BIG GAME AND UPLAND GAME HUNTING at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 

 CD - 29

Compatibility Determination 

Use: BIG GAME AND UPLAND GAME HUNTING 

Refuge Name: Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 

County: Bibb, Alabama 

Establishing and Acquisition Authorities: 

The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act, P.L. No. 106-331 

Fish and Wildlife Act 1956 

Refuge Purposes: 

Establishment purpose: "In administering the Refuge, the Secretary shall— (1) conserve, 

enhance, and restore the native aquatic and terrestrial community characteristics of the 

Cahaba River (including associated fish, wildlife, and plant species); (2) conserve, enhance, 

and restore habitat to maintain and assist in the recovery of animals and plants that are listed 

under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.); (3) in providing 

opportunities for compatible fish- and wildlife- oriented recreation, ensure that hunting, 

fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and 

interpretation are the priority general public uses of the Refuge, in accordance with section 

4(a)(3) and (4) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 

U.S.C. 668ee(a)(3), (4)); and (4) encourage the use of volunteers and to facilitate 

partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, local communities, 

conservation organizations, and other non-Federal entities to promote public awareness of the 

resources of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge 

System and public participation in the conservation of those resources.” V114 STAT. 1304-

1305, dated OCT. 19, 2000. 

Additional purposes: "... for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and 

protection of fish and wildlife resources ..." 16 U.S.C. § 742f(a)(4) "... 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 ..." 16 U.S.C. § 742f(b)(1) (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956) 

National Wildlife Refuge System Mission: 

AThe mission of the System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the 

conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant 
 

BIG GAME AND UPLAND GAME HUNTING at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 

 CD - 30

resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future 

generations of Americans.@

Description of Use: 

What is the use? Is the use a priority public use?

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge was established on September 25, 2002. Hunting 

occurred on this private property prior to refuge establishment via hunting leases and other 

private agreements. Hunting has not been authorized to occur on the Refuge since 

establishment. 

Hunting is 1 of the 6 legislated wildlife-dependent, priority public uses of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System. Hunting would occur within designated hunting areas on the Refuge 

during Refuge hunting seasons that are within Alabama Department of Conservation and 

Natural Resources established hunting seasons. Meetings would be held annually with 

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources staff to set these dates. Hunting 

would be subject to Federal, State and Refuge-specific regulations. 

Since Cahaba River NWR is a new refuge, the exact number of users is unknown. Based on 

hunting that occurs on the adjacent Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area, we would 

anticipate up to 75 people and 40 vehicles to utilize the public hunting area each day of the 

weekend during the peak of seasons for white-tailed deer and wild turkey. We expect 

approximately 25 people and 15 vehicles on a weekday during the peak of the white-tailed 

deer and wild turkey season. We anticipate up to 500 additional user-days per year for all 

other species hunted. 

Where would the use be conducted?

Hunting could occur throughout the refuge area acquired to date. As additional areas are 

acquired they will be evaluated to determine their suitability for this activity. 

Access to many areas is limited due to ongoing acquisition. Currently, only one Refuge road 

connects directly to a public road. All other areas of the Refuge are accessed via gated 

private roads. Due to ongoing problems with dumping, littering, and graffitti in the area it is 

unlikely that these gated private roads will be opened for public access. The current lack of 

access would necessitate hiking to many hunting areas on the Refuge. As we complete 

Refuge acquisition, additional access could be provided. 
 

BIG GAME AND UPLAND GAME HUNTING at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 

 CD - 31

When would the use be conducted?

Hunting would occur during designated Refuge hunting seasons that are within Alabama 

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources established hunting seasons. Meetings 

would be held annually with Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 

staff to set these dates. 

How would the use be conducted?

Hunting would be subject to Federal, State and Refuge-specific regulations and occur within 

designated hunting areas on the Refuge. Camping and use of ATV's would not be allowed. 

Tree stands or blinds would be removed daily by the hunter. 

Why is this use being proposed?

Hunting is proposed to offer the public recreation opportunities that are identified as the 

priority wildlife dependent public uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System. 

Availability of Resources: 

Resources involved in the administration and management of the use:

Approximately $9,000 of staff time and $20,000 of other operations and maintenance 

funding will be needed to administer this use. 

Cahaba River NWR currently is unstaffed. The Refuge has no law enforcement or 

administrative staff on-site and will rely on Wheeler NWR's law enforcement and 

administrative staffs to meet these obligations. Cahaba River NWR currently has no 

maintenance staff but will use outside contracts and Wheeler NWR maintenance staff to meet 

the increase in maintenance needs. Cahaba River NWR is currently complexed with Wheeler 

NWR to meet essential needs. 

Special equipment, facilities, or improvements necessary to support the use:

None 
 

BIG GAME AND UPLAND GAME HUNTING at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 

 CD - 32

Maintenance costs:

Staff Time 

Hunt Coordination Meetings and Data Analysis - $2,000 

Monitoring of Hunting Activities - $3,000 

Trash Pick-up - $500 

Staff Time for Maintenance Activities Described Below - $3,500 

Maintenance Costs 

Road Repair/Grading - $5,000 

Gravel - $10,000 

Signs - $1,000 

Trash Removal - $1,000 

Mowing - $3,000 

Monitoring costs:

The Refuge would utilize a self-reporting system to monitor use and harvests. Monitoring 

costs would be minimized for the Refuge under this scenario and are expected to be 

$1,000.00 annually. 

