Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

              Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 1
Draft Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Valentine
National Wildlife Refuge
2 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Valentine
National Wildlife Refuge
Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
and Environmental Assessment
April 1999
Prepared by
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ft. Niobrara/Valentine NWR Complex
HC14, Box 67
Valentine, NE 69201
and
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Land Acquisition and Refuge Planning
P.O. Box 25486, DFC
Denver, CO 80215
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 3
Table of Contents
Summary ............................................................................................................................ 5
Purpose of and Need for Action .................................................................................... 9
Purpose of and Need for Comprehensive Conservation Plan ................................ 9
Planning Process, Planning Time Frame, and Future Revisions....................... 9
Step-Down Management Plans .................................................................................. 10
National Wildlife Refuge System Mission and Goals ............................................ 10
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge History ............................................................ 13
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Purpose and Vision ...................................... 17
Refuge Goals and Objectives....................................................................................... 18
Interrelationships of Goals and Objectives.............................................................. 18
Habitat Management .................................................................................................... 18
Wildlife ............................................................................................................................. 20
Threatened and Endangered Species ........................................................................ 22
Interpretation and Recreation .................................................................................... 23
Ecosystem (Partner) ..................................................................................................... 23
Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action .......................................................... 24
Current Management (No Action) Alternative ....................................................... 24
Historical Alternative ................................................................................................... 30
Intensive Wildlife Management Alternative ........................................................... 32
Modified Historical (Preferred) Alternative ........................................................... 34
Yellowthroat Wildlife Management Area ................................................................. 37
Holt Creek Wildlife Management Area ..................................................................... 37
Implementing the Plan (Preferred Alternative) .................................................... 37
Affected Environment .................................................................................................. 43
Geographic/Ecosystem Setting ................................................................................... 43
Climate ............................................................................................................................. 43
Air Quality ....................................................................................................................... 43
Soils .................................................................................................................................. 43
Water Resources and Associated Wetlands .............................................................. 44
Vegetation ........................................................................................................................ 44
Wildlife ............................................................................................................................. 50
Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................ 52
Economic Environment ................................................................................................ 52
Special Designations ..................................................................................................... 52
4 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 53
Alternative A. Current Management (No Action) .................................................. 53
Alternative B. Historical.............................................................................................. 54
Alternative C. Intensive Wildlife Management ...................................................... 56
Alternative D. Modified Historic (Preferred Alternative).................................... 57
List of Preparers ............................................................................................................ 58
Consultation and Coordination with Others .......................................................... 59
Appendix A. Summary of Actions Proposed Under
Management Alternatives ...................................................................................... 61
Appendix B. Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Species Lists......................... 65
Birds ................................................................................................................................. 65
Mammals......................................................................................................................... 68
Amphibians and Reptiles ............................................................................................. 68
Appendix C. References ................................................................................................ 69
Appendix D. Section 7 .................................................................................................. 71
Appendix E. Glossary ................................................................................................... 73
Appendix F. Key Legislation/Policies ....................................................................... 75
Appendix G. Mailing List of Agencies and Individuals ........................................ 77
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 5
The Current Management Alternative would continue
managing the Refuge as it is presently done. Grazing,
using permittee cattle, rest, and limited prescribed fire,
would be used to manage grasslands. Limited surveys
and management for endangered species would take
place. Exotic plants and weeds would be controlled
using grazing, fire, beneficial insects, and herbicides.
Public use would continue with hunting, fishing on the
same number of lakes, and wildlife observation allowed.
Cooperation and partnerships in place would continue.
Present monitoring of wildlife and habitat would take
place.
The Historical Alternative would manage Refuge
grasslands and wildlife to replicate conditions that
existed before settlement. A herd of 500 bison would be
introduced to the Refuge. Permittee cattle would be
removed over time. Prescribed fire would be
increasingly used to replicate naturally occurring fire
frequency. Water control structures would be removed
and lakes returned to natural levels. Endangered
species would be monitored and studied to determine
effects of historic management. Exotic plants would be
controlled using increased prescribed fire along with
beneficial insects and herbicides. Prairie dog towns
would be established. Current hunting programs would
continue and a bison hunt initiated. The number of lakes
open to fishing would increase, but water levels would
not be managed for sport fish. A concession would be
sought to access the bison herd and increased
interpretation of historical ecology emphasized. Current
cooperation and partnerships would continue and
additional partnerships in bison management sought
out. Monitoring of the bison herd as well as fire effects
and wildlife trends would increase.
Summary
The 71,000-acre Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is
located in the Sandhills of north central Nebraska. The
native grass prairie and wetlands found here support a
diversity of wildlife. Little has changed from historic
times. The Refuge was established by Congress in 1935
“as a breeding ground for migratory birds and other
wildlife.” The Refuge is home to 270 species of birds, 59
species of mammals, and 22 species of reptiles and
amphibians. Several threatened and endangered plants,
birds, and one insect are found here. The 180-acre Holt
Creek and 480-acre Yellowthroat Wildlife Management
Wildlife Management Areas in Keya Paha and Brown
Counties are also included in this Plan.
Comprehensive conservation planning is being done for
the Refuge and Wildlife Management Areas to guide
management for the next 10- to 15-year period. When
completed, the Plan will provide clear goals and objectives,
implementation strategies, and recommended staffing and
funding for the areas. The Plan will also meet the
planning requirement in the National Wildlife Refuge
Improvement Act of 1997.
This Draft Comprehensive Management Plan (CCP)
considered four alternatives for management of Valentine
National Wildlife Refuge. Alternatives considered were
Current Management Alternative, Historical Alternative,
Intensive Wildlife Management Alternative, and
Modified Historical Alternative (Preferred Alternative).
6 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Several of the alternatives for manage-ment
of Valentine National Wildlife
Refuge call for the return of bison to
Refuge grasslands; Native grasses
growing on Refuge meadows provide
excellent nesting habitat for ducks,
prairie chickens, and birds which pre-fer
tall dense cover; The endangered
plant, blowout penstemon, grows in the
sandy dunes where wind erosion cre-ates
areas of open sand;Money from
the sale of Duck Stamps was used to
purchase most of the lands that now
make up Valentine National Wildlife
Refuge; in April prairie chicken males
display on traditional breeding
grounds throughout the Refuge.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 7
8 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
The Intensive Wildlife Management Alternative would
actively manage habitats and Refuge programs to
increase outputs in certain areas. Grazing with
permittee cattle and Texas longhorns from Ft.
Niobrara NWR, rest, and increased use of fire would
be used to actively manage grasslands. Water control
structures would remain in place and active water level
management, including drawdowns, used. Increased
monitoring, management, and research on endangered
and threatened species would occur. Prairie dog towns
would be established. Weeds and exotic plants would
be controlled using increased prescribed fire along
with grazing, beneficial insects, and herbicides.
Current Refuge hunting programs would continue with
limits on numbers of hunters instituted if crowding
develops. The number of Refuge lakes open to sport
fishing will be reduced but management of those open
increased for sport fish. Interpretation and
environmental education will be increased and the
Refuge headquarters moved to a location along
Highway 83. Current cooperation and partnerships
will continue and additional ones sought. Land trades
and acquisition from willing sellers will be pursued.
Monitoring of wildlife and habitats would increase.
The Modified Historical Alternative was selected as
the preferred alternative. This alternative was selected
based on an analysis of the environmental consequences
and the desire to return the historical forces of bison
grazing and fire to grassland management. To start,
the southwest portion of the Refuge will be fenced for
bison and a herd placed there. Prescribed fire will be
increased in this area and interior fences incrementally
removed. This area will be monitored over a five-year
period to document changes in grasslands and wildlife.
After evaluation, the decision will be made to extend
this type of management over the entire Refuge or to
return to using permittee cattle as the primary
grassland management tool. Refuge lakes presently
open to fishing will remain open with water control
structures, water level, and other management used to
benefit sport fish. Old drainage ditches will be plugged.
Endangered species use will be monitored and applied
research conducted to determine methods to increase
use. Blowout penstemon will be transplanted in
additional sites and trees protected for bald eagle
roosts. An attempt will be made to establish prairie
dog towns. Weeds and exotic plants will be controlled
using a combination of prescribed fire, beneficial
insects, and herbicides. Current hunting and fishing
opportunities will continue. Increased emphasis would
be placed on environmental education and interpretation
and the Refuge headquarters site moved to a location
near Highway 83. Current cooperation and partnerships
would continue. Outside funding would be sought to
implement parts of the Plan. A partnering effort in
bison management may be sought. Land trades and
acquisition with willing sellers will be pursued to
straighten Refuge boundaries. Trading Holt Creek
Wildlife Management Area for portions of Rat, Beaver,
and Willow Lakes will be pursued with Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission. Monitoring of grasslands
and wildlife will increase with emphasis on evaluation
of the use of bison and fire to manage grasslands.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 9
Purpose of and Need for Action
Purpose of and Need for Comprehensive
Conservation Plan
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized the
need for strategic planning for the field stations of its
National Wildlife Refuge System (System). The
System now has more than 513 refuges totaling more
than 93 million acres. In September 1996, Executive
Order 12996 was enacted which gave the System
guidance on issues of compatibility and public uses of
its land. Congress passed the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act (Act) in October 1997. This
“organic act,” for the first time in the System’s history,
required that Comprehensive Conservation Plans
(CCP) be prepared for all refuges within 15 years.
The Service was an active participant in this historic
legislation and supported the planning requirement.
The planning effort will help each station, and thus the
entire System, to meet the changing needs of wildlife
species and the public. The planning effort provides the
opportunity to meet with our neighbors, our customers,
and other agencies to ensure that plans are relevant
and truly address natural resource issues and public
interests. It is our goal to have the System be an active
and vital part of the United States’ conservation
efforts. This Draft CCP/ Environmental Assessment
(EA) discusses the planning process, Valentine Na-tional
Wildlife Refuge’s (NWR) characteristics, and
the direction management will take in the next 15
years. It is provided to give the reader a clear
understanding of the purposes of the Refuge, the
alternatives considered, and the preferred alternative.
Planning Process, Planning Time Frame, and
Future Revisions
Valentine NWR is located 20 miles south of Valentine,
Nebraska, along Highway 83 (see Figure 1). The
Refuge is administered as part of the Fort Niobrara-
Valentine NWR Complex with the main office located
five miles east of the city of Valentine. The Hackberry
Headquarters on Valentine NWR is located along State
Spur 16B.
Comprehensive conservation planning efforts for
Valentine NWR began in January 1997 with a meeting
of regional management and planning staff and field
station employees at Fort Niobrara NWR. At that
meeting a core planning team was designated with the
major responsibilities of gathering information and
writing the plan. A review team was set up to provide
guidance and direction to the core planning team. A
working group was also organized to provide interchange
of information between Service personnel, outside
agencies, and interested stakeholders of the Refuge.
On March 20, 1997, an open house scoping session was
held in the Cherry County Hall meeting room, Valentine,
Nebraska. The open house provided participants an
opportunity to learn about the Refuge’s purposes,
mission, and goals, and issues currently facing
management. People attending were provided the
chance to speak with Service representatives and to
share their comments.
A two-day tour was held with the working group and
Service management and planning staffs in April 1997.
The tour gave participants an opportunity to view
fenced animal management and prominent wildlife
species of the Refuge, discuss management aspects of
the Refuge, and give planning staff ideas for consider-ation
in the planning process.
During the planning process, the review and working
groups have had access to information on objectives
and alternatives being considered. Written comments
have been exchanged and verbal conversations have
been held. This Draft CCP/EA is the first opportunity
that these groups and the public have had to review
the entire planning effort and the Plan. A 60-day
comment period is provided.
The CCP will guide management on the Refuge for the
next 15 years. Plans are ultimately signed by the
Regional Director, Region 6, thus providing Regional
direction to the station project leader. A copy of the
Plan will be provided to all those interested. The
project leader of the station will review the Plan every
five years to decide if it needs revision.
10 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Step-Down Management Plans
The Service has traditionally used a Refuge Manual to
guide field station management actions.The policy
direction given through the Manual has provided for a
variety of plans used to prepare annual work
schedules, budgets, land management actions
including prescribed fire, grazing, haying, sale of
excess animals, monitoring, public use, safety, and
other aspects of public land management. The CCP is
intended as a broad umbrella plan that provides
general concepts, specific wildlife and habitat
objectives, endangered species, public use, and
partnership objectives. Depending on the Refuge
needs, these may be very detailed or quite broad. The
purpose of step-down management plans is to provide
greater detail to managers to implement specific
actions authorized by the CCP.
