Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan

              U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Salt Plains
National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive
Conservation Plan
2006-2021
June 2006
SALT PLAINS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN
June 2006
Prepared by:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Salt Plains NWR
Jet, Oklahoma
and
Division of Planning
Region 2 - Southwest Region
P.O. Box 1306
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103
Comprehensive conservation plans provide long term guidance for management decisions and set forth
goals, objectives, and strategies needed to accomplish refuge purposes and identify the Service’s best
estimate of future needs. These plans detail program planning levels that are sometimes substantially
above current budget allocations and, as such, are primarily for Service strategic planning and
program prioritization purposes. The plans do not constitute a commitment for staffing increases,
operational and maintenance increases, or funding for future land acquisition.
Table of Contents
Refuge Vision Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1 Purpose of and Need for the Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 Fish and Wildlife Service Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 National Wildlife Refuge System Mission and Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4 Legal and Policy Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.5 Existing Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.6 Refuge Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.7 Refuge History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.8 Refuge General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.0 PLANNING PROCESS: CONSIDERATIONS, PERSPECTIVES, AND ISSUES . . . . . . . . . 11
2.1 The Ecosystem Approach to Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.2 The Arkansas/Red Rivers Ecosystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3 Area of Ecological Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4 Other Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.5 Planning Perspectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.6 Issues and Challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.7 Expected Planning Outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.8 Planning Process and Public Involvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.0 SUMMARY REFUGE AND RESOURCE DESCRIPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1 Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1.1 Marshes, Ponds, and Moist Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1.2 Grasslands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1.3 Brushlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1.4 Woodlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.1.5 Invasive Plant Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.2 Fish and W ildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.2.1 Mammals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.2.2 Birds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.2. 3 Reptiles and Amphibians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.2.4 Fish and Invertebrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.3 Federally-listed Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.4 Priority Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.5 Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.6 Geology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.7 Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.8 Land Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.8.1 Croplands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.8.2 Grazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.8.3 Water Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.9 Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3.10 Fire Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3.11 Archaeological, Cultural, and Historical Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.12 Wildlife-Dependent Recreational Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.12.1 Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.12.2 Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.12.3 Wildlife Observation and Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3.12.4 Environmental Education and Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3.13 Socioeconomic Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3.14 Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3.15 Economic Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.0 MANAGEMENT DIRECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.1 Migratory Birds/Federally-listed Species Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.2 Natural Diversity and Ecosystem Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4.3 Stream and Riparian Habitat Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.4 Water Supply/Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.5 Land Protection and Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.6 Cultural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
4.7 Interagency Coordination and Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
4.8 Public Use, Environmental Education, and Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
4.9 Improvement of Staffing and Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
5.0 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
5.1 Resource Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
5.2 Funding and Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
5.3 Step-down Plans and Other Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.3.1 Completed Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.3.2 Future Plans and Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
5.3.3 Wilderness Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
5.4 Partnership Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
5.5 Monitoring and Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
5.6 Plan Amendment and Revision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
LIST OF PREPARERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
A. Refuge Biota
B. Threatened and Endangered Species List
C. Refuge Operating Needs System (RONS) Projects
D. Compatibility Determinations
E. Relevant Legal Mandates and Establishing Directives
F. Key Legislation and Service Policies
G. Intra-Service Section 7 Consultation
H. Public Involvem ent / Response to Comments
I. Refuge GIS Vegetation Maps
Environmental Action Statement
Finding of No Significant Impact
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 1
Refuge Vision Statement
Salt Plains NWR is a key part of the Central Great Plains Ecoregion of the larger Arkansas/Red
Rivers Ecosystem in northern Oklahoma. For millennia, the salt plains were the scenes of Indian
gatherings, providing salt and important hunting grounds. Found nowhere else for hundreds of miles
around, the salt plains provided essential
shelter, foraging, and breeding habitat
attracting multitudes of migrating waterfowl,
breeding birds, and big game such as bison and
deer. Today, this unique assemblage of biotic
communities, surrounded by a patchwork of
farmlands, continues to be a vital migratory
stopover and breeding grounds for birds as well
as providing a protected area for wildlife.
In the next 15 years, refuge staff will focus on
reversing the impacts of invasive species on
native grasslands and preserving the quality of
the salt plains and surrounding upland
habitats. Emphasis will be placed on increasing
wetland habitat and management of moist soil
units to provide high quality habitat for
waterfowl and shorebirds. The refuge will
increase wildlife-dependent activities such as
wildlife observation, photography, and
environmental education/interpretation. A
healthy refuge environment will provide
opportunities for visitors to enjoy wildlife
viewing, hunting, and fishing in a natural
setting. Improving facilities and interpreting
wildlife and the refuge’s unique heritage will
enhance the visitor’s experience while
protecting cultural resources.
To meet future challenges, the refuge will
continue to maintain and build federal, state,
landowner, interest group, and local
community partnerships. Through the Great Salt Plains Association and other community
organizations, the refuge will increasingly be promoted as a regional tourist destination. These
efforts will result in greater protection and appreciation for the unique fish and wildlife resources of
Salt Plains NWR for generations to come.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
This Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the 32,028-acre Salt Plains National W ildlife
Refuge (NWR) (refuge) will guide management decisions over the next 15 years and set forth goals,
objectives, and strategies for achieving the refuge’s vision. The refuge will help to conserve the
natural biological diversity of the broader Arkansas/Red Rivers (Ark/Red) Ecosystem with emphasis
on protection and enhancement of habitat for waterfowl, migratory birds, and federally-listed
wildlife. The refuge will maintain and establish good working partnerships with stakeholders as well
as provide the greatest opportunities for the public to learn about and enjoy the refuge experience.
The refuge occurs within the Lower Salt Fork River Drainage which forms an area that will be
considered in this plan as the “Area of Ecological Concern” (See Figure 4).
1.1 Purpose of and Need for the Plan
The purpose of comprehensive conservation planning is to “provide long range guidance for the
management of national wildlife refuges.” As such, all lands of the National Wildlife Refuge System
(Refuge System) are to be managed in accordance with an approved CCP that will guide management
decisions and set forth strategies for achieving refuge purposes (See Section 1.6). The Refuge
Improvement Act of 1997 requires all refuges to have a CCP and provides the following legislative
mandates to guide the development of the CCP:
C Wildlife has first priority in the management of refuges.
C Wildlife-dependent recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation,
wildlife photography, environmental education, and interpretation are priority public uses of
the Refuge System, when compatible with the purposes of the refuge.
C Other uses have lower priority and, like the priority public uses above, are allowed if they are
compatible with the purposes of the refuge.
This CCP provides long term direction for present and future refuge managers for the next 15 years.
It describes management activities, important fish and wildlife resources that occur on the refuge,
wildlife-dependent recreational and educational opportunities and provides goals, specific objectives,
and strategies designed to fulfill the refuge’s vision for the future.
1.2 Fish and Wildlife Service Mission
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is the principal federal agency responsible for
conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit
of the American people. Specific responsibilities include enforcing federal wildlife laws, managing
migratory bird populations, restoring nationally significant fisheries, administering the Endangered
Species Act, conserving and restoring wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helping foreign and
Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal
Assistance Program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and
hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. The Service also manages the National
Wildlife Refuge System. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is:
“working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people”
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 4
The Blue Goose; Symbol of the
National Wildlife Refuge System
1.3 National Wildlife Refuge System Mission and Goals
Managing the National Wildlife Refuge System has evolved into a significant role for the Service.
Founded in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt with the designation of Pelican Island as a refuge
for brown pelicans, the Refuge System is the world’s largest collection of lands specifically managed
for fish and wildlife. The Refuge System is a network of more than 540 national wildlife refuges
encompassing more than 95 million acres of public land and water. Refuges provide habitat for more
than 5,000 species of birds, mammals, fish, and insects.
Like Pelican Island, many early national wildlife refuges were created for herons, egrets and other
water birds. Others were set aside for large mammals such as elk and bison. Most refuges, however,
have been created to protect migratory waterfowl. This is a result of the United States’
responsibilities under international treaties for migratory bird conservation as well as other
legislation, such as the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929.
National wildlife refuges also play a vital role in preserving endangered and threatened species.
Among the refuges that are well known for providing habitat for endangered species are Aransas
NWR in Texas, the winter home of the whooping crane. Salt Plains NWR provides critical habitat for
the whooping crane in migration. Other well known refuges include the Florida Panther Refuge,
which protects one of the Nation’s most endangered mammals; and the Hawaiian Islands Refuge,
home of the Laysan Duck, Hawaiian monk seal, and many other unique species.
Refuges also provide unique opportunities for people. When it is compatible with wildlife and habitat
needs, refuges can be used for wildlife-dependent activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation, photography, environmental education and interpretation. Many refuges have visitor
centers, wildlife trails, auto tours, and environmental education programs. Nationwide,
approximately 35 m illion people visit national wildlife refuges annually.
The mission of the Refuge System is:
“to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and
where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats
within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans”
The goals of the Refuge System are to:
a) fulfill our statutory duty to achieve refuge purposes and further the System mission;
b) conserve, restore where appropriate, and enhance all
species of fish, wildlife, and plants that are
endangered or threatened with becoming
endangered;
c) perpetuate migratory bird, inter-jurisdictional fish,
and marine mammal populations;
d) conserve a diversity of fish, w ildlife, and plants;
e) conserve and restore, where appropriate,
representative ecosystems of the United States,
including the ecological processes characteristic of those ecosystems; and
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 5
f) foster understanding and instill appreciation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their
conservation, by providing the public with safe, high-quality, and compatible wildlife-dependent
public use. Such use includes hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
1.4 Legal and Policy Guidance
The National Wildlife Refuge System started nearly 100 years ago with an Executive Order, signed
by President Theodore Roosevelt, protecting a small island full of pelicans, ibises, and spoonbills from
market hunters. It wasn’t until 1997 that the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act was
passed which set the mission and administrative policy for all refuges in the Refuge System. This Act
established many mandates aimed at making the management of national wildlife refuges more
cohesive. The legislation requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that the mission of the
Refuge System and purposes of the individual refuges are carried out. It also requires the Secretary
to maintain the biological integrity, diversity and environmental health of the Refuge System
(Integrity Policy; FR 66 3810-3823); a new process for determining compatible uses of refuges, and a
requirement for preparing CCPs.
Other key legislative policies that direct management of refuges include the Endangered Species Act
(1973), Clean W ater Act (1977), Land and Water Conservation Fund (1965), Migratory Bird Treaty
Act (1918), and Executive Order 12996, Management and General Public Use of the National Wildlife
Refuge System (1996). These and other Acts and Executive Orders that guide Refuge System
activities are listed in Appendix F. The Service also provides its own policy guidelines which can be
found in refuge manuals.
Coordination with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
In administering the Refuge System , the Service will ensure that the CCP complements State efforts
to conserve fish and wildlife and their habitats, and to increase support for the Refuge System and
participation from conservation partners and the public. During the development of the CCP, the
Service is required to consult and coordinate with affected State conservation agencies, as well as
adjoining Federal, local, and private landowners. The Service is required to ensure effective
coordination, interaction, and cooperation with the state fish and wildlife agencies and ensure timely
and effective cooperation and collaboration with the State during the course of acquiring and
managing refuges. Under the Refuge Administration Act and 43 CFR 24, the Director and the
Secretary’s designee is required to ensure the Refuge System regulations and management plans are
to the extent practicable, consistent with state law s, regulations and management plans.
1.5 Existing Partnerships
Salt Plains NWR staff work with a variety of individuals and organizations to accomplish habitat
management, outreach, and environmental education projects. Some current partners include the
Great Salt Plains Association (GSPA); Great Salt Plains State Park; Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation (ODWC); U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps); Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS); and several private landowners. Far less would be accomplished
within and beyond the refuge boundaries without these partnerships (See Section 5.4 for more
information).
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 6
1955 Refuge Entrance Sign
Billboard depicting early history of the Salt Plains area
located along Hwy 64, in Jet, Oklahoma
USFWS Photo
1.6 Refuge Purposes
Salt Plains NWR was originally established “...as a refuge and
breeding ground for birds...” - Executive Order 5314, March 26,
1930
The following are additional purposes that apply to Salt Plains
NWR:
“...for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management
purpose, for migratory birds.”
