role of the refuge at the local, national, international, and ecosystem
levels. Conservation initiatives include broad-scale planning and cooperation between affected
6 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
parties to address declining trends of natural, physical, social, and economic environments. The
conservation guidance described below, along with issues, problems, and trends, was reviewed and
integrated where appropriate into this CCP.
This CCP supports the recovery plans for the gray bat, Indiana bat, Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis
rosae), Benton Cave crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum), and supports the Partners for Amphibians and
Reptile Conservation (PARC) Plan.
Gray Bat Recovery Plan. This plan was completed in 1982 and provides priorities for protection
and management of caves, guidelines for protection of foraging habitat, public education, and
monitoring procedures. Logan Cave NWR was purchased mainly to protect the maternity gray
bat colony that uses the cave.
Indiana Bat Recovery Plan. The original plan was approved in 1983 and revised in 2007 by the
Indiana Bat Recovery Team. The plan provides the current status of the Indiana bat, its habitat
requirements, and limiting factors and actions needed for recovery.
Ozark Cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae) Recovery Plan. This plan was completed in 1989 and outlines
distribution, status, habitat requirements, limiting factors, and causes of decline for the Ozark cavefish.
Several of the recovery actions listed in the plan have been implemented at Logan Cave NWR.
Recovery Plan for the Benton Cave Crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum). This species was listed as
endangered in 1993 and the recovery plan was completed in 1996. At that time, C. aculabrum was
known to exist in only two caves in northwest Arkansas, Logan Cave and Bear Hollow Cave. Since
then, two additional populations were discovered although together they only represent a total of two
crayfish. The plan outlines known habitat requirements, limiting factors, and actions needed for
recovery.
Partners for Amphibians and Reptile Conservation (PARC) Plan. This plan was founded in 1998
to address the need for conservation of herpetofauna – amphibians and reptiles – and their habitats.
Its mission is to conserve amphibians, reptiles, and their habitats as integral parts of the ecosystem
and culture through proactive and coordinated public/private partnerships.
RELATIONSHIP TO STATE WILDLIFE AGENCY
A provision of the Improvement Act, and subsequent agency policy, is that the Service shall ensure
timely and effective cooperation and collaboration with other state fish and game agencies and tribal
governments during the course of acquiring and managing refuges. State wildlife management areas
and national wildlife refuges provide the foundation for the protection of species, and contribute to the
overall health and diversity of fish and wildlife species in the State of Arkansas.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is a state-partnering agency with the Service,
charged with enforcement responsibilities relating to migratory birds and endangered species, as well
as managing state natural resources including over 100 lakes and wildlife management areas
spanning thousands of acres. The AGFC has a perpetual goal to improve hunting and fishing
opportunities for the sportsmen of the state, but it also realizes that a healthy environment for our fish
and wildlife assures a healthy environment for the citizens of Arkansas. AGFC’s participation and
contribution throughout this planning process will provide for ongoing opportunities and open dialogue
to improve the ecological diversity of fish and wildlife in Arkansas. A vital part of the comprehensive
conservation planning process is integrating common mission objectives where appropriate.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 7
II. Refuge Overview
INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSES
Logan Cave NWR covers 123 acres (50 hectares) near the northwest corner of Benton County,
Arkansas (Figures 1 and 2), and includes a limestone solution cave with approximately 1.5 miles of
passageways. The refuge was established in 1989 to protect cave inhabitants, including the
endangered gray bat (Myotis grisescens), Benton cave crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum), and the
threatened Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae). The cave also has historically provided habitat for the
endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis).
There are only two known entry points for the cave: the sinkhole and spring. The sinkhole consists of
a steep sided funnel shaped depression about 50 feet in diameter located on a forested hillside. The
spring entrance is located on a hillside under an overhang rock bluff. Most of the refuge consists of
hillsides which support a mature climax community of oak and hickory.
Groundwater surfacing within the cave forms a stream which flows throughout the cave and at the
outfall forms Logan Spring, which drains to Osage Creek just south of the refuge. Osage Creek is a
major tributary of the Illinois River, which is the main drainage in southwestern Benton County, and
their confluence is about 1.2 miles south of the refuge. In past years, spring water from the cave had
a measured flow of approximately 5 million gallons per day and supplied the Logan community, a fish
hatchery, and 49 fish ponds.
ECOSYSTEM CONTEXT
Logan Cave NWR is administratively located within an area designated by the Service as the
Arkansas/Red Rivers Ecosystem (Ark/Red), which contains approximately 245,000 square miles and
extends from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the bayous of Louisiana, and includes all of
Oklahoma and parts of seven other states, including western parts of Arkansas (Figure 3). Elevations
within the Ark/Red range from more than 14,000 feet ngvd (national geodetic vertical datum) to less
than 300 feet ngvd along the Red River in Louisiana. Because of the diversity in land forms, soils,
average annual precipitation, and other factors, the Ark/Red supports the greatest diversity of fish
and wildlife and wildlife resources of any Service ecosystem nationwide.
There are 16 defined ecoregions that occur within the Ark/Red. One of those ecoregions is the Ozark
Highlands. The Ozark Highlands (approximately 50,000 square miles) is in the states of Arkansas,
Oklahoma, Missouri, and a small portion of Kansas. It is a dome-shaped uplift composed of four
distinct areas (Boston Mountains, St. Francois Mountains, Salem Plateau, and Springfield Plateau).
Logan Cave NWR is located within the Springfield Plateau of the Ozark Highlands Ecoregion.
The highest elevations reach above 1,500 feet ngvd, with the general slope of the area to the
southwest, and drainage primarily to the Illinois and Neosho rivers. The natural communities of this
ecoregion are dominated by a western extension of the oak-hickory forest. More mesic floodplain
forests occur along the major streams of the region. Another dominant feature of the Ozarks
Highlands is the extensive network of cave habitats formed in the underlying limestone bedrock.
Numerous rare, endangered, and endemic fish and wildlife species are associated with and are
dependent upon these habitats. The most critical resource issues in the Ark/Red center on
management of water quality and quantity.
8 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Figure 1. Vicinity map of Logan Cave NWR
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 9
Figure 2. Management boundary for Logan Cave NWR
10 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Because of its location, Logan Cave NWR has a close association with Bailey’s classification of the
Ozark Ecoregion and the Service’s Ozark Ecosystem. Past and future participation with the Ozark
Ecosystem has and will continue to increase coordination and conservation efforts.
ECOLOGICAL THREATS AND PROBLEMS
Factors most likely to limit or cause a decline in the species inhabiting Logan Cave NWR include the
following: (1) destruction of habitat including water quality degradation; (2) disturbance by cavers or
trespassers; (3) collecting; and (4) low reproductive potential of cave fauna.
1. Groundwater contamination problems are common in cave regions. Unfortunately, most of the
public perceives that the subsurface cleanses wastewater and subsurface disposal of waste is
practical and harmless. Most of the water which enters caves and spring systems, such as Logan
Cave, do not receive effective natural cleansing. Thomas Aley of the Ozark Underground laboratory
mapped the recharge areas for Logan Spring in 1987, and delineated the areas into the following
categories:
A) Low Hazard Areas: These are lands located near, yet apparently outside of the Logan
Spring recharge areas.
B) Moderate Hazard Areas: These are lands which are topographically tributary to the Logan
Spring recharge area. Groundwater directly beneath these areas does not appear to
routinely discharge through Logan Spring. Under moderate- and high-flow conditions,
some waters from these areas will enter the groundwater systems and discharge through
Logan Spring.
C) High Hazard Areas: These are lands which are known or presumed to lie within the
groundwater recharge area for Logan Spring. High Hazard Areas exclude losing stream
valleys and areas which contribute groundwater solely to Logan Spring.
D) Extremely High Hazard Areas: These are losing stream valleys in the Logan Spring
recharge area, or, they are lands which contribute groundwater solely to Logan Spring.
According to Aley, two major classes of land-use activities occur in the Logan Cave recharge zones
and surrounding areas: residential/light commercial development and agriculture. If runoff of high
concentrations of harmful biological (i.e., fecal Coliform, E. coli) or chemical (i.e., pesticides)
pollutants occur, or high concentrations of nitrates and phosphates are present, a biological oxygen
demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) can occur and place an abnormal oxygen
demand on the aquatic cave, spring, and river fauna. The following are some potential impacts of
land use activities in the recharge areas of Logan Spring:
Agriculture and waste disposal activities: Numerous farms with cattle, hogs, and poultry operate
within the recharge areas of Logan Cave and produce substantial quantities of animal waste. Large
quantities of animal waste entering groundwater will deplete dissolved oxygen in subsurface water
and can severely impact aquatic cave fauna. Adequate treatment of animal wastes is typically
expensive and often not attempted. There is no incentive from local or federal government agencies
to encourage adequate and careful disposal of large quantities of animal waste in Arkansas, therefore
the cheapest and easiest disposal method is utilized: land application. The waste does serve as
fertilizer and can enhance grass production in most areas. The farmers are usually left to apply the
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 11
waste as often as they feel necessary and unfortunately without much regard to runoff effects. In
karst areas like Logan Cave, waste can significantly impact groundwater quality if it rapidly enters
groundwater systems, especially after rainfall sufficient to cause overland runoff following a recent
land application of animal waste.
Residential and commercial land development: Since the construction and operation of the
Northwest Regional Airport at Highfill, Arkansas, land values in the vicinity of the cave have increased
substantially, with a great deal of real estate development and road construction in the areas
surrounding Logan Cave NWR. With the residential development boom, commercial development
will inevitably follow. Leaks and spills of hazardous materials occur frequently from roads and
commercial businesses. A substantial amount of the groundwater contamination from residential and
commercial development occurs from inadequate sewage disposal systems. Septic field systems
routinely use on-lot disposal in most of northwest Arkansas’ karst region which produces groundwater
contamination and pollution. The potential of this impending groundwater contamination is sufficient
to endanger cave fauna.
Increasing utilization of the water in the cave poses a threat to the aquatic habitat and the cave’s
aquatic species. A past attempt to drill into the reservoir of water in the cave was unsuccessful.