Under this Plan, the Valentine NWR will revise its
current wildlife and habitat monitoring plan. An
overall Habitat Management Plan will be prepared to
guide all aspects of habitat management to include but
not limited to the following: annual grazing by large
animal herds, the use of prescribed fire, prairie dog
reintroduction, and rest and undisturbed cover
required by migratory waterfowl and native birds. A
cultural resource protection and interpretation plan will
be prepared. The Service will also prepare a site plan
for relocation of the headquarters along Highway 83 and
other associated facilities.
National Wildlife Refuge System Mission
and Goals
The Mission of the 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.” Goals of the System
are aimed at fulfilling this mission. Some major goals
are to provide for specific classes of wildlife species for
which the Federal government is ultimately responsible.
These “trust resources” are threatened and endan-gered
species, migratory birds, and anadromous fish.
Most refuges provide breeding, migration, or wintering
habitat for these species. Nearly all refuges also
supply habitat for big game species and resident or
nonmigratory wildlife as well.
Individual refuges provide specific requirements for
the preservation of trust resources. For example,
waterfowl breeding refuges in South and North Dakota
provide important wetland and grassland habitats to
support populations of waterfowl as required by the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan. Valentine NWR also
supports breeding populations as well as providing
migration habitat during spring and fall periods.
Sabine NWR, and other refuges in Louisiana and
Texas provide wintering habitat for these populations.
The network of lands is critical to these birds’ survivals;
any deficiency in one location will affect the species
and the entire networks ability to maintain adequate
populations.
Other refuges may provide habitat for endangered
plants or animals that exist in unique habitats found
only in very few locations. Refuges in these situations
ensure that populations are protected and habitat is
suitable for their use. Refuges, by providing a broad
network of lands throughout the United States, help to
prevent species from being listed by providing secure
habitat for their use and opportunities for recovery.
Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997, six wildlife-dependent recreational uses
are recognized as priority public uses of refuge lands.
These are wildlife observation and photography,
environmental education and interpretation, fishing
and hunting. These and other uses are allowed on
refuges after finding that they are compatible with the
purpose of the refuge. Uses are allowed through a
special regulation process, individual special use
permits, and sometimes through normal state fishing
and hunting regulations.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 11
Figure 1 - Vicinity Map
12 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 13
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge History
Valentine NWR was established on August 14, 1935 by
Executive Order No. 7142 “as a breeding ground for
migratory birds and other wildlife.” Lands for the
Refuge were purchased from private ranches,
recreational land, resort clubs, and corporations with
investment interests. Funding for acquisition came
from the Emergency Conservation Fund of 1933. The
dust bowl period of the 1930’s created concern among
conservationists for the survival of waterfowl species.
Many refuges were set aside during this period to help
in meeting the goals of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
of 1918. Since the 1940’s, additional lands have been
purchased and traded to straighten Refuge boundaries
and improve Refuge administration. In 1992, the Fort
Niobrara-Valentine Refuge Complex acquired the
Yellowthroat Wildlife Management Area, a 920-acre
fee title/easement area in Brown County, and in 1995
the 180 acre fee title Holt Creek Wildlife Management
Area in Keya Paha County, through the U.S.
Department of Agriculture
(USDA), Farmers Home
Administration, under
provisions of the 1990 Farm
Bill.
A Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) Camp of 200
enrollees was established on
Valentine NWR in 1935 and
was operational until 1939.
The CCC enrollees con-structed
fences, roads,
buildings, fire towers, planted
trees and shrubs, developed
ponds and water control
structures, and built a
diversion ditch from Gordon
Creek. Nebraska Game and
Parks Commission
(NG&PC) acquired a water
right for the Gordon Creek
Diversion. In the early
1980’s, this water right was
relinquished for lack of use
and also because it was not in the best interest of the
Refuge. Surface water management has been facilitated
by subsequent construction of seven water control
structures and records of lake elevations are available
since the 1950’s.
The Refuge was opened to fishing when water re-turned
to the lakes following the drought of the 1930’s.
The Refuge was opened for the following hunting
seasons: deer in 1964, pheasant and grouse in 1965,
waterfowl in 1977, dove in 1983, and coyotes in 1986.
From 1935 through 1972, Valentine NWR was managed
by an on-site refuge manager in charge of only
Valentine NWR. In 1973, the Refuge was joined with
Fort Niobrara NWR to form a Complex with one
manager in charge.
Wetland Management History
Thirty-seven major wetland areas exist on Valentine
NWR comprised of approximately 13,000 acres of
semipermanent and permanent wetlands which
historically have operated as a closed system except
for periods of high precipitation. Historic data
regarding surface and groundwater elevations are
available for Valentine NWR; however, the most
consistent data records available are since 1985.
Since establishment of Valentine NWR, various attempts
have been made to manage the water elevations of six
lakes by water control structures. However, water
elevations are dependent upon precipitation. Since 1981,
above average annual precipitation has complicated
attempts of managing lake elevations beyond diminishing
the adverse effects of the extremely high wetland levels
experienced since the mid-1980’s. (See Table 1)
Approximately 40 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
wells have been established on and adjacent to Valentine
NWR in which groundwater elevations have been
monitored by Refuge staff since the 1950’s. This
information is part of the monitoring program carried
out by USGS Water Resources Division. Groundwater
elevations are presently 4-7 feet above the elevations
recorded during the period 1950 to 1985.
Table 1
14 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Gordon Creek Diversion
In the 1930’s, the CCC’s constructed a diversion on
Gordon Creek to divert water through Valentine
NWR. Considerable resources were allocated to the
construction of the diversion dam and ditch to Hackberry
Lake. However, the project was “piecemealed” beyond
Hackberry Lake through the remainder of Valentine
NWR (Dewey, Clear, and Willow Lakes) and north
through Trout and Big Alkali Lakes via Slagel Creek
and east through Ballard Marsh and Red Deer Lake
via East Plum Creek.
In 1952, a District Count Decree (Young, Harse and
Harms vs State of Nebraska) successfully challenged
the construction of a larger water control structure on
Willow Lake by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission;
set a maximum elevation that water could be held in
Willow Lake; and the defendants were “permanently
restrained and enjoined from causing or permitting
any interference ... and from by any act or in any
manner causing or contributing to causing the water
in the natural water course below and to the north of
the outlet of Willow Lake to flow in any different
manner or at any different time or season of the year
than in the manner and at times and seasons in
which they are wont to flow.” In1997, the Willow Lake
water control structure washed out and Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission has elected not to
replace the structure and to allow water levels in Willow
Lake to fluctuate naturally.
The water right for the Gordon Creek Diversion was
acquired by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission,
but the water right was relinquished in the early 1980’s
because it was not of benefit to the management of
Valentine NWR. This diversion was the original source
of carp infestation for Valentine NWR. Wetland
management subsequent to the construction of the
diversion has focused on controlling carp populations
and the adverse effects of carp on habitat and food
resources of waterfowl and sport fish. Over the years,
water control structures were constructed and
reconstructed in an attempt to prevent the movement
of carp. However, by the 1940’s, carp had spread
throughout the wetlands in the northwest area of
Valentine NWR as well as the downstream wetlands
under the management of NG&PC and private
landowners. Various attempts to control carp with
chemical treatment were carried out in the 1950’s and
1960’s to control carp populations on Valentine NWR.
The most effective control technique was initiated in
1975 and, during the period 1975-82, seven lakes were
mechanically pumped and chemically treated with
rotenone to reduce the carp populations. To date, only
two of the renovated lakes have remained carp-free.
However, in the remaining five lakes, carp populations
have remained at moderate levels with the imple-mentation
of biological control. Biological control
was accomplished by modifying northern pike size
limits to enhance the populations of larger northern
pike and subsequently reduce carp recruitment.
Grassland Management History
Livestock grazing has occurred on Valentine NWR
since establishment. However, the level of grazing
dramatically increased during the early 1950’s, and by
the early 1960’s, annual grazing use exceeded 50,000
animal unit months (AUM). Virtually the entire
Refuge grassland acreage was grazed or hayed. The
two Natural Research Areas, totaling 1,381 acres, were
not grazed. This level of grazing had a negative impact
on wildlife and vegetation on the Refuge.
In 1971, a grassland management study team was
formed to look into the situation and recommend
appropriate corrective actions. The major management
recommendations of the team were:
1. Zone all meadows based on their value for
nesting waterfowl.
2. Stop annual mowing of meadows.
3. Improve native plant vigor and composition by
prescribed burning, mowing and grazing with
alternating periods of rest.
4. Maintain nesting cover by providing 40- to 100-
acre undisturbed blocks for three to eight years.
5. Hold units in reserve through normal attrition of
permittees to allow for flexible and intensive
manipulation.
6. Initiate restoration of native vegetation on priority
meadows beginning in 1972.
7. Develop small food plots (i.e., “weed patches”) to
promote greater diversity and abundance of
wildlife species.
8. Stop season-long grazing and promote restoration
and maintenance of range condition by use of rest,
fall-deferment, deferred-rotation and rest-rotation
systems.
9. Establish wilderness area - remove grazing
facilities and possibly employ summer grazing.
10. Initiate adequate monitoring techniques to
evaluate qualitative and quantitative changes in
vegetation and response by wildlife.
Recommendations of the team have generally been
implemented except that the wilderness proposal has
not received Congressional approval; mowing has been
reduced by approximately 85 percent; and maintaining
cover in undisturbed condition, for periods of three to
eight years, has annually involved less than 20 percent
of the total grassland acreage of Valentine NWR.
In 1986, rotational grazing was phased out and
short-duration grazing initiated. Use allowed by
permittees was retained but as permittees dropped out
of the program, they were not replaced. Between 1986
and 1997, permittees went from 13 to 9 and use from
approximately 9,000 to 6,000 AUMs.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 15
Wildlife Management History
Wildlife populations have been affected by both the
management of wetland and grassland resources on
Valentine NWR. Grazing practices increased as a
result of increased demand for beef during World War
II and remained in excess of 50,000 AUMs until the
mid-1960’s. Indigenous wildlife species with specific
habitat requirements (which are not achieved under
the widespread grazing/mowing regimes of that time)
did not fare very well. By the mid-1950’s, considerable
criticism was leveled against the management of
Valentine NWR both from within and outside the
Service. In the early 1970’s, a grassland management
Table 2
team was formed to develop recommendations regarding
the management of Refuge grasslands. Wildlife
populations, for which monitoring data are available,
have responded positively to the spirit and intent of
these recommendations; specifically, the enhancement
of native Sandhill Prairie through the termination of
widespread, season-long grazing, annual mowing
practices, and the implementation of planned grassland
management treatments (See Table 2). These provide
optimum acreage of vegetative composition, structure,
and undisturbed nesting cover for wildlife.
16 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
The annual acreage of undisturbed cover for upland
nesting birds increased from less than 5 percent in
1969 to greater than 50 percent by 1985 (See Table 3).
The increase in undisturbed nesting cover acreage has
resulted in greater productivity and population levels
particularly for upland nesting waterfowl. Specifically,
a significant improvement has occurred in the hatching
chronology of blue-winged teal and mallards with the
increased acreage of undisturbed cover. The earlier
hatching peaks since 1978 have ultimately resulted in
greater recruitment rates (See Table 4) and subsequently
greater breeding populations and composition of
dabbling ducks. In particular, mallard breeding pairs
have increased dramatically with the increased acre-age
of cover that received rest treatment for two or
more growing seasons, and this increase occurred
during a period of extremely low continental duck
breeding populations.
Table 4
Table 3
Winter
Fall Rotational
S.Duration
Spring
Rest
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 17
The greater prairie chicken is an “indicator species” of
the health and vigor of native grasslands and is a
reflection of the management of native grasslands. In
the 1930’s, 21 refuges existed with breeding populations
of greater prairie chickens and, by 1963, the only
remaining breeding populations existed on Ft.
Niobrara-Valentine NWRs. Since the 1980’s, a
considerable effort has been put forth within the Ft.
Niobrara-Valentine NWR Complex to increase the
health, vigor, and residual cover amounts of native
grasslands for upland nesting birds by controlling the
timing of grazing and rest treatments. Statistical
analysis indicates that a significant inverse relationship
exists between the level of AUM utilization and the
breeding population of prairie chickens on Valentine
NWR (See Table 5). Additionally, Hughes and
McDaniel (unpublished 1998) developed linear regression
models for Valentine NWR to determine relationships
between cover treatment and the number of male
prairie chickens surveyed during the period 1969-1996.
The best fit model indicated an inverse significant
relationship between the percentage of disturbed cover
throughout the year prior to the breeding population
survey period; indicating the importance of undisturbed
cover for prairie chickens throughout the year for
nesting, brood rearing, and winter survival.
Other wildlife have undoubtedly benefitted from the
enhancement of Sandhill Prairie; however, specific
surveys have not been carried out to document
changes in the numerous species present on Valentine
NWR.