16 U.S.C. § 715d (Migratory Bird Conservation Act)
“...shall be administered by him [Secretary of the Interior] directly or in accordance with cooperative
agreements and in accordance with such rules and regulations for the conservation, maintenance, and
management of wildlife, resources thereof, and its habitat thereon...”- 16 U.S.C. § 664 (Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act)
“...for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife
resources...” (16 U.S.C. § 742f(a)(4) (Fish and W ildlife Act of 1956)
“...for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and
services. Such acceptance may be subject to the terms of any restrictive or affirmative covenant, or
condition of servitude...” 16 U.S.C.§742f(b)(1) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956)
Salt Plains NWR is also designated as
critical habitat for the whooping crane (43
FR 20938, May 15, 1978).
1.7 Refuge History
The Great Salt Plains or “Grand Saline” as
it was known in early American history,
was important to many Native American
tribes. The Wichita, and later Osage tribes
occupied the land but were in conflict with
the Comanches and other tribes over
control of the land. The salt flats were a
central feature of these excellent hunting
grounds because the salt attracted buffalo
and other game animals. The salt could
also be used to cure meat and season food.
In 1811, George Sibley was the first white
man to visit the salt plains and described
them as “glistening like a brilliant field of
snow in the summer sun,” and estimated
that “600 to 800 buffalo were wandering
about the salt flats.” He also noted that it
“has the effect of looming, as the sailors
called it, producing to the unpracticed eye,
much delusion” (objects look closer than
they are), and reported the area has “many
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 7
Figure 1. Original boundary map of Salt Plains
NWR, March 26, 1930
thousands of bushels of salt.” The Salt Fork of the Arkansas River, flowing around the plain, was
known to the Osages as “Nescatunga” (big salt w ater).
A treaty in 1828 gave use of the land to the
Cherokee Nation and lands that included the
Salt Plains became part of the Cherokee
Outlet or Strip in December 1835. In 1843,
Captain Nathan Boone (son of Daniel Boone)
visited the area to determine if there was
potential for commercial development of the
rich salt deposits but no such development
was initiated. The area was an important
supply point for traders, trappers, and
overland expeditions during the 1800's. In
1890, the Cherokees were forced to sell the
land to the U.S. Government. In 1893, the
Outlet was opened to settlement through the
famous “land run.” Claims were never staked
on the Great Salt Plains and the land
remained in public trust until 1930 when
19,000 acres immediately surrounding the
flats was designated by Executive Order as
Salt Plains NWR (Figure 1).
The refuge was enlarged by acceptance of
management responsibility for the Salt Plains
Reservoir (Lake) from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and by purchase of tracts with
Migratory Bird funds. Construction of the
Great Salt Plains Dam began in 1938 and
resulted in the formation of the Great Salt
Plains Lake, which has been described as “the
largest body of saltwater between Utah and
the Atlantic.” Public Land Order No. 144 of
June 24, 1943, directed that the additional
lands being acquired by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers for the Salt Plains Dam and
Reservoir Project would be added to and
managed by the Service as part of the refuge.
Adjacent small parcels of land to round out a
manageable refuge were bought with
Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp funds and
Reverted Federal Aid monies (See Also:
Appendix E).
During World War II, the salt flats were used as a bombing and machine gunnery range by the U.S.
Air Corps, predecessors to the modern day Air Force. Remnants of World War II activity, such as
concrete protective structures or “pill boxes,” still exist on the refuge. In May 1978, the refuge was
included in Critical Habitat designations for the endangered whooping crane. In 1983, the refuge was
designated a National Natural Landmark as the largest saline flat in the Central Lowlands (the
geographic area throughout North Am erica between the west slope of the Appalachians and the east
slope of the Rocky Mountains.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 8
Salt Plains Lake, near the spillway
USFWS Photo
Salt Flats at Crystal Digging Area
USFWS Photo
Perfect selenite crystal with the unique
hourglass inclusion USFWS Photo
1.8 Refuge General Description
The refuge is located in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, about
15 miles south of the Oklahoma/Kansas state line. The
refuge headquarters is located 1.5 miles southwest of the
junction of State Highways 11 & 38. The town of Cherokee
is located 14 road miles to the w est and the town of Jet is
located 14 road miles south of the refuge headquarters. The
refuge is approximately 50 miles northwest of Enid,
Oklahoma.
Salt Plains NWR includes more than 32,000 acres, the
majority comprising the Great Salt Plains Lake and the
salt flats (Figure 2). The refuge consists of withheld lands,
Corps overlay lands, and fee title lands. The Great Salt
Plains Lake lies in the drainage of the Salt Fork of the
Arkansas River and is a popular local and tourist
recreational area.
The refuge is divided into almost equal parts of salt flats,
open water, and vegetated land. More specifically, the
refuge encloses about 8,500 acres of the Great Salt Plains
Lake; about 11,238 acres of level, salt-encrusted plains;
1,070 acres of manageable freshwater pools and moist soil
units; 4,500 acres of grasslands; 3,700 acres of brushlands;
1,110 acres of woodlands, and 345 acres of
riparian bottomlands. Additionally, there are 1,250 acres
of cropland, and 315 acres of administrative lands
including headquarters, roads, trails, etc. (See Also
Appendix I)
The salt flats are located on the western side of the refuge,
with the lake in the eastern portion. Ralstin Island is
located in the northern portion of the lake and is used
extensively for nesting by colonial water birds. The salt
flats may not seem hospitable to wildlife, but are a major
nesting site for the endangered least tern as well as the
snowy plover, and American avocet. The flats are also a
major migratory stopover for thousands of shorebirds
during the spring and fall seasons. Shorebirds often feed
on the swarms of salt brine flies that hatch when water is
available.
Salt Plains NWR is the only known site where unique
selenite crystals with hourglass inclusions are found.
These crystals grow in a portion of the salt flats and are
formed by the interaction of saline water and gypsum.
Selenite crystals continue to grow in the salt flats as long
as saline water conditions are maintained.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 9
Figure 2. Map of Salt Plains NWR and surrounding area
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 11
Figure 3. Central Great Plains Ecoregion
2.0 PLANNING PROCESS: CONSIDERATIONS, PERSPECTIVES, AND ISSUES
The development of this CCP has incorporated the directives, policies, and regulations of the Service,
the Refuge System, and the purposes for which the Refuge was established to assist in providing
guidance to the refuge for long-range management. In addition, the CCP will help meet the goals and
objectives of other applicable plans or initiatives such as those mentioned in Sections 2.2 and 2.4.
2.1 The Ecosystem Approach to Management
The Service has adopted an ecosystem approach to more effectively achieve its mission of fish and
wildlife conservation for future generations. The ecosystem approach is defined as “protecting or
restoring the natural function, structure, and species composition of an ecosystem while recognizing
that all components are interrelated.” Ecosystem management includes preservation and
enhancement of ecological integrity and sustainable levels of economic and recreational activity. The
key to successful implementation of recommended management actions is involvement of partners
from federal, state, and local governments, and the private sector, especially landowners. The Service
has identified 52 ecosystems within the United States, based primarily on watershed designations.
Salt Plains NWR occurs within the Ark/Red Ecosystem.
2.2 The Arkansas/Red Rivers Ecosystem
The Ark/Red Ecosystem Plan (1996) vision is:
“the efficient and effective management of federal trust fish and wildlife resources of the ecosystem to
conserve and restore biodiversity for the benefit of the people”
Salt Plains NWR is centrally located within the Central Great Plains Ecoregion of the Ark/Red
Ecosystem. This ecoregion extends in a broad band from Kansas through Oklahoma and into
northern Texas, sloping from 2,000 feet elevation in the west to about 1,000 feet elevation in the east
(area within orange lines - See Figure 3).
This area consists of rolling plains
bisected by most of the major east-west
flowing rivers of the Ark/Red Ecosystem.
Annual precipitation is approximately 27
to 30 inches. Native vegetation
communities are dominated by mid to tall
(mixed) grass prairies, with riparian
forest of varying widths occurring within
the floodplains of major streams.
Management actions recommended in the
Ark/Red Ecosystem Plan focus on
migratory birds, other important fish and
wildlife resources of special management
concern, and habitats of significant
importance (i.e., wetlands, streams,
floodplain forests, native grasslands); but
parallel concerns include water quantity
and quality, invasive species, increasing
public outreach efforts, and improving
recreational opportunities. Based on these recommendations, the Service has incorporated several
objectives and strategies in this CCP in support of the broader Ark/Red Ecosystem (See Section 4.0).
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 12
Figure 4. Area of Ecological Concern
2.3 Area of Ecological Concern
Because the hydrology of the Lower Salt Fork River Drainage and Great Salt Plains Lake has a
profound effect on the refuge and because land use and management practices conducted outside the
refuge have an impact on the hydrology and natural resources of the watershed and the refuge, an
Area of Ecological Concern has been identified. Salt Plains NWR manages more than 32,000 acres.
This includes the majority of the Great Salt Plains Lake, the salt flats to the west, and wetlands and
uplands along the drainages entering the lake. The surrounding area consists of flat prairies to
gently rolling hills, much of which has been put into agriculture. The Area of Ecological Concern
comprises the features of the Lower Salt Fork River Drainage and associated creeks that drain into
the refuge (See Figure 4). The refuge will focus on partnerships and monitor migratory bird
populations, invasive species, and water quality within this area.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 13
Canada geese over refuge wetland
habitats USFWS Photo
2.4 Other Plans
Oklahoma Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy
This plan was completed by the ODWC in 2005 to focus on steps needed to protect, restore, and
enhance habitat types (Conservation Landscapes) for the benefit of Oklahomans and all of
Oklahoma’s wildlife resources. The plan identifies priority issues and identifies a variety of
Conservation Landscapes within six strategy regions. Salt Plains NWR occurs within the Mixed-grass
Prairie Region and five conservation landscapes or habitat types occur on the refuge (mixed-grass
prairies, wetlands, shrublands, streams and associated riparian forests, and woodlands).
Priority issues addressed in this plan include the lack of data on species and trends, invasive and
exotic species management, land and water uses that may impact species/habitats, and water
quantity and quality. Recommended conservation actions include: field studies, conducting surveys,
maintaining species databases, mapping the distribution and condition of habitats as well as
identifying limiting factors and developing recommendations to enhance species populations and
habitats, and monitoring species trends and responses to managem ent practices. The plan also
identifies “species of greatest conservation need”; of which 51 of these species occur on Salt Plains
NWR (See Also: Section 3.4). Relevant strategies of this CCP and associated step-down management
plans will incorporate many of the recommendations in this plan.
North American Waterfowl Management Plan
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP)
was launched in 1986 in response to record low waterfowl
numbers observed in the early 1980's. Recognizing the
importance of waterfowl and wetlands to North Americans
and the need for international cooperation to help in the
recovery of shared resources, the Canadian and United States
governments developed a strategy to restore waterfowl
populations to levels seen in the 1970's through habitat
protection, restoration, and enhancement. Most of the 48
species of North American ducks, geese, and swans depend on
at least two or m ore countries to complete their life cycles.
The NAWMP was last updated in 2003 to reflect a new 15-year horizon for waterfowl conservation.
The Plan seeks the protection of 15.4 million acres of joint venture habitats and the restoration or
enhancement of 10.9 million acres. Waterfowl population goals continue to work toward the
restoration of population numbers of the 1970's. Planning objectives for Salt Plains include
maintenance of sufficient habitat to support waterfowl populations as part of the original refuge
purpose and in support of the NAWMP.
Partners in Flight
Partners in Flight (PIF) was launched in 1990 in response to growing concerns about declines in the
populations of several land bird species, and to emphasize the conservation of birds not covered by
existing conservation initiatives. The initial focus was on species that breed in the Nearctic (North
America) and winter in the Neotropics (Central and South America), but has since expanded to
include most land birds and other species requiring terrestrial habitats. Partners In Flight is a
cooperative effort involving partnerships of federal, state, and local government agencies,
philanthropic and professional organizations, conservation groups, industry, the academic
community, and private individuals. The goal of PIF is to concentrate on the improvement of
monitoring and inventory, research, management, and education programs involving birds and their
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 14
habitats. The PIF strategy is to stimulate cooperative public and private efforts in North America
and the Neotropics to meet these goals. Relevant strategies of this CCP and associated step-down
management plans will incorporate important PIF recomm endations for priority species (See Section
3.4).
