U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

North Platte

Comprehensive

Conservation

Plan

National Wildlife Refuge
North Platte

National Wildlife Refuge

Comprehensive Conservation Plan

August 2001

Prepared by

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge

115 Railway Street, Suite C109

Scottsbluff, NE 69363-1346
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge

Comprehensive Conservation Plan Approval

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6
i

Table of Contents able of Contents

Purpose and Vision ....................................................................... 1

I. Introduction / Background

Purpose of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan ................. 2

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge History ................... 2

Establishment and Administration ................................. 2

Wildlife and Habitat Management ................................... 8

Cultural Resources ............................................................. 10

Public Use and Environmental Education ..................... 10

Monitoring ........................................................................... 17

The National Wildlife Refuge System ................................... 17

Mission, Goals, and Guiding Principles ........................... 17

Fish and Wildlife Service Mission .................................... 17

National Wildlife Refuge System Mission ...................... 17

National Wildlife Refuge System Goals .......................... 18

Legal and Policy Guidance....................................................... 18

Existing Partnerships .............................................................. 19

II. Planning Process

Description ................................................................................. 20

Planning Issues ......................................................................... 20

Public Use ............................................................................ 21

Invasive Species ................................................................. 21

Removing or Burying Overhead Power Lines .............. 21

Water Rights ....................................................................... 21

Funding and Staffing ......................................................... 22

Lands of Interest ................................................................ 22

III. Refuge and Resource Descriptions

Socio-Economic Environment................................................. 31

Geographic / Ecosystem Setting ............................................ 31

Climate ................................................................................. 31

Air Quality ........................................................................... 32

Geology................................................................................. 32

Refuge Resources ..................................................................... 32

Soils....................................................................................... 32

Water .................................................................................... 32

Vegetation ............................................................................ 35

Grasslands ..................................................................... 35

Woodlands / Shrub ....................................................... 35

Plant Species of Management Concern .................... 35

Exotic and Invading Vegetation ................................ 35

Summary of Basic Habitat Types on

 Each Refuge Unit ............................................. 36

Wildlife ................................................................................. 37

Endangered and Threatened Species ....................... 37

Species of Management Concern ............................... 37

Birds ............................................................................... 37

Mammals ....................................................................... 40

Amphibians and Reptiles ............................................ 40

Fish ................................................................................ 40

Invertebrates................................................................ 40

Cultural Resources ............................................................. 41

Public Use and Environmental Education ..................... 41
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IV. Refuge Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

Background ................................................................................ 42

Endangered and Threatened Species .................................... 43

Fish and Wildlife ....................................................................... 44

Upland Habitat.......................................................................... 47

Wetlands ..................................................................................... 49

Public Use and Environmental Education............................ 50

Cultural Resources ................................................................... 51

Community Involvement / Support Systems ....................... 52

V. Implementation and Monitoring

Funding and Personnel ............................................................. 53

Staffing Needed for Implementation ............................... 53

Funding Needed for Implementation .............................. 54

Step-down Management Plans ................................................ 55

Refuge Management Policies and Guidelines ........................ 55

Partnership Opportunities........................................................ 56

Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................... 57

Plan Amendment and Revision ............................................... 57

Finding of No Significant Impact...................................... 58

Appendices

A. Glossary ....................................................................................... 60

B. Bibliography ............................................................................... 62

C. Legal and Policy Guidance........................................................ 63

D. Operations and Maintenance Needs........................................ 65

E. Compatibility Determinations ................................................. 67

F. List of Animal and Plant Species............................................. 70

G. Neotropical Migrants ................................................................ 76

H. Species of Management Concern ............................................. 77

I. Waterfowl Use at Lake Minatare ............................................ 78

J. Mailing List ................................................................................. 79

K. List of Preparers ........................................................................ 80

L. Section 7 ...................................................................................... 81

M. Public Involvement .................................................................... 82

Maps

1. Vicinity Map ................................................................................ 3

2. Base Map ..................................................................................... 5

3. Vegetation Map .......................................................................... 11

4. Stateline Island Base Map ........................................................ 13

5. Public Use Map........................................................................... 15

6. Lake Alice Existing and Proposed Public Use Map ............. 23

7. Refuge Unit Map........................................................................ 25

8. Morrill Island Base Map ........................................................... 27

9. Scottsbluff Island Base Map..................................................... 29

10. Ecosystem Map .......................................................................... 33
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 1

North Platte North Platte

National Wildlife Refuge ildlife Refuge

Legal Purpose

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1916 by

Executive Order No. 2446 as a “preserve and breeding ground for

native birds.”

Vision

“For if a link in nature’s chain be lost, another and

 another might be lost, till the whole system of things

 should vanish by piecemeal.”