Table 5
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Purpose
and Vision
Refuge Purpose
The Valentine NWR was established by Executive
Order No. 7142, August 14, 1935, “. . . reserved and set
apart . . . as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory
birds and other wildlife.”
Refuge Vision Statement
Preserve, restore, and enhance the ecological integrity
of Nebraska Sandhill uplands and associated wetlands
as habitat for migratory birds and other indigenous
wildlife for the benefit of present and future generations.
18 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Refuge Goals and Objectives
The Refuge planning team spent considerable time
defining habitat and other objectives to further
describe management actions needed to meet Refuge
goals. They are presented here to provide a logical
step-down from the broad purpose and vision statements
to concrete management decisions. They are also
useful in this document as a comparison with the
following section on Alternatives. Ideally, each
alternative should meet all these objectives, in practice
some meet them more fully than others. The preferred
alternative described in this CCP represents a course
of action felt to meet them best.
Interrelationships of Goals and Objectives
The subsequent presentation of Refuge goals and
objectives are presented separately for ease of
understanding and reference. They are however, not
independent of each other. The goals and objectives,
and the resources and activities discussed are completely
interrelated in spatial, ecological, and management
considerations.
The habitat goals and objectives are the primary
criteria that refuge managers will use to guide their
efforts and evaluate progress toward accomplishing
this CCP. Goals and objectives for wildlife, endangered
and threatened species, interpretation and recreation,
and ecosystem provide additional information for
managers to refine specific actions and to help in
evaluating success of habitat management and use of
the Refuge by the public. In order for refuge managers
to achieve the purpose and vision of the Refuge fully,
these objectives need to be understood holistically and
applied in combination, each being a critical part of the
Refuge vision.
Habitat Management
Goal: Preserve, restore, and enhance the ecological
diversity of indigenous flora of the physiographic region
described as Sandhill Prairie within the Northern Great
Plains.
Grassland Habitat [Composition] Objective:
Preserve, restore, and enhance the diverse native floral
communities so that greater than 75 percent is
composed of climax species (good to excellent range
condition). The following are the indicator species and
composition of the desired floral community by range
site (USDA Range Handbook and Potential Natural
Vegetation of Nebraska - Kaul and Rolfsmeier, 1993)
P Wetland Range: Eighty percent grasses (bluejoint
and northern reedgrass, inland saltgrass, prairie
cordgrass and foxtail barley); 15 percent grasslike plants
(sedges and rushes); 5 percent forbs (saw-toothed
sunflower, marsh hedge-nettle, Indian hemp dogbane,
swamp milkweed, arrowhead and smartweeds).
P Sub-irrigated Range: Seventy-five to 85 percent
grasses (switchgrass, big bluestem, Indian grass,
Scribner’s panicum, prairie cord grass, inland saltgrass
and purple lovegrass); 5-10 percent grasslike plants
(sedges and rushes); 5-10 percent forbs (American
licorice, blue verbena, purple prairie clover, stiff
sunflower, nodding lady’s-tresses, western ironweed,
milkweeds, goldenrods, closed and downy gentians,
blue lobelia, and the threatened western prairie
fringed orchid); 5 percent shrubs (leadplant, willow,
poison ivy, western snowberry, Arkansas and Wood’s
wild rose).
P Sand Range: Eighty to 95 percent grasses
(switchgrass, sand bluestem, little bluestem, big
bluestem, Indian grass, prairie sandreed, needle-and-thread,
porcupine grass, sand love grass, Canada
wildrye, Scribner’s panicum, western wheatgrass,
prairie June grass); less than 5 percent grasslike
plants (sedges); 10 percent forbs (blue verbena, bush
morning glory, cudweed sagewort, blazing star,
penstemons (shell-leaf, narrow beardtongue), western
ragweed, bracket spiderwort, Rocky Mountain bee
plant, evening primrose, prairie coneflower, silky and
purple prairie clovers, gilia, ten-petal mentzelia,
sunflowers, goldenrods, vetches, scurfpeas, yucca and
pricklypear cactus); less than 5 percent shrubs
(Arkansas and wild rose, leadplant, green sage, poison
ivy, sand cherry, wild plum, chokecherry and western
snowberry).
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 19
P Choppy Sands Range: Eighty-five percent grasses
(prairie sandreed, little bluestem, sand bluestem,
blowout grass, needle-and-thread, prairie June grass,
sand dropseed, sand love grass, spiny muhly, switchgrass,
and blue grama); less than 5 percent grasslike plants
(thread-leaf sedge); less than 10 percent forbs (bush
morning glory, painted milkvetch, bracted spiderwort,
western ragweed, cudweed sagewort, sunflowers,
scurfpeas, yucca, pricklypear cactus and the endangered
blowout penstemon); less than 5 percent shrubs
(Arkansas and wild rose, green sage, poison ivy, sand
cherry, wild plum, chokecherry and western snowberry).
Grassland Cover [Structure] Objective:
Annually provide diverse vegetation composition and
structure with greater than 50 percent (30,930 acres)
of the total grassland (61,861 acres) remaining in
undisturbed cover (i.e., vegetative cover that has not
been disturbed by grazing, mowing or fire during the
preceding growing season through July 10 of the
current year) to meet nesting, brooding, feeding and
protective cover requirements of various grassland
dependent wildlife species. The following combinations
of cover treatment and vegetative structure are recom-mended
for meadow and hill acreages:
Cover Treatment Acreage (%) VOR Ave. (Range) *
Meadow (13,106 Ac.)
Disturbed cover ~5,200 (~40%) ~ 3.0" (1-10")
1 Year Rest ~2,600 (~20%) ~10.0" (2-20")
2 Years+ Rest ~5,200 (~40%) ~12.0" (4-24")
Hills (48,755 Ac.)
Disturbed cover ~21,900 (~45%) <3.0" (1-10")
1 Year Rest ~12,200 (~25%) =>6.0" (1-16")
2 Years+ Rest ~14,600 (~30%) =>6.0" (1-18")
* - Visual Obstruction Readings averages are residual
cover readings taken in the Fall(before the upcoming
nesting season).
Wetland Habitat Objectives:
P Groundwater Resources: Maintain a database on
Refuge groundwater resources to ensure long-term
protection of Refuge groundwater quantity and
quality.
P Surface Water Resources: Maintain a database on
Refuge surface water resources by documenting
wetland elevations for long-term protection of Refuge
water supplies.
P Maximize production of invertebrate (protein) and
plant (carbohydrate) resources on 11,181 wetland acres
to provide an appropriate food base for indigenous
wildlife (migratory birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians,
fish) and enhance production on 2,650 acres of lakes for
sport fishing.
P Maximize food production for migratory birds by
providing an unexploited food base on the following
acreage of wetlands that are not designated for sport
fishing:
Wetland Class Acreage
Temporary 735
Seasonal 1,094
Semipermanent 4,636
Lakes 4,716
Total Acreage 11,181
P Enhance food production by periodic drawdowns/
renovations on the following Lakes designated for
sport fishing:
Wetland Acreage
Clear 532
Dewey 494
Duck and Rice 118
Hackberry 528
Pelican 617
Watts 173
West Long 76
Willow (Refuge) 112
Total 2,650
P Maintain Dewey Marsh Fen and identify and
maintain other fen sites which have unique vegetation
and hydrology.
20 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Indigenous Trees, Brush, and Planted Tree Habitat
Objectives:
Enhance the Sandhill Prairie landscape by reducing
invading cedar trees while still maintaining a representa-tive
interspersion of indigenous woody vegetation per
the following specific objectives.
Site specific indigenous woody vegetation recom-mended
targets:
P Maintain indigenous woody vegetation of the north
facing slopes next to the south shorelines of Clear,
Dewey, Hackberry, Pelican, Whitewater, Dad’s and
South Marsh Lakes.
P Maintain indigenous willow tree and brush on the
northwest-west ends of Dewey, Hackberry and Pelican
Lakes and around Duck Lake.
P Maintain indigenous trees in and adjacent to the
Headquarters and Sub-headquarters areas.
Recommended maximum target level of composition
by habitat unit:
P Willow occurrence and invasion on meadows and
around lakes (less than 10 percent).
P Cedar occurrence and invasion on meadows (less
than 5 percent) and in the Sandhills (less than 5
percent).
P Reduce cottonwood invasion in the northern King
Flat area.
P Maintain the two relic stands of quaking aspen at
the west end of Watts Lake Habitat Unit (H.U. 1A)
and the north side of Dewey Marsh (H.U. 3B)
Exotic Plant Species Objective:
Prevent additional exotic plant species from becoming
established and reduce the occurrence, frequency
and stand density of existing exotic species to less
than 5 percent of composition within five years.
Russian olive Black and honey locust
Siberian elm Mulberry
Smooth brome Quack grass
Reed canary grass Leafy spurge
Canada thistle Kentucky bluegrass
Wildlife
Goal: Preserve, restore and enhance the ecological
diversity and abundance of migratory birds and other
indigenous wildlife with emphasis on waterfowl, prairie
grouse, and other grassland dependent birds.
Discussion: The following wildlife objectives are based
upon unpublished Refuge data, and represent average
population levels that can normally be expected to occur
given the above habitat objectives. Periodic severe
weather events, continental changes in migratory bird
populations, and other factors can, and do, cause
fluctuations in Refuge populations.
Migratory Waterfowl Objectives:
P Achieve an average annual breeding pair density of
equal to or greater than 4,000 dabbling and 700 diving
ducks with a brood/pair ratio expressed as a percent of
equal to or greater than 20 percent over a five year
period (unpublished Refuge data 1978-91). A brood/
pair ratio is the percent of pairs that produce a brood
to flight stage.
P Maintain an annual breeding population of
approximately 100 Canada goose pairs.
P Provide approximately 11,000 acres of wetland for
spring and fall migrating waterfowl.
P Trumpeter swans: Cooperate with Lacreek NWR by
reporting all trumpeter swan production and winter
activity observed on and adjacent to Valentine NWR.
Generally one and periodically two breeding pairs of
swans are present on Valentine NWR.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 21
Other Migratory Bird Objectives:
P Maintain and increase breeding populations of
indigenous, neotropical migrants that are water-based
including American bittern, white-faced ibis, black
tern, marbled godwit, northern harrier and other
shorebirds and wading birds that inhabit the Refuge.
Establish average densities of appropriate species and
an overall species richness/diversity index to document
baseline levels and to determine subsequent population
trends.
P Maintain and increase breeding populations of
land-based species of management concern such as
upland sandpiper, long-billed curlew, short-eared owl,
barn owl, grasshopper sparrow, dickcissel, eastern
phoebe, eastern kingbird, loggerhead shrike, and
eastern meadowlark (Bogan, 1995). Establish average
densities of selected species and an overall species
richness/diversity index to document baseline levels
and to determine subsequent population trends.
P Maintain and increase breeding populations of
colonial nesting species (western and eared grebes,
Forster’s and black terns, cormorants and black-crowned
night herons).
P Evaluate reintroduction of breeding populations of
sandhill cranes to the Nebraska Sandhills and specifi-cally
Valentine NWR.
Prairie Grouse (Prairie Chicken and Sharp-tailed
Grouse) Objectives:
P Maintain a five-year average density of equal to or
greater than one prairie grouse lek per 1.6 sq. mi.
(28 total leks including 15 prairie chicken and 13
sharp-tailed grouse) within the area designated as the
State Survey Block. The Survey is a portion of the
Refuge surveyed each year as one part of a statewide
survey of prairie chicken and sharp-tailed grouse.
P Maintain annually a minimum of 35 prairie chicken
leks (2.8 sq. mi. / lek) throughout Valentine NWR.
P Annually achieve a minimum target sample of 350
prairie grouse wings from the Volunteer Prairie
Grouse Hunter Harvest Survey. Achieve a harvest
ratio of equal to or greater than 2.5 juveniles per adult.
The harvest ratio measures current year nesting
success and health of the population by comparing the
number of young in the fall population to the number
of adults. Ratios greater than or equal to 2.5 indicate a
healthy population.
Other Indigenous Wildlife Species Objective:
P Ensure the diversity and abundance of indigenous
mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates
remain intact. Establish average densities of key
indicator species to document baseline levels and to
determine subsequent population trends.
Introduced/Exotic Species Objective:
P Prevent the establishment of additional introduced
species and refrain from carrying out management
activities specifically to encourage population expansion
of existing introductions (pheasants).
P Reduce carp population densities in Refuge lakes.
Sport Fishery Objective:
P Maintain sustainable and harvestable populations of
sport fish in the nine designated sport fishing lakes.
22 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Threatened and Endangered Species
Goal: Contribute to the preservation and restoration
of endangered and threatened flora and fauna that
occur or have historically occurred around Valentine
NWR.