The shaft entered the cave but missed the water, despite surveying by a geologist to direct the
drilling. Current and future surveying techniques would make drilling directly into the cave stream
possible. Water is currently being pumped from the pool, which is formed by the spring to supply a
large poultry operation, several residences, and a plant/tree nursery. During periods of drought, the
water pumped from the spring could affect water levels within the cave stream, which would obviously
have a negative impact on the cave’s aquatic habitat and species.
Transportation and pipeline routes: Construction and maintenance of roads and pipelines can cause
sediments to enter into groundwater systems. This problem can be avoided through the use of good
current methods to reduce surface soil erosion. Leaks and spills that could occur in the recharge area for
Logan Cave NWR’s groundwater system could have a serious effect on the water quality and cave fauna.
Loss of foraging habitat for the gray bat: Development within the recharge area of the cave and along the
Osage River and surrounding woodlands is decreasing the foraging area for Logan Cave NWR’s gray bat
maternity colony. In 1968, 59 percent of the recharge area was forested; this had decreased to 43
percent by 1987, and has steadily decreased until the only forested areas are along creek bottoms or
ridge tops where it is too steep for livestock or poultry operations. Adult gray bats feed on insects almost
exclusively over water and in forest canopies along river or reservoir edges. Also, whenever possible,
gray bats of all ages fly in the protection of forest canopy between caves and feeding areas for increased
protection from predators such as screech owls. Construction of houses, paving of roads, and clearing of
forests impose a risk of lower water quality for this karst area. Insects that the bats feed on are quite
sensitive to aquatic pollution. Logan Cave NWR’s gray bat maternity colony may decrease as the forest
canopy declines and development, with the inevitable chemical pollution and siltation of the waterways
over which the gray bats forage, increases.
2. Trespass has decreased greatly since both entrances were fenced and gated. But, despite
protection afforded the cave, trespass in the cave will continue to be a problem. Disturbance by
people entering the cave impacts the physical conditions for individual cavefish and crayfish.
Obligate cave dwellers have a low metabolic level and have limited opportunities to feed and
reproduce, therefore physical activity that results from disturbances uses up energy that the cavefish
and crayfish need in feeding and reproducing. Physical disturbance is a direct threat because it
agitates stream bottom sediments, causing turbidity and reducing visibility, which greatly increases
the likelihood that a crayfish or cavefish may be stepped on, causing injury or mortality. Disturbances
12 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
can interrupt breeding or feeding activities of the crayfish, cavefish, and gray bat, along with other
cave species. It is especially important to protect the maternity colony of gray bats at Logan Cave
NWR because both the crayfish and cavefish rely indirectly or directly on the bat guano (organic
input) for food. Disturbance inside the cave or near the cave entrances could result in bat mortality,
abandonment of the cave, and the loss of an energy source for both the crayfish and cavefish.
3. Most troglobitic (cave adapted) species have a low reproductive rate and need a relatively long
period to reach maturity. Removal of any cave crayfish or cavefish by collectors will affect the ability
of the species to reproduce. Loss of mature individuals capable of reproducing obviously causes a
decline in population levels.
4. Although the cave entrances are owned by the Service and are protected, most of the recharge
zone for Logan Cave, Logan Spring, and foraging areas for the bats is privately owned. Past water
quality studies by the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville have shown that the Logan Cave stream
has good water quality, with the exception of high fecal coliform counts in the summer. This indicates
heavy agricultural use of the watershed that should be monitored carefully along with dissolved
oxygen that could also be affected by agricultural and residential material.
Maintaining the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems at Logan Cave NWR will require more than
preventing trespass into the cave and protection of the recharge zones. It will require educating
adjacent landowners and others about the sensitivity of karst systems, and it will take an
ecosystem approach to protecting the variety of resources dependent on northwest Arkansas’
karst topography through partnerships with private landowners, conservation and caving
organizations, universities, and state and federal conservation agencies. With the help of these
partners, management agreements can be developed with private landowners, and easements
and lands can be purchased from willing sellers.
PHYSICAL RESOURCES
CLIMATE
Because of its geographic location, northwest Arkansas’ weather is characterized by sudden and
dramatic changes in temperature and climate as warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico battles it
out with cold air from Canada and hot dry air from the southwest. The average high temperature
is 68 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low is 44 degrees Fahrenheit. The recorded high and
low temperatures are 114 degrees Fahrenheit and -15 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively.
Average rainfall is 45 inches and the average snowfall is 12 inches. The first frost of the cold
season typically occurs between October 9 and October 13, and the last frost of the season
typically occurs between April 8 and April 19.
GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY
Logan Cave NWR is located in the NW ¼ NE ¼ Section 33, T18N, R32W, Benton County, Arkansas.
The elevation of Logan Spring (lower entrance) is 1,040 feet and the sinkhole entrance is at 1,100
feet. This area is typical of the Ozarks with rocky soils, numerous caves, losing streams, springs and
underground rivers. The landscape around Logan Cave NWR is picturesque with gently rolling hills,
springs, streams, pasture, and wooded hillsides giving way to the Osage Creek valley.
Geographically, Logan Cave NWR is located within the Springfield Plateau geologic province on
the southwest flank of the Ozark Dome, which is a broad uplift centered in southeast Missouri.
The Springfield Plateau is comprised of bedrock units formed from sediments deposited by
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 13
Paleozoic seas. These bedrock units dip gently to the south, and many are cut by normal faults
with downward motion on their south sides. The upper part of the Springfield Plateau is
composed of cherty limestone of the Lower Mississippian Boone Formation, which is underlain by
chert-free limestone of the St. Joe Formation.
Logan Cave NWR is underlain by generally flat-lying bedrock of the St. Joe Formation. Springs often
discharge from caves and conduits in the St. Joe Formation due to the impermeable nature of the
underlying Chattanooga Shale. Chattanooga Shale underlies the refuge at shallow depths. The
shale is exposed to the south because elevations in the area decrease to the south. A normal fault is
mapped along the east boundary of the refuge. The regional water table, which occurs in the St. Joe-
Boone aquifer, has been mapped at a depth of 75 feet in the vicinity of the sinkhole entrance to
Logan Cave. It seems that Logan Cave may have formed because groundwater perched on chert
beds or low-permeability limestone beds flowed preferentially through fractures formed by tectonic
activity on the nearby fault, resulting in dissolution of surrounding limestone.
SOILS
According to the Soil Survey of Benton County, Arkansas, Clarksville series soils cover the majority of
the hill slopes near Logan Cave, whereas Nixa series soils cover the ridge tops. Clarksville soils form
from very cherty limestone and generally consist of a cherty silt loam with high permeability and
moderate strength. These soils typically are classified in accordance with the Unified Soil
Classification System as silty, clayey, or poorly graded gravel. The fine-grained fraction of Clarksville
soils is non-plastic to slightly plastic and has low potential for swelling and shrinking with variations in
moisture content. Nixa series soils are very similar to Clarksville soils, except that the Nixa soils have
very low permeability. Both soil series generally are brown to yellowish brown, although the Nixa
soils grade to reddish brown near bedrock. Both soil series grade into weathered bedrock and fill
fractures within the upper parts of the bedrock.
HYDROLOGY
The Boone and St. Joe Formations form the dominant groundwater aquifer in northwestern Arkansas.
Chert content within the Boone Formation ranges from a few to 70 percent, and laterally extensive chert
layers have been observed to perch groundwater at different zones within the formation. Overall,
groundwater within the Boone-St. Joe aquifer is perched upon the underlying Chattanooga Shale. Both
the Boone and St. Joe formations are dissected by numerous caves and solution channels. Groundwater
flow within the Boone-St. Joe aquifer occurs preferentially through solution channels, including caves,
fault zones, and fractures. The widespread occurrence of solution channels also affects surface water,
resulting in disappearing streams and springs throughout the area. More than 90 percent of springs in
northwest Arkansas with discharge in excess of 3.4 million gallons per day are within 1,600 feet of faults,
and many fault zones and fault-related fractures have associated parallel caves and solution channels
that formed by preferential groundwater flow.
The recharge zone for Logan Cave is described by Aley and Aley (1987) as 3,015 hectares (7,450 acres)
in area lying north and east of the cave entrance. The recharge zone is the surface and groundwater
regions that contribute water to the Logan Cave stream and spring. Nearly the entire recharge zone for
Logan Cave is underlain by the St. Joe Formation. The surface streams are primarily discrete losing
streams that flow through mostly agricultural land. In 1968, 59 percent of the recharge zone was forested;
this had decreased to 43 percent by 1987 and has steadily decreased until the only forested areas are
along creek bottoms or ridge tops where it is too steep for livestock or poultry operations.
14 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
AIR QUALITY
Benton County ranks high in the state and the nation for smog and air borne pollutants and is at the
top of the list of Arkansas counties for pollutants due to animal waste (primarily poultry). Air quality in
the area of the refuge is good because of its mostly rural nature. Local industries and urban
concentrations of vehicles lessen the overall air quality of the county.
WATER QUALITY AND QUANITY
Caves, their recharge zones, and surrounding habitats are extremely important to certain species.
The flora and fauna in and around caves serves as an indicator of the Ozark’s environmental quality
because it suffers from a number of the same factors affecting the human environment. Groundwater
quality is vital to the health of most cave dwellers, as well as to the region’s people who rely on wells
for water. Such is the case with Logan Cave.
During the 1990s, water quality was tested in Logan Cave and compared with water quality of surface
streams within the recharge area. Water quality measurements for the cave system were strongly
correlated with water quality of the surface streams. All water quality sample parameters showed no
significant difference between surface and cave streams. Water quality for Logan Cave and the
recharge streams were well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits for
environmental compounds except for fecal coliform. Fecal coliform counts were always above the
EPA drinking water standards. Similar comparisons between Logan Cave and recharge streams
were noted for conductivity, phosphorus, and total phosphorus. Alkalinity for Logan Cave was
comparable to the other highland streams. Water samples tested for heavy metals and pesticides fell
within the domestic water supply standards set forth by the EPA.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
HABITAT
The Logan Cave area has a very diverse habitat which includes representatives of several Ozark
Mountain types: oak-hickory forest, grassland, shrubland, floodplain, marshland, bottomland
hardwood, upland deciduous, and a small prairie. The cave entrances provide particularly rich
habitat and consist of extensive rock overhangs with subdued lighting that maintains a higher
humidity than the surrounding oak-hickory forest. The resulting environment supports a variety of
plant and animal life forms.
