Assabet River NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Blue Iris: Photo by Marijke Holtrop
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Chapter 2: The Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process
NWRs. Additional issues and a need for more information prompted us to
later split Mashpee and Massasoit NWRs from the draft as well.
The Service solicited comments on the draft CCP/EA for Great Meadows,
Assabet River, and Oxbow NWRs from July 20 to September 3, 2003. We
contracted with the U.S. Forest Service’s Content Analysis Team (CAT) to
compile the nearly 2,000 comments that we received. The CAT developed a
summary report of comments (Appendix B) as well as a database of
individual comments. We utilized the original comments received, CAT
report and comment database to develop a list of comments that required
responses. Editorial suggestions and notes of concurrence with or
opposition to certain proposals were noted and included in the decision
making process, but do not receive formal responses. We have included our
responses to requests for additional information or clarification, provisions
of additional information, and specific concerns as Appendix C. We have
made changes to the CCP where appropriate.
The final product of the process is three stand-alone CCPs, one
for each refuge. Implementation of the CCPs can occur once the
Finding of (No) Significant Impact (FONSI) is signed.
Each year, we will evaluate our accomplishments under the CCPs.
Monitoring or new information may indicate the need to change
our strategies. The collection of additional data at Assabet River
NWR will likely require modification and specification of the
wildlife and habitat management strategies. We will modify the
CCP documents and associated management activities as needed, following
the procedures outlined in Service policy and NEPA requirements.
The
CCPs will be fully revised every 15 years or sooner if necessary.
Wilderness Assessment
The
planning team conducted a Wilderness Assessment, as required by
Refuge Planning Policy, to determine if any lands and waters in fee title
ownership were suitable to be proposed for designation as a Wilderness
Area. During the inventory stage, we determined that the Assabet River
NWR does not fulfill the eligibility requirements for a Wilderness Study
Area as defined by the Wilderness Act. The refuge and its surrounding
area have been altered in some way by man, with the imprint of man’s work
generally noticeable. The refuge does not have 5,000 contiguous acres, and
is not of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an
unimpaired condition. Furthermore, permanent roads are contained within
the refuge. Therefore, suitability of the refuge for Wilderness Designation
is not analyzed further in this document.
Assabet River NWR