Dear All, After quickly reviewing the Draft CCP (Comprehensive Conservation Plan) & EA (Environmental Assessment) which I received a copy of yesterday, I am not convinced that we are out of the woods yet. Remember that the USFWS split up the process so that the CCP & EA and LPP & Economic Analysis are running on different tracks. They did this to meet their reporting requirements for all existing operations. "February 2012 - Bandon Marsh NWR Land Protection Planning study separated from Refuge's Comprehensive Conservation Planning process" The LPP & Economic Analysis will not be completed until next month and the Economic Analysis from what I understand, is being completed by consultants in DC. Also Remember that there were 3 original options: 1) Alternative A: Current Management; 2) Alternative B: Expanded Habitat Management and Restoration 3) Alternative C: Preferred Alternative The CCP & EA now shows: Alt. A and a hybrid called Alternative B & C (Preferred Alternative) which is a potion of the C Alternative without the expansion. The expansion will be dealt with in the LPP. See Below from USFW Website: Land Protection Planning at Bandon Marsh NWR The Director of the USFWS granted approval in September 2011 to begin a detailed Land Protection Planning (LPP) study to investigate the possibility of expanding the approved refuge boundary of Bandon Marsh NWR to meet the needs of fish, wildlife, and public recreational use. In early November 2011, the public was invited to participate in the planning process. Preliminary draft alternatives detailing how the refuge would be managed during the next 15 years and introducing the LPP study area were developed as part of the Refuge's CCP process. However, in early February 2012, the USFWS made the decision to separate the CCP from the boundary expansion study. This schedule change allows the CCP to continue on pace and meet the Congressionally mandated due date while allowing more time for thorough analysis and study of the LPP range of alternatives. For more information and updates on Land Protection Planning at Bandon Marsh NWR, visit our LPP site. Bonnie -- Bonnie Montoya-May, LEED AP BD+C 818-621-4880 cell 541-347-9483 hm off [email protected] | How Do I Obtain Copies of the Draft CCP/EAs for the Bandon Marsh? Copies of the Draft CCP/EAs are available as follows: Review or download the Draft CCP/EAs from our Web site: www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ccp_nes_slz_bdm.htm Printed or CD-ROM copies may be obtained by contacting: Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex 2127 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, Oregon 97365 Phone: (541) 867-4550 Comments are due: October 22, 2012 Send your comments to the USFWS by any of the |
USFWS Bandon National Refuge Planning Update #3 September 2012 |
THREE DEMANDS:
First demand:
NO to any expansion of the Bandon Marsh, not one inch, not one more acre.
Second demand:
NO to any Protective Zone being placed around the marsh and the adjoining area.
Third demand, and the most important:
The Service must return the Bandon Marsh Refuge over to the county’s Board of Commissioners and then the US Fish & Wildlife Service has to leave the county.