U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan
The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (Manomet Center, 2001) is a partnership involving
organizations throughout the United States committed to the conservation of shorebirds. The
organizations and individuals working on the Plan have developed conservation goals for each region
of the country, identified critical habitat conservation needs and key research needs, and proposed
education and outreach programs to increase awareness of shorebirds and the threats they face. A
major goal of the Plan is to ensure that adequate quantity and quality of habitats is identified and
maintained locally and to maintain or restore shorebird populations at the continental and
hemispheric levels.
The Plan was developed by a wide array of state and federal agencies, non-governmental
conservation organizations, and individual researchers throughout the country. Although the interior
of the U.S. is not generally associated with important shorebird habitats, Salt Plains NWR is located
within a major migratory corridor and is recognized by the Plan as a site which traditionally supports
large numbers of migrating and breeding shorebirds. Salt Plains is so significant, it has been
established as a part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. Management proposed
in this CCP takes the Plan’s recommendations into account such as providing and maintaining an
invertebrate food base, gathering baseline shorebird use data, ensuring the quality and quantity of
shorebird habitat, and providing optimal habitat for priority species such as piping plovers, snowy
plovers (significant numbers breed on the refuge), lon g-billed curlews, and upland sandpipers.
Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population Whooping Crane Contingency Plan
This plan was developed consistent with the directives of the Endangered Species Act requiring
federal agencies to conserve endangered and threatened species and “utilize their authorities in
furtherance of the purposes of this Act”. The plan outlines cooperative federal-state efforts to protect
whooping cranes in the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population in their migration corridor, and during
summer and winter wanderings outside of traditional use areas. The primary emphasis of the plan is
to list the response options when whooping cranes are observed in hazardous situations due to avian
disease outbreaks, environmental contaminants, shooting/hunting activities, or when whooping
cranes are found injured, sick, or dead. The plan also seeks to inform and educate hunters as to the
occurrence of whooping cranes in areas open to sandhill crane and waterfowl hunting, to reduce
whooping crane use of sites deemed to be a disease or pollution hazard, to reduce the likelihood of
illegal shooting of whooping cranes by poachers or vandals, and to gain sighting information on the
presence of whooping cranes outside of traditional summer and wintering areas.
Federally-listed Species Recovery Plans
Least Tern
The interior population of the least tern (Sterna antillarum) was listed as endangered on June 27,
1985, and the recovery plan was approved in 1990. Least terns breed in the Mississippi and Rio
Grande Basins from Montana to Texas and from eastern New Mexico and Colorado to Indiana and
Louisiana. From late April to August they occur on barren to sparsely vegetated river sandbars, sand
and gravel pits, and lake or reservoir shorelines. Threats to the survival of the species include the
loss of riverine sandbar habitat and disturbance. Channelization and river impoundments have
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 15
Figure 5. Whooping crane sightings at Salt Plains
NWR
directly eliminated nesting habitats. With respect to the Ark/Red Ecosystem, recovery goals for the
least tern specify that adult birds in the Arkansas River System should increase to 1,600 and remain
stable for 10 years and adult birds in the Red River System should increase to 300 and remain stable
for 10 years.
Salt Plains NWR is located in the Arkansas River System and has a significant nesting population of
least terns with approximately 120 nests observed on the refuge in a typical season (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1997). Monitoring nesting sites and preservation of nesting habitats are significant
activities on the refuge and thus, are reflected in the objectives and strategies of the CCP.
Whooping Crane
The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) was listed as endangered in 1970 with critical habitat
designated in 1978 (43 FR 20938). The recovery plan was originally approved in 1980 and revised in
1994. Marshes, lakes, and ponds provide nesting and migration habitats for the main wild population
of whooping cranes, known as the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population. Each year, they nest at the
Wood Buffalo National Park and adjacent areas of Canada and winter in the coastal marshes and
estuarine habitats near Aransas NWR, in coastal South Texas. Population declines resulted from
habitat destruction, shooting, and other human impacts.
Designated critical habitat includes nine sites in six states. Critical habitat is defined within the
Endangered Species Act as habitat containing those physical or biological features, essential to the
conservation of the species that may require special management considerations or protection (U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994). Salt Plains NWR was designated as one of the nine critical habitat
sites for the whooping crane because it provides essential habitat in the m igratory path of the main
wild whooping crane population (Figure 5).
Although no de-listing goal has been currently identified for this species, down-listing to threatened
status may be considered when a minimum of 40 nesting pairs in the main wild population, and a
minimum of 25 pairs occurring in self- sustaining populations at each of two other discrete locations
is reached. These levels must be maintained or exceeded for at least 10 years before down-listing may
occur. Preservation and restoration of crane
habitat is a major activity at the refuge. As the
refuge is designated as critical habitat for the
whooping crane, specific efforts to preserve and
improve crane habitat are included in the
objectives and strategies of this CCP.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 16
Refuge Manager Jon Brock during CCP
development USFWS Photo
2.5 Planning Perspectives
This comprehensive planning effort will integrate the following perspectives so that management
direction over the next 15 years will produce holistic management approaches for Salt Plains NWR:
1. Environmental issues affecting the refuge including
ecological and wildlife trends, water supply/quality,
contaminants, invasive species, etc.
2. Service policies, mandates, and legal requirements
such as compatibility determinations, threatened
and endangered species considerations, migratory
bird conservation, wildlife and habitat management,
staffing, etc.
3. Refuge public use and trends, public involvement in
the planning process, environmental education and
outreach, inter-jurisdictional and interagency
cooperation, partnerships, research needs, etc.).
2.6 Issues and Challenges
The following is a list of major issues and challenges associated with current refuge management.
The questions under the issues that follow are addressed in the text of the CCP and/or within Section
4.0.
Issue 1. Threatened and Endangered Species Management
Three federally-listed species (whooping crane, least tern, and bald eagle) depend on the refuge on a
seasonal basis. Endangered whooping cranes use Salt Plains as a key migratory stopover and feeding
area and the refuge is designated critical habitat for the crane. Federally and state endangered least
terns nest in fairly abundant numbers every year on the salt flats. Federally threatened bald eagles
are regular winter residents that feed and roost on the refuge. Listed species management is a
careful process involving monitoring, habitat enhancement or protection, and addressing any human
activities that may impact these species.
C What additional actions are needed to benefit and/or protect federally-listed species?
Issue 2. Wildlife Management
New inventory and monitoring efforts are needed for more comprehensive population assessments of
priority species (See Section 3.4). Existing inventory and monitoring efforts focus on waterfowl,
shorebirds, colonial nesting birds, big game, upland game birds, and federally-listed species. The
additional inventory and monitoring of priority species will help to integrate and better direct wildlife
and habitat management activities to benefit these species.
C Which species are priorities for inventory and monitoring on the refuge?
C What are the status and trends of other wildlife groups (such as insects and herpetofauna)
that priority species depend on?
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 17
Issue 3. Habitat Management and Restoration
The restoration of native grasslands (mixed-grass prairie) are a high priority focus of the Central
Great Plains Ecoregion of the Ark/Red Ecosystem, the ODWC, and the refuge. Red cedar and non-native
invasive species are threatening many habitats such as encroachment into the native
grasslands. Habitat management approaches are needed to address priority species needs but must
be balanced with other important habitat management activities. Additionally, the refuge is
continually losing salt flat habitat due to siltation and concerns have been raised about the adequacy
of the amount of wetlands and moist soil habitat available to wildlife.
C How will changes in habitat management activities for priority species affect other habitat
management efforts focused on waterfowl, shorebirds, wintering and migratory birds,
fisheries, threatened and endangered species, game species, etc?
C What actions should be taken to address the effects of siltation resulting in the loss of salt
flat habitat and degraded aquatic habitat?
C Should the refuge add more wetlands and moist soil units?
C How much of a mix of grassland versus brush and forested habitat should the refuge manage
for?
Issue 4. Water Supply and Quality
A reliable quality w ater supply for wetland management is a vital element for the refuge’s w ildlife.
C What redesigning of the water delivery system is required to reduce flood damage to the
dikes?
C Is the refuge water supply sufficient for future projects?
C Is the acquisition of additional water rights feasible?
C What types of contaminants monitoring is needed?
Issue 5. Land Protection and Acquisition
In some cases, acquisition of lands to enhance or connect to existing refuge lands can be an important
conservation tool.
C Should the refuge encourage private landowners to participate in private land initiatives?
C Should the refuge provide technical assistance in fish and wildlife resource management on
private lands?
C Should the refuge provide technical assistance for wetland management on private lands?
C What needs does the refuge have to expand the refuge boundary?
Issue 6. Cultural Resources Management
The Salt Plains area has a long history of Native American use and World War II historic sites.
Interpreting these sites will allow the public to learn more about this history and the connection
between people and the land.
C What actions should be taken to better understand and protect cultural and historical
resources on the refuge?
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 18
Eagle Roost Nature Trail
USFWS Photo
Issue 7. Interagency Coordination and Relationships
Strengthening current relationships while developing additional partnerships is a vital part of
improving the quality of the refuge experience and appreciation for the refuge’s natural resources as
well as to achieve the refuge’s vision.
C What additional relationships should be established to benefit wildlife, increase support for
the refuge, and improve the quality of the visitor’s experience?
C How can current relationships be improved for the benefit of the refuge, its wildlife, and
visitor enjoyment?
Issue 8. Public Use, Environmental Education, and Outreach
Fishing, hunting, birding, wildlife observation, and crystal
digging attract from 130,000 to 150,000 refuge visitors
annually. Protecting natural resources while allowing for
anticipated increases in public visitation will be a major
challenge.
C What types of environmental education and
interpretation and to which target audience?
C What information should be included in brochures
and other literature distributed by the refuge?
C What educational services/experiences should be
offered to local educators?
C What accessibility arrangements are needed on the
refuge?
C What public use facilities should be re-evaluated for
improvements, expansion, or construction?
C Are all public uses on the refuge needed?
C What public use opportunities exist with other
agencies nearby?
Issue 9. Staffing and Funding
Acquisition of additional staff and funding for proposed actions is a major factor limiting the
accomplishment of CCP goals. Therefore, additional staff are essential for CCP implementation.
C What level of staffing and funding is required in order to achieve the goals and objectives of
this plan?
C Is the current funding adequate to meet the long-term goals of the refuge?
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 19
2.7 Expected Planning Outcomes
The following outcomes should result from this comprehensive conservation planning effort:
C Provide a “vision” of desired future conditions for Salt Plains NWR and goals, objectives, and
strategies to achieve those conditions.
C Ensure that management of Salt Plains NWR reflects the policies and goals of the Refuge
System and the purposes for which the refuge was established.
C To inform the public of the long term plans of the refuge and seek public and state
participation in the planning process.
C Ensure that Salt Plains NWR contributes to the conservation objectives of the larger Ark/Red
Ecosystem.
C Provide an effective approach for budget requests for operational, maintenance, and capital
development programs on the refuge.
C Provide time-lines/priorities for plan implementation.
C Provide long-term management direction of the refuge despite staff changes.
2.8 Planning Process and Public Involvement
The CCP planning process consists of the following eight steps. Although the steps are listed
sequentially, CCP planning and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation can be
iterative. Some of the steps may be repeated or more than one step can occur at the same time.
C Preplanning - form core team, identify needs
C Identify issues and develop vision - Public input gathered on issues
C Develop goals and objectives - from issues, resource relationships, legal responsibilities
C Develop and analyze alternatives, including the proposed action
C Prepare draft plan and NEPA document - assess environmental effects, public comments on
draft plan gathered
C Prepare and adopt final plan
C Review and revise plan
Comprehensive planning efforts for Salt Plains NWR, began as the Service published a “Notice of
Intent to Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plans for 8 National Wildlife Refuges in the
Southwest Region” in June 1998 (63 FR 33693-33694) to solicit public input. The Service prepared
and distributed a fact sheet which included the history of the refuge, proposed goals, objectives, and
long-range plans which were distributed at the refuge headquarters and mailed to interested parties
in December 1998. Interested parties and stakeholders include federal, state, local agencies, groups,
organizations, adjacent landowners, and the general public. The fact sheets, drafts, and other
relevant information for public review have been available at the refuge headquarters. An open house
was held at the refuge on February 11, 1999.
