Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Planning - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Planning Process A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development Visitor Services Planning Process Wildlife-dependent recreation
Arthur R. Marshall
National Wildlife Refuge
Visitor Services Planning Process
Visitor Services Planning Process
Agreement (Exhibit C)
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
1997 Refuge Improvement Act
“Big 6” Wildlife-dependent Recreation Fishing Hunting Photography Interpretation Wildlife Observation Environmental Education
Policy (601 FW 1) • Refuge Improvement Act of 1997
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Visitor Services Standards
Policy (605 FW 1)
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Refuge map
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Current Uses and Potential Uses
Strazzulla EA License Agreement
Public scoping in May
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Welcome and Orient Visitors
Standard 2
Facilities Welcome kiosks/signs Visitor Center
Refuge hours
Brochures and maps ADA accessible Front desk staff Website & Social Media What are your thoughts and ideas for welcoming and
Policy (605 FW 1)
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Hunting Opportunities
Currently
Hunt Plan completed in 2012 ~30,000 acres/21% open Alligator
Duck and Coot
Standard 3 Policy (605 FW 2) •CFR Refuge-Specific Regulations for Hunting
What are your thoughts and ideas for hunting
Strazzulla EA White-tailed deer & feral hog State regulations Archery only
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Fishing Opportunities
Currently Fishing Plan 2014
Standard 4 Policy (605 FW 3) • CFR Refuge Specific Regulations for Fishing
What are your thoughts and ideas for fishing
Strazzulla EA ADA fishing pier in L-40 Canal
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Wildlife Observation & Photography
Currently
What are your thoughts and ideas for wildlife
photography
Standard 5 Policies (605 FW 1 and 605 FW 4) Strazzulla EA Photo blind Observation tower Boardwalk trail
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Environmental Education
Currently
Hosted almost 15,000 participants through various partners during FY2016-17
Standard 6 Policy (605 FW 6)
What are your thoughts and ideas for environmental education
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Interpretation
“Interpretation on refuges connects the hearts and minds of our visitors with the places, objects, and resources we protect.”
Currently Visitor center exhibits Special events Volunteer-led programs
2 Friends’ Art Contests Friends’ publications Interpretive signs
Standard 7 Policy (605 FW 7)
What are your thoughts and ideas for interpretation
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Other Recreational Use
Must be appropriate and compatible • SUPs • Conflicts/Benefits
Current Uses Walking/hiking Biking Canoeing/kayaking Boating
Standard 8 Policies (601 FW 1, 603 FW 1, 603 FW 2, 631 FW 5, 8 RM 7, RM 9)
What are your thoughts and ideas for other recreational
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Communicate Key Issues (Outreach)
Relations with:
Activities involving
Standard 9 Policy (605 FW 1)
What are your thoughts and ideas for outreach
Photo: Lygodium spores by USFWS
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Volunteers, Friends, and Partnerships
2016: 73 volunteers completed 12,900 hours
Our partners help us meet our mission and goals Fund-raising efforts through Friends EE, interp, maintenance, biology, admin, more
Standard 10 Policies (150 FW 1, 150 FW 2, 150 FW 3, 240 FW 9, 605 FW 1)
What are your thoughts and ideas for partnership
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Currently Multiple passes available
management
What are your thoughts and ideas
fee program?
Policies (Federal Lands REA 2004 • USFWS Rec Fees • 261 FW 1 • 263 FW 1)
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Concessions and Commercial Use
Currently Loxahatchee Canoeing (SUP)
Commercial fishing guides
USFWS Policies 603 FW1 and 605 FW 5 Director’s Order N0.139 • 50 CFR 25.61, 29.1, and 27.97,
What are your thoughts and ideas for concessions and commercial use
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Exhibit C – Immediate Time Frame
Review process < 6 months. Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 24 months.
recreational opportunities for youth, veterans, and active military
bicycling.
Wildlife Conservation Commission python removal programs from levees and roads.
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Exhibit C – Short-term Time Frame
Review process < 1 year. Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 36 months.
permit
allowed during alligator season
constructing a fishing pier at Loxahatchee Road Entrance
weddings, yoga, and other similar activities
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Exhibit C- Mid-term Time Frame
Review process < 3 years. Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 48 months.
waterfowl hunting from 5 days per week to 7 days per week
including the L-39, L-40, and L-7 levees.
(youth and/or wounded warrior hunt) on lands
season in interior of Refuge in accordance with State regulations for listed game species
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
“interior”
Loxahatchee Road Entrance for canoe and kayak rental, john boat rental, bike rental, commercial fishing guides, bait, snacks, and drinks and guided tours for wildlife observation.
regulations in current areas open to fishing except the A, B, and C impoundments
Exhibit C- Mid-term Time Frame
Review process < 3 years. Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 48 months.
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Regional Park to the L-40
boats in perimeter canals. Allow airboat use within the designated waterfowl hunting area and within perimeter canals excluding the L-40.
levees
the hunt area.
additional wildlife viewing opportunity
Exhibit C- Mid-term Time Frame
Review process < 3 years. Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 48 months.
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Process
Public Scoping & Issues Identification
Preplanning
Vision Statement and Goals Develop Alternatives, Objectives and Strategies Prepare Draft Plan
Final Plan
Implement Plan and Monitor Review and Revise Plan Public Input Public Input Public Input
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
Next Step?
Dates Actions Now- July 2018 Evaluate comments received, Develop & analyze alternatives, Develop EA & draft VSP August 2018 Request public review and comment on EA and draft VSP Sept. 2018 Evaluate comments received, Respond to substantive comments, Update VSP as needed October 2018 Develop Final VSP
Public Scoping Meeting
Saturday, May 19th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Palm Beach Co. Extension • 559 North Military Trail • West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Public Scoping Meeting
Tuesday, May 22nd from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
South County Civic Center • 16700 Jog Road • Delray Beach, FL 33446
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development
We want to hear from you!
Please Submit Public Scoping Comments by Friday, August 3, 2018:
At: Public Meetings By Email: armloxvsp@fws.gov By Mail: P.O. Box 924 Freeport, FL 32439
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development