A spring-fed stream, with an average water flow of 5 million gallons per day, extends the entire length
of the cave. This stream, fed by small springs that emanate from the cave, flows into a natural oxbow
lake and then into the Osage Creek, a large tributary of the Illinois River.
The northwestern third of the refuge consists of hillsides which support a mature climax community of
oak and hickory. The climax forest growing on the slopes surrounding the cave’s sinkhole entrance
provides natural organic litter to the cave ecosystem for a food energy base. Leaves that fall through
the sinkhole and into the stream are the base energy source for the cave’s aquatic fauna. Upstream
from the sinkhole, the cave area contains several large seeps which cascade down the walls from the
ceiling. These seeps introduce organic matter in the form of fine particulates and dissolved material.
These organic materials supply nutrients for many inhabitants of the cave.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 15
Logan Cave is a large limestone-solution cave with approximately 1.5 miles of surveyed
passageways. The three ecological classification types (tunnel, seepage, and sinkhole) are present
in different sections of the cave. The sinkhole and spring entrances are the only two known entry
points. The sinkhole consists of a funnel-shaped depression about 50 feet in diameter on a forested
hillside. The spring entrance is located on a hillside under an overhang rock bluff. The cave’s
passageway is relatively narrow with a low ceiling. In some areas, the ceiling gradually declines,
leaving only a tiny crawl space. Approximately halfway through the cave is an area with a high dome
ceiling where gray bats congregate their maternity colony.
For past research projects and descriptive purposes, the cave was divided into three reaches,
separated conveniently by morphological features. The lower reach is 365 m long and includes the
distance from the mouth of the cave (spring) to the sinkhole. This section is typified by shallow (10 to
20 cm) riffles with only a single 10 m long pool (approximately 1 m deep) near the mouth of the cave.
The middle reach is 220 m in length and consists of one continuous pool located upstream of the
sinkhole. The pool attains a maximum depth of 2.5 m with a mean depth of approximately 1 m. The
third reach extends upstream from the pool 685 m to a large ceiling collapse that limits further
upstream access. The cave’s internal temperature is a constant 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
WILDLIFE
Logan Cave’s unique ecosystem provides essential habitat for the endangered gray bat (Myotis
grisescens), endangered Benton Cave crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum), the threatened Ozark
cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae), and historically the endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis).
Adult female gray bats utilize the cave from March through August as a maternity site for raising their
young. Each adult female will give birth to a single young in late May or early June. Most young
begin to fly within 20-25 days after birth. Late summer emergent counts for Logan Cave average
around 20,000. The 2005 summer survey yielded 30,000 bats, however, the summer surveys for
2006 and 2007 yielded only 5,170 and 11,530, respectively. The gray bat is probably one of the most
restricted to cave habitats of any U.S. mammal. With rare exception, it roosts in caves year-round.
Because of highly specific roost and habitat requirements, fewer that 5 percent of available caves are
suitable for occupation by gray bats.
In the recovery plan for the Indiana bat, Benton County is historically noted for having Priority Three
hibernacula (< 500 bats). Logan Cave was utilized in the past as hibernacula.
Logan Cave is one of only four known habitats for Cambarus aculabrum. Cave crayfish are highly
specialized for living in stable cave environments with low light and low temperatures and are unable
to cope with changes in their habitats that may be induced by human activities.
The threatened Ozark cavefish is found in 35 caves and springs in northwest Arkansas,
southwest Missouri, and northeast Oklahoma. Logan Cave’s population is the second largest
known. All of the caves with cavefish contain some comparatively large source of allochthonous
energy, usually bat guano and/or leaf litter.
Other interesting life forms found throughout the cave include: pseudoscorpions, isopods,
amphipods, beetles, collembolans, and other insects which are blind, without pigment, and strictly
adapted to a subterranean habitat. Additionally, the site is known to support at least two species
of state conservation concern: grotto salamander (Eurycea spelaeus), and a cave obligate
millipede (Trigenotyla parca).
16 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
The oak-hickory forest outside the cave provides homes for a variety of wildlife. The most visible
mammalian species are squirrels, woodchucks, armadillos, skunks, and white-tailed deer. Several
avian, amphibian, and reptilian species can be found around the refuge. Vultures, herons, swallows
and hawks are the most visible birds. Amphibians and reptiles that can be observed on the refuge
include: bullfrogs, green frogs, skinks, snapping turtles, and grotto salamanders. Other species that
are abundant in the area include northern fence lizard, midland water snake, chorus tree frog, and the
Ozark redback salamander.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
There has never been an archaeological investigation within the refuge by the Service. There is evidence
of an old home place close to the mouth of the cave, and in the 1940s a cannery operated close to the
mouth of the cave using the water from the spring. The remnants of an old fish hatchery remain just
south of the refuge boundary and the old fish ponds were across the road. Water from the cave (Logan
Spring) supplied the hatchery, fish ponds and the Logan community. Today, water from the spring
supplies water for a large poultry operation, several residences, and a tree/plant nursery.
SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
Logan Cave NWR lies in the northwest corner of Benton County. Benton County is located in the
northwest corner of Arkansas and adjoins Oklahoma to the west and Missouri to the north. The
county seat is Bentonville, in the center of the county. Benton County was the first county
established in the State of Arkansas in 1836.
Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation and Benton County is the fastest
growing county in the state. The related development is moving toward regions like the refuge that
retain a rural atmosphere, yet remain close to cities that are bustling with economic activity.
Population change can be an indication of economic vitality, the types of economic sectors that are
likely to be strong, probable development and disturbance impacts on wildlife habitat. The U.S.
Census Bureau ranks Benton County 2nd in the state for total population. First is Pulaski County with
the capital city of Little Rock. In April 2000, Benton County had a population of 153,406 and 179,756
in July 2006. That’s a 27.8 percent increase (the highest in the state). The population percent
change from 1990 to 2000 was 57.3 percent.
Poultry and cattle agribusiness, light manufacturing, retail distribution, retail support, and
transportation are the most important economic sectors. Important agricultural crops include hay and
pasture for livestock. Benton County leads the state and is third in the nation for broiler (poultry)
production. Much of the Tyson’s Foods’ operation is located in Benton County and headquartered in
adjacent Washington County.
There are several large manufacturing industries in Benton County, including Glad Manufacturing
(Glad plastic bags and cling wrap), Kraft Foods (bulk cheese), Rogers Tool Works (carbide compacts
for the oil industry and other drills and tools), Allen Canning (one of the country’s top vegetable
canning companies), Daisy Outdoor Products (the world’s oldest and largest producer of airguns, BB
guns, pellet rifles, and CO2 pistols), and J.B. Hunt (one of the nations largest trucking companies).
The world’s largest company, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and its subsidiaries are headquartered in
Bentonville. Numerous Fortune 500 companies (as well as smaller firms) have regional offices in
Benton County to support their accounts at Wal-Mart. The newly constructed Northwest Arkansas
Regional Airport is centrally located in Highfill; which is only a few miles from the refuge.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 17
With major industries located nearby and the rapidly increasing population, development in the region has
skyrocketed in the past few years. Real estate values have increased significantly and the once wooded
landscape surrounding the refuge is quickly turning into houses, apartments, golf courses, and other
commercial developments. The refuge is rapidly becoming a small island in a sea of development.
REFUGE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
LAND PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION
To protect the cave from trespassers and vandalism, the entire refuge, not just the cave, is closed to
all public use. Both cave entrances have protection from trespass. The mouth of the cave or the
spring entrance has a gate located up inside the cave. This was the only feasible way to protect the
spring entrance and gray bats prefer internal gates. The sinkhole entrance was fenced with a steel
fence that completely circles the entire sinkhole area.
To protect Logan Cave NWR for future generations, it will be necessary for the Service to continue
protecting the cave, spring, and recharge zone; improve public understanding of Logan Cave’s
valuable resources; and develop and maintain public and private partnerships to protect not only the
refuge but additional resources that are vulnerable to northwest Arkansas’ rapid development.
VISITOR SERVICES
Due to the sensitive nature of the refuge’s flora and fauna, public use, educational programs, and
scientific research is limited. No one is allowed inside the cave from March through September to
protect the gray bat maternity colony. Disturbance inside the cave before young are able to fly would
cause the young to fall to their deaths as their frightened mothers hurried out of the cave. Also,
walking through the cave increases turbidity with the potential to step on cavefish and crayfish.
PERSONNEL, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
Logan Cave NWR has never received any funding or been staffed. All operations and maintenance
are provided through Holla Bend NWR. Site visits to the refuge seldom occur due to lack of staff and
distance from Holla Bend NWR (160 miles, one way). Visits to the cave generally are for wildlife
surveys and maintenance to signs, gates, and fences. The refuge relies to a great extent on karst
biologists with The Nature Conservancy office in northwest Arkansas and karst biologists from the
Service’s Ecological Services office to keep refuge staff up-to-date on environmental activities and
issues in the Logan Cave region.
18 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Figure 3. Fish and Wildlife Service Ark/Red Rivers Ecosystem
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 19
III. Plan Development
OVERVIEW
Early in the process of developing the Draft CCP/EA, the planning team identified a list of issues and
concerns that were likely to be associated with the conservation and management of Logan Cave NWR.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND THE PLANNING PROCESS
In accordance with Service guidelines and National Environmental Policy Act recommendations,
public involvement has been a crucial factor throughout the development of the CCP for Logan Cave
NWR. This CCP has been written with input and assistance from interested citizens, conservation
organizations, and employees of local and state agencies. The participation of these stakeholders
and their ideas has been of great value in setting the management direction for the refuge. The
Service, as a whole, and the refuge staff, in particular, are very grateful to each one who has
contributed time, expertise, and ideas to the planning process. The staff remains impressed by the
passion and commitment of so many individuals for the lands and waters administered by the refuge.
Initial CCP planning meetings were attended by refuge personnel. At these meetings, strategies for
completing the CCP were discussed, issues and concerns were identified, and a mailing list of likely
interested organizations and individuals was compiled. A planning team consisting of Service
personnel from Arkansas and Oklahoma, representatives from The Nature Conservancy of Arkansas,
and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission were assembled where team members were
introduced to the refuge and its planning process and asked to identify their issues and concerns.