–Thomas Jefferson

Public involvement and a review of legal mandates did not reveal a

need for more or different kinds of wildlife on North Platte National

Wildlife Refuge. However, the Refuge is not an island, independent of

what goes on around it. It is also part of larger social and economic

communities. Current trends in the use of private land will affect, and

probably reduce, the kinds and amounts of habitat around the Refuge

- habitat that is used by wildlife that also use the Refuge. And the

community will grow, placing more demands on the Refuge for

wildlife-dependent recreation and education. The Refuge must adapt

and respond to these changes.

Thus, we envision a Refuge slightly larger in size, the purpose of

which is to maintain in perpetuity a representative sample of the

natural habitats and associated wildlife in this part of the Nebraska

Panhandle, with emphasis on native birds. We see habitat in excellent

condition, fewer exotic plants, secure water sources, and high quality

public use facilities. We see a Refuge doing its part to support

migratory birds enjoyed by people in States up and down the Central

Flyway. We see effective on-site and off-site environmental education

programs in partnership with local schools. We see an active partnership with surrounding landowners to help maintain habitat on private

lands while accommodating land use and lifestyle changes. We see the

Refuge as part of a healthy, growing community.
2 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

I. Introduction / Background Introduction / Background

Purpose of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan

The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997

requires that a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) be prepared

for each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and that the

public has opportunity to be involved in preparing and revising those

plans.

The primary purpose of a CCP is to define the goals and objectives

that will guide long-term management of wildlife and habitat. The

goals and objectives for North Platte National Wildlife Refuge are

presented in Section IV.

Comprehensive planning creates an opportunity for neighbors,

conservation groups and other State and Federal agencies to help

identify and discuss natural resource issues, and to ensure the Plan

meets the changing needs of wildlife and the public. For a complete

discussion of the planning process, refer to the “Refuge Planning

Policy Pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement

Act of 1997 - May 25, 2000” (copies available at the Refuge

Headquarters).

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge History

Establishment and Administration

The 2,722-acre North Platte National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was

established in 1916 by Executive Order No. 2446 as a “preserve and

breeding ground for native birds.” It is located in the Nebraska

Panhandle, within the Central Flyway, near Scottsbluff (Map 1) and is

administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). The

impetus for National Wildlife Refuge status was primarily fall

concentrations of up to 250,000 mallards, 11,000 Canada geese, and

bald eagles. The Refuge was, and still is, superimposed on Bureau of

Reclamation (Reclamation) projects and remains subject to

“Reclamation service uses” (see Appendix A, Glossary).

Originally, the Refuge included four Reclamation irrigation reservoirs

which were constructed between 1910 and 1917. Three of these are

still part of the Refuge: Lake Minatare - 430 acres; Winters Creek -

780 acres; and Lake Alice - 1,377 acres. The Little Lake Alice

reservoir was removed from the Refuge System in 1961 by Public

Land Order 2291.

In 1990, the Service, by Memorandum of Agreement with Reclamation,

also assumed management of Stateline Island, a 135-acre diversion

project on the North Platte River. It, too, is subject to Reclamation

uses (Appendix C).

Today, the Refuge includes four dispersed management units, all of

which are superimposed on Reclamation projects and subject to

Reclamation uses (Map 2).

Originally, Refuge management was the responsibility of the Bureau

of Biological Survey, now the Fish and Wildlife Service. All units,

except Lake Minatare, were closed to the public year-round. The

Lake Minatare Unit was open to public recreation (primarily fishing,

boating, camping, and swimming) from May 16 to September 15; the

north half of the Lake was closed to boating. There was no staff onsite.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 3
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North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 7

Over the years, Service involvement faded, due primarily to the

relatively small size of the Refuge, the distance from other staffed

refuges, and the presence of Reclamation. A Lake Minatare “park”

proposal was prepared in 1937 for Reclamation by the National Park

Service. The proposal was updated and expanded in 1947 and again in

1963. The emphasis was on mass recreation such as camping, boating,

picnicking, swimming, and seasonal cabins. The 1963 plan allowed the

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) to assume control of

recreation and fishery management, and to establish a State Recreation

Area. The Service retained responsibility for wildlife. During this

same time, Reclamation administered land use, primarily cattle

grazing.

The 1976 Game Range Bill (Public Law 94-223) mandated that all

National Wildlife Refuges be managed by the Secretary of Interior

through the Fish and Wildlife Service. A 1985 agreement with

Reclamation granted the Service primary jurisdiction, subject to

Reclamation uses.

Until 1990, all management activities were conducted from the

Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 100 miles to the east. The

first on-site refuge manager was located in Scottsbluff in 1990 under

the direction of the Crescent Lake Refuge. The Crescent Lake/North

Platte National Wildlife Refuge Complex was formally established

and the headquarters moved from Crescent Lake Refuge to

Scottsbluff in 1992.