On December 4, 2003, a scoping notice was mailed out to seek additional comments to interested
parties and stakeholders on a revised/updated Draft CCP. Several comments were received by the
January 15, 2004, deadline. On November 21, 2005 (70 FR 70089-70090), the Service published a
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 20
Notice of Availability of the Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA) to solicit public review
and comment. The Draft CCP/EA was also m ade available on the Internet at:
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Plan/index.html Prior to the January 20, 2006 deadline, an
open house was held at the refuge headquarters on January 12, 2006, to seek additional public
comment and answer questions. Notifications of the public comment periods and open houses were
announced in the Federal Register, local newspapers, and sent out to various agencies, local libraries,
elected officials, organizations, stakeholders, and individuals. Copies of the CCP/EA were made
available at the Salt Plains NWR headquarters and at the Cherokee Public Library. See Appendix H
for comments and responses gathered during the CCP planning process.
The CCP will guide management on the refuge for the next 15 years. Plans are signed by the
Regional Director, Region 2, thus providing Regional direction to the station manager and staff.
Copies of the CCP will be provided to all interested parties when requested. Whenever there is a
significant need or at least every 5 years, the refuge manager will review the plan and decide if a
revision is necessary.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 21
3.0 SUMMARY REFUGE AND RESOURCE DESCRIPTIONS
The confluence of several rivers and streams of the Salt Fork River drainage system forms part of the
unique environment of Salt Plains NWR. The combination of salt flats, lakes, streams, and associated
wetlands produce an extremely productive environment reminiscent of coastal estuaries. The unique
salt flats, selenite concentrations, and other colored sediments found in the flats produce selenite
crystals w ith unusual hourglass inclusions that are found only at Salt Plains.
In addition to the 8,500-acre lake and 11,238 acres of salt flats, there are 1,070 acres of marshes,
ponds, and moist soils, 345 acres of river habitat, 4,500 acres of grasslands, 3,700 acres of brushland,
and 1,110 acres of woodland. Additionally, there are 1,250 acres of cropland and 315 acres of
administrative lands including headquarters, roads, trails, etc. See Also: Appendix I.
3.1 Vegetation
Several different plant associations occur on the refuge. The following contains a summary of the
typical vegetation units, associated species, and the refuge acreage for each of the units. See
Appendix A for a complete list of plants and corresponding scientific names.
3.1.1 Marshes, Ponds, and Moist Soils
The refuge has 1,070 acres of marshes, ponds and moist soils. The majority of these habitats are
located on the northeastern side of the refuge. Species here include sedges, bulrushes, rushes,
cattails, smartweed, American lotus, sago pondweed, willow s, and buttonbush.
3.1.2 Grasslands
The refuge has about 4,500 acres of grasslands located primarily on the northeastern side of the
refuge. Plants found here include switchgrass, little bluestem, Indiangrass, Scribner’s panicum, and
sand bluestem. In northern portions of the refuge, large areas of prairie cordgrass are found. In lower
portions of the refuge, scattered stands of inland saltgrass are found.
3.1.3 Brushlands
The refuge has about 3,700 acres of brushland located primarily on the northeastern side of the
refuge. Brushland plants include Chickasaw plum, aromatic sumac, smooth sumac, greenbriar, and
coral berry.
3.1.4 Woodlands
The refuge has 1,110 acres of woodlands again with the major concentration on the northeastern and
eastern side of the refuge. Species found here include roughleaf dogwood, hackberry, elm s, wooly
buckthorn, red mulberry, black locust, eastern red cedar, eastern cottonwood, green ash, white
mulberry, and catalpa. Black willow and sandbar willow occur along ponds and waterways
throughout the refuge.
3.1.5 Invasive Plant Species
There are several invasive, non-native plants occurring on the refuge. Non-native or exotic invasive
trees and shrubs include: Siberian elm, Russian olive, salt cedar, Russian thistle, musk thistle, and
multiflora rose. Although a native species, eastern red cedar has invasive characteristics and is
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 22
Eastern red cedar encroachment
in the grasslands USFWS Photo
Colonial waterbird nesting on Ralstin
Island USFWS Photo
aggressively encroaching into grassland habitats both on and
near the refuge. Weedy invasive species on the refuge include
Johnson grass, field bindweed, and jointed goat grass.
Surveys are needed for early detection of other invasive species
which are found in the Area of Ecological Concern and may
appear on the refuge, such as Canada thistle, bull thistle, red-horned
poppy, and sicklepod.
3.2 Fish and Wildlife
From freshwater to saline and from open wetlands to forested
uplands; the high value and variety of habitats at Salt Plains
NWR supports a wide array of plants and animals. There are 294 identified plant species, 312 bird
species, 30 types of mammals, 35 reptile and amphibian species, and 14 fish species known to occur
on the refuge. While there is no official list of invertebrates they provide a significant food source for
the abundance of birds and other animals in the food web. See Appendix A for a complete list of
refuge biota.
The refuge’s unique saltflats and wetlands provide important resting and feeding habitats for
migrating whooping cranes and wintering bald eagles. Salt Plains also provides protected nesting
sites for other federally-listed species such as the least tern and snowy plover. Game animals on Salt
Plains include white-tailed deer, ducks and geese, and upland game birds such as bobwhite quail,
ring-necked pheasant, and mourning dove. Popular gamefish on the refuge include hybrid
white/striped bass and channel catfish.
3.2.1 Mammals
There are 30 types of mammals known to inhabit the refuge. Mammals commonly seen on the refuge
include white-tailed deer, eastern fox squirrels, and eastern cottontail. Other common but less
obvious mammals include coyote, raccoon, American badger, beaver, muskrat, and porcupine. The
refuge population of white-tailed deer has grown over the years and is abundant on the refuge. The
deer can often be seen foraging and resting along wooded or brushy areas of the auto tour route, in
farm fields, and along the access roads near the refuge headquarters.
3.2.2 Birds
Birds are the most varied wildlife group on the refuge with
312 recorded species and 97 nesting species. Salt Plains
teems with migratory, wintering, and nesting waterfowl
and shorebirds each year. More than 20,000 acres or about
65 percent of Salt Plains NWR comprises wetlands and
saltflats; not only making it a significant wintering and
migratory stopover, but a major shore and water bird
breeding area amidst the agrarian Oklahoma landscape.
Notable breeding shorebirds on Salt Plains include the
American avocet, least tern, and snowy plover. Because of
the unique wetland and salt flat habitats of the refuge, the
American Bird Conservancy has designated Salt Plains
NWR a “globally important bird area.” Peak numbers of
ducks, geese, and cranes can approach 100,000 during
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 23
Figure 6. Average goose and duck use days
spring and fall migrations. During the fall
through early spring months, geese outnumber
all other birds averaging almost 50,000 each year
(Figure 6). The giant Canada goose is the most
common of the geese followed by the white-fronted
and snow goose. Ross’ goose, the smallest
North American goose, is also present on S alt
Plains during its m igrations but is considerably
rarer. To the delight of refuge visitors,
spectacular large flocks of white pelicans can be
seen feeding in the refuge ponds during spring
and fall. Commonly seen waterfowl include
mallard, northern shoveler, northern pintail,
American coot, wood duck, redhead, gadwall,
blue-winged teal, American widgeon, and
common merganser. Long-legged birds likely to
be seen on the refuge include the great blue
heron, great egret, little blue heron, and sandhill crane. Ralstin Island is one of the most important
colonial nesting bird areas in Oklahoma. In fact, Ralstin Island is the first known breeding record in
the state for the white-faced ibis and is today the largest breeding site in Oklahoma for this species.
Although wetlands and saltflats dominate the refuge landscape, 10,560 acres of uplands or about 33
percent of Salt Plains provides a mosaic of grassy, shrubby, and wooded habitats for approximately
180 other bird species. The refuge supports 18 species of diurnal raptors and seven owl species.
Commonly seen raptors include the bald eagle, red-tailed and Swainson’s hawk, Mississippi kite,
northern harrier, and American kestrel. Peregrine falcons have also been observed on the refuge, but
are rare during all seasons.
Migrating and Wintering Waterfowl
The Flyway System was initiated in 1948 to allow for differing regulations relating to individual
waterfowl populations migrating through each “flyway.” The term “flyway” has long been used to
designate the migration routes of birds. For management purposes, four flyways - the Pacific,
Central, Mississippi, and the Atlantic, were established in the United States. This was the beginning
of large-scale species management. Further efforts toward species management came into effect
when bag limits were reduced or seasons were closed on specific bird species that were in danger of
being over-hunted. Flock management within the flyways was put into effect to allow more
refinement in regulations for specific bird groups (U.S. Geological Survey 2000). To varying degrees,
the waterfowl populations using each of these flyways differ in abundance, species composition,
migration pathways, and breeding ground origin. There are differences also in levels of shooting
pressure and harvest. The refuge is located within the Central Flyway (Figure 7), which is an
extensive geographical area that reaches from Alaska and Central Arctic Canada to South America.
The portion of this flyway within the United States comprises Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, and portions of Colorado, M ontana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
Management objectives at Salt Plains NWR contribute to those of the Central Flyway Management
Program. The refuge provides a protected roost site for geese and quality winter habitat to sustain all
migratory waterfowl populations. Although many factors within the lands of the Central Flyway can
affect migratory birds, certain management activities that occur on this and other refuges can have
wide-ranging effects on the bird populations of the entire flyway. Maintaining the health and
condition of the birds wintering at Salt Plains NWR positively affects their spring migration and
reproductive successes each year. Other factors influencing bird use at Salt Plains involve the
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 24
Figure 7. Central Flyway with refuge location
individual or cumulative activities of other
countries, local farming practices on
neighboring farms, the activities of federal
and state agencies, private organizations,
local governments, wildlife treaties, and
finally, natural factors such as climate
patterns.
3.2.3 Reptiles and Amphibians
At least 35 species of reptiles and
amphibians inhabit Salt Plains NWR.
Many of the turtles and snakes can be
seen sunning themselves along the trails
and ponds on the refuge during the
warmer months. Snakes such as the
coachwhip and bullsnake, and lizards like
the prairie-lined racerunner are common
here. Bullfrogs, leopard frogs, and toads
such as the Rocky mountain toad and the
Great Plains toad are well known for their
calls that fill the air on spring and
summer evenings. The red-eared slider
and ornate box turtle are typical examples
of the turtles and tortoises that are found
on the refuge.
3.2.4 Fish and Invertebrates
Channel catfish, the predominant
gamefish, are abundant in the lakes and
streams of the refuge as well as varieties of bass and other native fishes. The nearby Byron State
Fish Hatchery regularly stocks the lake with channel catfish, hybrid striped bass and saugeye. Other
species present include: white crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, carp, gizzard shad, and mosquito
fish.