Threatened and Endangered Plant Objectives:
P Maintain approximately 72 acres of blowouts, with
potential for the endangered blowout penstemon, on
the Refuge. In a minimum of five blowouts, establish
and maintain populations of 100 penstemon plants per
blowout. Currently the Refuge has an estimated 72 acres
of blowouts in at least a dozen locations. Three
habitat units exist with very small natural populations of
penstemon and three additional habitat units with nine
blowouts that have had plants transplanted into them.
The blowout penstemon recovery plan has an objective of
maintaining ten population groups with 300 plants in each
group. The Refuge, if successful in increasing its
populations to the objective, would satisfy approximately
16 percent of the endangered penstemon recovery
goal.
P Maintain and manage a meadow habitat with
potential for western prairie-fringed orchids (2,000
acres) insuring an average annual population of 300
individuals in at least four locations. Currently the
Refuge has an estimated population of approximately
300 plants in five known locations. Western prairie-fringed
orchids have been observed on private land at
four other sites adjacent to the Refuge. The Refuge
currently manages meadows with orchids so that
plants can flower and set seed.
Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species
Objectives:
P Monitor and document migration use by whooping
cranes, piping plover, least terns, and peregrine
falcons. Record habitats used, areas used, and
durations of stay. Keep use areas free from human
disturbance while individuals are present. Use by
these species is so seldom that no habitat management
objective or population objectives can be stated.
Monitoring, documenting use, and keeping them
undisturbed may at some time provide insights into
ways to help these populations.
P Monitor and document use by American burying
beetles.
P Maintain large hackberry, cottonwood, and willow
trees around Refuge lakes as roost sites for migrating
and wintering bald eagles. Monitor and document
eagles use of habitat, roost trees, and eagle mortality.
Monitoring will help in describing key locations and
trees, and in documenting eagle mortality, a problem
in past years. Some of these wintering locations could
become nesting areas as eagle populations expand.
Species of Management Concern Objective:
P Maintain self sustaining populations of Blanding’s
and yellow mud turtles. Develop and implement
strategies to reduce mortality from vehicles.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 23
Interpretation and Recreation
Goal: Provide the public with quality opportunities to
learn about and enjoy Sandhill Prairie, fish, wildlife,
and history of the Refuge in a largely natural setting
and in a manner compatible with the purposes for
which the Refuge was established.
Interpretation, Wildlife Observation and Photography,
and Environmental Education Objective:
P Provide visitors with quality interpretation,
environmental education, wildlife observation and
photography opportunities.
Fishing Objective:
P Provide year-round fishing opportunities for warm
water fish in designated lakes in a largely natural
setting. Watts Lake has handicap accessibility.
Hunting Objective:
P Provide quality hunting opportunities for waterfowl,
deer, prairie grouse, pheasants, dove, and coyote on
portions of the Refuge. Limited controlled hunting
opportunities for elk will be available if elk are
reintroduced to the Refuge.
Cultural Resource Objective:
P Conduct a cultural resource inventory and provide
protection for and interpretation of Refuge historical
and prehistoric resources.
Ecosystem (Partner)
Goal: Promote partnerships to preserve, restore, and
enhance a diverse, healthy, and a productive ecosystem
of which the Fort Niobrara and Valentine NWR’s are
part.
Ecosystem Objectives/Strategies for the Fort
Niobrara/Valentine NWR Complex:
P Support the National Scenic River and Niobrara
River Council to meet desired future conditions of the
Niobrara Scenic River.
P Support the Sandhills Management Plan through
Partners for Wildlife Program for the enhancement of
wetlands, riparian, and surrounding grassland habitats
on private lands.
P Support uses of refuges as research areas for all
legitimate natural resource subjects. In consultation
with the Division of Endangered Species, conduct
applied management research relating to management
of endangered plant populations.
P Conduct baseline monitoring for contaminants on
the Valentine NWR, Fort Niobrara NWR and the
Niobrara River to identify changes in contaminant
concentrations relative to baseline concentrations
already established.
P Develop an effective outreach program that results
in two wildlife habitat/public use projects completed
annually with non-governmental organizations.
P Develop greater inter-agency cooperation resulting
in completion of at least two cooperative projects with
state and local agencies annually that materially
benefit area wildlife resources.
P Use the CCP document to help in marketing Refuge
needs. Through grant writing and networking with
other entities, accumulate outside revenue and other
sources to help in meeting Refuge objectives.
24 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action
Six alternatives were considered to guide the manage-ment
of Valentine NWR in the future.
Four alternatives for the management of Valentine
NWR were considered in detail and are described here
and summarized in Appendix A. The alternatives
considered were Current Management (No Action),
Historical, Intensive Wildlife Management, and
Modified Historical (Preferred).
Two alternatives, a maximization of economic uses and
placing the Refuge in custodial status, were briefly
considered but discarded because they are inconsistent
with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997, purpose of Refuge and mission of the
Refuge System.
The following is a discussion of how the remaining four
alternatives assist in fulfilling Valentine NWR’s goals
and objectives as described previously.
Current Management (No Action) Alternative
Grassland Management
Cattle grazing, rest, and prescribed fire are used to
manage grasslands on the Refuge. The 61,861 acres of
grassland on the Refuge are divided into 327 habitat
units by barbed wire and electric fences. Of this
acreage, 48,755 is in hills and 13,106 in meadows. Plans
are made each year to either graze, rest, or prescribe
burn grasslands on the Refuge.
In 1997, 34,789 acres (56 percent) of Refuge grasslands
were rested. Rested grasslands are those that are not
grazed by cattle or burned by prescribed fire. Refuge
studies have documented that rested grasslands are
preferred nesting cover for waterfowl and grouse.
Grassland management is designed to maximize
undisturbed cover. Undisturbed cover is grassland that is
not grazed, burned by either wild or prescribed fire, or
effected by hail for the preceding year’s growing season
and the current year’s nesting season. In 1997, 56 percent
of the Refuge grasslands were in undisturbed cover
through June 30.
In 1997, a total of 388 acres (less than 1 percent) of
grassland in seven habitat units were burned using
prescribed fire. Prescribed fire is used to invigorate
native grasses, reduce cedar trees in grasslands, and
control invader grasses such as brome and Kentucky
bluegrass. Prescribed fires are planned and conducted
by a fire crew from the Fort Niobrara/Valentine NWR
Complex. Wildfires on the Refuge are aggressively
suppressed by the same fire crew and local fire
departments under cooperative agreements.
Nine permittees held annual permits to graze approxi-mately
6,600 animal use months (AUMs) over the
period April 1, 1997 through March 30, 1998. The
permittees have held permits for many years and all
own land either adjacent to or near the Refuge. Refuge
staff plans a grazing program for each permittee to
maintain and improve the condition of Refuge grassland
for wildlife. Grazing permittees are charged at market
rate for use. Improvements and repairs to wells,
fences, tanks, and other facilities needed for the
program are paid for by the permittees, and the cost
deducted from their final bill. In 1997, $26,759 was
spent on improvements and deducted from final
billings. Deductions are also made from billings for
frequent moves of cattle and grazing treatments that
differ from normal ranching practices. In 1997, $46,203
was collected and deposited in the Refuge Revenue
Sharing Account.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 25
The methods and expected results for the different
grazing strategies used are explained below.
Spring grazing treatment is done before the end of
May on sub-irrigated meadow sites. The cattle are in
the unit for more than two weeks. Cattle eat or
trample most of the residual cover.They also overgraze
and thus reduce undesirable cool season exotic grasses
(Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome). Meadows
hayed are also sometimes given this treatment to add
fertilizer. Dramatic results occur with this treatment.
Exotic cool season grasses are suppressed and native
warm seasons (switchgrass and others) increase in
vigor and density. The disadvantage is the loss of the
unit for nesting in the year of treatment and a lower
waterfowl nesting density in the following year. Often
the unit can, however, be rested for up to five years
following treatment. In 1997, 30 habitat units totaling
6,099 acres (9 percent of grassland) received a spring
grazing treatment and included some areas that were
later hayed.
Spring short-duration grazing is grazing a unit for less
than two weeks during May. Generally the cattle are in
the unit for only 3 to 5 days. This type of grazing is
limited to hill units to stimulate growth of grasses,
especially cool seasons. The short exposure times
eliminate overgrazing. In 1997, ten habitat units
totaling 3,280 acres (5 percent of grassland) had
spring short-duration grazing treatments. Where
possible, units grazed later in summer the previous
year are grazed using this treatment. This both varies
treatment and reduces disturbance to nesting cover.
Most units grazed with spring short-duration grazing
show excellent growth of native vegetation by fall.
Short-duration summer grazing is done from June 1
through September 1. Cattle are in a unit for less than
two weeks. Most units are grazed only 3 to 5 days and
the cattle moved onto the next unit. Electric fences are
used to break up larger units and increase stock
density. Most short-duration summer grazing is
completed by mid-July. In 1997, 79 habitat units
totaling 19,723 acres (32 percent of grassland) were
short-duration summer grazed. Units grazed by this
method show good growth by fall if adequate moisture
is received. If little or no late summer rainfall is
received, regrowth is less, especially in those units
grazed in late July or August.
Summer grazing is done from June 1 through September
1 and cattle are in the unit for two weeks or longer. In
1997, no acres were summer grazed. If done, this is in
larger units that have not been cross fenced.
Fall grazing is done from September through November.
Fall grazing can reduce mulch accumulations and add
fertilization. If done at the proper time, cattle will also
graze out small wetlands dominated by prairie
cordgrass and leave the surrounding upland vegetation
alone. Generally the wetlands have green vegetation in
them while the uplands have only cured grasses.
Grazing in the wetlands recycles nutrients and provides
pair habitat for ducks in the spring. Most units that
are fall grazed are then given a spring grazing
treatment the following year. In 1997, six habitat units
totaling 1,446 acres (2 percent of grassland) were fall
grazed.
Winter grazing is done from November through April.
In winter grazing, cattle are fed hay on a feed ground
in a unit. The hay comes from the Refuge. Winter
feeding creates dense weed patches for several years
following the treatment. These weed patches provide
winter food for deer, pheasants, and other resident
wildlife. Units with a history of winter grazing combined
with feeding also have excellent growth of vegetation.
Resident wildlife also uses waste grain from the
feeding operation. In 1997, three habitat units totaling
1,167 acres (2 percent of grassland) were winter
grazed.
Haying was done on 714 acres (1 percent of grassland)
of sand, sub-irrigated, and wetland range sites and
yielded 1,520 tons of hay in 1997. Haying is done on a
share-basis with three permittees receiving 60 percent
and the Refuge receiving 40 percent of the hay harvested.
Some hay is also put up on a contract with the cost
deducted from permittees grazing bills. Most of the
meadows hayed are also grazed either in the fall or
spring. This adds fertilization to the meadows and
improves the quality and quantity of hay produced.
Haying is used to provide browse areas for Canada
geese, prairie grouse, and deer, and for winter feed for
the Texas Longhorn herd at Fort Niobrara NWR. In
some years, part of the Refuge share of hay is used for
road repair and maintenance. This was not done in 1997.
26 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Wetland Management
Most of the lakes, marshes, and wetlands on the
Refuge are natural and have no structures for water
level management. Drainage ditches put in before the
area was a Refuge can still be found in several locations.
These ditches are only active in high water periods and
are generally not effective in draining the Refuge
wetlands.
Several of the nine lakes open to sport fishing have dikes
and structures that offer limited water management
capabilities. On four lakes, water levels are generally
held at a level higher than the natural level to reduce
the possibility of a winter kill of sport fish. In normal
water years, the Refuge staff releases water from
these lakes at such a time as to not impact downstream
landowners’ haying operations. In recent high water
years, water has run continuously from these lakes.
These lakes also have fish barriers to keep the carp
from migrating between lakes and infesting new
waters. The lakes open to sport fishing were pumped
and treated with rotenone to kill the carp between 1975
and 1982. Following treatment they were restocked with
sport fish and have been managed as sport fisheries.
Sport fish are stocked frequently and on occasion
moved between lakes.
Threatened and Endangered Species
Threatened and endangered species recorded on the
Refuge are blowout penstemon, western prairie
fringed orchid, American burying beetle, bald eagle,
peregrine falcon, whooping crane, and least tern.
Managing and maintaining prairie habitat by using
rest, fire, and grazing will benefit these species.
Surveys for blowout penstemon have been conducted
on the Refuge and only several naturally occurring
plants found each year. Nine areas of blowout penstemon
have been transplanted onto the Refuge during the
past three years under a University of Nebraska
cooperative program. About 2,000 seedlings per year
were raised and transplanted in suitable habitat during
1996 to 1998.
Western prairie fringed orchids are surveyed in July
when in bloom. They grow in some areas mowed for
hay. In these areas, the plants are marked with stakes
so they are not cut. Areas where the orchids grow are
not grazed during the flowering season. The Service
assists the Task Force for Population Habitat Viability
Analysis for the orchid.
