Comment sought on refuge plan
Work is continuing on the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment.
Developers are seeking public comment to help fine-tune the document, which is expected to be finalized next spring.
So far, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed three preliminary management alternatives for consideration.
Alternative 1 would make no changes from existing refuge management, maintaining existing programs for wetlands, grasslands and croplands for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, deer and elk.
Waterfowl hunting would remain allowed on 740 acres, four days per week, and big game and grouse hunting would remain allowed on 500 acres, with no fees, permits or restrictions.
The 4.5-mile auto tour route around the refuge would remain open and five trails, totaling 5.2 miles, would remain open for walking, jogging and leashed dog walking.
Alternative 2 would retain wetland, cropland and grassland management, and increase the restoration of native riparian areas and grassland.
Small grain and green browse crops would be reduced, while moist soil wetlands would be increased, with improvements to the water management infrastructure.
Deer and elk populations would be managed through special permitted hunts to protect restored riparian areas and forested habitats would be thinned to open understory and reduce ladder fuels.
The auto route would remain open, and four hiking trails would remain open for a total of 3.7 miles.
The Island Pond trail would be closed permanently to reduce disturbance to waterfowl.
The waterfowl hunting area would be reduced to 610 acres and a 218- yard non-shooting area west of the auto tour route and the Deep Creek Trail would be created.
Waterfowl hunting would be closed on Sundays, and fixed blind and free roam hunting areas would be separated.
Big game hunting west of the Westside Road and Lions Den Road would be discontinued.
Upland game hunting for grouse and turkey would continue to be allowed, though fishing along Myrtle Creek would be limited to catch and release.
Alternative 3 is similar to Alternative 2 as far as habitat management.
The auto tour route would remain open for hiking, jogging, skiing and drives, and 4.8 miles of five hiking trails would be available.
Island Pond Trail would be closed, but the Kootenai River Trail, which was closed in 2004, would reopen from March to August. Hunting and fishing are the same as proposed in Alternative 2.
The overriding wildlife and habitat of the refuge are to provide a mixture of grasslands for foraging and nesting migratory waterfowl and grassland-dependent wildlife.
The goal also is to provide agricultural crops as forage for migratory waterfowl, to manage and enhance wetland habitats characteristic of the Kootenai Valley, to manage and enhance the diverse forest habitats characteristic of the lower elevations in the Selkirk Mountains.
The changes also are designed to maintain and enhance Kootenai River Valley riparian areas, to maintain and, where possible, to restore in-stream habitats on the refuge to benefit native fish.
Public use goals are:
• Provide opportunities for visitors to safely observe and photograph wildlife in a natural setting;
• Educate the public of the refuge’s natural resources, to provide waterfowl hunters of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy safe hunting while encouraging the tradition of wildlife conservation and ethical hunting practices
• Provide fishing, big game and upland game hunting opportunities;
• Learn about the environment and to afford volunteers the ability to pitch in and help in a variety of ways.
To learn more about the plan, contact refuge manager Dianna Ellis, (208) 267-3888. Written comments can be mailed to the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, 287 Westside Road, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805, faxed to (208) 267-5570, or emailed to FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov, with Kootenai NWR CCP in the subject line.
Comment deadline is Aug. 25.