Invertebrates, particularly insects, have the highest known numbers of species of any animal group
at well over 900,000 (Barnes 1987). Invertebrates are a critical part of the food web and play
important ecological roles such as in nutrient cycling, energy transfer, and plant reproduction. For
example, earthworms (Oligochaeta) mix the substrate soils and consume algae and detritus (Eldridge
1990 after Pennak 1978) and provide the first available food source for early nesters such as northern
pintails and shovelers (Eldridge 1990). Snails, crustaceans, and insects are the most important
invertebrate groups for breeding ducks. Wormlike midge larvae are especially important to waterfowl
and occur in aquatic vegetation and in all types of wetlands (Eldridge 1990). Snails (Gastropoda) can
be indicators of overall ecosystem health, since they usually require relatively uncontaminated wet
environments. Sensitive wildlife, such as whooping cranes and shorebirds, are highly dependent on
invertebrate food items during their migration. Common aquatic invertebrates on the refuge include
snails as well as insect larvae, crayfish, and water fleas (Crustacea). Terrestrial invertebrates such
as damselflies and dragonflies (Odonata) are common on the refuge, as well as mosquitoes and
midges (Diptera), beetles (Coleoptera), backswimmers (Hemiptera), moths and butterflies
(Lepidoptera). The shallow water, flats, and moist soil units present on Salt Plains create ideal
conditions for many species of invertebrates.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 25
Whooping cranes during migrational
stopover USFWS Photo
3.3 Federally-listed Species
A major purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is to “conserve the ecosystems upon which
endangered and threatened species depend” and to provide a program for the conservation and
recovery of listed species. Under the law, species may be listed as either “endangered” or
“threatened.” Endangered means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant
portion of its range. Threatened means a species is likely to become endangered within the
foreseeable future. All species of plants and animals, except pests, are eligible for listing as
endangered or threatened. Proposed species means any species of fish, wildlife, or plant that is
proposed in the Federal Register to be listed under the ESA. See also: Appendix B.
Three federally-listed species (whooping crane, least tern, and bald eagle) depend on the refuge on a
seasonal basis. Endangered whooping cranes use Salt Plains as a key migratory stopover and feeding
area. In fact, the entire refuge is a designated critical habitat area for the crane. Federally and state
endangered least terns nest in fairly abundant numbers every year on the salt flats. Federally
threatened bald eagles are regular winter residents that feed and roost on the refuge. There are no
known federally-listed plants on Salt Plains NWR. Refuge management actions involving federally-listed
species will adhere to compatibility standards, the National Environmental Policy Act, ESA,
and Service regulations to ensure that endangered species and other important fish and wildlife
resources are not adversely impacted (See Also: Appendix G). The refuge will provide technical
assistance on endangered species management to private landowners or the public whenever it is
requested.
Whooping Crane - The whooping crane was listed as endangered on March 11, 1967 (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service 1990). Oklahoma also lists the species as endangered. Once widespread in North
America, by 1941 the crane had declined to an all-time low of 16 individuals in a single wild flock
that migrated between Canada and coastal Texas (Lewis 1995). Several factors contributed to the
historic decline of the species, including habitat loss and alteration, coastal and marine pollution,
illegal hunting, disease, predation, collision with utility lines, loss of genetic diversity within the
population, and vulnerability to natural and human caused disturbances (Lewis 1995). The whooping
crane is ecologically dependent on inland wetland
habitats (freshwater marshes, lake/reservoir margins,
submerged river sandbars, etc.) for breeding and
migration and on brackish wetlands for wintering (Lew is
1995). The whooping crane has begun a slow but
seemingly steady recovery. As recently as December 2003,
wild crane numbers have increased to approximately 294
individuals (194 in the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population,
and 100 in the Florida flock).
Many of the whooping cranes (Aransas-Wood Buffalo
population) migrate through the refuge each year. Since
Salt Plains occurs within their narrow migration corridor
and is a traditional migratory stopover or staging area,
the entire refuge has been designated as critical habitat
for the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population of whooping
cranes. Although the cranes stop at the refuge during the
fall, they seldom stop during their northward spring
migration. According to Allen (1952), the whooping crane’s principal wintering locations included the
tallgrass prairies of southwestern Louisiana although similar habitats occurred along the Gulf Coast
of Texas from Louisiana to northeast Mexico. Now, this population winters exclusively in/near
Aransas NWR in coastal South Texas. Fall migration from Wood Buffalo National Park and adjacent
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 26
breeding areas in Canada begins around mid-September and birds begin arriving on their wintering
grounds by late October to mid-November. Spring migration back to Canada begins in mid-March
through late April. Whooping cranes normally migrate singly, in pairs, or in small groups of 4-5, and
occasionally m igrate along with sandhill cranes (Lewis 1995). According to Austin and Richert (2001),
anticipated migration dates for peak numbers of whooping cranes migrating through Oklahoma are
October 23 - November 4 (southbound), and April 2-9 (northbound). Whooping cranes begin arriving
on Salt Plains in early October through early November. Usually, several to tens of whooping cranes
are observed on Salt Plains NWR. Although migrating whooping cranes may feed and roost in
croplands, Salt Plains provides essential fresh and brackish wetland habitats that support whooping
cranes during their migrations.
Least Tern - Least terns were fairly abundant throughout the late 1880s, but were nearly extirpated
by market hunters around 1900 for their delicate plumage, used for fashionable hats at that time.
After the passage of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act, commercial harvesting became illegal and
the species began to increase through the 1940s. However, human development of tern nesting
beaches for housing, resorts, and recreation subsequently led to another rapid population decline. In
the interior United States, river channelization, the construction of dams, and irrigation diversions
contributed to the destruction of much of the tern’s sandbar nesting habitat. By the mid 1970s, least
tern populations had decreased by more than 80 percent from the 1940s. This prompted the Service
to list the least tern as endangered on May 28, 1985. The State of Oklahoma also lists this species as
endangered.
The least tern is a colonially-nesting waterbird that seldom swims, spending much of its time on the
wing (Hubbard 1985). Their flight is light, swift, and graceful, and it is developed to the point that
allows the birds to easily snatch fish, crustaceans, and insect food from the surface, almost without
missing a beat. They nest on the ground, on sandbars in rivers, lakes or pond edges, typically on sites
that are sandy and relatively free of vegetation. Least terns are migratory and breed along the Red,
Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Rio Grande river systems. Salt Plains NWR is a major
least tern nesting area and an important postnesting staging area (Thompson et al. 1997). They
arrive on the refuge around May and more than a hundred pairs nest on the salt flats. Terns leave
the refuge in late summer/early fall moving southward to Central and South America.
Bald Eagle - The bald eagle was listed as endangered on March 11, 1967, as a result of population
declines resulting from pesticide-induced reproductive failure, loss of riparian habitat, and human
disturbances such as shooting, poisoning, and trapping. On August 11, 1995, the bald eagle was
down-listed from federally endangered to threatened status in the majority of the contiguous U.S.
due to nationwide recovery efforts. In 1999, the bald eagle was proposed for de-listing (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service 1999). The State of Oklahoma currently lists the bald eagle as threatened. On Salt
Plains NWR, bald eagles are seasonal residents and as many as 115 have occurred at one time to feed
and roost on the refuge during winter. Numbers of wintering bald eagles on Salt Plains normally
range from about 20 to 80 individuals each year. Bald eagles are common on Salt Plains NWR from
fall through spring returning to their nesting areas in late spring/early summer.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 27
3.4 Priority Species
Priority species are any plants or animals which are rare or declining and for which further biological
research and field study are needed to resolve their conservation status. They are on lists maintained
by natural heritage programs, state wildlife agencies, other federal agencies, landscape level plans, or
professional academic/scientific societies. This includes neotropical birds, shorebirds, non-game
migratory birds, or any other species of management concern. For the purposes of this CCP, this also
includes state-listed species not identified above and federally-listed species that occur as accidentals
on the refuge. The following priority species are known to occur and/or there is potential habitat on
the refuge:
Piping Plover - The piping plover is a federally and state threatened species. The piping plover has
undergone serious declines related to direct and inadvertent harassment of birds and nests by people,
dogs, and vehicles; destruction of beach habitat for developm ent projects; increased predation due to
human presence in formerly pristine beach areas; and water level regulation activities that endanger
nesting sites along the Missouri, Platte, and Niobrara rivers (Haig 1992). In the Great Plains Region,
this shorebird breeds along rivers and wetlands from the Nebraska/Kansas border to the southern
Canadian prairie states. The piping plover w inters along beaches and sand/mudflats from Florida to
northern Mexico (Haig and Oring 1988). On Salt Plains NWR, this species is rare, but has been seen
on the flats in the spring. The piping plover is not known to breed on Salt Plains NWR.
Snowy Plover - The snowy plover is a small cosmopolitan shorebird of the sand flats. In North
America, the species breeds in Saskatchewan, Canada and ranges from the U.S. Pacific Coast and
Gulf coasts to the Mexican coasts. Large breeding concentrations also occur in the Great Plains,
including Oklahoma. Along the U .S. Pacific and Gulf coasts, the population is shrinking due to
habitat degradation and expanding recreational use of beaches (Page et al. 1995). In response to
these declines and threats to the species, the western population (found in California, Oregon, and
Washington within 50 miles of the coast) of the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus
nivosus) was listed as threatened on March 5, 1993.
Although the interior population that nests at Salt Plains is not part of the listed population, they are
a high priority species according to the Central Plains/Playa Lakes Regional Shorebird Conservation
Plan and breed in significant numbers (i.e., $20,000) (Manomet Center 2001). Therefore, continued
monitoring and habitat conservation efforts is appropriate. Nest sites typically occur in flat, open
areas with sandy or saline substrates; vegetation is usually sparse or absent (U.S. Fish and W ildlife
Service 1993). Snowy plovers nest in association with the least terns along the Great Salt Plains
Lake. These birds are “site faithful”, often returning to nest in exactly the same locations as the
previous year (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). Wintering habitat resembles sites used for
breeding. Snowy plovers forage on invertebrates in the wet salt pans, spoil sites, and along the edges
of salt marshes and salt ponds.
The State of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy has identified “species of
greatest conservation need.” Many of these species identified in the State’s plan occur on the refuge
within the Mixed-grass Prairie Region (See Appendix A). The refuge also occurs on the western
periphery of the Osage Plains physiographic region which is characterized by mixed-grass prairie,
shrub-grasslands, riparian forests, and rolling terrain. Several bird species have been identified as
Priority Bird Populations by the Partners in Flight (PIF) Program for the Osage Plains physiographic
region. These priority species include the dickcissel, scissor-tailed flycatcher, loggerhead shrike, field
sparrow, painted bunting, and Bell’s vireo. These birds are also important indicators of the condition
of the grasslands and shrub/brush habitats within this region (U.S. Geological Survey 2002).
Therefore, their populations have been emphasized as a monitoring priority. All of these species occur
and regularly nest at Salt Plains NWR. According to the PIF document, conversion of land to
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 28
agriculture and woodland increases resulting from fire suppression have greatly diminished
grasslands in the Osage Plains. Other important species of management concern occurring on Salt
Plains NWR include: grasshopper sparrow (shrub-grasslands), prothonotary warbler (riparian
woodlands), white-faced ibis, and tricolored heron (wetlands, Ralstin Island). Salt Plains NWR
(Ralstin Island) is the first known breeding site for the white-faced ibis in the State of Oklahoma. The
PIF document recommends that a variety of wetland habitats be maintained for high priority in-transit
migratory shorebirds. Consistent with the PIF recommendation, Salt Plains maintains high
value habitats for migratory shorebirds and birds of management concern.
3.5 Climate
The climate of Salt Plains NWR and the surrounding region is semiarid. The average annual
precipitation is 30 inches, with most occurring between March and October. Temperatures can vary
greatly, ranging from 0° to over 100° Fahrenheit. Winds are commonly from the south or southwest
and occasionally from the north. During spring and summer, severe thunderstorms accompanied by
large hail and tornadoes can develop. Heavy rain events in the watershed have been common within
the last eight to ten years.
3.6 Geology
During the Permian Period (about 225 million years ago), western Oklahoma was covered by a very
shallow inland sea. For 50 million years, land changes caused the sea to evaporate several times
depositing thick layers of gypsum and salt. During the next 225 million years, erosion of the Washita,
Ouachita, Arbuckle, Ozark, and Rocky mountains covered the salt with layers of sediment 500-2,000
feet deep forming bedrock. Rivers fed by Rocky Mountain glaciers during the Quaternary Period (last
2 million years) have molded the present refuge landscape. The rivers left sediments covering the
bedrock 10-25 feet deep which formed the sandhills along the auto tour route.
The salt layers below created the salt plains, which is the main geological feature of the refuge. The
salt plains are an open, flat surface that is saturated with brine seeping up from the Permian strata.
