national wildlife refuge...601 fw 1, 603 fw 1, 603 fw 2, 631 fw 5, 8 rm 7, rm 9) what are your...
TRANSCRIPT
Arthur R. Marshall
LoxahatcheeNational Wildlife Refuge
Visitor Services Planning Process
Visitor Services Planning Process• Wildlife-dependent recreation• Step-down from Comprehensive Conservation Plan• 14 Standards (goals, objectives, and strategies)• Analyze 25 proposed recreation enhancements from State License
Agreement (Exhibit C)• Public involvement• Public use and compatibility• Facilities and maps
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
1997 Refuge Improvement Act“Big 6” Wildlife-dependent Recreation
Fishing Hunting
PhotographyInterpretation
Wildlife ObservationEnvironmental Education
Policy (601 FW 1) • Refuge Improvement Act of 1997
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Visitor Services Standards1. Visitor Services Plan2. Welcome and orient visitors3. Hunting4. Fishing5. Wildlife observation and photography6. Environmental education7. Interpretation of key resources and issues8. Other recreational uses9. Outreach10. Work with volunteers, Friends, and other partnerships11. Recreation fees 12. Concessions 13. Commercial Use 14. Wilderness (not applicable at Lox)
Policy (605 FW 1)
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Refuge map
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Current Uses and Potential Uses
Strazzulla EA
License Agreement • Evaluate 25 proposed uses from Exhibit C
Public scoping in May
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Welcome and Orient Visitors
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FacilitiesWelcome kiosks/signs
Visitor Center• 7 days/week• 9:00 am to 4:00 pmRefuge hours • 5:00 am-10:00 pm
Brochures and mapsADA accessibleFront desk staffWebsite & Social Media
What are your thoughts and
ideas for welcoming and
orienting visitors?
Policy (605 FW 1)
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Hunting OpportunitiesCurrentlyHunt Plan completed in 2012~30,000 acres/21% open
Alligator• 11 permits/year (total 22)
Duck and Coot• Early teal• Regular season• Youth Season• Wed-Sun• 4:00 am – 1:00 pm
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Policy (605 FW 2) •CFR Refuge-Specific Regulations for Hunting
What are your thoughts and ideas
for hunting opportunities?
Strazzulla EAWhite-tailed deer & feral hog
State regulationsArchery only
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Fishing OpportunitiesCurrentlyFishing Plan 2014• Boat based sport fishing in canals• Bank fishing• 2 ADA fishing piers• 3 boat ramps• Kids’ fishing events• 17 Tournaments• Commercial guides
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Policy (605 FW 3) • CFR Refuge Specific Regulations for Fishing
What are your thoughts and ideas
for fishing opportunities?
Strazzulla EAADA fishing pier in
L-40 Canal
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Wildlife Observation & PhotographyCurrently• C-8 photo blind • > 46 miles of trails• Observation towers• Butterfly Garden• Binocular loan• Kid’s birding event• Bird checklist (2011)• Stationary scope• Bird walks• Friends’ Photo contest
What are yourthoughts and ideas
for wildlife observation and
photography opportunities? St
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Policies (605 FW 1 and 605 FW 4)
Strazzulla EAPhoto blind
Observation towerBoardwalk trail
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Environmental EducationCurrentlyHosted almost 15,000 participants through various partners during FY2016-17
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Policy (605 FW 6)
What are yourthoughts and ideas for environmental
education opportunities?
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Interpretation“Interpretation on refuges connects the hearts and minds of our
visitors with the places, objects, and resources we protect.”
CurrentlyVisitor center exhibitsSpecial eventsVolunteer-led programs• Tram Tours• Bird walks• Night walks• Canoe tours2 Friends’ Art ContestsFriends’ publicationsInterpretive signs
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Policy (605 FW 7)
What are yourthoughts and ideas for interpretation
opportunities?
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Other Recreational UseMust be appropriate and compatible • SUPs • Conflicts/Benefits
Current UsesWalking/hiking
BikingCanoeing/kayaking
Boating
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Policies (601 FW 1, 603 FW 1, 603 FW 2, 631 FW 5, 8 RM 7, RM 9)
What are yourthoughts and ideas
for other recreational opportunities?
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Communicate Key Issues (Outreach)Relations with:• Conservation partners• Congressional relations• News media• Public involvement• Stakeholder groups
Activities involving• Visitor center exhibits• Presentations• Brochures & publications• Off-site events• Social media• Website St
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Policy (605 FW 1)
What are your thoughts and ideas
for outreach opportunities?
