U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Greetings,

The Fish and Wildlife Service is preparing a

Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) to help

guide the conservation of natural resources and

promote appropriate public uses of the Arrowwood

National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Your ideas and

concerns are important to us and will aid us in

preparing a plan that is sensitive to your needs.

We invite you to attend one of the Open Houses to be

held in local communities in August 2001. Alternatively,

you may choose to complete the enclosed Issues

Workbook, details of which are included elsewhere in

this document. The Open Houses will provide a forum

for us to not only inform you of exactly what we are

doing, but will offer an informal setting for you to share

with us your thoughts about this important resource

and how you would like to see it managed. If you are

interested in Arrowwood NWR, we want to hear from

you. Dates, times, and locations of the open houses are

provided in this document and will also be announced in

local newspapers and on the radio.

The Refuge staff is also available to meet with

individuals or groups at any time. If you are interested

in a special presentation, or would like to make

arrangements to meet individually, please contact the

Refuge Headquarters.

We look forward to working with you throughout this

exciting and important planning process.

Sincerely,

Mark Vaniman

Refuge Manager

Comprehensive Conservation Plan

Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge

Contact: Mark Vaniman Phone: 701/285-3341

Refuge Manager Fax: 701/285-3350

Address: 7745 11th Street SE E-mail: FW6_RW_Arrowwood_NWR@fws.gov

Pingree, ND 58476 July 2001

Help Shape the Future of Your National Wildlife Refuge

Background

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Part of the Department of the Interior, the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service is the only Federal

agency with the specific mandate to conserve the

nation’s fish, wildlife, and plants for the benefit of

the American people. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s

mission is, working with others, to

conserve, protect and enhance fish,

wildlife, and plants and their

habitats for the continuing benefit of

the American people.

National Wildlife Refuge System

The Service manages the National Wildlife Refuge

System, the largest collection of lands set aside

specifically for the protection of fish and wildlife

populations and habitats. The Refuge System

began in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt

designated a pelican and heron rookery in Florida

as the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Today, over 530 national wildlife refuges are spread

from Alaska to Puerto Rico and Maine to Hawaii.

National wildlife refuges provide important

habitat for native plants and many species of

mammals, birds, fish, insects, amphibians, and

reptiles. They also play a vital role in preserving

endangered and threatened species. Refuges offer

a wide variety of recreational opportunities and

many have visitor centers, wildlife-observation

trails, and environmental education programs.

Nationwide, more than 30 million visitors

annually hunt, fish, observe, and photograph

wildlife or participate in interpretive activities on

refuges.
National Wildlife Refuge System Mission

The mission of the National

Wildlife Refuge 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 resources and their habitats within the

United States for the benefit of present and future

generations of Americans.

National Wildlife Refuge System 

Four Guiding Principles

✓ Habitat. Habitat. Fish and wildlife will not prosper Habitat.

without high-quality habitat, and without fish

and wildlife, traditional uses of refuges cannot be

sustained. The Refuge System will continue to

conserve and enhance the quality and diversity of

fish and wildlife habitat within refuges.

✓ Public Use. Public Use. The Refuge System provides Public Use.

important opportunities for compatible wildlifedependent recreational activities involving

hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and

photography, and environmental education and

interpretation.

✓ Partnerships. Partnerships. America’s sportsmen and women Partnerships. 

were the first partners who insisted on

protecting valuable wildlife habitat within

wildlife refuges. Conservation partnerships with

other Federal agencies, State agencies, Tribes,

organizations, industry, and the general public

can make significant contributions to the growth

and management of the Refuge System.

✓ Public Involvement. Public Involvement. The public should be given a Public Involvement.

full and open opportunity to participate in

decisions regarding acquisition and management

of our national wildlife refuges.

Arrowwood NWR Background

The Arrowwood NWR is situated in the Prairie

Pothole Region of North Dakota. It was established in

1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory

birds and other wildlife. Located along the James

River in east central North Dakota, Arrowwood’s

15,934 acres are made up of lakes, marshes, coulees,

and cultivated fields. As the river meanders its way

across the prairie it passes through four main water

areas; Arrowwood, Mud and Jim Lakes and the DePuy

Marsh. These are naturally occurring riverine lakes

that have had control structures added at their

outlets. Spring and fall bring spectacular numbers of

birds to the area during their annual migrations and

resident wildlife, such as grouse and white-tailed

deer, can be seen year-round.

The Arrowwood NWR Planning Process

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required to

manage all refuges in accordance with an approved

Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which, when

implemented, will achieve refuge purposes; help

fulfill the Refuge System mission; maintain and,

where appropriate, restore the ecological integrity of

each refuge and the Refuge System; help achieve the

goals of the National Wilderness Preservation

System; and meet other mandates. The CCP will

guide management decisions and set forth goals,

objectives, and strategies to accomplish these ends.

Step-down management plans may also be required

to provide additional details about meeting CCP

goals and objectives and to describe strategies and

implementation schedules. Each plan will be founded

on principles of sound fish and wildlife management

and available science, and be consistent with legal

mandates and other Service policies, guidelines, and

planning documents. The Service will prepare refuge

plans that, above all else, ensure that WILDLIFE WILDLIFE

COMES FIRST on national wildlife refuges.