American burying beetles have been documented on
the Refuge.
Bald eagles are common winter residents on the
Refuge. Whooping cranes, least terns, and peregrine
falcons are only rarely seen. No special management is
conducted. Occasionally in the past, areas of the
Refuge were closed to the public when whooping
cranes were present on Refuge meadows. This closure
would be repeated if whooping cranes use the Refuge
during migration.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 27
Indigenous Wildlife
Wildlife diversity, with the exception of large ungulates
and their predators, is relatively unchanged in the
Nebraska Sandhills as compared to most areas of the
United States. Moreover, since the 1980’s the ecologi-cal
integrity of Sandhill Prairie on Valentine NWR has
been enhanced by planned treatments of grazing,
prescribed fire, and rest. These planned treatments have
resulted in a tremendous improvement in the vigor and
composition of native vegetation, natural aesthetics, and
simultaneously provided greater amounts of residual
vegetation for indigenous grassland wildlife than is
available throughout the remainder of the 19,000
square miles of the Nebraska Sandhills.
Long-term monitoring of key indicator species has
documented that waterfowl (particularly mallard) and
prairie grouse (particularly prairie chicken) populations
have benefited from the greater amounts of residual and/
or undisturbed vegetative cover. In fact, the Fort
Niobrara and Valentine NWR’s are the only refuges
that have retained historic populations of greater
prairie chickens in the System; and in both cases, these
populations have increased since the mid-1980’s.
Positive effects on other indigenous wildlife species
that require greater amounts of vegetative cover
undoubtedly exist; however, specific documentation is
not available for Valentine NWR.
The Service conducts very limited trapping of
mammalian predators and snakes on a nesting island
in the Marsh Lakes to benefit nesting waterfowl. The
Refuge has a trapping plan targeted to predator
control and muskrat disease outbreaks. No trapping by
the public took place on the Refuge in 1997.
Exotic and Invading Species
Prescribed fire, rest, and grazing are the main tools
used for controlling exotic and invader plants to
maintain healthy prairies. Spring grazing treatments are
especially effective in reducing Kentucky bluegrass,
the most widespread invader on the Refuge. Spring
grazing treatments and fire are also being used to
reduce smooth brome grass. Fire is also used to
remove cedar trees invading native prairies. The
acreages for these treatments are listed under the
grassland section.
Leafy spurge is present in several locations covering
less than ten acres. Insect releases for biocontrol have
been made in some patches of spurge and several
patches have been sprayed with herbicide. Canada
thistle is also present in small amounts in meadows
and along the edges of wetlands. High water has
reduced the range of this plant on the Refuge. Insect
releases for its control have also been made.
Reed canary grass and Russian olive are present in
small areas but have not been treated.
28 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Public Use
Valentine NWR has no accurate counts of the Refuge’s
visitors; thus, the quality of information on public use
on the Refuge is poor. For calendar year 1997, visitations
to Valentine NWR were estimated at 9,500 visits with
approximately 90 percent made up of anglers. Fishing
visits were lower in 1997 due to poor ice conditions
during the winter fishing season. The remaining 10
percent of visitors were mostly hunters. Increasing
numbers of people are visiting Valentine NWR for the
purpose of bird and other wildlife observation.
News releases on Refuge events are written and
distributed to area television and radio stations, as
well as to newspaper outlets. The Fort Niobrara/
Valentine NWR Complex also hosts special events
including the Nebraska Federal Junior Duck Stamp
Contest, a kids fishing day, a steel shot clinic, and a
nature fest. Unfortunately, some requests for tours
and educational programs are denied due to staffing
shortages.
Valentine NWR is outfitted with three information
kiosks at major entry points to the Refuge. The kiosks
have general information on the Refuge, a map,
information on management of grasslands for wildlife,
and leaflet dispensers.
Blinds for observing prairie grouse displays are set up
in the spring and receive plenty of use. People come to
the Refuge to birdwatch and enjoy the prairie. No
counts are made for this type of visitation, but Refuge
staff believe that it may be increasing.
Waterfowl hunting is permitted only in the Watts,
Rice, and Duck Lakes areas of the Refuge according to
the State’s seasons and limits. No counts were made,
but it is estimated that about 75 visits were made by
duck hunters.
The Refuge is open to hunting of sharp-tailed grouse
and prairie chickens during the State set season that
runs from mid-September through December. The
Refuge is a popular place for out- of-state, as well as
Nebraska, hunters to pursue prairie grouse. Grouse
hunters are surveyed via wing collection boxes placed
around the Refuge. In 1997, 258 hunter days were
recorded through the collection boxes. However, not
all hunters participate in the voluntary collection
program.
The Refuge is also open to pheasant hunting during
the State set season that runs from the first weekend
of November through the end of January. Pheasant
hunters made an estimated 100 visits to the Refuge in
1997. This is a large number of hunters considering
that bird numbers remain very low.
The Refuge is open to deer hunting during the Nebraska
rifle deer season in November. Most of the deer hunting
takes place on opening weekend. In 1997, a total of 88
deer were harvested including both white-tailed and mule
deer. These figures come from deer checked by Refuge
law enforcement officers and records obtained at
Nebraska Game and Parks check stations. The Refuge
probably receives the heaviest hunting pressure of any
location within the state hunting units. A higher
quality hunt is possible if opening day is avoided.
The Refuge is also open for muzzle loader deer hunting.
The season runs for two weeks in December. Hunting
pressure is light and only seven muzzle loader hunters
were known to hunt on Valentine NWR in 1997. This
form of hunting is, however, becoming more popular.
Permits are unlimited and statewide; either sex.
The Refuge is also open to archery deer hunting which
runs from mid-September through the end of December.
Only a few hunters were known to have visited the
Refuge to archery hunt in 1997.
Coyotes can be hunted on the Refuge from December
1 through March 15. A free permit is required and can
be obtained in person or by mail. The permit is a
postcard that the hunter returns at the end of the
season and includes harvest information. For the 1996-
1997 season, 37 permits were issued.
Nine Refuge lakes (Watts, Rice, Duck, West Long,
Pelican, Hackberry, Dewey, Clear, and Willow) are
open to fishing year round. Fishing, especially ice
fishing, accounts for most visits to Valentine NWR. An
estimated 7,900 visits were made for fishing in 1997. This
figure is based on very limited counts of anglers
throughout the year. In 1997, ice was on the lakes for
fewer days than average resulting in lower visits for
ice fishing. In some heavy use years, up to 17,000
anglers have been counted.
Bass, perch, bluegill, muskie, saugeye, and northern
pike are present in the fishing lakes. Size limits are in
effect to protect larger pike needed for carp control
and minnows are prohibited on Refuge lakes to
prevent introduction of exotic fish. Gas powered boats
are not allowed. Catch-and-release for bass and muskie
is in effect on Watts Lake. The Refuge lakes are most
noted for large bass, catch-and-release northern pike
fishing, and large bluegills. Many Master Angler
(trophy) fish are caught each year.
The Fort Niobrara/Valentine NWR Complex has one
seasonal and four collateral duty law enforcement
officers.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 29
Partnerships
The Refuge works with organizations and individuals
in a variety of areas but mostly in monitoring.
Cooperative efforts in monitoring are listed in the next
section. Fort Niobrara/Valentine NWR Complex staff
works with the following groups: with private landowners
through the Partners in Wildlife Program; with the
Natural Resource Conservation Service in the Wetland
Reserve Program; with Farmers Service Agency in the
easement program; with Cherry County Extension in
educational programs; with local law enforcement;
with the Niobrara Council on wild and scenic river
management; state, Federal, and local agricultural
agencies in weed control; U.S. Forest Service; and
U.S. Geological Survey.
The Refuge has formal agreements with rural fire
protection districts to suppress wildfires both on and
off the Refuge. Biologists from four universities
regularly study reptile physiology at the Refuge. The
Refuge plans grazing for, maintains the fence on, and
patrols the Willow Lake Game Management Area
adjacent to the Refuge. The Service works with
Nebraska Game and Parks in fish stocking, fish egg
collection and law enforcement. The Refuge staff
works with the eight Refuge grazing permittees to
manage grasslands on the Refuge using cattle.
Monitoring
The Refuge has one full-time biologist who conducts
biological monitoring on the Refuge with occasional
assistance from other staff. The main emphasis is on
grassland monitoring. Grassland transects are run each
year to evaluate cover, composition, and grassland
health. More than 100 photo points are taken to
document long-term changes to the grassland.
Techniques and information are shared with the
Forest Service.
Refuge staff completes segments of statewide surveys
in cooperation with the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission including sandhill crane, goose, waterfowl,
turkey, deer, wintering eagle, pheasant brood, grouse
brood, and prairie grouse breeding and productivity.
The Refuge maintains a weather station in cooperation
with the National Weather Service at Hackberry Lake.
Refuge staff read and report on U.S. Geological
Survey groundwater wells at more than 30 locations on
the Refuge. Both these efforts have been conducted for
60 years and yields long-term trend information.
Surface water levels are also recorded for some Refuge
lakes.
Surveys for sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chicken
are performed and used as an indicator of grassland
health. In the spring, lek counts are conducted; in the
fall, wing collection boxes are maintained. Part of the
lek count is a state count block and this information is
passed on to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Wing collection from hunters is done in cooperation with
the Forest Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission.
Pair and brood counts for waterfowl are done on the
Marsh Lakes to assess waterfowl production. Nesting
success of ducks is monitored on an island in the
Marsh Lakes as part of a long- term study. Colonial
and marsh nesting birds are also counted in some
areas of the Refuge. Monitoring for avian botulism is
conducted in late summer on Refuge lakes and wetlands.
An annual count of muskrat houses is done.
Fishery surveys using electrofishing, gill, and trap
nets are done on Refuge lakes open to fishing on a
regular basis by USFWS Fisheries Assistance Office
biologists.
Surveys of the threatened western prairie fringed
orchid and endangered blowout penstemon are
conducted. When orchids are found they are marked to
prevent mowing them during haying operations.
30 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Historical Alternative
Grassland/Fenced Animal Management
A major feature of the historical alternative is to
reintroduce bison to the entire Refuge. The entire
boundary will be fenced. A herd of 500 bison using
approximately 7,200 AUMs annually will be the
maximum herd size (winter/after sale). All interior
fences would be removed. Permittee cattle grazing
will be eliminated. Bison will come from excess animals
at the Fort Niobrara and other Department of the
Interior herds. No Texas Longhorns will be placed on
the Refuge.
Big game fences will be electric with a minimum of
seven strands. The fence will contain bison within the
Refuge, yet will allow egress and ingress of free roaming
antelope and deer herds. Bison age and sex ratios will
approximate natural free roaming herds. Sufficient
monitoring will be conducted to maintain herd
composition, health, genetic diversity, and annual
surplus removals. Excess animals will be disposed of
through traditional sales and donations according to
Department of Interior policy.
Grasslands will be maintained by using bison whose
distribution will be managed by using fire, water, and
placement of salt. Fire will also provide cedar control
and grassland invigoration. It is estimated that
between 1,000 and 8,000 acres could conceivably be
treated annually. Haying would not be conducted on
the Refuge.
Wetland Management
The Service would remove water control structures
and restore the designated fishing lakes to natural lake
levels. Ditches that have spoil banks present would be
filled. The Refuge would not actively practice water
level management in lakes and wetlands. Water levels
would be allowed to fluctuate with natural conditions.
Threatened and Endangered Species
The Refuge would continue to maintain existing
habitat and document threatened and endangered bird
species use. The Refuge will reintroduce blowout
penstemon in appropriate sites. The Service will
monitor and evaluate the interactions between bison
and T&E species.
Indigenous Wildlife
The Service will identify potential sites and attempt to
establish prairie dogs on the Refuge. The Refuge will
conduct and promote research and monitoring efforts
documenting the historic management setting.
Exotic and Invading Species
The Refuge will maintain its integrated pest management
program. Efforts to use mechanical and some chemical
control to reduce Canada thistle and leafy spurge will
continue. Increased efforts to reduce cedar through
prescribed fire will be conducted.
Public Use
Lakes open to fishing will not have managed water
levels; water heights will fluctuate naturally and fish
winter kill would be more frequent.
The current Refuge hunting programs will continue.
The Service will initiate hunts for bison as a herd
control management method.
The Refuge will increase interpretation of historical
ecology. Access to the main herds will be provided by
one concessionaire during peak public use periods.
Existing access to fishing lakes and other Refuge areas
will be maintained for wildlife observation and
photography and other public uses.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 31
Partnerships
The Service will continue its current cooperation with
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for sport fish
management. Agreements are in place for wildland
wildfire suppression efforts, surplus bison relocation
for the Inter Tribal Bison Council, participation in the
Niobrara Council, and other common coordination
efforts with other agencies and landowners will continue.