Photo: Lygodium spores by USFWS
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Volunteers, Friends, and Partnerships2016: 73 volunteers completed 12,900 hours
Our partners help us meet our mission and goalsFund-raising efforts through Friends
EE, interp, maintenance, biology, admin, more
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Policies (150 FW 1, 150 FW 2, 150 FW 3, 240 FW 9, 605 FW 1)
What are your thoughts
and ideas for partnership
opportunities?
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Recreation Fee ProgramCurrentlyMultiple passes available• 80% fees to public use
management
What are your thoughts and ideas on the recreation
fee program?
Policies (Federal Lands REA 2004 • USFWS Rec Fees • 261 FW 1 • 263 FW 1)
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Concessions and Commercial UseCurrentlyLoxahatchee Canoeing (SUP)• Canoes• Kayaks• Bicycles
Commercial fishing guides
USFWS Policies 603 FW1 and 605 FW 5 Director’s Order N0.139 • 50 CFR 25.61, 29.1, and 27.97,
What are yourthoughts and ideas for concessions and
commercial use opportunities?
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Exhibit C – Immediate Time FrameReview process < 6 months.
Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 24 months.
1. Provide specialty hunts, fishing, and other recreational opportunities for youth, veterans, and active military
2. Host additional Kids Fishing Days3. Increase number of alligator quota permits4. Open remainder of L-40 and L-7 to hiking and
bicycling.5. Allow leashed pets6. Participate in the District and Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission python removal programs from levees and roads.
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Exhibit C – Short-term Time Frame Review process < 1 year.
Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 36 months.
7. Establish a canoe trail on south end of Refuge8. Provide camping adjacent to the L-7 levee by
permit9. Expand the total number of days of hunting
allowed during alligator season10. Provide bank fishing opportunities by
constructing a fishing pier at Loxahatchee Road Entrance
11. Provide for nontraditional uses such as weddings, yoga, and other similar activities
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Exhibit C- Mid-term Time FrameReview process < 3 years.
Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 48 months.
12. Expanding the number of days available for waterfowl hunting from 5 days per week to 7 days per week
13. Allow hunter access from additional locations including the L-39, L-40, and L-7 levees.
14. Provide specialized deer hunting opportunities (youth and/or wounded warrior hunt) on lands owned in fee by the Department of the Interior
15. Expand existing hunt area16. Establish a small mammal and hog hunting
season in interior of Refuge in accordance with State regulations for listed game species
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
17. Provide camping on platforms in the Refuge “interior”
18. Provide concession operation at the south end Loxahatchee Road Entrance for canoe and kayak rental, john boat rental, bike rental, commercial fishing guides, bait, snacks, and drinks and guided tours for wildlife observation.
19. Provide bowfishing opportunity per State regulations in current areas open to fishing except the A, B, and C impoundments
20. Open perimeter canal to alligator hunting
Exhibit C- Mid-term Time FrameReview process < 3 years.
Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 48 months.
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
21. Provide an entrance at Wellington and Delray Regional Park to the L-40
22. Allow air-cooled outboard motors and jet drive motor boats in perimeter canals. Allow airboat use within the designated waterfowl hunting area and within perimeter canals excluding the L-40.
23. Provide horseback riding along the L-40, L-39, or L-7 levees
24. Authorize frog gigging within perimeter canals and the hunt area.
25. Build an observation tower along the canoe trail for additional wildlife viewing opportunity
Exhibit C- Mid-term Time FrameReview process < 3 years.
Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 48 months.
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Planning Process
Process
Public Scoping & Issues Identification
Preplanning
Vision Statement and Goals
Develop Alternatives, Objectives and Strategies
Prepare Draft Plan
Final Plan
Implement Plan and Monitor
Review and Revise Plan
Public Input
Public Input
Public Input
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Next Step?Dates ActionsNow-July 2018
Evaluate comments received, Develop & analyze alternatives, Develop EA & draft VSP
August 2018
Request public review and comment on EA and draft VSP
Sept. 2018
Evaluate comments received, Respond to substantive comments,Update VSP as needed
October 2018
Develop Final VSP
Upcoming MeetingsPublic Scoping Meeting
Saturday, May 19th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pmPalm Beach Co. Extension • 559 North Military Trail • West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Public Scoping MeetingTuesday, May 22nd from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
South County Civic Center • 16700 Jog Road • Delray Beach, FL 33446
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
We want to hear from you!Please Submit Public Scoping Comments by Friday, August 3, 2018:
At: Public Meetings
By Email: [email protected]
By Mail: P.O. Box 924 Freeport, FL 32439
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development