Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

Public Meetings February 23, 2017

Meeting Objectives Review agency mission, planning process, and progress

Highlight key issues and management alternatives developed

Discuss how to comment and next steps

Refuge System Mission

To administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources* and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

* Federal trust resources are a priority

Endangered and threatened species

Migratory birds

Migratory and inter-jurisdictional fish

Certain marine mammals

Wetlands

Refuge Establishment & Purposes for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds

particular value in carrying out the national migratory bird management program

for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources

for the benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services. Such acceptance may be subject to the terms of any restrictive or affirmative covenant, or condition of servitude

Vision Statement Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge encompasses the largest contiguous salt marsh ecosystem in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Located along the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge offers diverse salt marshes, tidal streams, and wooded ridges that support fish, waterfowl, marsh and wading birds, and shorebirds. Serene shorelines offer secluded habitat for breeding and nesting wildlife, including the northern diamondback terrapin.

Vision Statement (continued)

The refuge offers a rare opportunity for residents and visitors of the Hampton Roads area to safely enjoy expansive views of abundant wildlife thriving in these important, vulnerable, and scarce salt marshes. In partnership with others, the refuge’s wildlife habitats support the rich traditions of hunting, fishing, and boating in the Chesapeake Bay.

Key Issues Influencing Management

Government Jurisdictions

and Management

Wildlife and Habitats

Climate Change

Public Use Interests

Partnership

Opportunities

Habitats Habitat Type Acres Salt Marsh 2,027

Estuarine and Marine Coastal 740

Maritime Shrubland and Dune 102

Sandy Beaches and Mudflats 80

Total Habitat 2,949

Refuge Management Goals Goal 1 Conserve the coastal estuarine ecosystem to sustain high ecological

integrity for the benefit of native flora and fauna, with emphasis on priority refuge resources of concern, within the lower Chesapeake Bay.

Goal 2 Provide safe and compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities for visitors to connect with nature and foster enhanced stewardship of the lower Chesapeake Bay and the Refuge System.

Goal 3 Cultivate partnerships to further conservation, education, and interpretation of the refuge’s natural and cultural resources, as well as the mission of the Refuge System.

Habitat Management Summary Alternative A: Current Management Alternative B: Increased Ecosystem Monitoring,

Partnerships, and Public Use (Service-preferred)

Allow natural process to act unimpeded. Limit human-caused disturbance.

Protect and manage habitats for priority resources of concern species by continuing to limit human-caused disturbance and initiating invasive plant control efforts.

The Service conducts limited biological research and monitoring, focusing on the federally listed northeastern beach tiger beetle and shoreline changes.

Expand to a greater diversity of biological research, inventory, and monitoring efforts in partnership with others. The focus would include priority resources of concern species and habitat quality assessments.

Waterfowl Hunting

Alternative A: Current Management Alternative B: Increased Ecosystem Monitoring, Partnerships, and Public Use (Service-preferred)

Accommodate public waterfowl hunting opportunities on the refuge for up to 540 hunter use days annually during the last two segments of the waterfowl hunting season.

Over the life of the plan, • improve waterfowl hunt program,

administration processes and promotion, • provide 18 youth hunter days on 1 day in the

fall, and • investigate opportunities to establish up to

five new hunt blind locations.

Wildlife Observation, Photography, Environmental Education, and Interpretation

Alternative A: Current Management Alternative B: Increased Ecosystem Monitoring, Partnerships, and Public Use (Service-preferred)

On Refuge Remain closed to these uses. Over the life of the plan, provide commercial and non-commercial opportunities for up to 6,075 visitor use days annually at one designated location on Cow Island.

Within 5 years of CCP approval: • designate a kayak and canoe landing area on Cow

Island at waterfowl hunt blind #2, • transform existing blind to platform/blind that would

support up to 15 visitors at any one time, • establish water trail around Cow Island, • develop and install interpretive media, • offer up to six education/interpretation programs

annually at this location or via boat, • allow up to four commercial guiding operations under

permit at location or via boat, • evaluate the possibility of opening additional acreage

on the north beach on Cow Island for these commercial and recreational public uses, and

• evaluate the quality of these opportunities.

Wildlife Observation, Photography, Environmental Education, and Interpretation

Alternative A: Current Management Alternative B: Increased Ecosystem Monitoring, Partnerships, and Public Use (Service-preferred)

Off Refuge Over the life of the plan, provide these use opportunities to visitors on a by-request, case-by-case basis, off refuge only.

Over the life of the plan, provide up to four opportunities on a by-request, case-by-case basis, off refuge only to: • promote the refuge through interpretive media,

and • offer opportunities in partnership with others.

Partnerships

Alternative A: Current Management Alternative B: Increased Ecosystem Monitoring, Partnerships, and Public Use (Service-preferred)

Over the life of the plan, continue to maintain our collaborative relationships with Federal, State, and local governmental agencies to fulfill mutual goals.

Over the life of the plan, maintain existing partnerships and develop new partnerships with other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, groups, and individuals to: • conduct research to increase baseline

knowledge, monitor regional and national priority species, and evaluate ecosystem quality, and

• promote priority public uses that foster an understanding and appreciation of the refuge and the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Comment Period Closes March 13, 2017

In person: Comment form provided

Email: EasternVirginiaRiversNWRC@fws.gov Subject: Plum Tree Island CCP

Mail: Meghan Powell Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR Complex 336 Wilna Rd Warsaw, VA 22572

Phone: 804/313-7729

Fax: 804/333-3396

Comments must be received or postmarked by this date

Next Steps Date Milestones

January 12 - March 13, 2017 Draft CCP and EA available for 60-day public comment and review

Summer/Fall 2017 Publish Final CCP with a Finding of No Significant Impact, if appropriate

2017 – 2032 Implement Final CCP

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Andy Hofmann, Refuge Manager

Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR Complex 336 Wilna Road Warsaw, VA 22572 804/333-1470 x112 Andy_Hofmann@fws.gov

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Plum_Tree_Island