Artesian pressure moves water upward and laterally through the porous aquifers of the bedrock. The
water carries the salt to the surface by capillary action, which then evaporates leaving a thin crust of
salt on the plains. The most probable source of the salt is the Lower Cimarron Salt formation
occurring at a depth up to 800 feet below the surface. One unique geologic character is the continuous
growth of selenite crystals in the salt flats. These crystals grow as a result of the interaction of the
brine and gypsum and produce a crystal that is known for the inclusion of particles in an hourglass
shape.
The geology of the remainder of the refuge is topographically similar to the salt plains, but no
upwelling of brine occurs to form salt deposits. The general area is in the Redbed Plains region on an
outcrop of the Enid formation of the Permian System. This system consists of red clay, soft shales,
and sandstone to a depth of 1,200 to 1,600 feet.
3.7 Soils
Soils within the approximately 12,000-acre salt flats area is classified as “river wash” and consists of
the salt-encrusted floodplain of the Salt Fork River. The western edge of the flat is dotted with
islands of “Enterprise Fine Sand.” These soils are highly subject to wind and water erosion. The
eastern edge of the flat is also bordered by a larger expanse of Enterprise Fine Sands. Drummond
Very Fine Sandy Loam of a slightly salty nature forms the river bottom and creek bottoms of most of
the refuge streams. This soil type reaches out on the north and south portions of the refuge to
support lush grasslands on the northern portion and croplands on the southern and eastern portions.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 29
Agrarian landscape surrounding the refuge
USFWS Photo
Farming for wildlife - refuge farm field
USFWS Photo
Along the floodplain of Sand Creek, “Yahola” Sandy Loam and Silty Clay loams are found. In the
northeastern pasture lands and the region around the headquarters, “Puterbaugh Fields Pratt”
loamy fine sand is found. “Nash” and “Reinach” loamy very fine sands are found on small portions of
the southeast side of the refuge (USDA 1975).
3.8 Land Use
Historically, the refuge has not been the site of heavy farming or grazing use because of the erodible
saline soils. However, there is some limited farming
up higher, mostly along the southern boundary of
the refuge. The majority of the land use surrounding
the refuge is farmed or grazed.
3.8.1 Croplands
The refuge farming operation includes about 1,250
acres farmed through force account (force account
refers to the use of refuge staff to accomplish a
project or activity) and some cooperative farming.
Each year, a portion of the farmland is left fallow
due to soil saturation. The purpose of farming on
the refuge is primarily to feed geese, ducks, and
cranes; however, deer, upland game birds, and
songbirds also benefit. Farming is important
because it provides food resources widely used by
wildlife during the w inter when food is generally
scarce. Farming on the refuge also helps to reduce
wildlife depredation of private land crops. Typical
crops planted include winter wheat, millet,
sunflower, and cowpeas.
3.8.2 Grazing
Grazing is used on the refuge to maintain
grasslands. Managed grazing can result in
grasslands that have increased plant vigor,
structural height, and overall diversity. A total of
1,251 acres is currently under grazing permits.
Grazing occurs from May 1 to September 30.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 30
Aerial view of numerous refuge wetlands and moist soil units. The
Great Salt Plains L ake is in the background. USFWS Photo
3.8.3 Water Management
The Great Salt Plains Lake makes up about 8,500 acres of refuge wetlands, with an additional 1,070
acres of freshwater marshes and ponds, and 345 acres of riparian environment. The freshwater
impoundments lie in the northeast quarter of the refuge fed by Sand Creek and Powell Creek. The
refuge has numerous water control structures that allow for the filling and draining of the
impoundments to maximize moist soil plants for the benefit of wildlife habitat. Three channels of the
Salt Fork River flow across the refuge into the lake. The west fork of the Salt Fork River is joined by
Stink Creek as it passes through the salt flats. On the west side of the lake, Cottonwood Creek and
west and east Clay Creek feeds into the lake. On the south side of the refuge, Spring Creek and Twin
Springs Creek flow into the lake (Figure 8). Six water wells are located on the refuge; of these, one is
used as a water supply for the refuge headquarters and residence quarters. Another well provides
water at the Jet Recreation Area and two wells provide water for livestock. As groundwater is
shallow, these wells are only 10 to 20 feet deep.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 31
Figure 8. Hydrological features
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 33
Controlled burn on the refuge’s
grasslands USFWS Photo
3.9 Water Quality
While water quality on the refuge is considered good, localized weather conditions can vary the
salinity of the Great Salt Plains Lake considerably. Extended dry periods can increase lake salinity
through evaporation, but salinity can also be increased by the salt washing into the lake from the salt
flats during heavy rain events. Periods of gentle rain allow better flushing of lake salinity. Even at its
saltiest, the lake has no more than half the 30 g/kg dissolved solids of normal seawater. The lake has
unusually high levels of copper in the water. Although the copper is from natural sources, levels are
not harmful as per EPA water quality standards. Turbidity in the lake is also high due to the
shallowness of the lake and the silty nature of lake sediments.
3.10 Fire Management
Occasional wildfires on or near the refuge require response by refuge personnel, particularly where
life or property is concerned. Initial attacks on wildfires off the refuge are usually made by the local
volunteer fire department. The refuge has cooperative agreem ents with the local fire departments
such as Nescatunga, Jet, and Cherokee to assist in fighting fires on or near the refuge. Refuge
firefighting equipment includes farming tractors, dozers, and a 250-gallon fire truck. Currently,
seven refuge personnel are designated fire responders.
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
In 2000, a report entitled: Managing the Impacts of Wildfires on Communities and the Environment
was released which provides an overall framework for fire management in the nation’s forests and
rangelands (FR 66: 751-770). The report requires federal agencies to increase investments in projects
to reduce fire risk and to work with local communities to reduce fire hazards close to homes and
communities. A wildland urban interface is defined as a community where humans and their
development “meet or intermix with wildland fuel.” Fire in the area could threaten the Union Valley
Church, which is a historic structure. The communities of Cherokee and Nescatunga have been
identified as urban-wildland interface communities in the vicinity of federal lands that are at high
risk from wildfire (FR 66: 751-770). Under the National Fire Plan of 2002, funding for WUI can be
used to help reduce the potential impacts of wildfires on these communities by reducing the “fuel
loads” on the refuge nearby the communities. Such areas occur along Sand Creek, where brushy
species and invasive species have increased fuel loads there.
Prescribed Fire
In the past, suppressing fires has been counterproductive
in natural ecosystems. Although in 1995 federal agencies
loosened the strict fire suppression policy of the past, fire
managers now confront about 75 years of hazardous
vegetation buildup. Prescribed fire is therefore used on
Salt Plains to reduce fuel loads and also to maintain
grassland or open habitat by controlling brushy species
such as eastern red cedar, salt cedar, roughleaf dogwood,
and black locust. Mechanical clearing or other means can
be used, but there is no ecological equivalent to fire.
About 1,500 acres per year are proposed for prescribed
burning to restore grassland health. Units will be burned
on a 3-5 year cycle. Prescribed fires are normally
conducted with the assistance and expertise of the
Wichita Mountains NWR fire personnel.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 34
Fishing Derby Winners
USFWS Photo
3.11 Archaeological, Cultural, and Historical Resources
During World War II, the salt flats were used as a bombing and strafing range by the War
Department. Remnants of W orld War II activity (such as concrete protective structures or “pill
boxes”) still exist on the refuge.
Although the area was used by native Americans, no significant prehistoric or native American sites
have been documented as of yet on the refuge. Due to the lack of freshwater, there likely would have
been few suitable areas for an encampment and the inhabitants of the area probably did not want to
disturb the plentiful game that was attracted to the area.
3.12 Wildlife-Dependent Recreational Use
Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, six wildlife-dependent
recreational uses (hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, and environmental education
and interpretation) are recognized as priority public uses of refuge lands. These and other uses are
allowed on refuges provided that they are compatible with the purposes of the refuge (See Section
1.6). Except where otherwise mandated by law, the Service must determine whether a particular use
is com patible with refuge purposes before permitting it. Compatibility determinations are normally
made by the refuge manager, in accordance with guidelines developed by the Service. Under these
guidelines, a compatible use is defined as one that “will not materially interfere with or detract from
the purposes for which the refuge was established.” Compatible uses support refuge purposes or may
have a neutral effect. In making a compatibility determination, the refuge manager must first
determine if the use is compatible with refuge purposes based strictly on biological grounds. After
making such a determination, the refuge manager must consider Service policy, other applicable
laws, and public opinion (See Appendix D).
3.12.1 Hunting
Hunting for ducks, geese, cranes, pheasant, quail, mourning doves, and whitetail deer has been
determined to be an appropriate wildlife-dependent use compatible with the purposes for which the
refuge was established. Deer hunting on Salt Plains is one of the most popular public hunts in the
state and is allowed on a m ajority of the upland areas by permit drawing only. Permit drawing is
necessary to maintain the quality of the hunts by keeping hunters spaced out and to ensure public
safety. Accessible deer hunts and youth deer hunts are also held each year. The refuge maintains
approximately 1,200 acres suitable for upland game birds and waterfowl hunting on the north side of
the refuge near Sand Creek.
3.12.2 Fishing
Fishing in the local area is limited to the Great Salt Plains
Lake, Salt Fork River, and Sand Creek. The lake is well
known for excellent channel catfishing. The state regularly
stocks the lake (in the state park portion) with channel
catfish, hybrid striped bass, and saugeye (walleye/sauger
hybrid). The refuge allows fishing in certain areas from
April 1 to October 15. Areas open to fishing during this time
include: Sand Creek north of Highway 11, east and west
branches of the Salt Fork River north of Highway 11, east
branch of the Salt Fork River south of Highway 11, the
Children’s Fishing Pond at the refuge headquarters, and the
portion of the lake south and east of the buoy line from
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 35
Another interesting birding opportunity
Photo: Anne Wilbur
Young crystal diggers USFWS Photo
State Highway 38. In addition to the usual recreational fishing opportunities available on the lake
and streams of the refuge, a fishing derby for children is held during National Fishing Week at the
Children’s Fishing Pond. The Children’s Fishing Pond is also available for other group uses. The
Bonham fishing pond is only for youth and persons with disabilities and is a “catch-and-release”
pond. Recently, fishing activity on the refuge has declined as the reservoir has silted in and become
shallower. Nonetheless, the majority of saugeye and bass are caught near the dam, which is the
deepest part of the lake. Drift fishing and trotlines are also popular forms of permitted fishing.
3.12.3 Wildlife Observation and Photography
The .35-mile Sandpiper Trail on the north side of the refuge, just south of State Highway 11, is an
accessible trail with two footbridges and an observation deck with spotting scope for viewing
shorebirds that abound during the spring and fall migrations. The trail takes visitors to the edge of
the salt flats, and panels at the end of the trail provide information on bird identification, migration,
and management. The trail also has an access road and a parking area.
The 1.25-mile Eagle Roost Nature Trail,
adjacent to the refuge headquarters, gives
visitors the opportunity to enjoy a wide
variety of wildlife and habitats. The trail is
open year-round and allows visitors a chance
to see the wildlife of Eagle Roost Pond and
Sand Creek Bay.
The Harold F. Miller auto tour route provides
a 2.5-mile meandering tour of refuge ponds
and farm fields where deer and other wildlife
abound. Along the route, the short .25-mile
walk to Casey Marsh Tower provides visitors
outstanding views of ducks, geese, and eagles
in late fall and winter.
Big Marsh, along Highway 11, includes a
kiosk with an observation platform and
interpretive panels providing visitors an
excellent opportunity to view shorebirds,
waterfowl, colonial water birds, raptors, and
other wildlife year-round.
3.12.4 Environmental Education and
Interpretation
Refuge programs and events such as educator
workshops, school group tours, the annual
Crystal Festival, birding festivals, falconry
exhibits, wildlife photography exhibits, and
scouting programs are an essential part of
environmental education efforts at Salt Plains.
Other interpretation and education efforts
include wildlife viewing, interpretive trails, auto
tours, signs, and informational kiosks located
throughout the refuge. Salt Plains NWR is the
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 36
Figure 9. Public Use Features
only known site where the unique hourglass-inclusion selenite crystals are found. Currently, crystal
digging is allowed from April 1 to October 15 and has been determined to be a compatible refuge use.