The Refuge will seek to increase partnerships with other
entities, particularly with bison management groups.
Inventory
The Refuge staff will establish (with Refuge personnel,
contract, Biological Resource Division (BRD), or in
cooperation with others) an inventory of the flora and
fauna to provide a baseline index of current habitat
conditions and species utilization for future reference.
Monitoring
Refuge staff will revise its current monitoring plan. At
a minimum the following monitoring will be conducted:
P wildlife herd monitoring sufficient to maintain age
and sex ratios, health, genetic diversity, and annual
excess removal.
P waterfowl production and migration trends.
P native bird species monitoring to supply trend
information on prairie grouse, species of management
concern, grassland neotropical migrants, biodiversity
trend indexes.
P monitoring fire effects as part of the prescribed
burning program.
P monitor habitat parameters (i.e., vegetation
composition and structure, tree canopy, etc.) (with a
minimum confidence level) to ensure that habitat
objectives are being measured for success according to a
Habitat Management Plan and the adaptive management
process.
32 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Intensive Wildlife Management Alternative
Grassland Management
Approximately 6,000 AUMs of forage will be removed
annually with short duration grazing by using
permittee cattle and longhorn cattle brought down
from Fort Niobrara. The number of longhorn AUM’s
may vary but normally will not exceed 1,500 AUMs.
Longhorn cattle use will occur for winter pasture
renovation, spring treatment of grasslands, and summer
grassland treatments. Longhorn AUM removal will
replace permittee cattle AUM removal. This amount of
forage removal is similar to existing removal rates
(current management). The major difference will be a
shift toward higher removal rates in April and May,
and less after June 15. Less hay will be removed than
is currently removed.
It is estimated that between 1,000 and 4,000 acres
could conceivably be treated annually with prescribed
fire. The purpose of prescribed fire will be to reinvigorate
grassland and to reduce a cedar invasion.
The Service will ensure that 60 percent or more of the
Refuge grassland is in an undisturbed cover condition
(42,000 acres) annually.
Wetland Management
Designated fishing lakes would be maintained in their
current condition. Ditches that have spoil banks
present would be filled. The Service would actively
practice water level management in lakes and wetlands.
Water levels would be drawn down periodically to
control the carp and to increase vegetative and aquatic
insect productivity. In fishing lakes, these renovations
would include restocking of sport fish.
Threatened and Endangered Species
The Service would continue to maintain existing
habitat and document threatened and endangered bird
use. Blowout penstemon will be reintroduced in
appropriate sites. The Service will conduct surveys for
American burying beetles, and conduct a Refuge-wide
survey for blowout penstemon and western prairie
fringed orchids. In consultation with Ecological Services
staff, the Refuge staff will conduct applied research on
management practices to promote increased federally
listed plant species production.
Indigenous Wildlife
The Service will identify potential habitat and attempt
to establish prairie dogs on the Refuge to the extent
possible. The Service will conduct and promote research
and monitor for species of special concern and unique
reptiles and amphibians present on the Refuge.
Predators would be controlled in prime nesting areas.
Exotic and Invading Species
The Service will maintain its integrated pest
management program. Efforts to use mechanical and
some chemical control to reduce Canada thistle and
leafy spurge will continue. Increased efforts to reduce
cedar through prescribed fire will be conducted.
Public Use
The number of lakes open to fishing will be reduced.
Lakes that remain open to fishing will have managed
water levels and periodic drawdowns to renovate lakes
and increase productivity. Renovations will include
restocking of sport fish.
The current Refuge hunting programs will continue. If
crowding develops, the Service will limit, if needed,
opportunities to hunt on the Refuge to ensure a quality
recreational experience.
The Service will increase the quality of interpretation
along major access points. Existing access to fishing
lakes and other Refuge areas will be maintained for
wildlife observation and photography and other public
uses. The headquarters will be moved to a location
along Highway 83.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 33
Partnerships
The Service will continue its current cooperation with
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for sport fish
management. Agreements in place for wildland
wildfire suppression efforts, participation in the
Niobrara Council and other common coordination
efforts with other agencies and landowners will continue.
The Service will seek to increase partnerships with other
groups. The Service will seek to trade Holt Creek
WMA to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for
portions of Willow, Rat, and Beaver Lake. The Service
will also seek to acquire three inholdings.
Inventory
The Refuge will establish (with Refuge personnel,
contract, BRD, or in cooperation with others) an
inventory of the flora and fauna to provide a baseline
index of current habitat conditions and species
utilization for future reference.
Monitoring
Refuge staff will revise its monitoring plan. At a
minimum the following monitoring will be conducted:
P waterfowl production and migration trends.
P native bird species monitoring to supply trend
information on prairie grouse, species of management
concern, grassland neotropical migrants, biodiversity
trend indexes.
P monitoring fire effects as part of the prescribed
burning program.
P monitor habitat parameters (i.e., vegetation
composition and structure, tree canopy, etc.) (with a
minimum confidence level) to ensure that habitat
objectives are being measured for success according to
a Habitat Management Plan and the adaptive
management process.
34 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Modified Historical (Preferred) Alternative
Discussion of Influencing Factors on Decision to
Select Preferred Alternative
During the initial interagency comment period, several
comments were made that the document did not give a
clear understanding of the reasons why the following
alternative was chosen. The following discussion
addresses these concerns.
Regional and field staff believed that the historical
grassland management setting and species that
contributed to that setting were important. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is focused on preserving
wildlife species and wildlands and strongly believes in
maintaining ecological relationships. A major herbivore,
the bison, is missing from Valentine NWR. Although
bison have been as close as the Fort Niobrara NWR,
the Service has substituted domestic cattle throughout
the years in an attempt to achieve the overall habitat
objective of the Refuge. It was believed that this was
an appropriate time to begin to phase into this change
and return the species and, with that, put a major
species back into the ecological setting of the Refuge.
Another ecological force, fire, is also believed to be
important. Obviously, concerns with the safety of this
tool exist. Recent increases in the Service’s funding for
prescribed fire and increased ability to use the tool
safely, make it an appropriate time to expand the use
of this tool and expand the benefit it provides to
grassland ecology.
The Service will use an adaptive management strategy
to implement this alternative. The primary focus will be
to achieve the habitat objectives defined for migratory
birds and other wildlife with bison being the most
significant management tool. Initially, bison will be
used on a portion of the Refuge to determine if the
mosaic of 50 percent undisturbed cover and plant
composition can be achieved in the tested area. Various
management strategies such as fire, salt, fencing, etc.,
will be utilized and modified to achieve the desired
grassland conditions. A period of at least five years will
be needed to assess the results of habitat management
through the use of bison in the tested area. If the
findings are favorable to achieving the habitat and
migratory bird objectives, the portion of the Refuge
utilizing bison grazing will be expanded as funding
permits. If the findings conclude that bison cannot be
used to achieve the described habitat and wildlife
objectives, this alternative will be revised to utilize
domestic livestock as the tool of choice.
Other aspects of the plan are similar to the current
management regime of the Refuge. These programs
are largely successful, well received by the public, and
there were no reasons to change them significantly.
Some additional discussion on this issue is found in
the Environmental Consequences Section.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 35
Grassland Management
A major feature of the preferred alternative is to
reintroduce bison to the Refuge. This would be
conducted in a phased-in approach with the first bison
placed in the southwest portion of the Refuge. In this
area, numbers of bison will be matched to the fenced
area, as much interior fence as possible will be re-moved,
and prescribed fire, water, and salt placement
will be used to influence use by bison. At least five
years will be used to evaluate the effects of this change
on grasslands and wildlife. After evaluation, the
Refuge will either expand the area grazed by bison as
funding permits or utilize domestic livestock as a
grassland management tool. Bison will come from
excess animals from Fort Niobrara. If evaluation
determines that bison are effective in meeting the
goals of the Refuge, eventually a herd of 450 bison
utilizing approximately 6,480 AUM’s would be present.
If bison are reintroduced, grazing by cattle would be
phased out. No Texas longhorn cattle from Fort
Niobrara NWR will be placed on Valentine NWR.
Big game fences will be electric wire fence that
controls bison within the fence, but allows existing free
roaming antelope and deer ingress and egress. The
proposed makeup of the bison herd has not been fully
determined. Several different strategies could be
implemented. Excess animals will be disposed of
through traditional sales and donations according to
Department of Interior policy.
Strategy A: The bison herd age and sex ratio
composition will be similar to many private herds. The
males will be young animals to simplify ease of han-dling,
and the herd will be largely cows, approximate
sex ratios of 1 bull:12 cows. The herd will be managed
primarily by a formal cooperative agreement with a
private bison manager or contractor. Major
responsibilities of the bison manager will be day-to-day
herd management, maintenance of boundary and other
fence, roundup and sale of excess animals according to
Refuge specifications, and coordination with Refuge
staff. Major Refuge staff responsibilities will be habitat
and other wildlife management.
Strategy B: Strategy B is the same herd makeup as
above; the difference would be that Refuge employees
will be responsible for day-to-day herd management,
and roundup and sale of excess animals.
Strategy C: Strategy C is to maintain a herd similar to
the existing Fort Niobrara herd, simulating natural
free roaming herds. This would mean older age bulls,
and more bulls so that a 1:1 sex ratio exists. This may
require a more substantial and costly fence, which if
similar to Fort Niobrara’s fence appearance, would
allow the addition of elk to the Refuge. The Refuge
staff would be responsible for day-to-day management,
sufficient monitoring to maintain herd composition,
health, genetic diversity, and annual excess removals.
Under all strategies current levels of grassland use
will be maintained so that a minimum of 60 percent of
the meadow areas and 55 percent of the hills are in
undisturbed cover.
The use of prescribed fire will be increased to invigorate
grasslands, provide cedar control, and assist in managing
areas used by bison. From 1,000 to 8,000 acres could
conceivably be treated annually.
Wetland Management
The Service will continue to maintain water control
structures and depths appropriate for sport fisheries
at designated fishing lakes. Ditch plugs will be placed
on ditches unnecessary for water management. The
Refuge staff will conduct drawdowns and renovations
of wetlands and lakes when possible to rejuvenate
wetland plant productivity and diversity, and provide
carp control. Sport fishing lakes may periodically be
drawn down and renovated. Renovations in these cases
would include restocking with appropriate mixes of
sport fish species.
Threatened and Endangered Species
The Refuge staff will continue to maintain existing
habitat and document endangered bird use and will
conduct surveys for American burying beetles. The
Refuge staff will intensify efforts to reintroduce
blowout penstemon and will conduct Refuge wide
surveys for it and western prairie fringed orchids. In
consultation with the Service’s Ecological Services
staff, the Refuge staff will conduct applied research
efforts to determine management practices promoting
these species. The Service will maintain existing
woodland, and promote regeneration of woodland
habitat along lake borders that are important as bald
eagle roosting sites.
36 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Indigenous Wildlife
The Service will identify potential sites and attempt to
establish prairie dogs on the Refuge. The Refuge will
be able to exclude prairie dogs from areas where their
presence presents a safety hazard. The Service will
maintain the existing furbearer harvest program,
which uses trapping as a management tool to achieve
Refuge wildlife objectives.
Exotic and Invading Species
The Service will continue its integrated pest management
program. Mechanical and some chemical control to
reduce Canada thistle, invasive cool season grasses,
and leafy spurge will continue. Increased efforts to
reduce cedar and exotic cool-season grasses through
prescribed fire will be conducted.
Public Use
The Service will continue its current sport-fishing
program on nine designated fishing lakes. No additional
lakes will have sport fish stocked in them.
The current Refuge hunting program will continue
with the exception of 160 acres adjacent to the
Hackberry Civilian Conservation Corps fire tower
which will be closed to hunting. This no-hunting area
will be from the west side of the George Wiseman
Research Natural Area west to the county road. This
fire tower, which is adjacent to the Wiseman Natural
Area, will be enhanced to support the addition of a
self-guided nature trail and interpretive observation
deck on the tower.
The Service will seek funds to move the headquarters
to an area along Highway 83 to improve environmental
education and interpretation of wildlife and cultural and
historic resources on the Refuge. Access to the main
bison herd will be allowed through one concessionaire on
the Refuge during peak public use periods, as part of
an overall Refuge program to educate the public
regarding bison and other wildlife. This concessionaire
may conduct trail rides during certain times of the
year. Current facilities, wildlife observation, and
photography uses will remain open.
Cultural Resources
The Service will develop a cultural resource/
paleontological management plan. The plan will
include Refuge-wide cultural resource inventory and
(paleontological) resource inventory strategies. It will
also include increased interpretation and protection of
and education about the cultural resources on the
Refuge.