Also in 1992, several major conservation organizations sued the

Department of the Interior over improper uses of National Wildlife

Refuges, uses that were not compatible with the purposes of those

refuges. The mass recreation at the Lake Minatare State Recreation

Area was among the uses mentioned in that lawsuit and was, in fact,

found incompatible. Because of the long history of recreation at Lake

Minatare and its importance to the community, the affected area

(2,470 acres) was removed from the Refuge System by Congress in

1996 (Public Law 104-212), with the condition that the area remain

closed during fall and winter months to provide sanctuary for

migratory birds (USFWS, 1995).
8 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Wildlife and Habitat Management

Populations Management. The Refuge was established primarily

because of its importance for migrating and wintering waterfowl, bald

eagles, and other migratory birds (see Section III). Populations

management consists primarily of providing sanctuary during the

critical fall and winter months. In some years, peak numbers of fall

migrating mallards approach 250,000. One pair of bald eagles has

nested annually on the Refuge since 1993; the nesting area is closed

year-round. The Refuge has never been open to hunting or trapping.

Fisheries are managed by the NGPC through a cooperative agreement

with the Service (Appendix C). Winters Creek is stocked with yellow

perch, bluegill, walleye, largemouth bass, muskellunge, and channel

catfish.

Wetland Management. The Refuge is superimposed on Reclamation

projects and the Service has no control over water. The two Refuge

impoundments, along with Little Lake Alice and Lake Minatare,

make up what Reclamation refers to as the Inland Lakes. The Inland

lakes accrue water from gains, to the North Platte River, downstream

of Alcova Reservoir during the months of October, November, and

April up to a total of 46,000 acre-feet. These gains may be stored in

Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs and transferred to the Inland Lakes

when Pathfinder Irrigation District (PID) resumes spring irrigation.

By late summer, wide sand-flats typically surround Lake Alice and

Lake Minatare as they near “dead pool.”

Because of this dramatic fluctuation (up to 20 vertical feet), emergent

aquatic vegetation is almost nonexistent in Lake Minatare and Lake

Alice. Winters Creek Lake is a natural wetland that was altered

around 1916 to serve as a storage reservoir. It supports an attractive

mix of pondweed, bulrush, filamentous algae, and cattail. Other

waterfowl brood and marsh bird habitat is limited to two small

adjoining seepage marshes and to some of the more secluded bays of

the reservoirs.

Since 1992, PID has been able to leave about 1,000 acre-feet of water

in storage at Lake Alice going into the fall migration season. This

additional water significantly benefits waterfowl when compared to

prior years when the lake was immediately drawn down to dead pool

at the close of the irrigation season (late September). As it is, the

1,000 acre-feet bonus lasts only about three months due to seepage.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

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Upland Habitat Management. The Refuge includes approximately

1,439 acres of grassland, mostly native prairie. Until 1985, most of

these grassland areas were leased annually by Reclamation for

season-long grazing (May 15 - November 30). Since 1985, restoring

native prairie has been the priority. Grazing has been significantly

reduced, and prescribed burning was introduced as a management

tool in 1994. Plant vigor and composition is improving and more

residual cover is available in the spring for nesting birds (see Section

IV). Management is guided by a series of “step-down plans” (see

Section V).

In 1988, refuge managers initiated a point-sampling method (Savory,

1986), along with visual obstructions readings (VOR) and exclosures,

to evaluate upland management practices. A great deal of expertise,

time, and consistency is required to conduct such monitoring properly.

It was discontinued in 1993 due to insufficient staff.

Grassland management consists of a combination of rest, grazing, and

prescribed burning. Grazing is a tool used to discourage exotic, cool

season grasses and encourage native, warm season grasses. For

instance, in 1999, 400 acres were spring grazed using a short-duration,

high intensity treatment from May 1 to June 15. Also in 1999, 130

acres were burned to invigorate native grasses and forbs, control

exotic species, and reduce Russian olive seedlings.

Farming and food plots do not occur on the Refuge.

Wildfires are controlled by Refuge firefighters and by local fire

departments under cooperative agreements. Wildfires burned 20

acres in 1999, a typical year.

About 315 acres are tree covered. Refuge lakes are at least partially

surrounded by a belt of trees, primarily even-aged cottonwood and

green ash. These areas also serve as green tree reservoirs during

infrequent full-pools. No specific management has been employed. A

lack of cottonwood regeneration around the reservoirs is an emerging

problem since, without new growth, this habitat type will eventually

disappear (Map 3).

Stateline Island is heavily forested with cottonwood and green ash.

Prescribed burning of the understory was implemented in 1994 to

invigorate native grasses and forbs and control exotic species (Map 4).

Invasive Species Management. Several exotic and invasive plants

exist on the Refuge. Most were not controlled until about 1986. An

integrated pest management approach is now in place which includes

a combination of prescribed burning, mechanical removal, chemical

applications, and insect releases.

