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

Chapter 4: Management Direction
use the refuges for a special purpose (e.g. commercial photographer,
special event or research study), or to gain access to an area otherwise
closed to the public (e.g. one time entrance to closed areas to
film/photograph special event or hold special wildlife celebration day on
refuge). Groups will be given specific requirements and educational
guidelines on materials to present to the public. The specific charge and
specific requirements will be determined on a case by case basis.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) may be issued to user groups/individuals who want to use the
refuges for a special purpose or gain access to an area otherwise closed to
the public, on a regular basis or annually. Groups will be given specific
requirements and educational guidelines on materials to present to the
public. The specific charge and specific requirements will be determined on
a case-by-case basis.
A concession may be developed if a business operated by private enterprise
is providing a public service (recreational, educational and interpretive
enjoyment of our lands and waters for the visiting public), and generally
requires some sort of capital investment.
Concessionaires will generally gross a minimum of $1,000 and the
concession will be charged either a fixed franchise fee or a percent of gross
income. Groups will also be given specific requirements and educational
guidelines on materials to present to the public.
Research
The Service encourages and supports research and management studies on
refuge lands that improve and strengthen natural resource management
decisions. The Refuge Manager encourages and seeks research relative to
approved refuge objectives that clearly improves land management,
promotes adaptive management, addresses important management issues
or demonstrates techniques for management of species and/or habitats.
Priority research addresses information that will better manage the
Nation’s biological resources and is generally considered important to:
Agencies of the Department of Interior; the Service; the Refuge System;
and state fish and game agencies, or important management issues for the
refuge.
We will consider research for other purposes, which may not directly relate
to refuge specific objectives, but may contribute to the broader
enhancement, protection, use, preservation and management of native
populations of fish, wildlife and plants, and their natural diversity within
the region or flyway. These proposals must still pass the Service’s
compatibility policy.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan - 63 -