U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on Draft Plan for Five National Wildlife Refuges on Great Lakes Islands

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has released for public review and comment a draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for islands that are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System in Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior. The CCP will include Gravel Island, Green Bay, Harbor Island, Huron, and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuges (NWR).

The refuges in Lake Michigan include Gravel Island and Green Bay NWRs in Door County, Wisconsin and a portion of Michigan Islands NWR (four islands in Charlevoix County, Michigan). The refuges in Lake Huron include Harbor Island NWR in Chippewa County, Michigan and a portion of Michigan Islands NWR (five islands in Arenac and Alpena Counties, Michigan). Lake Superior includes the Huron NWR in Marquette County, Michigan.

The draft CCP sets wildlife, habitat, and public use priorities and guides management decisions on these Refuges for the next 15 years. All aspects of the island Refuges are addressed by the CCP, including important fish and wildlife habitats, public use, and current management activities.

Comments are due by September 23, 2012 and can be mailed to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Conservation Planning, 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437-1458; or e-mailed to: r3planning@fws.gov (please put Great Lakes Islands CCP Comment in the subject line).

The draft CCP can be viewed at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/GreatLakesIslands. Paper copies and/or compact disks are available in limited supply by making a request through the website or calling (612) 713-5477.

For more information contact:
Steve Lenz, Refuge Manager, Gravel Island NWR and Green Bay NWR, W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville, WI 53050

Mark Vaniman, Refuge Manager, Harbor Island NWR, Huron NWR, and portions of Michigan Islands NWR (Hat, Shoe, Pismire, Gull Islands) 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd., Seney, MI 49883

Steve Kahl, Refuge Manager, portions of Michigan Islands NWR (Big and Little Charity, Scarecrow, Sugar, Thunder Bay Islands), 6975 Mower Road, Saginaw, MI 48601

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