Crystal digging is allowed on 20% of the total crystal digging area and is rotated annually. Although
crystal digging itself is not a wildlife-dependent public use, the outdoor experience provides an
opportunity to enjoy wildlife-dependent recreational activities (i.e., wildlife observation) as well as
providing an educational experience of the natural resources of the refuge and its special geological
history (Figure 9).
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 37
Figure 10. Revenue Sharing Act Payments (USFWS Region 2
Realty Division)
Figure 11. U.S. Census Bureau population figures
3.13 Socioeconomic Features
The socioeconomic impact of Salt Plains NWR can be divided into three categories. First is the direct
expenditure of refuge resources, such as salaries to local employees and expenditures for equipment
and supplies; second is the impact generated by attracting between 130,000 and 150,000 visitors to
the refuge and the associated
surrounding communities; and third is
the federal revenue sharing that is
intended to offset the lost county
revenue due to property being removed
from the tax rolls.
Annual refuge budget expenditures
typically exceed $400,000. These
expenditures range from employee
salaries to equipment and material
purchases from local suppliers, as well
as suppliers in Enid and Oklahoma
City. The overall economic impact of
refuge visitation is difficult to assess
precisely. However, it is estimated that
60% of visitors make purchases from
local stores, pay fees, and buy licenses,
etc. during their visit to the refuge
area. The refuge and annual events
such as the Crystal Festival bring in many visitors that provide positive economic and recurring
benefits to the surrounding communities. Refuge Revenue Sharing Act payments from the
Department of the Interior are designed to offset the burden that counties feel when properties are
removed from the tax rolls through actions taken by the Department. Refuge payments to Alfalfa
County from 1998 to 2003 are shown in Figure 10. The majority of the payment in lieu of taxes (over
$50,000) is made by the Corps which has primary jurisdiction over the lake and floodplain lands.
3.14 Population
The population of Alfalfa County has
declined over the past two decades
(Figure 11). According to the U.S. Census
Bureau, the county population was 7,077
in 1980; 6,393 in 1990; and 6,105 in 2000.
This represents a 14% drop in population
since 1980 and is similar to population
declines in other agricultural
communities over the same time period.
As of 2000, the average age of Alfalfa
County residents was 43 with 74% of the
population being 25 or older.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 38
Crystal cluster unearthed USFWS Photo
3.15 Economic Growth
In 1893, the Cherokee Outlet was opened to settlement through the famous “land run.” Since that
time, agriculture has been the primary economic activity in Alfalfa County. In 1994, farm income
accounted for 42% of all income in the county.
Retail sales income was the next highest
category with 11.5%. No other category of income
exceeded 10% of the total for the county.
Any economic community that is heavily tied to
agriculture is susceptible to the economic
fluctuations that are inherent in agribusiness.
Diversification of the economic base can help
alleviate some of the economic vulnerability that
agricultural communities experience. In recent
years, organizations such as the GSPA have
made concerted efforts to utilize the resources of
the Great Salt Plains Lake and the refuge to
generate economic benefits through promoting
tourism such as birding, the Crystal Festival,
Pelican Celebration, and other events.
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 39
4.0 MANAGEMENT DIRECTION
The following goals, objectives, and strategies reflect the issues and concerns expressed by the
planning team and the public. The main priorities for the refuge include protecting and restoring
native habitats such as mixed-grass prairie and wetlands, protecting and providing habitat for
waterfowl, m igratory birds, federally-listed species, and providing increased opportunities for public
use, environmental education, and interpretation. Unless otherwise noted in the text, the following
items are expected to be implemented throughout the 15-year term of this plan.
4.1 Migratory Birds/Federally-listed Species Management
Goal 1: Protect and enhance migratory birds and federally-listed species and habitats of
special concern to achieve refuge purposes.
Objective 1-1: Protect whooping cranes and enhance whooping crane habitat on the refuge.
Rationale for Objective: The refuge is designated as critical habitat for endangered whooping
cranes (43 FR 20938, May 15, 1978). The Endangered Species Act directs federal agencies to conserve
endangered and threatened species and designated critical habitat. Whooping crane protection and
habitat enhancement are important refuge needs and responsibilities. Although migrating whooping
cranes feed and roost in croplands, Salt Plains provides essential fresh and brackish wetland habitats
that support whooping cranes during their m igrations. Efforts to maintain and enhance the refuge’s
wetlands, lake/reservoir margins, and croplands are necessary to support whooping cranes.
Strategy: Participate in the implementation of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population Whooping
Crane Contingency Plan, as it relates to Salt Plains NWR. Ongoing
Strategy: Continue to implement the refuge’s contingency plan in cooperation with the ODWC
to protect whooping cranes during the hunting season. This plan includes monitoring
whooping crane occurrence, informing hunters, placing posters, and providing other
visual aides to identification. This strategy is also to ensure compliance with the
Endangered Species Act, as per the CCP’s IntraService ESA Consultation (See
Appendix G). Ongoing
Strategy: Control salt cedar along waterways and shorelines to enhance and increase whooping
crane habitat. Ongoing
Strategy: Utilize prescribed fire to maintain and enhance approximately 1,100 acres of
whooping crane feeding habitat on the south end of Salt Plains Lake. Ongoing
Strategy: Continue to produce grain and browse forage to help sustain whooping cranes
annually through implementation of low input sustained agricultural efforts.
Ongoing
Strategy: Participate with the ODWC, the State of Kansas, and the Regional Whooping Crane
Coordinator to maintain current information on sightings and threats to responsible
individuals along the migration corridor. E-mail lists have been developed for
prompt notification of sightings. Ongoing
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 40
Objective 1-2: Increase least tern nesting and feeding habitat on Salt Plains NWR.
Rationale for Objective: The refuge is legally mandated to manage for threatened and endangered
species. Recovery plans for threatened and endangered species provide specific guidance to monitor,
study, and protect these species and their habitats. Enhancing and restoring least tern habitat is a
priority in the recovery of least terns occurring at Salt Plains NW R. Least terns nest on the salt flats
along with the threatened snowy plover.
Strategy: Construct least tern nesting areas consisting of pads of gravel and coarse sandy loam
soil, chick shelters, electric fencing, and ponds for feeding areas on the abandoned
railroad right-of-way through the refuge (RONS # 97015). Year 2007
Strategy: Provide feeding areas for the least terns that are close to their nesting areas by
implementing m oist soil management on the old Salt Creek floodplain which would
provide an additional 180 acres of high quality wetlands (RONS #98101).
Year 2007
Strategy: Direct efforts toward protection of least tern eggs from predation and flooding on the
salt flat (RONS # 97006). Ongoing
Objective 1-3: Encourage wintering use by bald eagles and golden eagles by protecting and
enhancing roost areas.
Rationale for Objective: The bald eagle and golden eagle are common winter residents on Salt
Plains. Protecting and maintaining eagle roosting habitat is necessary to satisfy their sheltering
requirements. Enhancing roosting habitat is intended to encourage more eagle wintering use.
Strategy: Annually assess the condition of existing trees used by bald eagles in the winter;
remove underbrush (roughleaf dogwood, hackberry, and black locust) at roost sites in
area C-9 and the northeast lake shoreline to modify habitats that otherwise attract
predators (RONS #97020). Ongoing
Strategy: Install artificial roost sites in moist soil units and impoundments as perching sites
where large trees are not available. Year 2010
Objective 1-4: Monitor the status of federally-listed species to identify the presence, population
levels, and distribution of these species as determined by Service policy and regional
endangered species biologists.
Rationale for Objective: Continuing long-term monitoring is an integral part of threatened and
endangered species management as well as in carrying out recommendations described in species
recovery plans.
Strategy: Monitor activities or conditions that may adversely affect an endangered or
threatened species. The Service will ensure protection of the T/E species through
compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (RONS #97006). Ongoing
Strategy: Expand wildlife surveys to a 10-day shorebird and least tern census on the salt flats,
and waterbird census on Ralstin Island (RONS #97006). Year 2007
Strategy: Conduct studies of young terns and shorebird survival that will include placing
transmitters on the young (RONS #97006). Year 2008
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 41
Strategy: Continue nest monitoring and census activities for the least tern and snowy plovers
that includes determining survival rates from fledgling to young adult stages (RONS
# 97006). Ongoing
Strategy: Monitor the impacts of forage availability during drought years on the least tern’s
reproductive success (RONS #97006). Ongoing
Strategy: Monitor for contaminants, disease, or other threats to federally-listed species on the
refuge and within the Area of Ecological Concern. Ongoing
Objective 1-5: Maintain wetland habitat to provide approximately 2 million goose use days and 3
million duck use days. Continue to plant cropland grain and green browse to supplement
forage for waterfowl.
Rationale for Objective: Maintain sufficient habitat to support waterfowl populations as part of
the original refuge purpose as well as supporting the objectives of the NAWMP.
Strategy: Continue the waterfowl inventory and monitoring plan. Ongoing
Strategy: Maintain breeding and brood-rearing habitats for at least 75 pairs of ducks (mallards,
wood ducks, hooded mergansers) and for 30-40 pairs of Canada geese (RONS #00005).
Ongoing
Strategy: Enhance waterfowl habitats specifically to meet the objectives of the NAWMP
focusing on target species including mallard, pintail, wood duck, and gadwall (RONS
#00005). Ongoing
Strategy: Continue monitoring of the artificial islands, gradation of sediment, and erosion
remediation on Ralstin Island. Ongoing
Strategy: Enhance/Increase waterfowl habitats by adding 180 acres of moist soil units in the
floodplain between the east and west fork of the Salt Fork River (RONS #98101).
Year 2007
Objective 1-6: Continue to cultivate existing cropland to maintain approximately 1,250 acres of
forage crops for migrating waterfowl, geese, and cranes through force account.
Rationale for Objective: The refuge croplands consist of 1,250 acres of land. The majority of
croplands are farmed through force account. The primary crops consist of winter wheat, millet,
sunflower, and cow peas. A minimum of 600 acres is planted in winter wheat green browse. Grains
and green browse from these crops provide forage for ducks, geese, cranes, and resident wildlife.
Strategy: Continue to produce grain and browse forage to help sustain over 2 million Canada
geese use days and 3 million duck use days, and one-half million sandhill crane use
days annually through implementation of low input sustained agricultural efforts.
Ongoing
Strategy: Address the control of pests and removal/control of exotic invasive plants that impact
food crop production. To be included in an integrated pest management plan.
Year 2007
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 42
Strategy: Conduct annual surveys of the refuge, including wetlands, ponds, croplands,
irrigation canals, and riparian habitats to identify and map areas with invasive
plants to use in developing control strategies. Year 2007
Strategy: Within 5 years, reduce total area infested with invasive weed and woody species on
the refuge by 20 to 40% through mechanical and biological means (RONS #97005,
WUI). Year 2011
Objective 1-7: Improve water management to maintain and enhance wetlands in impoundments
which on a good water year (refuge receiving 100% allotments) would provide at least 1,070
acres of managed wetlands.
Rationale for Objective: Effective maintenance and enhancement of the ponds, wetlands, and
moist soils habitat of the refuge requires exceptional management of water resources. In addition, as
a significant shorebird site, Salt Plains’ water resources are important in providing and maintaining
habitat and a detrital food base to enhance invertebrate populations (See Also: Objective 4-3).
Strategy: Utilize water level manipulation, mowing, and disking in moist soil units to control
undesirable emergent vegetation on 15 to 20% of the wetlands annually. Ongoing
Strategy: Monitor and evaluate wetland habitat components through annual biological surveys
of invertebrate diversity and vegetation response. Ongoing
Strategy: Establish moist soil units (180 acres) in the floodplain between the east and west
forks of the Salt Fork River by building water control structures (RONS #98101).
Year 2007
Strategy: Maintain water management methods to provide approximately 700 acres of
emergent vegetation (bulrushes, sedges, wild millet, etc.) and 300 acres of aquatic
plants (pondweeds, widgeon grass, etc.) (RONS #00005). Ongoing
Strategy: Implement moist soil management to provide seasonally flooded habitats for
migrating shorebirds and waterfowl of which 50% will be less than 8 inches deep
(RONS #00005 and #98101). Ongoing
Strategy: Annually clean and repair water control structures prior to the flood season.