A public meeting was held in April 2006 for the same purposes as the scoping meeting.
Announcements giving the location, date, and time for the public meeting were sent to local
newspapers. The planning team met again after the public meeting to review individual goals and
objectives and identify strategies and projects for this CCP.
SUMMARY OF ISSUES, CONCERNS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The planning team identified a number of issues, concerns, and opportunities related to fish and
wildlife protection, habitat restoration, water quality, recreation, and management of threatened and
endangered species. Additionally, the planning team considered federal and state mandates, as well
as applicable local ordinances, regulations, and plans. The team also directed the process of
obtaining public input through public scoping meetings, open planning team meetings, comment
packets, and personal contacts. All public and advisory team comments were considered, however,
some issues important to the public fall outside the scope of the decision to be made within this
planning process. The team considered all issues that arose as a result of this planning process, and
developed this CCP that attempts to balance the competing opinions regarding important issues.
The team identified those issues that, in the team’s best professional judgment, are most significant
to the refuge. A summary of the significant issues follows.
20 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
FISH AND WILDLIFE POPULATION MANAGEMENT
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
Recovery and protection of threatened and endangered plants and animals is an important
responsibility delegated to the Service and its national wildlife refuges. Furthermore, Logan Cave
NWR was established in 1989 to conserve fish or wildlife which is listed as threatened or
endangered. Four threatened or endangered animals use, or could use, Logan Cave NWR:
endangered Benton cave crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum), endangered gray bat (Myotis grisescens),
threatened Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae), and the endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis).
Logan Cave is one of three caves and one spring in Benton County, Arkansas, where a known
population of cave crayfish exists. Logan Cave supports the largest population of Cambarus
aculabrum in Arkansas and the world. Logan Cave stream flows through the entire length of the
cave, and provides habitat for the crayfish. Population numbers seem to be stable, but are generally
low. The last survey was completed in 2006 with biologists observing 31 crayfish. Factors most likely
to limit or cause the decline of the Benton cave crayfish are: (1) destruction of habitat including water
quality degradation; (2) disturbance by trespassers; (3) collecting; (4) low reproductive rate; and (5)
competition and predation by troglophilic species.
Logan Cave is one of 35 caves known to have a population of the Ozark cavefish; however, Logan
Cave has the 2nd largest population in Arkansas, and throughout its range. The last survey was
completed in 2006 with biologists observing 43 cavefish. Factors most likely to limit or cause the
decline of the Ozark cavefish are: (1) habitat destruction; (2) collecting; (3) disturbance by
trespassers; and (4) low reproductive rate.
The range of the gray bat is concentrated in the cave regions of Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky,
Tennessee, and Alabama. Gray bats are cave residents year-round, however, occupy different
caves in summer and winter. Logan Cave is utilized as a maternity site by approximately ten to
fifteen thousand female gray bats. Typically, the bats arrive in February/March and leave in
September/October. This maternity colony utilizes a domed room between the sinkhole and spring
entrance. Disturbance of the bats is a major concern especially when newborn young are present.
Disturbance can result in the young dropping to their deaths from the cave’s ceiling or being
abandoned by their mother.
The range of the Indiana bat is in the eastern United States from Oklahoma, Iowa, and Wisconsin
east to Vermont and south to northwestern Florida (Harvey 2000). The present total population is
estimated at 457,374 with more than 67 percent hibernating at only nine locations in Missouri,
Indiana, and Kentucky. Due to the habitat and internal environment, Logan Cave could be used by
Indiana bats as a hibernacula. The bats hibernate from October to April, depending on climatic
conditions. Hibernating bats form large, tight, compact clusters normally estimated at 300 – 400 bats
per square foot. Approximately 2,500 Indiana bats are known to hibernate in 10 Arkansas caves.
KARST DEPENDANT SPECIES
As well as A. rosae and C. aculabrum, Logan Cave harbors several other aquatic troglobites. These
include an isopod (Caecidotea antricola) and an amphipod (Stygobromus ozarkensis), and other insects
which are blind, without pigment, and strictly adapted to a subterranean habitat. Troglophiles that inhabit
the cave include the grotto salamander (Eurycea spelaeus), cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga), and
dark-sided salamander (Eurycea longicauda melanopleura). Banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae) and
epigeal ringed crayfish (Orconectes neglectus) also enter the cave and live in light and dark zones.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 21
NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRDS
Neotropical migratory birds are a species group of special management concern. Based on compiled
lists of birds, approximately 75 species potentially use the surface habitat on Logan Cave NWR.
Although this small refuge cannot provide ideal habitat for forest dwelling birds, potential
management strategies need to be considered as part of this CCP.
HABITAT MANAGEMENT
LOGAN CAVE
Logan Cave is a large limestone-solution cave approximately 1.5 miles in length. The three
ecological classification types (e.g., tunnel, seepage, and sinkhole) are present in different sections of
the cave. The cave’s internal temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The terrestrial cave
environment is extremely stable and such stability is of primary importance to troglobitic organisms
that inhabit the cave. However, the aquatic cave environment is not as stable due to the relationship
with surface water entering the cave through the recharge zone.
The sinkhole and spring entrances are the only two known entry points. The sinkhole consists of a
funnel shaped depression about 50 feet in diameter on a forested hillside and the spring entrance is
located on a hillside under an overhanging rock bluff. Upstream from the sinkhole, the cave
contains several large seeps which cascade down the walls from the ceiling. These seeps introduce
organic matter in the form of fine particulates and dissolved material. These organic materials supply
nutrients for many inhabitants of the cave.
The cave’s passageway is relatively narrow with a low ceiling. In some areas, the ceiling
gradually declines leaving only a tiny crawl space. Deep within the interior of the cave there are
several waterfalls that cascade down the walls. Approximately halfway through the cave is an
area where gray bats congregate their maternity colony. This room formed many years ago when
large rock plates caved-in.
LOGAN STREAM
Logan Stream extends the entire length of the cave and emerges at the mouth as Logan Spring,
which has an average water flow of approximately 5 million gallons per day. The spring flows into a
natural oxbow lake and then into Osage Creek, a major tributary of the Illinois River. Water clarity in
Logan Stream is very high, except after storm events that result in increased flow and decreased
clarity. Water quality is high except for seasonal increases in coliform bacteria associated with
livestock operations in the recharge zone and traces of pharmaceuticals and other organic
wastewater constituents from inadequate septic systems. To ensure success of all species in Logan
Cave, water quality needs to remain at a constant high level.
As described by Means 1995, Logan Stream is divided into three reaches classified by habitat types.
The lowermost reach is 365 m long and extends from the cave mouth upstream to the sinkhole. This
reach consists of runs and riffles, with the substrate being primarily rock and rubble. The middle
reach consists of a 230 m long pool that extends from the sinkhole to the next upstream riffle. Rock
and silt comprised most of the substrate, with the maximum depth being 3 m. The third reach is 685
m and extends upstream from the pool to point where the cave roof meets the stream. This reach
includes pools, riffles, and runs, with gravel, silt, and bedrock substrates.
22 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
SURFACE HABITAT
The surface of Logan Cave NWR is a diverse mix of habitats which include representatives of several
Ozark Mountain types: oak-hickory forest, grassland, shrubland, bottomland hardwood, and upland
deciduous. The refuge was established for the species which utilize the cave, however, the 123
acres of surface habitat and potential management techniques need to be addressed in this CCP.
LAND PROTECTION
RECHARGE ZONE
The recharge zone is described by Aley and Aley (1987) as 3,015 hectares (7,450 acres) in area,
lying north and east of the cave entrance (Figure 4). The surface streams in the recharge zone are
primarily discrete sinking streams that flow through mostly agricultural pasture land. Two major
classes of land-use occur in the recharge zone: (1) residential/commercial use, and (2) agriculture.
The recharge zone has numerous livestock operations, including approximately 50 hog and poultry
houses from which Aley and Aley (1987) identified three potential types of impacts. First, feedlots
and animal houses are normally on well-drained slopes which lead to runoff during heavy rains.
These runoff waters may contain high levels of biological or chemical pollutants which can have a
negative impact on Logan Stream. Second, farmers will occasionally dispose of wastes on unused
areas of their property. These areas may be located in areas where runoff could reach stream
sources and eventually Logan Stream. Third, toxins and chemicals in animal feeds can pass through
the animals and reach streams, via land application of wastes. Aley and Aley (1987) stated that two
major impacts of residential/commercial development are inappropriate sewage disposal and
increased erosion or storm runoff. Recovery of the species utilizing Logan Cave is directly related to
the water quality in Logan Stream, which is directly affected by land uses within the recharge zone.
Aley delineated the recharge zone into hazard areas to identify those surface areas which have differing
potentials for the introduction of groundwater contaminants into Logan Cave: (1) low hazard; (2) moderate
hazard; (3) high hazard; and (4) very high hazard areas; the higher the hazard, the higher in priority for
protection of these areas. Based on these delineations this CCP will address strategies to protect these
areas. Management techniques include conservation easements, fee title acquisition, nutrient
management plans, and best management practices for landowners in the recharge zone.
BAT FORAGING AREA
Summer caves, especially those used by maternity colonies, are nearly always located within a kilometer
of rivers or reservoirs over which the bats feed. Adult gray bats feed almost exclusively over water along
river and reservoir edges. Newly volant young gray bats often feed and take shelter in forest surrounding
cave entrances. Also, whenever possible, gray bats of all ages fly in the protection of forest canopy
between caves and feeding areas. Such behavior provides increased protection from predators such as
screech owls. Forested areas surrounding caves and between caves and over-water feeding habitat
clearly are advantageous to gray bat survival. Gray bat feeding areas have not been found along
sections of rivers or reservoirs where adjacent forest has been cleared.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 23
Figure 4. Recharge zone for Logan Cave NWR showing priority areas for protection
24 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
VISITOR SERVICES
Due to intolerable disturbances to Logan Caves’ protected species, the refuge is closed to all
public use. Entrance into the cave by Service biologists is restricted to scientific monitoring and
research activities conducted biannually, and all entry is prohibited from March through
September to protect the gray bat maternity colony from disturbance. Any entrance by non-
Service personnel is authorized through special use permits only. These approved activities must
have approved biological and/or management implications.
