Public Input Needed on Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Conservation Plan Update
06/05/10« Back
PRESS RELEASE
451 McCormick Road
Coraopolis, PA 15108
(412) 262-4044
www.ruffedgrousesociety.org
June 5, 2010
For Immediate Release
The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Tucker County, West Virginia will be holding public meetings and seeking public input regarding their Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan update.
The plan will help guide management on the Refuge for the next 15 years.
According to Ruffed Grouse Society( RGS) Senior Biologist Mark Banker, Canaan Valley is famous for its unique woodcock habitat and hunting opportunities. Over the life of this draft management plan, much of this habitat could be lost if provisions are not in place to maintain it. “This is a unique opportunity for woodcock enthusiasts to provide critical input to insure that habitat and hunting is addressed,” Banker said.
Past documents have set precedence. Because grouse, woodcock and other shrub-land species like golden-winged warblers, eastern towhees, field sparrows, brown thrashers and many others are declining precipitously across their range, it makes sense for the Refuge to honor earlier commitments made in the their EnvironmentaI Impact Statement and Station Management Plan to make early successional habitat management a keystone priority of this Refuge, fully funded and staff supported within the CCP.
On each of the days listed below, the Refuge will host an afternoon public session from 2 - 4 p.m. and an evening session from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Each session will include a short presentation on the draft plan, after which Fish and Wildlife Service staff will record public comments.
Tuesday, June 15, Canaan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, State Route 32 and Cortland Road, Canaan Valley, WV; Wednesday, June 16, Tucker County Senior Center, 206 Third Street, Parsons, WV; Thursday, June 17, Randolph County Community Arts Center, Corner of Park St. and Randolph Ave, Elkins, WV.
Public involvement is crucial in the planning process and we encourage your participation. Your comments will help shape the final plan. The Refuge asks that you please submit your comments by July 16, 2010 by regular mail or e-mail. Written comments can be sent to: Beth Goldstein, Refuge Planner, Northeast Regional Office, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley , MA 01035, 413-253-8564, Fax: 413-253-8468; E-mail: northeastplanning@fws.gov; include Canaan Valley NWR in the subject. You can also submit comments at the open houses and public hearings.
If you would like to learn more about the CCP process for Canaan Valley NWR, visit Planning Process on the Canaan Valley NWR website: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/planning/Canaan%20Valley/stepH.html.
For more information contact Mark Banker at 412-720-6034, or by e-mail at: rgsbank@comcast.net .
Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.
Information on the RGS, its mission and management projects can be found on the web at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.
Media Contact:
Mark Banker
412-720-6034
E-mail: rgsbank@comcast.net