Canada and musk thistle are treated with a combination of insect

releases (gall fly, seed-head weevil and stem-mining weevil) and

chemical applications by the local county weed authority. Russian

olive, a very aggressive grassland invader, is controlled by mechanically

removing the plants and treating the residual with herbicide. Control

efforts began in 1993, and only 2 percent of the 200 acres infested

have been treated.

Salt cedar is a potential problem at Stateline Island; small numbers of

young plants have been removed, but nearby areas along the North

Platte River are more heavily infested.
10 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Cultural Resources

Historic, archaeological, and paleontological resources are protected

by Federal laws (Appendix C). The Bureau of Reclamation, as the

agency with primary jurisdiction, is responsible for general surveys

and overall protection and preservation. The Service is responsible

for surveys of areas affected by refuge management, and for

protection and/or mitigation of any affected resources. No comprehensive

cultural resource surveys have been conducted on the Refuge and, at

this time, no significant cultural resources are known to occur on the

Refuge.

Public Use and Environmental Education

When the Refuge was established in 1916, all units, with the

exception of Lake Minatare, were closed as year-round sanctuaries.

Today, the Refuge offers wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities

from January 15 through September 30 on the Winters Creek and

Lake Minatare units, and May 15 through September 30 on the Lake

Alice Unit (Map 5).

Approximately 4,500 people visited the Refuge in 1999, compared to

3,700 in 1987. About 45 percent of these visitors engaged in

interpretation and/or nature observation activities, 31 percent in

formal environmental education, and 42 percent in fishing at Winters

Creek Lake (some visitors engage in multiple activities during any

given visit). The Lake Minatare State Recreation Area is adjacent to

the Lake Minatare Unit and received about 205,000 visits in 1999, up

10 percent from 1998 (McCoy, per. com.).

Off-site programs conducted by Refuge staff are also an important

part of environmental education. In 1999, about 2,100 students,

parents, and educators participated in programs such as Water

Wonders, Branch Out, Earth Stewards, Environ-Art, and the

Nebraska Jr. Duck Stamp Program. Some requests for educational

programs and technical assistance were denied due to staffing

shortages.

Kiosks are located at five major entry points. They contain general

Refuge information, maps, specific information on wildlife and habitat

management, and leaflet dispensers.

Fishing is permitted on Refuge reservoirs. About 2,000 people fished

on the Refuge in 1999, mostly on Winters Creek Lake. Lake Alice

cannot sustain a fishery because most water is removed for irrigation

by late summer and is not replaced until spring. Lake Minatare

proper, which is no longer within Refuge boundaries, is much larger

than Winters Creek Lake and receives about 80,000 fishing visits

annually.

Sport hunting and trapping have never been permitted on the Refuge.

Stateline Island is open year-round. Fishing is permitted from

Stateline Island in the North Platte River.
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Monitoring

The first refuge manager assigned exclusively to the Refuge occurred

in 1990. The present staff is small (see Section V) and only very basic

wildlife and plant surveys are conducted on a routine basis. These

include: biweekly wildlife counts along established routes; census of

goose tubs and wood duck boxes; monitoring bald eagle nest activities;

and monitoring for disease outbreaks. Much of this is conducted by a

biological technician on an intermittent appointment and one

volunteer. More and better monitoring is needed to determine the

response of wildlife and habitat to applied management.

The National Wildlife Refuge System

Mission, Goals, and Guiding Principles

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world’s largest collection

of lands set aside specifically for the protection of wildlife. The first

unit of the Refuge System was created in 1903, when President

Theodore Roosevelt designated 3-acre Pelican Island, a pelican and

heron rookery in Florida, as a bird sanctuary. Today, the Refuge

System includes over 520 National Wildlife Refuges and Waterfowl

Production Areas, encompassing more than 93 million acres and

located in all 50 States and a number of U.S. Territories.

The Refuge System provides habitat for native mammals, birds,

reptiles, amphibians, fishes, invertebrates, and plants - “trust

resources” for which the Federal government is ultimately

responsible. It plays a vital role in preserving endangered and

threatened species, preventing species from becoming threatened,

and offers wildlife-dependent recreation for over 34 million visitors

annually.

Fish and Wildlife Service Mission:

“To work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife,

and plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the

American people.” To fulfill this mission, Congress has charged the

Service with conserving and managing migratory birds, endangered

species, anadromous and inter-jurisdictional fish, and certain marine

mammals. The Service carries out these responsibilities through

several functional entities, one of which is the National Wildlife

Refuge System.

National Wildlife Refuge System Mission:

“To administer a 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 Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105-57).
18 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

National Wildlife Refuge System Goals:

1. To fulfill our statutory duty to achieve refuge purpose(s) and

further the System mission.

2. Conserve, restore where appropriate, and enhance all species of

fish, wildlife, and plants that are endangered or threatened with

becoming endangered.