Offsetting revenues:

None 

What efforts have been made to secure adequate resources to support this priority public use?

The Refuge is currently unstaffed and unfunded. Funding for specific needs and projects are 

currently being sought through the NWRS Refuge Operations and Needs System (RONS) 

and Maintenance Management System (MMS) programs. In FY 2004, funding for the 

Central Alabama National Wildlife Refuge Complex Project Leader position was funded 

through the Cahaba River NWR RONS project. This position is located at Mountain 

Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge in Anniston, Alabama. 

Some funding has been provided by the Bibb County Commission in support of the Refuge, 

and these funds are being used to solicit matching grants as an interim funding measure to 

support public use projects. A federal matching grant was obtained by the Refuge in 2004 to 

facilitate improvements to the Cahaba River access point on the River Road using Bibb 

County Commission funds as a match. 
 

BIG GAME AND UPLAND GAME HUNTING at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 

 CD - 33

Additional funding to support habitat restoration and studies has been pledged by The Nature 

Conservancy of Alabama and these funds are being used to solicit matching grants to fund 

restoration activities. In 2004, funds were obtained using TNC matching funds that will allow 

restoration of approximately 900 acres of longleaf pine on previously clearcut sites. 

Anticipated Impacts of the Use: 

Short-term impacts:

Anticipated impacts from this use are all minor and include damage to vegetation, littering, 

increased refuge maintenance response to activities, potential conflicts with other visitors, 

and disturbance to wildlife. 

Long-term impacts:

No long-term impacts to wildlife or habitats are anticipated with the use as proposed. 

Cumulative:

No cumulative impacts are anticipated. 

Public Review and Comment: 

The period of public review and comment began 5/3/2004 and ended 6/2/2004. 

The following methods were used to solicit public review and comment:

Newspaper announcement 

Public meeting was held at the West Blocton High School on March 18, 2004 during the 

scoping period for this document. 

Media used to solicit public review and comment included Centreville Press, 

Birmingham News, Tuscaloosa News. 

Why was this level of public review and comment selected?

A 30 day review was selected to allow a greater opportunity for public review than is 

required. The expanded review period was selected primarily because the Refuge is new 

to the community and we wanted the public to have additional time to become familiar 

with the National Wildlife Refuge System mission and regulations. 
 

BIG GAME AND UPLAND GAME HUNTING at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 

 CD - 34

Summarize comments received and any actions taken or not taken because of comments 

received.

No comments were received during the comment perod regarding Hunting. 

Three written comments were received on this use following the public meeting held in 

West Blocton on March 18, 2004. The commenters requested that we coordinate our 

hunting efforts with the adjacent Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area. 

One additional written comment was received in February during our scoping period for 

this document from a State partner requesting that we coordinate our hunting efforts with 

the adjacent Cahaba River WMA. 

Our response was: 

We plan to coordinate the Refuge hunting program with the adjacent Cahaba Wildlife 

Management Area. We will draft our Hunting Plan in cooperation with the Division of 

Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. 

No changes were made to this compatibility determination as a result of this comment. 

NEPA Compliance: 

What type of NEPA compliance has been used?

Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact 

What are the title and dates of the documents?

Environmental Assessment Public Use Plan Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, 

October 2004 

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Public Use Plan Intra-Service Section 7 

Biological Evaluation, October 2004 

Environmental Action Statement Finding of No Significant Impact, November 2004 
 

BIG GAME AND UPLAND GAME HUNTING at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 

 CD - 35

Determination: 

Hunting (big game) 

Hunting (upland game)

Use is compatible with the following 

stipulations. 

Use is compatible with the following 

stipulations.

Stipulations Necessary to Ensure Compatibility: 

Periodic closures of portions of the Refuge may be implemented to conduct habitat 

management activities, environmental remediation, or to protect public safety. Activity may 

occur during Refuge hours only. Overnight camping and ATV's will not be allowed. 

Deer hunting will be limited to archery-only to limit the number of hunters utilizing the area. 

Hunting will be limited to those species authorized to be hunted on the Refuge as listed in the 

Federal Register. 

Justification: 

Allowing hunting on the Refuge would be consistent with established Refuge goals. 

Hunting is 1 of the 6 wildlife-dependent public uses that are to be supported within units of 

the National Wildlife Refuge System when compatible. 

This use is not expected to conflict with any proposed habitat management or reclamation 

projects on the Refuge provided the Refuge utilizes closures as necessary to protect public 

safety and to allow habitat management actions such as prescribed burning on the refuge. 
Signature:

Refuge Manager: ~ J!/I 11A !I/I!5/Dlf- (Signature and Date)

Review:

J/-- 2-4 )..}odOLf , (Signatureand Date)

Regional Compatibility Coordinator:

Mandatory 10- or 1S-YearRe-Evaluation Date: November2019

BIG GAME AND UPLAND GAME HUNTING at Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge

CD - 36

Review:

Refuge Supervisor: )I/;L'fjof

(re)

I I

Concurrence:

Regional Chief: D