Want to Get Involved?

To gather as much public input and to reach as many

people as possible, the Arrowwood National Wildlife

Refuge staff has developed several opportunities for

your participation.

Open Houses

We are conducting four Open Houses, as follows:

L August 14, 2001, Tuesday

Jamestown, Law Enforcement Center, Jamestown

205 6th Street SE, 4-7 pm

Pingree, Edmunds/Pingree Community Center, Pingree

Highway 281 South, 8-11 pm

L August 15, 2001, Wednesday

Carrington, Dakota Central Telecommunications Carrington

Cooperative, 630 5th Street North, 4-7 pm

Kensal, Kensal Community Café, Kensal

424 Main Street, 8-11 pm

These Open Houses will be announced in local

newspapers and on radio.

Issues Workbooks

You may also get involved by completing the

attached Issues Workbook.
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook 

Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process 1

Issues Workbook

The workbook is provided to everyone on our mailing list and anyone who attends an open

house. Additional copies will be kept at Refuge headquarters for distribution by request.

Read through each of the sections and jot down your thoughts. Let us know how you feel about

the issues and whether you have additional issues or concerns. Your responses to these

questions will help us better understand our constituents and public opinion and guide the

planning process. All of the comments we receive, by whatever means, will be considered in the

preparation of the CCP. However, in order to be most helpful, please provide comments and

return the Issues Workbook by September 30. return the Issues Workbook by September 30.

After you have completed the Workbook, simply fold it in half (with the preaddressed return

mailer on the outside), tape it together (do not staple), put on the proper postage, and drop it in

the mail. Thanks for your help; we really appreciate it. If you have any questions or would like

more information about this project, please call Arrowwood NWR at 701-285-3341. Arrowwood NWR at 701-285-3341.
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook 

2 Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process

1. What do you value most about Arrowwood NWR? 

Please indicate a rating of 0, 1, 2 or 3 with: 

0 = don’t know

1 = no value

2 = some value

3 = most value

Topic Rating Topic Rating

Open Space

Fish and Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife Observation

Hunting Opportunities

Fishing Opportunities

Trapping Opportunities

Birdwatching Opportunities

Scenic Quality

Religious and Cultural Opportunities

Native Prairie Grasslands

Research Opportunities

Photography Opportunities

Historical/Archaeological

Interpretation

Education & Interpretive Programs

Other (Please Specify)

Comments:
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook 

Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process 3

2. What do you want the future to hold for Arrowwood NWR? 

Please indicate a rating of 0, 1, 2 or 3, with: 

0 = don’t know

1 = no importance

2 = some importance

3 = most importance

Topic Rating Topic Rating

More Public Use and Access

Less Public Use and Access

More Recreational Opportunities

Less Recreational Opportunities

Biodiversity Increased

Sustainable Wildlife Populations

More Farming and Ranching

Opportunities

Stricter Enforcement of Regulations

Increased Resource Stewardship

More Economic Uses (e.g., haying,

grazing)

Little or No Change from Today

Other (Please Specify)

Comments:
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook 

4 Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process

3. What concerns do you have about Arrowwood NWR? 

Please indicate a rating of 0, 1, 2 or 3, with:

0 = don’t know

1 = no concern

2 = some concern

3 = most concern

Topic Rating Topic Rating

Wildlife Disturbance

Habitat Disturbance

Incompatible Use (Please Specify)

Pesticides

Exotic Plants/Weeds

Increasing Public Use and Access

Federal Control

Religious and Cultural Opportunities

Reduced Water Management

Capabilities on Refuge

Predator Control

Other (Please Specify)

Comments:
Arrowwood NWR Planning Project Issues Workbook 

Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process 5

4. Any additional problems or issues you want to see addressed in the CCP?

5. What improvements would you recommend for Arrowwood NWR?

6. In what town and state do you reside?_________________________ 

7. Any additional thoughts, suggestions, comments, or criticisms that you would like to share

with us?
Important!

Would you like to be on our Mailing list?

In order to place your name and address on our mailing list, we must have your written

permission. This is because Federal government mailing lists must be released to the public

upon request under the Freedom of Information Act. If you wish to receive future information

about the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning

Project, please fill in the information requested below and return this form to the following

address. (If you have already completed one of these forms you do not need to fill out another

one.) If you are returning a completed Issues Workbook, you may return this form with it. 

Return to: Arrowwood NWR Planning Project

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

7745 11th Street, SE

Pingree, ND 58476-8308

Yes, I wish to be on the mailing list to receive future information about the Arrowwood

National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Planning Project. I understand that

names and addresses on Federal mailing lists must be released to the public upon request,

under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act of 1974.

Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: _________________________

First Name: ________________________________ Last Name: _____________________________

Mailing Address:_____________________________________________________________________

 _____________________________________________________________________

City: _________________________________ State: ______________________________

Zip Code: _____________________________

If you are acting in an official capacity as the representative of an organization, please complete

the following two items:

Organization: ________________________________________________________________________

Title: _______________________________________________________________________________
Fold here, tape the two halves together (do not staple), affix postage, and drop in the mail.

_________________________ Place

Stamp

_________________________ Here

_________________________

_________________________

Arrowwood NWR Planning Project

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

7745 11th Street SE

Pingree, ND 58476-8308