3. Perpetuate migratory bird, interjurisdictional fish, and marine

mammal populations.

4. Conserve a diversity of fish, wildlife, and plants.

5. Conserve and restore, where appropriate, representative ecosystems

of the United States, including the ecological processes characteristic

of those ecosystems.

6. To foster understanding and instill appreciation of fish, wildlife,

and plants, and their conservation, by providing the public with

safe, high-quality, and compatible wildlife-dependent public use.

Such use includes hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and

photography, and environmental education and interpretation.

Individual refuges are important in and of themselves. They support

resident, as well as migratory, wildlife and provide enjoyment for

local people. But perhaps they are most important for their collective

benefits. Together, they form a network of lands spanning the entire

continent - supporting birds migrating from Alaska and Canada to the

southern States and points south, providing for the conservation of

trust resources, providing enjoyment for people throughout the

United States and neighboring countries. For example, refuges in

North and South Dakota provide wetland and grassland habitats

critical to breeding and migrating ducks as required by international

treaties with Canada and Mexico. Refuges in Louisiana and Texas

provide wintering habitat for these same birds. Still other refuges

provide for endangered and threatened plants or animals that exist in

unique habitats which occur in very few locations. And collectively,

they help prevent species from becoming threatened or endangered

by securing habitat in all or portions of a species range. The network

is critical; a deficiency in one location may affect wildlife in other

locations.

Legal and Policy Guidance

National wildlife refuges are guided by: The mission and goals of the

National Wildlife Refuge System; the legal purpose of the refuge unit

as described in the establishing legislation or executive orders;

international treaties; Federal laws and regulations; and Service

policies (Appendix C).

North Platte Refuge is guided also by a number of agreements with

other agencies and by the conditions presented in Final Environmental

Assessments and Compatibility Determinations.

The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as

amended, provided guidelines and directives for administration of the

National Wildlife Refuge System. Use of any area within the Refuge

System was permitted, provided that such uses were compatible with

the major purposes for which such areas were established.

The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997

amends the Refuge System Administration Act by including a

unifying mission for the Refuge System, a formal process for

determining compatible uses on refuges, and a requirement that each

refuge will be managed under a Comprehensive Conservation Plan.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 19

This Act states that wildlife conservation is the priority of Refuge

System lands and that the Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that

the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of refuge

lands are maintained. Each refuge must be managed to fulfill both the

specific purposes for which it was established and the mission of the

Refuge System.

Further, the Refuge Improvement Act defines the wildlife-dependent

recreational uses as: hunting and fishing, wildlife observation and

photography, environmental education and interpretation. (Specific

details regarding additional amendments are available through the

Refuge or Regional Office.)

Lands within the Refuge System are different from other public lands

in that they are closed to all public uses unless specifically and legally

opened. Unlike other Federal lands that are managed under a

multiple-use mandate (i.e., national forests administered by the U.S.

Forest Service and public lands administered by the U.S. Bureau of

Land Management), the Refuge System is managed specifically for

the benefit of fish and wildlife resources.

“Compatibility” is a legal term which must be clearly understood. By

Federal law, all uses of national wildlife refuges, including wildlifedependent recreational activities, must be formally determined to be

“compatible.” A compatible use is defined as a use that, in the sound

professional judgement of the refuge manager, will not materially

interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the mission of the

Refuge System or the purposes of the refuge. Sound professional

judgement is further defined as a finding, determination, or decision

that is consistent with the principles of sound fish and wildlife

management and administration, available science and resources

(funding, personnel, facilities, and other infrastructure), and

adherence with applicable laws. No use of a national wildlife refuge

may be allowed unless determined to be compatible.

Uses that have been determined to be compatible for North Platte

Refuge include: environmental education and interpretation, wildlife

observation and photography, sport fishing (including from boats with

non-combustion engines), and upland habitat management tools.

Existing Partnerships

The North Platte Refuge staff works with: ■ Bureau of Reclamation and its agents, Pathfinder and Farmers

Irrigation Districts.

■ Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in fisheries management

and law enforcement.

■ The University of Nebraska/Panhandle Extension and Research

Center in coordinated integrated pest management activities.

■ Educational Service Unit #13 in environmental education. ■ Wildcat Audubon Society through their “adopt-a-refuge” program. ■ Scotts Bluff National Monument in prescribed burning. ■ Scotts Bluff County Fire Association in wildfire suppression. ■ Private landowners through the Fish and Wildlife Service

Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

■ The Natural Resource Conservation Service in the Wetland

Reserve Program.
20 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

II. Planning Process Planning Process

Description

Key steps in the comprehensive planning process are: (1) preplanning;

(2) identifying issues and developing a vision; (3) gathering information;

(4) analyzing resource relationships; (5) developing alternatives and

assessing environmental effects; (6) identifying a proposed alternative;

(7) publishing a draft plan and soliciting public comments; (8) reviewing

comments and making appropriate changes to the draft; (9) preparing

the final plan for approval by the Region 6 Regional Director; (10)

publishing the final plan; and finally (11) implementing the plan.

