Oxbow NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Oxbow NWR: USFWS photo
Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
This Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) has been prepared for
the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), which is one of eight refuges
of the Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex (Complex) (see Map 1-1).
Concurrently, we are releasing the Final CCPs for Great Meadows
(Concord and Sudbury Divisions), and Assabet River NWRs.
We will prepare a separate CCP and Environmental Impact Statement
(CCP/EIS) for Monomoy and Nomans Land Island NWRs beginning later
in 2004. We propose to begin the CCP process for Massasoit NWR in 2005
and Nantucket and Mashpee NWRs in 2006.
This CCP is the culmination of a planning process that began in January
1999. Numerous meetings with the public, the state, and conservation
partners were held to identify and evaluate management alternatives. A
draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) was distributed in
July 2003. This CCP presents the management goals, objectives, and
strategies that we believe will best achieve our vision for the refuge,
contribute to the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System)
Mission, achieve refuge purposes and legal mandates, and serve the
American public.
Refuge Overview
The refuge is located in north-central Massachusetts, approximately 35
miles northwest of Boston, MA. The refuge lies within the towns of Ayer
and Shirley in Middlesex County and the towns of Harvard and Lancaster
in Worcester County. The refuge consists of approximately 1,667 acres of
upland, southern New England floodplain forest and wetland communities
along nearly 8 miles of the Nashua River corridor.
The refuge is a long, narrow parcel with a north/south orientation.
Roadways running east/west divide the parcel into three sections.
The northern end of the refuge abuts the former Fort Devens,
Moore Army Airfield just south of Massachusetts Route 2A. Shirley
Road/West Main Street in Ayer separates the northern and middle
portions of the refuge. Massachusetts Route 2 bisects the middle
and southern parcels. The refuge’s southern boundary is at Still
River Depot Road in Harvard, MA.
The refuge was formed by three land transfers from the former
U.S. Army, Fort Devens Military Installation, and a recent
purchase of private land in Harvard, MA. Two of the transfers from
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
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