Partnerships
The Service will continue its current cooperation with
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for sport fish
management. Agreements in place for wildland
wildfire suppression efforts, excess bison for the Inter
Tribal Bison Council, participation in the Niobrara
Council, and other common coordination efforts with
other agencies and landowners will continue. The
Refuge will seek to increase partnerships with other
entities.
The Service will seek to develop outside funding
sources and support for implementing some aspects of
this preferred alternative. Examples would be moving
the subheadquarters, big game fence, and possible
acquisition of several inholdings from willing sellers.
Trading Holt Creek Wildlife Management Area for
portions of Rat, Beaver, and Willow Lake State
WMA’s will be pursued with Nebraska Game and
Parks Commission. A partnering effort in bison
management will be pursued.
Inventory
The Refuge will establish (with Refuge personnel,
contract, BRD, or in cooperation with others) an
inventory of the flora and fauna to provide a baseline
index of current habitat conditions and species
utilization for future reference.
Monitoring
Refuge staff will revise its monitoring plan. The
subsequent section, Implementing the Plan, lists the
major monitoring and survey efforts the Refuge will
undertake as part of this alternative.
A more in-depth monitoring proposal/plan will be
completed in order to compare the change (if any) of
grassland species composition and structure and
subsequent wildlife response when bison and fire are
introduced as major habitat management tools.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 37
Yellowthroat Wildlife Management Area
This alternative includes the continued management and
conservation of the Yellowthroat Wildlife Management
Area formerly known as the Tower WMA. This area is
located in Sections 25 and 26, T28N, R22W, Brown
County, Nebraska. The area is composed of a 480-acre
parcel owned in fee title by the Service and an adjacent
440 acres protected by a Farmers Home Administration
Conservation Easement. Together, the 920 acres
protect 153 acres of wetland and 767 acres of Sandhill
Prairie, much of it restored after being cropped in the
1980’s. The area is physically located 13 miles south of
Ainsworth, Nebraska on Highway 7 and is accessible
by prairie trail.
Grassland and wetland habitats will be managed with
fire, rest, and permittee grazing under the same
objectives as discussed previously for Valentine NWR.
Some restoration of sandhill prairies is still needed on
previously cropped areas. The major habitat goals will
be to have a high quality prairie and wetland environ-ment
present for use by migratory waterfowl and
other wildlife.
Portions of the tract will be open to fishing, hunting,
wildlife observation, and photography in the same
manner and under the same authority as Valentine
NWR.
Holt Creek Wildlife Management Area
This alternative includes the proposed exchange of the
Holt Creek Wildlife Management Area for the Willow
Lake and Rat and Beaver Lake properties presently
owned and managed by the Nebraska Game and
Parks Commission. The Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission lands are located adjacent to Valentine
NWR. The Holt Creek Wildlife Management Area is
located about nine miles north of Springview, NE in
section 32, T35N, R20W in Keya Paha County,
Nebraska. Holt Creek flows through the 180 acre
property which has a mix of woodlands and grasslands.
Prior to the proposed exchange the tract will be open
to hunting, wildlife observation, and photography in
the same manner, and under the same authority, as
Valentine NWR. Habitat will be managed with
permittee grazing, fire and rest.
Implementing the Plan (Preferred Alternative)
This section is intended to provide additional information
to the preferred alternative section above. Where
possible; time frames are delineated, specific strategies
and actions are stated, and a list of projects and a
summary of estimated project costs are presented.
Habitat
Grassland
Bison from Fort Niobrara NWR will be used to stock
Valentine NWR. Permittee grazing and haying will be
phased out as bison are reintroduced. Present permittees
will retain their grazing privileges for ten years following
the signing of this plan. Any permittees who drop out
during the ten-year period will not be replaced. As
permittees leave in the next ten years, bison will be
reintroduced to the Refuge. At the end of ten years, if
all the Refuge is not fenced for bison, a bid system will
be used to secure permittee grazing. Permittees may
be required to move their cattle longer distances
within the Refuge as areas are fenced for bison. The
entire boundary will be fenced with a bison proof
electric fence phased in over time.
Corrals will be built to sort, handle, and load bison.
Some windmills will be retained to provide water for
bison herds during the winter, to attract bison to areas
in need of grazing pressure, and as a water source for
wildland wildfire suppression efforts.
Placement of salt will be used to attract bison to areas
needing grazing.
Some interior electric fencing will be retained or
constructed to control bison movements and allow
habitat rest in some areas. This fence will be removed
in increments and effects of removal on grasslands and
bison movements monitored. Approximately 250 miles
of interior fence will be removed. The 100 miles of
electric fence can probably be sold.
Monitoring of fire effects on grasslands and animal
distribution will be conducted by fire staff.
Additional equipment for prescribed fire work will be
needed.
Fences around existing tree plantings will be removed;
no new tree belts will be planted. Tree rows planted by
the Civilian Conservation Corps will not be removed,
replaced, or fenced.
38 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Wetlands
Old ditches draining Refuge wetlands will be plugged.
Continue use of northern pike as a predator to control
the carp.
Carp barriers will be constructed where needed and
renovations conducted where possible. Restocking of
Refuge wetlands and lakes will be done with native fishes.
Drought and winterkill may present opportunities for
renovation and exclusion of the carp. Maintain water
control structures on three lakes and build carp
barriers on Marsh Lakes.
Remove Calf Camp water control structure, replace
with a culvert, and return the wetland to its natural
level.
A Crissafulli pump is needed to increase water
management capabilities.
Habitat Acquisition
A trade of land in fee title or a management agreement
will be sought for the exchange of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’s Holt Creek Wildlife Management
Area for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s
Willow Lake and Rat and Beaver Lakes Wildlife
Management Areas.
Trades or purchase of lands with willing landowners
will be sought to reduce inholdings and straighten
boundaries, and reduce boundary fencing costs.
Wildlife
Bison will be phased-in to the Refuge grassland
program and permitted to increase to a herd size of
450 head.
Establish at least one prairie dog town east of Highway
83 and at least one west of Highway 83 of 400 acres
each, if suitable habitat is present. Towns will not be
established adjacent to Refuge boundaries.
Conduct an education program to reduce turtle
mortality from visitors driving Refuge trail roads and/
or modify trails to ensure reduced turtle mortality.
Continue monitoring prairie grouse populations using
lek counts and the hunter harvest survey.
Annually conduct the Breeding Bird Survey route at
Valentine NWR.
Use point count or line transects to sample grassland,
wetland, and woodland songbirds; annually conduct a
colonial nesting bird survey.
Limited trapping by Refuge staff and a public trapping
program for management purposes will continue.
Conduct a feasibility study, and if feasible, reintroduce
sandhill cranes as a nesting bird.
Waterfowl pair and brood counts will be conducted on
a sample of Refuge lakes.
Monitor reptile, amphibian, and small mammal
populations at five year intervals.
Conduct a survey to determine native fish species
presence and abundance.
Maintain a sport fishery in the nine lakes presently
open to fishing in cooperation with Nebraska Game
and Parks Commission by using fish stocking, transfer
of fish between lakes, surveys, drawdowns, renova-tions,
brood stock, and egg harvest.
Fishery surveys using electrofishing, gill and trap nets
will be done on a regular basis by the USFWS Fisheries
Assistance Office.
Conduct an annual winter count of muskrat houses.
Refuge lakes and wetlands will be monitored for
botulism and other diseases, dead birds picked up, and
disposed of according to USFWS regulations.
Conduct American burying beetle surveys.
Completing the above monitoring and survey
requirements will require the addition of two seasonal
biological technicians.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 39
Interpretation and Recreation
Interpretation, environmental education, wildlife
observation, and photography
Prepare a site plan under contract. This site plan will
include information on visitor access, interpretive
themes, and locations for future developments.
The rest rooms, information area, and boat ramp at
Hackberry Headquarters will be closed.
Construct an observation platform on the Hackberry
CCC fire tower, and provide a self-guiding nature trail
leading from the parking area to the Hackberry CCC
fire tower.
Provide a self-guiding auto tour route passable in a
passenger car. Cost is variable depending upon
location and distance.
Maintain information kiosks/leaflet dispensers at the
main Refuge entrances.
Provide one information and regulation sign at
entrances and remove most of the regulation and
information signs in the interior of the Refuge.
Update Refuge brochures to the new USFWS standard.
Provide access for viewing to the main bison herds and
roadless areas of the Refuge through a concessionaire.
Provide blinds for viewing prairie grouse on leks.
Designate a prairie hiking trail for visitors to get to
remote areas of the Refuge on foot.
Move headquarters to a location along Highway 83 and
provide staffing during the week to provide information
to visitors.
Fishing
Provide one improved boat ramp at all fishing lakes
except Rice which will remain walk-in fishing only.
Develop one additional handicapped accessible fishing
dock and parking area on the Refuge. Other accessible
sites will be provided in future years.
Use of live minnows will be prohibited.
Electric motors, row, and paddle power will be allowed;
gas powered motors will be prohibited.
Guiding will be allowed under a permit; a maximum of
five guides will be allowed. Guides will be selected by
lottery if demand exceeds supply. Guides will pay a fee
of a percent of gross receipts and/or a flat fee to the
Refuge.
Catch-and-release fishing tournaments by nonprofit
groups will be permitted.
Taking of frogs, turtles, and minnows will not be
authorized.
Size limits and catch-and-release may be used to
manage northern pike for carp control and provide a
trophy fishery.
The Refuge fishing leaflet will be updated to USFWS
standards.
40 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Hunting
Waterfowl, deer, prairie grouse, pheasants, dove, and
coyote hunting will be allowed in designated areas of
the Refuge. If elk are reintroduced to the Refuge,
limited hunts will be allowed with permits available by
drawing and an application fee will be charged.
Guiding will be allowed by permit with a maximum of
five guides allowed. Guides will be selected by lottery if
demand exceeds supply. Guides will pay a fee of a
percent of gross receipts and/or a flat fee to the
Refuge.
No new roads will be constructed for hunter access;
some existing hunting access roads will be improved to
all-weather roads as funding permits.
Hunting tournaments will not be allowed on Valentine
NWR.
Dog training will not be allowed outside regular
hunting seasons.
If crowding occurs or develops during hunting seasons,
a permit system with drawings for permits will be
instituted.
Persons charging a fee for the use of their horses to
haul big game from the Refuge will be required to
obtain a permit and pay a fee.
Cultural Resources
A cultural resource inventory will be completed under
contract.
The history of the Civilian Conservation Corps will be
interpreted at the fire tower observation platform.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 41
Staffing Needed to Implement the Valentine NWR
Preferred Alternatives (CCP)
The following staff chart shows current staff and
proposed additional staffing needed to fully implement
the preferred alternative. If all positions were filled,
the Refuge Complex can carry out all aspects of the
preferred alternative. If some positions are not filled,
all aspects of the plan cannot be completed or those
completed may be done over a longer period of time.
Staffing and funding are expected to come over the
15-year life of this plan. Positions marked with an * are
shared with Fort Niobrara NWR. The new refuge
operations specialist position would be responsible for
the Partners For Wildlife program, Holt Creek WMA,
and Yellowthroat WMA. (X = filled; -- = vacant)
Position Current Proposed
Refuge Manager* X X
Refuge Operations Specialist X X
Refuge Operations Specialist* -- X
Outdoor Recreation Planner* -- X
Law Enforcement Officer* X X
Administrative Officer* X X
Office Automation Clerk* X X
Wildlife Biologist X X
Biological Technician -- X
Biological Technician/Seasonal (2) -- X
Heavy Equipment Operator* X X
Maintenance Worker X X
Maintenance Worker (2) -- X
Maint. Laborer/Seasonal (2) -- X
Asst. Fire Management Officer* X X
Range Technician (Fire) X X
Firefighter/Seasonal (3) X X
Funding Needed to Implement Valentine NWR Pre-ferred
Alternative (CCP)
The Refuge currently has a large backlog of maintenance
needs. The needs are recorded in a national Maintenance
Management System (MMS). In 1997, under current
management plans, the backlog for Valentine NWR
was $3,633,000. Most of these maintenance needs
would also need to be met under the preferred or other
alternatives. A synopsis of these needs is listed below:
Vehicles and Equipment $794,000
Fences, Windmills, Tanks $230,000
Water Control Structures and Dikes $258,000
Roads and Gates $790,000
Public Use Facilities $131,000
Buildings and Maintenance Facilities $672,000
Residences $282,000
Administrative Buildings/Facilities $476,000
TOTAL $3,633,000
42 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
The System uses another database, Refuge Operating Needs System (RONS), to document proposed new projects
that will implement a comprehensive conservation plan, implement ecosystem or endangered species goals or meet
legal mandates. In 1998, the total for projects in the RONS is $6,543,000 with annual recurring costs (including
salary costs) of $475,000. Most of this cost is associated with the need to upgrade substandard roads. A synopsis of
these needs is listed below:
Construction First Year Annual Recurring
Roads, parking areas/related facilities $5,650,000 $358,000 $205,000
Biological Monitoring and Studies -- $283,000 $149,000
Habitat Restoration $ 115,000 $ 27,000 $ 9,000
Habitat Management -- $118,000 $ 80,000
Partners for Wildlife Program -- $ 27,000 $ 2,000
Resource Protection $ 320,000 $275,000 $ 30,000
Public Education and Recreation $ 458,000 $358,000 $205,000
TOTAL $6,543,000 $1,446,000 $680,000
The preferred alternative also proposes projects that have costs that are not included in the MMS or RONS. The
total of these costs is $3,256,000. A summary of these costs follows:
Bison fence and corrals (for entire Refuge) $2,200,000
Carp and water control structures 160,000
Move headquarters to site along Highway 83 640,000
Wildlife projects 38,000
Public use projects 18,000
Cultural resource inventory 200,000
TOTAL $3,256,000
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 43
Affected Environment
Geographic/Ecosystem Setting
Valentine NWR is 71,516 acres in size and lies in the
heart of the Nebraska Sandhills, the largest sand dune
area in the Western Hemisphere and one of the largest
grass-stabilized regions in the world (Bleed and
Flowerday, 1989). The Sandhills are characterized by
rolling, vegetated sand dunes and interdunal valleys
which spread over the landscape from a northwest to
southeasterly direction. Native grasses predominate.