The project leader for the Crescent Lake/North Platte National

Wildlife Refuge Complex and the manager of the North Platte Refuge

were assigned primary responsibility for planning in June, 1998. An

open house/scoping session was held on July 17, 1998, to inform the

public of the planning process and to seek ideas on a variety of Refuge

programs and issues. About 150 invitations were mailed to local and

national stakeholders (educators, permittees, neighbors, other

agencies and non-profit organizations). The general public was also

invited through widely published/broadcast news releases. Information

could also be obtained by contacting the Refuge Manager and

comments could be submitted in writing.

Participants in the open house were provided an opportunity to learn

about the Refuge, talk with Service representatives and share their

ideas. Refuge staff also met personally with the Wildcat Audubon

Society, the West Nebraska Sportsman Association, and the

Scottsbluff Lions Club to discuss the CCP process.

In November 1998, the Project Leader formed a Review Team from a

pool of known stakeholders, biologists, and planners: ■ John Esperance, FWS, Region 6 Regional Office Planning Staff

(Team Leader)

■ Larry Shanks, FWS, Refuge Supervisor, Region 6/CO-KS-NE-UT ■ Sheri Fetherman, FWS, Chief, Education/Visitor Services,

Region 6

■ Lorrie Beck, FWS, Education/Visitor Services, Region 6 ■ Rhoda Lewis, FWS, Regional Archaeologist, Region 6 ■ Wayne King, FWS, Wildlife Biologist, Region 6 ■ Dr. Jim Stubbendieck, Director, Center for Great Plains Studies,

University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL)

■ Ritch Nelson, NGPC, Panhandle District Mgr, Wildlife Division ■ Jack Peterson, NGPC, Panhandle District, Fisheries Supervisor ■ Dale Henry, FWS-Retired

The final CCP will guide management of the North Platte Refuge for

the next 15 years. The Plan will be reviewed during routine Refuge

inspections and programmatic evaluations. When changes are needed,

the level of public involvement and associated NEPA documentation

will be determined by the Project Leader. The entire Plan will be

formally reviewed and revised at least every 15 years.

Planning Issues

The following issues were identified during the public scoping process

and through discussions with review team members. Some additional

discussion is found in the Environmental Assessment located in the

Draft CCP.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 21

Public Use

Liberalization of Closure Dates. Present closure dates are: October 1

through January 14 for the Lake Minatare and Winters Creek and

October 1 through May 14 for Lake Alice. These may be more

restrictive than necessary to protect migratory birds. Changing the

closure to October 15 through January 14 on these three units would

allow for more wildlife-dependent public use. The Service would

support the same dates for the Lake Minatare State Recreation Area

should the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Bureau of

Reclamation consider such a change. Stateline Island would remain

open year-round.

Liberalization of Closed Areas. Changes in public use at the Lake

Alice Unit have been suggested, primarily elimination of the closure

of the west half of the Unit. Such action would expand non-motorized

access for wildlife-dependent recreation. Other recommendations

include closing the little-used dirt road along the south side of the lake

to vehicles, and constructing an observation overlook along the south

end of the east dam. (See Map 6).

Hunting. Hunting of pheasants, deer, and small game at Lake Alice

from January 15 through October 14, in accordance with State

regulations, may be compatible with the purposes of the Refuge. In

western Nebraska, the Refuge is the only sanctuary available to large

numbers of waterfowl during the hunting season. Because of this,

hunting native birds (waterfowl, sharp-tailed grouse, mourning dove)

may not be compatible with the refuge purpose “as a preserve and

breeding ground for native birds.” Public hunting on the other units

may not be compatible because of their small size, although archery

hunting may be considered. Public safety would have to be carefully

examined. Before the Refuge can be opened to hunting, a hunting

plan must be approved by the Director of the Service and the

proposal published in the Federal Register. The public would be

invited to participate at all stages.

Invasive Species

Russian olive, salt cedar, Canada thistle, and musk thistle are invading

native habitat.

Removing or Burying Overhead Power Lines

About six miles of overhead power lines are a prominent intrusion.

Power company maintenance activities physically affect the

environment and the lines pose a threat to birds attracted to the

Refuge (Armbruster, 1990).

Water Rights

Both fish and wildlife would benefit from additional and stable water

in the Inland Lakes, particularly at Lake Alice. The United States

asserts a Federal reserved water right for the Refuge, subject to

Bureau of Reclamation uses, for sufficient water to provide a preserve

and breeding ground for native birds. The right carries a priority date

of August 21, 1916, the date the Refuge was established, but has not

been quantified or pursued.