The lack of exposure and awareness resulting from all activities being prohibited to the public
negatively affects the Refuge’s image to the local public. Environmental education and outreach
is a very important tool to familiarize the local public with Logan Cave NWR and the importance
of keeping the refuge closed to most activities. As part of an outreach program, refuge staff
should pursue the potential of a Friends group or local volunteer(s) to provide some presence
with local citizens.
SCIENTIFIC MONITORING AND RESEARCH
The wildlife species that utilize the Logan Cave NWR are so specialized that a certain amount of
monitoring and research needs to be done to provide a means to assess recovery/management
efforts. All monitoring and research activities need to be considered and only allowed if absolutely
necessary and have approved biological and/or management implications.
REFUGE ADMINISTRATION
FUNDING AND STAFFING
Logan Cave NWR does not receive any annual funding for refuge management programs. All costs
associated with the refuge are absorbed by Holla Bend NWR, which is located in Dardanelle, Arkansas,
approximately 130 miles to the southeast. There is also no full-time employee assigned to the refuge.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
There have been no known official archaeological investigations within the refuge boundary.
FENCES/GATES/BOUNDARY SIGNS
One of the primary management tools for the refuge is to have the ability to keep people out of the
cave to minimize disturbance to the protected species inside the cave. There are currently cave
fences and gates at the spring entrance and the sinkhole to deter unauthorized access. There are
also two steel gates on the north and south sides of the refuge boundary to prevent vehicle entry.
Boundary signs are maintained to clearly identify the property as a national wildlife refuge that is
closed to all activities. Although these things sound trivial, they are a vital part of protecting the
species inhabiting Logan Cave.
WILDERNESS REVIEW
Refuge planning policy requires a wilderness review as part of the comprehensive conservation
planning process. The results of the wilderness review are included in Appendix H.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 25
IV. Management Direction
INTRODUCTION
The Service manages fish and wildlife habitats considering the needs of all resources in decision-making.
But first and foremost, fish and wildlife conservation assumes priority in refuge management.
A requirement of the Improvement Act is for the Service to maintain the ecological health, diversity,
and integrity of refuges. Public uses are allowed if they are appropriate and compatible with wildlife
and habitat conservation. The Service has identified six priority wildlife-dependent public uses.
These uses are hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental
education and interpretation and are therefore emphasized in this CCP.
Described below is the CCP for managing the refuge over the next 15 years. This management
direction contains the goals, objectives, and strategies that will be used to achieve the refuge vision.
Three alternatives for managing the refuge were considered. The Service chose Alternative 3 as the
preferred management direction.
Implementing the preferred alternative will result in maintaining and enhancing water quality, flora and
fauna at Logan Cave and the surrounding area, while meeting the refuge’s primary purpose to protect
Logan Cave’s ecosystem and the threatened and endangered cave-dwelling species utilizing the
cave. Specific results will add refuge staff, equipment, and funding necessary to manage, maintain,
and restore the habitats and wildlife species on and off the refuge.
VISION
The vision for the refuge is as follows:
Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge will maintain and enhance communities and
habitats necessary for the continuing existence and recovery of federally listed
endangered and threatened species. Through communication, cooperation, and
consultation, the refuge will foster partnerships with private landowners and other
interested parties for the conservation of important Ozark cave habitat.
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STRATEGIES
The goals, objectives, and strategies presented are the Service’s response to the issues, concerns,
and needs expressed by the planning team, the refuge staff and partners, and the public and are
presented in hierarchical format. Chapter V, Plan Implementation, identifies the projects associated
with the various strategies.
These goals, objectives, and strategies reflect the Service’s commitment to achieve the mandates of
the Improvement Act, the mission of the Refuge System, and the purposes and vision for Logan Cave
NWR. With the resources as outlined in Chapter V, Plan Implementation, the Service intends to
accomplish these goals, objectives, and strategies within the next 15 years.
26 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
GOAL 1. FISH AND WILDLIFE POPULATION MANAGEMENT
Maintain viable, historically diverse populations of native fish and wildlife species consistent with
sound biological principles.
Discussion: Population management activities will focus on establishing inventorying and
monitoring procedures to document species occurrence, habitat association, recruitment, and
diversity. Threatened, endangered, and state identified species will be protected and managed
toward recovery. All population management activities will strive to protect, maintain, and enhance
species diversity in the broad context of the refuge.
Objective 1 - Benton cave crayfish: Maintain a minimum population of 35 cave crayfish based
on ocular surveys.
Discussion: Provide habitat to maintain current populations of cave crayfish and establish
guidelines to contribute to the recovery of the species.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Perform ocular surveys bi-annually in January or February. Survey teams will be
properly trained and consist of no more than four observers.
􀁹􇤠 Identify the percentage of ocular surveys that needs to be young crayfish to establish a
recruitment estimate.
􀁹􇤠 Maintain water quality in Logan Cave through partnerships with landowners in the
recharge zone.
􀁹􇤠 Utilize best management practices (BMPs) in recharge zone.
􀁹􇤠 Limit entry into Logan Cave to minimize disturbance to the cave crayfish.
􀁹􇤠 Identify life history and requirements for cave crayfish.
􀁹􇤠 Remove predators, if needed.
Objective 2 - Ozark Cavefish: Maintain a minimum population of 40 Ozark cavefish based
on ocular surveys.
Discussion: Provide habitat to maintain current population of Ozark cavefish and establish
guidelines to contribute to the recovery of the species.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Perform ocular surveys bi-annually in January or February. Survey teams will be
properly trained and consist of no more than four observers.
􀁹�� Maintain water quality in Logan Cave through partnerships with landowners in the
recharge zone.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 27
􀁹􇤠 Utilize best management practices (BMPs) in recharge zone.
􀁹􇤠 Limit entry into Logan Cave to minimize disturbance to the cave crayfish.
􀁹􇤠 Identify the percentage of ocular surveys that needs to be young cavefish to establish
a recruitment estimate.
􀁹􇤠 Identify life history and requirements for Ozark cavefish.
􀁹􇤠 Remove predators, if needed.
Objective 3 - Gray Bat: Provide habitat for a stable or increasing population of gray bats and
contribute to the recovery of the species.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Entry into Logan Cave must be limited (no entry from March 15-October 15) to
minimize disturbance to the maternity colony.
􀁹􇤠 Perform bat guano pile surveys (for population estimates) as soon as possible after
bats leave, preferably late October but no later than November 30.
􀁹􇤠 Monitor population of gray bats by performing annual exit counts in July with night
vision equipment.
􀁹􇤠 Verify/identify current hibernacula used by Logan Cave gray bats.
􀁹􇤠 Continue to work with the AGFC to monitor pesticides levels in gray bats. The AGFC
studied four gray bat caves in Arkansas, including Logan Cave. A breakdown product
of DDT was found in samples from each cave. No other compounds were found in the
samples from Logan Cave, but given the continuing influence of banned pesticides
and the increasing use of new compounds in agriculture, periodic monitoring of
pesticide concentrations in guano and carcasses of dead bats from Logan Cave is
recommended.
Objective 4 - Indiana Bat: Provide habitat for a stable or increasing population of Indiana bats and
contribute to the recovery of the species.
Discussion: Indiana bats have not been observed in Logan Cave for many years. Indiana bats use
caves during hibernation from October to April, depending on climatic conditions of the cave.
Summer maternity roosts are usually in trees along wooded streamside habitat.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Observe/monitor for presence of Indiana bats during the crayfish/cavefish
surveys.
􀁹􇤠 Study micro-climate of Logan Cave to determine suitability for Indiana bats.
28 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Objective 5 - Other Karst Species: Maintain all populations of karst species such as
pseudoscorpions, isopods, amphipods, beetles, collembolems, and other blind insects adapted to
subterranean habitats.
Discussion: Maintaining these other species is vital for the continuing existence of Logan’s
threatened and endangered species. Many karsts species break down the raw organic energy (e.g.,
leaf litter and guano) to make the microorganisms that become the base of the food chain.
Strategies: All strategies for Objectives 1 and 2 apply here.
􀁹􇤠 Work in partnership with the Department of Arkansas Heritage and others to determine
a complete species list that may occur in Logan Cave.
􀁹􇤠 Monitor abundance of grotto salamander.
􀁹􇤠 Identify species of special state and federal concern.
Objective 6 - Forest Dwelling Birds: Identify and implement strategies to improve forest conditions
for forest dwelling birds.
Discussion: Forested habitat on Logan Cave NWR is predominantly mature oak/hickory forest.
Forested habitat covers most of the refuge (approximately 100). This is small for a forested tract, but
in an area where the forest is severely fragmented, it can play a large role in the presence and
reproduction of forest dwelling birds. Logan Cave NWR is located within the Partners in Flight’s
Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Work with partners to identify avian species utilizing the refuge, including nesting
species: baseline occurrence, annual, productivity, etc.
􀁹􇤠 Develop a bird list.
􀁹􇤠 Identify all refuge plant species and associations.
􀁹􇤠 Use timber stand improvement techniques to implement favorable avian habitats.
GOAL 2. HABITATS
Conserve, restore, and manage the functions and values associated with a unique karst environment
in order to achieve refuge purposes and wildlife population objectives.
Discussion: Habitat management will be used to restore the biological integrity, biological diversity,
and environmental health of refuge lands as well as lands within Logan Cave’s recharge zone and
bat foraging areas along Osage creek and other forested riparian areas used by the bats.
Objective 1 - Cave Environment: Manage the aquatic and terrestrial functions associated with this
unique karst environment.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 29
Discussion: A karst environment is influenced by many factors including but not limited to:
water quantity and quality, air flow and temperature, and ground cover. These factors have
changed at Logan Cave in the past 20 years, mostly by unnatural causes.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Conduct cleanup inside and outside of cave. Cleanup inside (in conjunction with
survey trips) to remove items left behind by trespassers, and keep debris removed
from refuge property topside.
􀁹􇤠 Monitor temperature and humidity of Logan Cave.
􀁹􇤠 Stabilize sinkhole entrance.