Ongoing
Strategy: Develop a monitoring program and GIS database to evaluate wetlands in terms of key
habitat components such as acres of wetland types, wildlife use, water quality, and
vegetation response in relation to water management. Year 2008
Strategy: Identify opportunities for establishing additional moist soil units to provide
seasonally flooded emergent wetland habitats for migratory and nesting waterfowl.
Year 2010
Strategy: Reduce slopes/gradients by grading the ground within moist soil units to make water
levels consistent from 1 to 8 inches in depth. No more than 20% of the units will be
dried and graded during any one year. Ongoing
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 43
4.2 Natural Diversity and Ecosystem Management
Goal 2: Protect and enhance the ecological integrity of the refuge and contribute to the
objectives of the Ark/Red Ecosystem and other applicable plans.
Objective 2-1: Document, monitor, and maintain viable, diverse populations of native flora and
fauna.
Rationale for Objective: More complete inventorying and monitoring populations of priority species
such as neotropical birds, nesting birds, non-game migratory birds or any species of management
concern is necessary to help achieve Goal 2. This includes incorporating priority species needs or any
species of management concern into refuge wildlife and habitat managem ent programs (See Also:
Objective 2-6).
Strategy: Develop a thorough GIS database of and map flora and faunal distributions found in
all habitat types on the refuge and vicinity. Year 2008
Strategy: Develop and implement an inventory and monitoring plan (as part of the Inventory
and Monitoring Plans) for priority species to determine population size, distribution,
trends in habitat use, and responses to management. Year 2008
Strategy: Analyze biological survey data to determine population trends every year once a
database is established. Adjust population objectives into wildlife inventory plans and
the Habitat Management Plan as appropriate (See Also: Objective 2-6). Ongoing
Strategy: Review and incorporate, as appropriate, applicable species-related elements of
national and international plans for fish and wildlife (i.e., Oklahoma Comprehensive
Wildlife Conservation Strategy, Central Flyway Program , Shorebird Conservation
Plan, NAWMP, Partners in Flight, etc.). Ongoing
Strategy: Monitor shorebird food supply by conducting invertebrate surveys (RONS #97006).
Year 2008
Strategy: Conduct a shorebird banding program as per the Western Hemisphere Reserve
Shorebird Network (RONS #97006). As requested
Strategy: Continue nest monitoring and census counts from May through August for the
American avocet and black-necked stilt (RONS #97006). Ongoing
Strategy: Continue to conduct raptor surveys on the refuge and document species occurrence
(RONS #97006). Ongoing
Strategy: Implement breeding surveys to document species diversity, population levels of
priority species, and trends by habitat type. Priority species include: Painted bunting,
white-faced ibis, tricolored heron, snowy plover, grasshopper sparrow, and
prothonotary warbler. Ongoing
Objective 2-2: Maintain native habitats, meet refuge management goals, and help meet national
and state goals for controlling invasive species on the refuge.
Rationale for Objective: Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species is an ongoing
and serious threat to native habitats. Executive Order (EO) 13112 requires, among other things, that
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 44
federal agencies use relevant programs, authorities, and funds to monitor for, prevent, and control
the spread of invasive species. In addition, the State of Oklahoma requires control of noxious weeds
such as Canada thistle, musk thistle, and bull thistle.
Strategy: Develop and implement an integrated pest management plan to address refuge
habitat and ecosystem management needs as well as protect waterfowl food crop
production, and comply with federal and state mandates. The Integrated Pest
Management Plan includes strategies for surveying, mapping, monitoring, and
controlling invasive species in both croplands and wildlands and supports other
objectives with complementary strategies identified herein. Currently, some invasive
species control is ongoing as per existing budgets and staff. Year 2007
Strategy: Use mechanical and chemical control on salt cedar. Evaluate potential for using
biological control and implement, if feasible. Continue to burn as part of an integrated
management approach to discourage re-infestation. Re-treat areas as necessary to
follow up initial control (RONS # 97005). Ongoing
Strategy: Monitor for early detection of exotic thistles (i.e., bull thistle, Canada thistle) and
remove (along with musk thistle) prior to budding by mechanical or chemical means.
Ongoing
Strategy: Survey and map red cedar on the refuge, and monitor for spread and to evaluate
effectiveness of fire for controlling, not eliminating, red cedar. Use mechanical control
as necessary for large trees (RONS # 97005). Ongoing
Strategy: Monitor for and map other invasive/exotic species as identified in the Integrated Pest
Management Plan. Ongoing
Objective 2-3: Maintain/improve habitat to provide nesting, cover, and forage for game birds such
as turkey and quail.
Rationale for Objective: While upland game bird habitat is good on portions of the refuge,
grassland habitat has been lost due to encroachment of red cedar and salt cedar. Additional habitat
can be added and maintained to offset the habitat that is frequently lost to flooding on the northern
portion of the refuge.
Strategy: Determine population objectives in partnership with the ODW C for upland game bird
species (mourning doves, bobwhite quail) and monitor their population status.
Integrate population objectives of these species into wildlife inventory plans and the
Habitat Management Plan as appropriate. Ongoing
Strategy: Continue to implement management activities to increase upland habitats and/or
grassland restoration (such as red cedar and salt cedar control), particularly in the
public hunt areas (RONS #97008, #97005). Ongoing
Strategy: Continue prescribed burning of Range Units 5 and 6. Initiate prescribed burning in
Range Unit 4 and Hunting Units A and B to improve upland game habitat. Ongoing
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 45
Objective 2-4: Maintain a stable white-tailed deer population respective of the carrying capacity of
the refuge. The current goal is approximately 500 animals.
Rationale for Objective: The current deer population is near the carrying capacity for available
habitats on the refuge. Management activities w ill be initiated to m aintain deer population levels
suitable to the available habitat on the refuge, and to reduce crop depredations on adjacent lands and
deer/car collisions.
Strategy: Implement management activities to maintain the deer population consistent with
the carrying capacity of the refuge (currently about 500 deer) and encourage optimal
fawn recruitment rates for annual habitat conditions (RONS #97008). Ongoing
Strategy: Conduct five spotlight surveys in late August and post hunt surveys in January to
monitor the deer population. Ongoing
Strategy: Utilize deer surveys to determine number of hunting permits issu ed. Ongoing
Objective 2-5: Maintain and/or enhance aquatic habitats of the refuge to provide optimal fish
habitat for native fish species. Manage fisheries to provide forage for water birds and to
provide opportunities for a quality public fishing program through stocking efforts.
Rationale for Objective: Enhancement of aquatic habitats would benefit wildlife while also
improving the opportunities for public fishing. Trotline depth in the public fishing areas on the refuge
is a critical issue. Entanglement of water birds such as American white pelicans by trotlines is a
concern. Efforts to reduce siltation can improve aquatic habitats.
Strategy: Coordinate with State Fishery Biologist on water manipulation/management of C-9
pond as a fish rearing pond for fingerlings or brood stock for later release on the
refuge. Ongoing
Strategy: Continue to monitor the impact of trotlines on foraging water birds such as white
pelicans and coordinate with ODWC to amend regulations to reduce impacts if
needed. Ongoing
Strategy: Remove salt cedar and replant native vegetation along the banks to reduce siltation
(RONS #97005). Ongoing
Strategy: Continue moist soil management to provide about 1,070 acres of shallow wetlands in
April/May/June for shorebird use (RONS #98101, #00005). Ongoing
Strategy: Assist State Fishery Biologist with pumping water into Coon Hollow fish rearing
pond for fingerlings for release onto the refuge. Ongoing
Strategy: Assist State Fishery Biologist with monitoring and stocking fish into Bonham Pond
for children and persons with disabilities. Ongoing
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 46
Objective 2-6: Determine habitat objectives based on the requirements of priority species (See
Section 3.4). Improve or re-create refuge habitats to increase ecological integrity and meet
refuge population objectives, and contribute to the habitat objectives of the national, state,
and regional conservation plans.
Rationale for Objective: Landscape level plans (See Section 2.4) that apply to the Ark/Red
Ecosystem have identified important habitats that are under threat of alteration or development
such as wetlands, streams, floodplains, forests, and native grasslands as well as the identification of
priority species. As part of an inventory and monitoring (step down) plan of priority species to be
developed by 2008 and Habitat Management Plan; the refuge can play a role in helping to expand,
protect, or restore these important habitats and wildlife within this Ecosystem.
Strategy: Review landscape level plans that apply within the Ark/Red Ecosystem to incorporate
into the development of a Habitat Managem ent Plan to benefit priority species
identified in these plans. Year 2009
Strategy: Create or improve habitats to provide quality wetland habitats for migratory birds
using the Central Flyway (RONS #98101 and #00005). Ongoing
Objective 2-7: Through implementation of prescribed fire, enhance habitat for sandhill cranes.
Rationale for Objective: Prescribed burning is an effective method to manage and maintain the
refuge habitat utilized by cranes.
Strategy: Continue to utilize prescribed burns to enhance sandhill crane habitat and monitor
the effects. Ongoing
Strategy: Construct access structures to allow construction of fire lanes around the Range
Unit 4. Year 2009
Strategy: Plant existing alkali flats with wheat grass. Remediate the ground to return to wheat
products. Ongoing
Objective 2-8: Pursue opportunities to coordinate with other federal, state, and private landowners
to protect or re-create unmodified wetlands for the benefit of migratory bird resources and
ecosystem health (See also: Objective 7-1).
Rationale for Objective: The refuge alone cannot effectively contribute to the Ark/Red Ecosystem.
Working with federal, state, NGOs, and private landowners regarding wildlife management
techniques will benefit this ecosystem to a larger extent.
Strategy: Demonstrate and interpret the wildlife values of wetland habitats to the public,
particularly private landowners (RONS #97009, #97011, and #97014). Year 2007
Strategy: Assist private landowners and state and federal agencies with habitat restoration and
flood control projects through technical assistance. Ongoing
Strategy: Develop partnerships with local landowners through the “Partners for Wildlife”
Program who may be interested in projects to enhance wildlife habitat. Ongoing
Salt Plains NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan - June 2006 47
Objective 2-9: Through the use of appropriate land managem ent programs (grazing, fire,
mechanical, and herbicide), restore and maintain approximately 4,500 acres of native grass
species on refuge lands to benefit native grassland nesting birds and other components of this
community type and implement range monitoring to evaluate vegetation changes as a result
of management activities.
Rationale for Objective: The refuge maintains about 4,500 acres of grasslands. This habitat type is
managed to increase plant diversity and plant vigor using a combination of grazing and prescribed
burning.
Strategy: Control red cedar and remove salt cedar from refuge grasslands by prescribed fire,
mechanical means, or by herbicide application (RONS #97005). Ongoing
Strategy: Utilize a volunteer coordinator position (GS-7) to coordinate inmate volunteers and
other volunteers to conduct upland restoration (RONS #97008 and #97005).
Year 2007
Strategy: Target and prioritize areas for restoration. Develop and implement a prescribed burn
plan in those targeted areas for the reestablishment of native mixed-grass species.
Ongoing
Strategy: Implement long-term habitat monitoring programs to determine grassland condition
and restoration progress in targeted areas with respect to desired species diversity.
Ongoing
Strategy: Continue to use grazing as a grassland management tool; to increase plant vigor and
help maintain grassland communities. Ongoing
Objective 2-10: Encourage research with universities and other institutions that will contribute to
the biological database of the refuge and/or contribute to habitat and population
management. The research activities will be reviewed periodically by the Service and other
representatives to evaluate research results. Research priorities include federally-listed and
priority species monitoring and habitat management activities (See also: Objectives 1-4, 2-1,
2-2, 2-6, and 2-9).
Rationale for Objective: Research priorities on major ecosystem issues for the Ark/Red Ecosystem
focus on habitat restoration that includes: restoring the native grassland habitat, riparian habitat,
aquatic and terrestrial comm unities, and the m onitoring of wildlife and plant response to
management activities. This information can be used by the refuge staff to make better resourc