Substantial leaking occurs through the Lake Alice lakebed and, thus,

storage is minimized by water users who cannot afford a loss in their

allocation of irrigation water. As a result, potential improvements to

the fisheries and wildlife habitat in this Unit goes wanting.
22 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Funding and Staffing

Some people expressed concern that the Service may not be allocated

sufficient money to implement all of this Plan. Refuge operations are

always subject to funds and personnel appropriated by Congress.

Congress has instructed the Service to assess the condition of the

National Wildlife Refuge System and to prepare Comprehensive

Conservation Plans which include needed funds and staffing (see

Section V). The Service will implement these plans to the extent

funds and personnel are available.

Lands of Interest

Winters Creek Expansion. The acquisition boundary approved by the

Director of the Service in April, 1990 would add 203 acres to the

Winters Creek Unit (see Map 7). This site is needed to meet the

interpretation and education objectives of the Refuge and is the

preferred site for a visitor contact station. The habitat is primarily

grassland (80 percent) and wetland (10 percent). Additional protection

and management would benefit all wildlife now using the area.

Purchase would be from willing sellers only.

Morrill Island. The Service holds title to this 100-acre island in the

North Platte River (Map 8). An adjoining landowner disputes this

title. The Service has requested, and is waiting for, guidance from the

Justice Department before initiating active management. While this

particular tract does not lend itself well to public access, habitat

would be improved by Service management and protection. Species

that would benefit from Service protection include many neotropical

birds, waterfowl, and bald eagles.

The following properties are of interest to the Service in the future.

In the future, the Refuge staff may look at short-grass uplands and

wetlands adjoining the Lake Alice Unit which are of interest for

possible private-lands habitat improvement projects, grassland

easements, and/or acquisition from willing sellers. Other “roundout”

acquisitions that would improve general administration of the Refuge

include the Winters Creek outlet area (Map 7) and the Lake Alice

west dam. No planning is scheduled for this parcel at this time.

Scottsbluff Island. The Fish and Wildlife Service has expressed

interest to the Bureau of Land Management for withdrawal from the

public domain of this 100-acre island in the North Platte River (Map

9). BLM has not acted on the request due to a moratorium imposed by

the Justice Department. This tract is near Scottsbluff and Gering and

would be an ideal site for local teachers and the Refuge staff to

conduct environmental education programs. Species expected to

benefit from Service protection include a variety of neotropical birds,

waterfowl, and bald eagles. Other public uses may include interpretive

hiking, wildlife viewing, and fishing in the North Platte River. After

legal direction and opinion are given by the Justice Department, the

Service will schedule planning efforts.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 23
24 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001
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26 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 27
28 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 29
30 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 31

III. Refuge and III. Refuge and

Resource Descriptions Resource Descriptions

Socio-Economic Environment

The population of Scotts Bluff County is 36,000. Of this number, 26,000

live in the nine communities within the County. The twin cities of

Scottsbluff/Gering have a combined population of 22,900. The entire

County population lives within 20 miles of a Refuge unit.

According to the Northeast Panhandle Economic Development

Report (Panhandle Area Dev. Dist., ca 1998), the population of Scotts

Bluff County will increase to about 41,200 by 2010 (up 13.5 percent).

The population of the 11-county Northeast Panhandle will increase

from 90,500 in 1997 to 95,350 in 2020 (up 5.3 percent). This indicates

that the more rural counties surrounding the Refuge may actually

lose population in the next 20 years.

Scottsbluff/Gering is a regional trade center for the Nebraska

Panhandle and parts of eastern Wyoming. Agriculture is the primary

economic activity. Major crops are sugar beets, beans, corn, and

alfalfa. Construction, manufacturing, and retail merchandising are

increasing in importance.

Geographic / Ecosystem Setting

The 2,722-acre Refuge includes four geographically separate units,

three of which are superimposed on or adjoining Bureau of Reclamation

irrigation reservoirs. A fourth unit, Stateline Island, is a Reclamation

diversion project along the North Platte River adjoining the Wyoming

State line.

In 1995, the Service adopted an “ecosystem approach to natural

resource management,” and identified 52 ecosystems within the

United States (USFWS, 1994). North Platte Refuge is in the Platte/

Kansas Rivers Ecosystem (Map 10). Interdisciplinary teams have

identified the primary areas of concern in each ecosystem. In the

Platte/Kansas Rivers Ecosystem those are: ■ Prairie Grassland restoration and preservation ■ Species of Concern (rare species) ■ Native fishes, small fishes and mussels ■ Water Quantity ■ Water Quality

This Plan, when implemented, will contribute to the goals and objectives

of the Platte/Kansas Rivers Ecosystem.