􀁹􇤠 Perform botanical and wildlife surveys at both cave entrances.
􀁹􇤠 Monitor water quantity and quality using continuous monitoring methods and
distinguish between confined and residential contaminants.
􀁹􇤠 Identify surface location of Logan Cave utilizing cave radiolocation equipment.
Objective 2 - Cave Entrances: Maintain two known entry points into Logan Cave.
Discussion: The two known entry points into Logan Cave are on refuge land, which affords the
Service the opportunity to protect and monitor these entrances. Preventing trespass into the cave is
imperative to the survival of the species using Logan Cave. Disturbance, especially from
inexperienced cavers, can have a devastating effect on the bats, cavefish, and crayfish.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Maintain bat friendly enclosures. Inspect and perform necessary maintenance at least
every six months.
􀁹􇤠 Perform annual maintenance of gates and fences at cave entrances.
Objective 3 - Logan Stream (Logan Spring entrance south to refuge boundary):
Ensure water taken from the stream leaves the stream at levels (both quantity and quality) to achieve
refuge purposes.
Discussion: Years ago the stream was dammed to facilitate water withdrawal from Logan Spring for
the community water supply and adjacent fish farm. Today, water is still being withdrawn for private
and commercial uses. Evaluate effects of water withdrawal on the cave aquatic species, especially
during drought conditions. This unnatural pool of water has never been evaluated to determine if it
positively or negatively affects the aquatic species in the cave. It does allow more
competition/predation from epigeal crayfish and fish living in the pool.
30 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Monitor water quality and amount withdrawn from adjacent landowner using
continuous monitoring methods and distinguish between confined and residential
contaminants.
􀁹􇤠 Identify sensitive aquatic species in the pool.
􀁹􇤠 Remove competitors/predators if needed to protected threatened or endangered
species.
Objective 4 - Bat Foraging Habitats: Explore opportunities to increase or protect important bat
foraging habitat along the Osage creek corridor.
Discussion: The gray bat uses caves year-round, but when they are not hibernating, they must
feed. Since gray bats forage primarily over water along rivers or lakes shores, it makes sense to
protect not only the caves they utilize but also the areas where they feed.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Identify important bat foraging habitats.
􀁹􇤠 Obtain FEMA floodplain map for Osage Creek to identify floodplain.
􀁹􇤠 Utilize best management practices (BMPs), and work with partners and landowners to
protect and increase forested riparian corridors and improve water quality of Osage
creek and its tributaries.
Objective 5 - Forest Habitat: Maintain and enhance forest habitat to allow sustained use by forest
dwelling birds.
Discussion: Forested habitat at the refuge can be managed to provide different structural habitat for
forest birds, and adjacent landowners can obtain assistance from federal and state agencies to
enhance and increase forested habitat on their lands.
Strategy:
􀁹􇤠 Perform continuous forest inventory (or similar survey) and work with partners and
landowners to provide additional forested acres surrounding the refuge, especially in
the recharge zone and bat foraging areas.
GOAL 3. RESOURCE PROTECTION
Critical to the achievement of the vision for this refuge is the protection of the land and development
of partnerships with landowners and conservation organizations to improve karst habitat, especially
within Logan Cave’s recharge zone.
Objective 1 - Recharge Zone: Protect all surface acres in the recharge zone, but focus on both the
high- and very high-priority areas.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 31
Discussion: Preventing contamination of the groundwater within the recharge zone is critical
to continued existence of the aquatic species inhabiting the cave. The 1988 Federal Cave
Resources Protection Act (Public Law 100-691) recognizes significant caves and establishes a
formal program for federal land managers to identify, list, manage, protect, and preserve the
significant caves on their lands.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Identify all landowners in recharge zone.
􀁹􇤠 Establish partnerships with landowners, local governments, and land developers to
implement BMP’s and various land conservation programs through NRCS, TNC, NSS,
AGFC, and FWS.
􀁹􇤠 Coordinate conservation efforts with Ozark Plateau NWR, Ozark Cavefish NWR, and
Pilot Knob NWR across state and Service regional boundaries.
􀁹􇤠 Identify willing sellers within the recharge zone. Lands could be purchased by the
FWS or cooperating agencies (i.e., The Nature Conservancy).
􀁹􇤠 Refine delineation of recharge zone.
􀁹􇤠 Evaluate road projects – Gailey Hollow road paving
􀁹􇤠 Work with Benton County and the Arkansas State Highway authorities to establish
county roads within the recharge zone as “no hazardous materials” transport roads.
􀁹􇤠 Determine if Logan Cave should be officially designated as a significant cave under
the 1988 FCRPA. Consider nominating if not. Utilize this designation to further cave
protection, management, and preservation.
􀁹􇤠 Continue to coordinate, attend meetings, and foster partnerships within the Ozark
Ecosystem.
GOAL 4. EDUCATION AND VISITOR SERVICES
Develop and implement a quality, but limited, environmental education and wildlife-dependent
recreation program that would lead to a greater understanding of and appreciation for karst
environments and Logan Cave’s fish and wildlife resources.
Discussion: The Improvement Act identifies six priority wildlife-dependent public use activities:
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and
interpretation. Fundamental to the provision of these uses are viable and diverse fish and wildlife
populations and the habitats upon which they depend. These priority uses, along with all other
proposed uses, must be compatible with the refuge purpose and mission of the Refuge System.
Given the sensitive nature of Logan Cave’s wildlife resources, uses will be limited and focused on
environmental education and interpretation.
Objective 1: Develop a community-based volunteer program and partnerships with cave-associated
organizations and enthusiasts.
32 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Discussion: Volunteers play a large role in the success of management programs on refuges
across the country. They provide the eyes and ears for refuges that have administrative offices
hours away from the refuge lands.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Look into coordinating and partnering with the Ecological Services’ program, AGFC,
and others to establish and support a public use specialist position located near the
refuge.
􀁹􇤠 Establish Cave Stewards (Friends Group) Program with the purpose of establishing a
volunteer corps to provide visitor services for the refuge.
􀁹􇤠 Contract with a person, company, or organization located close to Logan Cave to help
develop the visitor services’ programs for the refuge.
􀁹􇤠 Work in partnership with cavers, local grottos, and the National Speleological Society
(NSS). Utilize the national memorandum of understanding with NSS.
􀁹􇤠 Seek out and educate volunteers on karsts environments and Logan Cave
management issues, etc.
􀁹􇤠 Utilize volunteers to assist with terrestrial flora and fauna surveys, and for maintenance
of boundary and refuge property, etc.
Objective 2: Develop a community-based environmental education program in coordination with
area schools and other area educational organizations.
Discussion: A quality environmental education program can lead to increased awareness and
stewardship of the environment and can strengthen the connection between wildlife and people. It is
very important to instill a land ethic in the local community and especially the local youth. Although
there are limited opportunities available at Logan Cave, even a few programs can increase the local
knowledge and respect for this sensitive karst ecosystem.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Develop an outdoor classroom or gathering site, possibly an observation platform,
where staff conducted programs allow visitors to safely view gray bats emerging from
the cave’s sinkhole entrance. Construct an observation platform only after refuge has
been properly staffed.
􀁹􇤠 Give programs on karst environments highlighting Logan Cave NWR to local schools,
adjacent landowners, county officials, 4-H groups, etc.
􀁹􇤠 Develop crayfish/cavefish brochure.
􀁹􇤠 Construct kiosk with information on karst environments and Logan Cave NWR.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 33
Objective 3: Explore research opportunities that will assist in the recovery of threatened or
endangered species utilizing the cave.
Discussion: Research on selective cave issues can lead to a better understanding of the cave
environment and refuge flora and fauna, which leads to better management of the resources.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Explore opportunity of completing underwater film documentary.
􀁹􇤠 Identify the life history and requirements of the cave crayfish.
􀁹􇤠 Identify the life history and requirements of the Ozark cavefish.
􀁹􇤠 Identify hibernacula used by Logan Cave gray bat maternity colony.
􀁹􇤠 Identify Logan Cave gray bat foraging habitats.
􀁹􇤠 Monitor pesticides levels in gray bats.
􀁹􇤠 Study micro-climate of the cave to determine suitability for Indiana bats.
􀁹􇤠 Refine delineation of recharge zone.
GOAL 5. REFUGE ADMINISTRATION
Provide administrative support to ensure that the goals and objectives for refuge habitats, fish and
wildlife populations, land conservation, and visitor services are achieved.
Discussion: The administrative functions associated with a refuge include a wide array of activities
that are critical to the mission of the Refuge System and the purpose of each refuge. These functions
include staffing, training, budgeting, planning, access, law enforcement, community relations,
partnering and maintenance. Refuges must have appropriate staff, facilities, equipment, and funding
in order to accomplish their overall goals and objectives.
Objective 1: Develop a refuge manager position to initiate and manage the needed resource
conservation projects and hire a public use specialist to develop environment education programs.
Discussion: A full-time refuge manager position is needed to oversee and conduct many of the
studies, surveys, and resource protection projects identified in this CCP.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Hire refuge manager (could possibly share this position with the Arkansas Ecological
Services’ Field Office, Holla Bend NWR, or Ozark Plateau NWR.
􀁹􇤠 Obtain operating money for Logan Cave NWR. This refuge has never been funded or
received any special funds for projects.
34 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
􀁹􇤠 Hire public use specialist to develop environmental education program. This position
could be shared with Holla Bend NWR, Arkansas Ecological Services Field Office, or
Ozark Plateau NWR.
Objective 2: Develop effective law enforcement program to ensure trust resource protection.
Discussion: Protection of the resource is vital to the success of refuge management programs.
Preventing trespass into the cave is as critical to the survival of cave species as conserving and
enhancing the habitat. Collection of cavefish and crayfish for the pet industry is one factor that leads
to the decline of these species. Careless spelunkers and guano harvesters disturb the gray bat
maternity, increase the turbidity of the cave stream, and step on cavefish and crayfish.
Strategies:
􀁹􇤠 Initiate and complete standard operating procedures for cave search and rescue
efforts.
􀁹􇤠 Utilize Service law enforcement (refuge, zone officers, and special agents) to respond
to violations.
􀁹􇤠 Coordinate with AGFC wildlife officer on protocol for contacting refuge manager on
issues.