Many shallow lakes and wetlands are interspersed in
the lower valleys. Wildlife diversity, except large
ungulates and their predators, is relatively unchanged
since early settlement in the Sandhills.
Grassland comprises 90 percent of the 19,300 square
mile region with nearly 97 percent of the total acreage
being in private ownership (Bleed and Flowerday
1989). The predominant land-use of the Sandhills is
beef cattle production which can have significant
impact upon the biological diversity of native flora and
fauna. Management of lands adjacent to the Refuge
and throughout the Sandhills employ a combination of
grazing and haying to support the ranching economy.
A variety of grazing treatments and rotations are used.
Most meadows are mowed or hayed annually. Pre-scribed
fire is used very rarely. Grasslands seldom
receive a prolonged rest treatment.
In the Sandhills, habitat is not a limiting factor for
those species of wildlife that rely on, or are tolerant of,
disturbed cover (i.e., mowed and/or grazed grasslands).
Valentine NWR is one of the few areas in the Sandhills
where management can be dedicated to enhancing
those species of flora and fauna that do not thrive
under management strategies emphasizing economic
return.
An estimated 177,000 acres of open water and marsh
and 1,130,000 acres of wet meadows remain in the
Sandhills. These are mostly freshwater wetlands and
include wet meadows, shallow marshes, fens, alkaline
wetlands, and range in size from 1 to 2,300 acres with
80 percent of them less than 10 acres in size (LaGrange
1997). Many Sandhills wetlands have been drained in
attempts to increase hay production. Estimates of the
amount drained range from 15 percent (McMurtry et
al. 1972) to 46 percent (USFWS 1986). Wetland
drainage continues to this day. On Valentine NWR
there are drainage ditches dug before the area became
a Refuge. Most do not carry water but in very high
water years.
An Atlas of the Sandhills, 1989, by Bleed and Flowerday,
is an excellent reference for those wanting more in-depth
information on the Sandhills of Nebraska.
Climate
The climatic patterns of the Nebraska Sandhills are
characteristic of the Central Great Plains. The climate
is continental with cold winters and hot summers with
frequent thunderstorms occurring from the spring to
late summer. Annual precipitation averages 17 to 23
inches from the western to the eastern portion of the
Sandhills (Wilhite and Hubbard 1989) and, coupled
with high evapotranspiration rates, has significant
ecological effect on the region. Valentine NWR has
been an official weather station since 1935. Annual
precipitation since 1945 has averaged 21.6 inches.
Temperature extremes range from -38oF in the winter
to 111oF during the summer. Climatological conditions
have generally been favorable since the mid 1970’s and
relatively high annual precipitation levels have resulted
in positive net moisture balances (annual precipitation
minus open pan evaporation) during most years since
1976.
Air Quality
Air quality is good due to the distance to any urban or
industrial areas from the Refuge.
Soils
Most of the soils are wind-laid sand that has not been
held in place long by vegetation. They are light colored
and have little organic matter. The soils in basins,
valleys, and wet meadows have thicker and darker
surface layers and more organic matter than soils found
in the hills. Rainfall is quickly absorbed by the sandy soils
and causes little erosion and low evaporation rates.
Native grasses grow well in these conditions. Soil
exposed by overgrazing or plowing is subject to wind
erosion (Layton et al 1956). The main soil types are the
Valentine-Els-Tryon and Valentine-Thurman
Associations (Kuzila 1989). In 1997 and 1998 the soils
of the Refuge were surveyed for mapping by the
Natural Resource Conservation Service.
44 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Water Resources and Associated Wetlands
The Nebraska Sandhills overlay the High Plains Aquifer
- commonly referred to as the Ogallala Aquifer. This
groundwater resource creates an interspersion of shallow
lakes, semi-permanent, and temporary wetlands in the
lower elevations and valleys where the groundwater
level is exposed. Water resources are the driving force
supporting the ecological diversity and integrity of the
Nebraska Sandhills.
There are 37 major wetland complexes on Valentine
NWR totaling approximately 13,000 acres. These
wetlands are a mix of shallow lakes, marshes, seasonal
wetlands, wet meadows, fens, and small streams that
run during high water periods. Wetlands are well
dispersed throughout the Refuge grasslands.
Submergent and emergent vegetation in lakes and
marshes range from very sparse to dense depending on
soils and alkalinity. Emergents include cattail, bulrush,
wild rice, and phragmites. Vegetation bordering wetlands
is primarily grasses. Some lakes are bordered by trees
on the south shores.
Water control structures have been installed on six
lakes, however, only four can increase water elevations
significantly above the maximum, naturally functioning
level. Several Refuge lakes have water level gauges
where records of lake levels are recorded. Refuge staff
also record water levels in U.S. Geological Survey
groundwater survey wells. Some old drainage ditches
dug before the Refuge was established remain. These
ditches are only partially functional due to siltation
and perhaps poor design. In several areas, wetlands
have been dug out in wet meadows and fens to produce
open water areas.
Most of the wetlands on the Refuge rise and fall
depending on precipitation and groundwater levels.
Precipitation for the past 17 years has been high
resulting in record levels for lakes. The Marsh Lakes,
historically a very large cattail marsh with three areas
of open water and a closed basin, is now one large lake
with water flowing out of the basin. Refuge wetlands
normally function as a closed system and only during
high precipitation periods does excess surface water exit
the Refuge. Refuge wetlands are shown in Figure 2.
Vegetation
Grasslands
Sandhill Prairie is within the wide transitional zone of
the Mixed Grass Prairie between Tallgrass Prairie and
the Short Grass Plains. Annual precipitation is typical
of the semi-arid Mixed Grass Prairie; however, the
Nebraska Sandhills is characterized by a predominance
of post climax tallgrass species typical of a greater
moisture regime (Oosting 1948, Keeler et al. 1980).
This mixture and general dominance by Tallgrass
Prairie species is locally influenced by topography (i.e.,
the soil moisture holding capacities and soil moisture
penetration in different textures of the sand soil range
sites and the root structures and the photosynthetic
strategies of cool and warm season plants) (Tolstead
1942, Barnes 1984). Refuge vegetation is shown on
Figure 3. Four basic range sites are located within the
Sandhills.
Wetland range sites are the low meadow sites dominated
by grass species that thrive in a moisture saturated
soil profile (i.e., prairie cordgrass, blue-joint reedgrass,
sedge species, and non-grass species such as golden
rods, saw-toothed sunflower and willows). A federally
threatened species, western prairie fringed orchid, is
found within the wetland range site.
Sub-irrigated range sites are meadows that are very
close to the groundwater level. Sub-irrigated range
sites are dominated by Tallgrass Prairie species such
as big bluestem and Indian grass. Soil moisture in the
sub-irrigated range site is adequate to support the
deep rooted warm season native grasses even during
periods of drought. Sub-irrigated range sites are
commonly invaded by exotic species such as Kentucky
bluegrass, smooth brome, and red top.
Sand range sites comprise the dry meadows (low sand
sites) and the gently undulating Sandhills. Native
vegetative species common to the sand range sites are
cool season grasses: needle-and-thread, porcupine
grass, prairie June grass and western wheat grass; and
warm season grasses typical of the Tallgrass Prairie:
prairie sandreed, sand bluestem, sand love grass, little
bluestem, and switchgrass. Typical non-grass species
of the sand range site include stiff sunflower, yucca,
lead plant, and prairie rose. Exotic smooth brome and
Kentucky bluegrass tend also to invade the lower
elevations of the sand range sites.
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 45
Figure 2
46 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 47
Figure 3
48 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999 49
Choppy sand range sites are the characteristic sand
dunes for which the Nebraska Sandhills is named.
Many vegetational characteristics are common to the
sand range sites, but there is a greater proportion of
unvegetated sand soil surface that is subject to wind
and water erosion. Typical perennial grasses include:
blue grama, sand bluestem, prairie sandreed, blowout
grass, sand love grass, little bluestem, spiny muhly;
and non-grass species include yucca, prairie rose and
sunflowers. The federally endangered species, blowout
penstemon, is endemic to the Nebraska Sandhills and
its characteristic habitat includes the blowouts and
open sand areas of the choppy sand range sites.
Native perennial and annual flowering forbs adorn the
various range sites on Valentine NWR; some of which
are only found on native grasslands that have not been
degraded by the impact of modern man (i.e., conversion
of grassland to farm land, use of herbicides, and chronic
overgrazing of livestock) (Weaver 1961, Farrar 1990).
Trees
Approximately 45 species of native and introduced
trees and shrubs exist in the Sandhills. Native willows are
found around wetlands as are occasional cottonwoods.
Hackberry, choke cherry and American plum are
found on the north slopes usually adjacent to the south
sides of lakes. The abundance of woody cover has
drastically changed since Valentine NWR was
established. Many shrub and tree species, including
nonnatives, were planted by the Civil Conservation
Corps during the 1930s. Since then cedar and Russian
olive trees have been expanding and invading grassland
and are beginning to jeopardize the floral and faunal
integrity of native Sandhills Prairie.
Threatened and Endangered Plants
Blowout Penstemon
Hayden’s, or blowout penstemon, is perhaps
Nebraska’s rarest plant and is listed as endangered
under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act
(Farrar 1990). Listing was accomplished in 1987. This
species is endemic to the Nebraska Sandhills and is
dependent upon disturbance, to promote the blowouts
or open sand habitat, for its existence (Fritz et al.
1992). The plant grows in and around blowouts, areas
of open sand maintained by wind erosion. A small
number of naturally occurring blowout penstemon
plants have been found in three locations on the Refuge.
In recent years, seedlings have been transplanted into
nine blowouts in an attempt to increase the population.
Blowout penstemon has also been documented at two
locations immediately adjacent to Valentine NWR.
Since 1979, annual inventories have been conducted by
personnel from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
Chadron State College, and Valentine NWR.
Western Prairie Fringed Orchid
The western prairie fringed orchid is one of Nebraska’s
rarest wildflowers (Farrar 1990) and, in 1989, was
listed as threatened under the provisions of the
Endangered Species Act. Prairie fringed orchid site
locations are characterized by a high soil moisture
profile common to the wetland range sites on Valentine
NWR (Fritz 1993). Since 1985, inventories have been
performed by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
and Valentine NWR personnel. Prairie fringed orchids
have been documented at eight sites on Valentine
NWR and at three sites on private land immediately
adjacent to Valentine NWR.
Grassland management treatments that pose a threat
to prairie fringed orchids are continuous and/or
inopportune timing of grazing and mowing; the
indiscriminate use of herbicides; and application of
insecticides that may affect populations of the insect
pollinators (Fritz 1993). Prairie fringed orchids have
been reported to respond to spring grassland burns
(Sather et al. 1992) and fall burns (Hull-Seig and King
1995). Management on Valentine NWR involves
excluding prairie fringed orchids from mowing and
grazing manipulative treatments during the critical
period of plant growth through the maturation of seeds
(June - September).
50 Valentine Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - April 1999
Wildlife
The Sandhills of Nebraska is one of the few prairie
areas in the United States that has not been converted
to farmland. This, plus the abundance of a variety of
wetlands, has resulted in most of the native plants and
animals historically found in the area still being
present today. A list of bird, mammal, amphibian and
reptile species present at Valentine NWR can be found
i