􀁹􇤠 Perform surveillance as needed utilizing infra-red equipment.
􀁹􇤠 Initiate and maintain a minimum of one trip per month by refuge law enforcement
officer.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 35
V. Plan Implementation
INTRODUCTION
Refuge lands are managed as defined under the Improvement Act. Congress has distinguished a
clear legislative mission of wildlife conservation for all national wildlife refuges. National wildlife
refuges, unlike other public lands, are dedicated to the conservation of the Nation’s fish and wildlife
resources and wildlife-dependent recreational uses. Priority projects emphasize the protection and
enhancement of fish and wildlife species first and foremost, but considerable emphasis is placed on
balancing the needs and demands for wildlife-dependent recreation and environmental education.
To accomplish the purpose, vision, goals, and objectives contained in this plan for Logan Cave NWR, this
section identifies projects, funding and personnel needs, volunteers, partnerships opportunities, step-down
management plans, a monitoring and adaptive management plan, and plan review and revision.
PROPOSED PROJECTS
Listed below are the proposed project summaries and their estimated associated costs for fish and
wildlife population management, habitat management, resource protection, visitor services, and
refuge administration over the 15-year life of this CCP. This proposed project list reflects the priority
needs identified by the public, the CCP planning team, and core refuge staff based upon available
information. These projects were generated for the purpose of achieving the refuge’s objectives and
strategies (Table 1). The primary linkages of these projects to those planning elements are identified
in each summary under the project category.
FISH AND WILDLIFE POPULATION MANAGEMENT
Project 1: Science-based Inventory and Monitoring of Refuge Flora and Fauna
Science-based inventories and monitoring of plant and animal populations are critical to ensuring the
biological integrity of the refuge. Information collected will serve as the basis for developing habitat
management plans and will influence all management activities. A systematic inventory and
monitoring program will enable the refuge to make informed management decisions and valuable
long-term contributions to national and regional objectives for threatened and endangered species
and resident wildlife. All data will be shared with appropriate state and federal partners in an effort to
further ecosystem management. A monitoring plan should be developed to describe survey
methods, survey duration, and frequency of sampling to keep surveys of Logan Cave NWR’s species
consistent through the years during staff and partners’ changes. The monitoring plan must
incorporate ways to minimize turbidity during surveys inside the cave; list needed participants and
limits to cave entry. Benton cave crayfish monitoring should be incorporated into Ozark cavefish
surveys. The estimated first-year cost for this project is $20,000, with a recurring cost of $ 2,000 per
year. (Linkages: Goal 1, Objectives 1, 2, 3 4, 5, and 6; Goal 2, Objectives 1,2,3,4, and 5.)
Project 2: Identify Life History and Requirements for Amblyopsis rosae and Cambarus aculabrum for
the Logan Cave system.
36 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Little is known about the ecology and natural history of troglobitic crayfish, and only limited observations
have been made of Cambarus aculabrum. Population levels are too low to risk individuals in studies
that may result in mortality. Studies, such as species habitat utilization, fecundity, mortality rate,
longevity, food preference, etc., should only be initiated when it is determined that such studies will
have no impact on the ability of the species to survive. Notes on behavior, location, and reproductive
status should be taken of any observations of cave crayfish made during survey trips. Much is known
about Amblyopsis rosae, but little is known about what is required for successful reproduction of these
fish. Spawning is likely triggered by spring floods. Gravid females have been observed in Logan Cave
during the month of January when the lowest flows of the year are recorded. In many caves, the
greatest obstacle may be finding potential mates at the right time. Studies are needed to determine the
extent of competition and predation on A. rosae and C. aculabrum by troglophilic and epigeal species at
Logan Cave. Biannual surveys of troglophiles and epigeans should be conducted in such a way that
they do not harm A. rosae and C. aculabrum.
The estimated first-year cost for this project is $20,000, with recurring cost of $5,000 for study
duration. (Linkages: Goal 1, Objectives 1and 2)
Project 3: Purchase Night Vision Equipment to Monitor Gray Bats
Night vision/infrared equipment is needed to perform consistent exit counts of the Logan Cave gray bat
maternity colony. Two sets of night vision equipment are needed to monitor both entrances at the
same time. Currently only one survey is performed by an AGFC contractor. Monthly surveys are
needed during late spring and through the summer to monitor bat presence and possible disturbance to
the maternity colony. The estimated cost for this equipment is $10,000. (Linkage: Goal 1, Objective 3)
Project 4: Conduct Banding/Monitoring Study to Verify/Identify Hibernacula used by Logan Cave
Gray Bat Colony
The hibernacula and transient locations used by Logan Cave gray bats are unknown. Knowing
where this population of bats spends the winter and their migration routes will allow the Service and
partners to initiate plans to protect these areas. The refuge would work with AGFC and other Service
biologists to accomplish this project. The estimated first-year cost for this project is $ 3,000, with
recurring cost of $1,000 each year for an approximate 5-year study. (Linkage: Goal 1, Objective 3)
Project 5: Identify Logan Cave Gray Bat Foraging Areas
Gray bats feed primarily over water along river, stream, and reservoir edges and in forest canopy
along waters edge and take flight in the protection of the forest canopy between the cave and feeding
areas to avoid predators. Gray bat feeding areas have not been found along sections of river or
reservoir where adjacent forest has been cleared. Identifying the current feeding areas and forested
corridors is imperative to the existence of the Logan Cave gray bat colony. Once these areas are
identified, steps can be taken through partnerships with landowners to protect and enhance these
forested areas. The estimated first-year cost for this project is $15,000, with recurring cost of $5,000.
(Linkages: Goal 1, Objective 3 and 4; Goal 2, Objective 4)
Project 6: Determine Suitability of Logan Cave for Indiana bat
Indiana bats could once be found hibernating in Logan Cave. Indiana bats have specific needs for
cave temperatures during hibernation. Changes in the air flow through caves can change the
temperature enough to make it unsuitable for Indiana bats. The air flow through Logan Cave has
changed significantly over the past 20 years due to erosion at the sinkhole entrance, which has
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 37
almost closed it completely. Temperature and humidity data loggers should be installed and
monitored to record specific conditions inside the cave to determine if it is suitable for Indiana bats.
The estimated first-year cost for this project is $ 5,000, with a recurring cost of $ 500. (Linkages:
Goal 1, Objectives 3 and 4; Goal 2, Objective1)
HABITAT MANAGEMENT
Project 7: Monitor Water Quantity and Quality of Logan Cave Stream and Spring
Degradation of water quality poses the greatest threat to the aquatic species of Logan Cave.
Water quality data needed include pH, water and air temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen,
biological oxygen demand, dissolved organic carbon, conductivity, total dissolved and suspended
solids, nitrates, metals, and pesticides. The cave stream and spring should be sampled monthly for
at least one year to establish a baseline for future comparisons. Metals should be sampled once for
baseline and additional tests if warranted. Testing for pesticides, insecticides, or lawn chemicals
should be done after a rainfall of at least one inch. Data needs to be gathered on anthropogenic
enrichment and organic loading of Logan Cave.
Water quantity also plays an important role in the survival of the cave’s aquatic species. Past and
future increases in the utilization of the water from the cave will have an impact on water levels in the
cave, especially during periods of drought. Unnatural decreases in water levels in the cave stream
could have an adverse impact on the cave’s aquatic habitat. The amount of water removed and its
affects on the cave’s aquatic species and climate should be monitored. The estimated first-year cost
for this project is $20,000, with recurring cost of $5,000. (Linkages: Goal 2, Objective 1 and 3)
Project 8: Initiate Sinkhole Stabilization Project Utilizing USGS Data
In 2004, the USGS studied the geologic conditions at the sinkhole entrance to Logan Cave and
recommended that the sinkhole be protected from foot traffic and the slope be stabilized to lessen the
erosion, which could lead to complete filling of the sinkhole by sediments. Sedimentation around
sinkholes of caves is normal. But the sinkhole entrance of Logan Cave has had a significant amount
of sediment mainly from foot traffic (trespass) from the top of the sink to the bottom of the slope which
has almost completely blocked the entrance. Recent fencing of the sinkhole has significantly reduced
foot traffic, but current sediments need to be removed and the slope around the foot trail stabilized to
reduce further unnatural erosion. The estimated first year cost for this project is $5,000, with
recurring cost of $500 (Linkage: Goal 2, Objective 2)
RESOURCE PROTECTION
Project 9: Utilize Cave Radiolocation to Locate and Map Cave to Surface Relationship
Cave radiolocation is a technique used to locate sections of a cave from the surface. The techniques
and equipment used allow researchers to map the cave passages and related those passages to the
surface. Knowing where the cave passages lay from the surface will greatly enhance the ability of
management to protect the cave through partnerships with landowners and will aid rescuers in the
event of an incident. Current and future landowners will know if cave passages lie under their land
before engaging in land activities that could seriously affect the cave environment. The estimated cost
for this project is $5,000. (Linkages: Goal 2, Objective 1; Goal 3, Objective 1; Goal 5, Objective 2)
38 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Project 10: Increase Resource Protection by Purchasing Specialized Surveillance Equipment
for Law Enforcement
This project would provide funding for purchasing state-of-the-art surveillance equipment for refuge
law enforcement officers to increase the protection of the cave’s natural resources. This equipment
would also be used to assist local partners with cave resource protection projects. The estimated
cost is $8,000. (Linkage: Goal 5, Objective 2)
VISITOR SERVICES
Project 11: Develop Logan Cave Brochure
Due to Logan Cave’s sensitive fauna, no outreach occurs at or in the cave proper. Developing a
general brochure that gives information and pictures about the cave environment and refuge flora
and fauna would be an excellent outreach tool to hand out at local events and have available via the
Internet. The estimated first-year cost for this project is $3,000, with periodic cost of approximately
$600 for additional brochures as needed. (Linkages: Goal 4, Objective 2)
Project 12: Construct Viewing Platform
During the summer months, bats can easily be seen exiting the cave’s sinkhole entrance at dusk to
forage. The cave is fenced and gated and closed to all public entry. If a public use specialist or
manager were to be hired, a viewing platform near the sinkhole entrance could be used for scheduled
interpretation and educational activities for local youth groups, clubs, and partners. The estimated
first-year cost of this project is $20,000, with a recurring cost of $500. (Linkages: Goal 4,
Objective 2)
Project 13. Construct Kiosks
A wooden kiosk would be constructed at the north entrance gate for year-round information on Logan
Cave NWR and its resources. The estimated first-year cost of this project is $10,000, with a recurring
cost of $500. (Linkages: Goal 4, Objective 2)
REFUGE ADMINISTRATION
Project 14: Manage Endangered Wildlife and Habitats by Re-establishing the Refuge Manager Position
In 1994, during staff reductions, the refuge manager position for Logan Cave NWR was lost. This
project would re-establish this position to oversee the management of Logan Cave NWR and carry
out many of the biological surveys and possibly assist with coordinating other Service cave and karst
related acitivties in the Arkansas Ozarks. This position could be stationed at the Complex
headquarters (Holla Bend NWR), as in the past, or shared with Ozark Plateau NWR, the Conway, AR
or Tulsa, OK Ecological Services’ offices. The estimated first-year cost for this project is $160,000,
with recurring cost of $89,000. (Linkages: Goal 5, Objective 1)
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 39
Project 15: Hire Public Use Specialist
This project would involve hiring a public use specialist to coordinate and perform outreach for the
refuge and surrounding karst environment. This position could be stationed at the Complex
headquarters (Holla Bend NWR) and would be responsible for all of Logan Cave NRW environmental
education programs. The estimated first-year cost for this project is $160,000, with recurring cost of
$70,000. (Linkage: Goal 5, Objective 1)
FUNDING AND PERSONNEL
To complete the wildlife and habitat management projects and conduct the necessary inventorying,
monitoring, analysis, mapping, and outreach activities, staff is required. Logan Cave NWR has never
been staffed or received resource management funding. The planning team and the public identified
the need for staff at Logan Cave NWR. The proposed positions listed above are needed for the
refuge to achieve its plan objectives and strategies. The annual estimated cost of operating the
refuge, including salaries and benefits of the two positions listed above, will be $160,000.
PARTNERSHIP/VOLUNTEERS OPPORTUNITIES
A key element of this CCP is to establish partnerships with local volunteers, landowners, private
organizations, and state and federal natural resource agencies. In the immediate vicinity of the
refuge, opportunities exist to establish partnerships with local landowners, 4-H and scout groups, land
developers, caving clubs, and Audubon groups. At regional and state levels, partnerships may be
established or enhanced with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, Natural Resources
Conservation Agency, the National Speleological Society, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission,
USDA Forest Service, and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
STEP-DOWN MANAGEMENT PLANS
A CCP is a strategic plan that guides the future direction of the refuge. A step-down management
plan provides specific guidance on activities, such as habitat, fire, and visitor services management.
These plans (Table 2) are also developed in accordance with NEPA, which requires the identification
and evaluation of alternatives and public review and involvement prior to their implementation.
MONITORING AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
Adaptive management is a flexible approach to long-term management of biotic resources that is directed
over time by the results of ongoing monitoring activities and other information. More specifically, adaptive
management is a process by which projects are implemented within a framework of scientifically driven
experiments to test the predictions and assumptions outlined within a plan.
To apply adaptive management, specific survey, inventory, and monitoring protocols will be adopted for the
refuge. The habitat management strategies will be systematically evaluated to determine management
effects on wildlife populations. This information will be used to refine approaches and determine how
effectively the objectives are being accomplished. Evaluations will include ecosystem team and other
appropriate partner participation. If monitoring and evaluation indicate undesirable effects for target and
non-target species and/or communities, then alterations to the management projects will be made.
Subsequently, this CCP will be revised. Specific monitoring and evaluation activities will be described in the
step-down management plans.
40 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Table 1. Summary of projects
PROJECT
NUMBER PROJECT TITLE FIRST YEAR
COST
RECURRING
ANNUAL
COST
STAFF
(FTE’S)
1 Science-based Inventory and
Monitoring of Refuge Flora and Fauna $20,000 $2,000
2
Identify Life History and Requirements
for A. rosae and C. aculabrum for the
Logan Cave system.
$20,000 $5,000 **
3 Purchase Night Vision Equipment to
Monitor Gray Bats $10,000 *
4 Conduct Study to Identify Hibernacula
Used by Logan Cave Gray Bat Colony $ 3,000 $1,000 **
5 Identify Logan Cave Gray Bat Foraging
Areas $15,000 $5,000 **
6 Determine Suitability of Logan Cave
for Indiana Bats $ 5,000 $ 500
7 Monitor Water Quantity and Quality of
Logan Stream and Spring $20,000 $5,000
8 Initiate Sinkhole Stabilization Project $5,000 $500
9 Utilize Cave Radiolocation to Locate
and Map Cave to Surface Relationship $5,000 *
10 Purchase Surveillance Equipment for
Law Enforcement $8,000 *
11 Develop and Print Logan Cave
Brochure $ 3,000 $ 600
12 Construct Viewing Platform $ 20,000 $ 500
13 Construct Kiosk $ 10,000 $ 500
14 Re-establish Refuge Manager Position $160,000 $89,000 1
15 Hire Public Use Specialist $160,000 $70,000 1
Grand Total $ 464,000 $ 168,600 2
* No recurring cost.
** Recurring cost for duration of the study and not included in total recurring costs.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan 41
PLAN REVIEW AND REVISION
This CCP will be reviewed annually in development of the refuge’s annual work plans and budget. It
will also be reviewed to determine the need for revision. A revision will occur if and when conditions
change or significant information becomes available, such as a change in ecological conditions or a
major refuge expansion. This CCP will be augmented by detailed step-down management plans to
address the completion of specific strategies in support of the refuge’s goals and objectives.
Revisions to the CCP and the step-down management plans will be subject to public review and
NEPA compliance.
Table 2. Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge step-down management plans related to the
goals and objectives of the CCP
Step-down Plan Completion Date
Wildlife Management Plan 2012
Biological Inventory/Monitoring Plan 2010
Nuisance Animal Control 2012
Exotic Plant Control 2012
Habitat Management Plan 2012
Water Quality and Quantity Monitoring Plan 2010
Forest Management Plan 2012
Law Enforcement 2010
Safety/Search and Rescue Plan 2010
Visitor Services 2015
Environmental Education and Interpretation 2015
42 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Appendices 43
Appendix A. Glossary
Adaptive Management: Refers to a process in which policy decisions are implemented within a
framework of scientifically driven experiments to test predictions and
assumptions inherent in management plan. Analysis of results help
managers determine whether current management should continue as is
or whether it should be modified to achieve desired conditions.
Allochthonous: Organic matter synthesized within a drainage basin and brought to lakes
or streams in various forms of detritus.
Anthropogenic: A term that refers to the environmental effects, processes or materials
causes from the chemical or biological wastes that are produced from
human activities.
Aquifer: Underground water contained in water-holding geological layers.
Best Management
Practices (BMP’s):
Practices determined by state and federal agencies to be the most
effective and practical means of preventing or reducing the amount of
water pollution generated by various land uses and construction.
Biological Diversity: The variety of life and its processes, including the variety of living
organisms, the genetic differences among them, and the communities
and ecosystems in which they occur (USFWS Manual 052 FW 1. 12B).
The System’s focus is on indigenous species, biotic communities, and
ecological processes. Also referred to as Biodiversity.
BOD: The biological oxygen demand (BOD) is an approximate measure of the
amount of biochemically degradable organic matter present in a water
sample.
Carrying Capacity: The maximum population of a species able to be supported by a habitat
or area.
Categorical Exclusion
(CE,CX, CATEX, CATX):
A category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human environment and have been found to
have no such effect in procedures adopted by a Federal agency pursuant
to the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1508.4).
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations.
44 Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Compatible Use: A proposed or existing wildlife-dependent recreational use or any other
use of a national wildlife refuge that, based on sound professional
judgment, will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of
the National Wildlife Refuge System mission or the purpose(s) of the
national wildlife refuge (50 CFR 25.12 (a)). A compatibility determination
supports the selection of compatible uses and identifies stipulations or
limits necessary to ensure compatibility.
Comprehensive
Conservation Plan
(CCP):
A document that describes the desired future conditions of a refuge or
planning unit and provides long-range guidance and management
direction to achieve the purposes of the refuge; helps fulfill the mission
of the Refuge System; maintains and, where appropriate, restores the
ecological integrity of each refuge and the Refuge System; helps achieve
the goals of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and meets
other mandates (Service Manual 602 FW 1.6 E).
Concern:
Conservation:
Conservation
Easement:
See Issue.
Conserving natural resources for future generations while using them
wisely, as opposed to exploitation or total nonuse.
A legal agreement with a property owner to restrict the clearing of
habitat, construction, or other activities within a specified zone which
may be detrimental to wildlife, or their habitat, in return for financial
benefit such as a payment of an income or estate tax reduction.
Cover: Vegetation used by wildlife for protection from predators or to escape
the adverse effects of weather.
Cultural Resource
Inventory:
A professionally conducted study designed to locate and evaluate
evidence of cultural resources present within a defined geographic area.
Inventories may involve various levels, including background literature
search, comprehensive field examination to identify all exposed physical
manifestations of cultural resources, or sample inventory to project site
distribution and density over a larger area. Evaluation of identified
cultural resources to determine eligibility for the National Register
follows the criteria found in 36 CFR 60.4 (Service Manual 614 FW 1.7).
Cultural Resource
Overview:
A comprehensive document prepared for a field office that discusses,
among other things, its prehistory and cultural history, the nature and extent
of known cultural resources, previous research, management objectives,
resource management conflicts or issues, and a general statement on how
program objectives should be met and conflicts resolved. An overview
should reference or incorporate information from a field offices background
or literature search described in Section VIII of the Cultural Resource
Management Handbook (Service Manual 614 FW 1.7).
Appendices 45
Cultural Resources: The remains of sites, structures, or objects used by people in the past.
Detritus: Dead or decaying organic matter.
Disturbance:
Ecoregion:
Significant alteration of habitat structure or composition. May be natural
(e.g., fire) or human-caused events (e.g., aircraft overflight).
Ecological region as determined by the Service, but defined by
geographic