Climate

The general climate is characteristic of the high plains. Average annual

precipitation is about 14.5 inches. The average January temperature

is 23.8 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average in July is 72.8 degrees

Fahrenheit. Temperature extremes have ranged from -37 to 108 degrees

Fahrenheit. Humidity is relatively low and prevailing winds are west

to northwest in winter and east to southeast in summer. Winter winds

are occasionally warmed by the down slope effect from the higher

elevations to the west and bring rapid warming and melting of snow.

The growing season is 135 day; the last killing frost is in mid-May and

the first in mid-September.
32 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Air Quality

No known air quality problems exist. The strategic plan for Scotts

Bluff County is to “maintain the level of air quality throughout the

area” (Scotts Bluff County, 1999).

Geology

The Refuge is located in the central part of the High Plains Region.

The three reservoir units lie on a terrace or bench just north of the

North Platte River Valley between two bedrock outcrops. The area

has numerous gravel veins, an indication it is a remnant of an old

alluvial terrace. Stateline Island is in the North Platte River floodplain.

The general landscape surrounding the Refuge is nearly level to

rolling prairie.

Refuge Resources

Soils

Refuge soils are mapped and described in detail in the 1968 (Yost, et.al.)

Soil Survey of Scotts Bluff County. Soils on the reservoir units are

mostly deep sandy and loamy soils on foot slopes and deep sandy soils

on uplands. Mixed alluvial soils are characteristic of Stateline Island.

Water

The North Platte River is the principal drainage and water source for

the North Platte Valley. The Bureau of Reclamation holds a Wyoming

water right, with a priority date of December 6, 1904, for storage in

the Inland Lakes, three of which are within or adjacent to the Refuge.

Under this right, Reclamation may: (1) Accrue 46,000 acre-feet (up to

910 cfs) from the North Platte River during the months of October,

November, and April which may be stored in Glendo and Guernsey

Reservoirs before release into the Interstate Canal for storage in the

Inland Lakes; and (2) divert from Whalen Diversion at a rate up to

the canal capacity during the irrigation season as part of Nebraska’s

share of flows below the Whalen Diversion. This right was confirmed by

the Supreme Court in Nebraska v. Wyoming (1945), and reconfirmed

by the Special Master’s Ruling of April 9, 1992, (in litigation resulting

from Nebraska’s complaint of violations by Wyoming), and reconfirmed

by a Supreme Court Decision of April 20, 1993.

During the 1990s litigation, the United States asserted a Federal

reserved water right for the Refuge, subject to Bureau of Reclamation

uses, for sufficient water to provide a preserve and breeding ground

for native birds. The right carries a priority date of August 21, 1916,

the date the Refuge was established. The reserved right was not

quantified and the claim was not pursued in subsequent settlement

discussions.

Lake Alice and Lake Minatare were formed by damming basin-like

valleys. Winters Creek Lake is a natural wetland which was altered

to operate as a reservoir. The amount of water which enters the

reservoirs depends on spring runoff and water right allocations.

During the summer, water is released for irrigation. By September,

water levels are at their lowest points and the reservoirs usually will

not receive more water until the following spring.

Since 1991, Pathfinder Irrigation District has been able to leave about

1,000 acre-feet of water in storage at Lake Alice in the early fall. This

relatively small amount benefits migrating birds and reduces the

intensity of local sandstorms. Unfortunately, these benefits are shortlived due to seepage and evaporation.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 33
34 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 35

Vegetation

Grasslands

The Refuge has approximately 1,439 acres of grassland, mostly native

prairie. The primary native grasses are blue grama, needle-andthread, western wheatgrass, and prairie sandreed. Little bluestem,

sand bluestem, lovegrass, and switchgrass are native grasses that

were reseeded on about 16 acres in 1998 and 1999. Appendix F

contains a list of 179 plant species collected from the Refuge.

Nonnative species, or species not typically found in mixed-grass prairie,

are interspersed throughout all Refuge units. The most widespread

are smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass.

Woodlands/Shrub

Refuge reservoirs are surrounded with bands of large, naturally

established cottonwoods. The bands range in thickness from one or

two trees to 100 yards or more. The cottonwoods are very even-aged,

in the range of 70 to 80 years old. At Lake Minatare, peach-leaf willow

grows in relatively undisturbed areas at the high water mark. In the

1930s, the Veterans Civil Conservation Corps (VCCC) planted

American elm, green ash, and fruit-bearing shrubs such as chokecherry,

among the cottonwoods. At Lakes Alice and Minatare, green ash is

established in the understory.

Stateline Island is heavily forested with cottonwood, ash, willow, and

honey locust. Besides native grasses, the understory includes native

grasses, shrubs (peach-leaf willow and serviceberry), and forbs such

as wild licorice, ground plum, and prickly pear cactus.

Plant Species of Management Concern

Three plants officially listed as Species of Management Concern by

NGPC occur on the Refuge: wild onion, perennial bursage, and strict

sage (Appendix H). The amounts and distribution of these plants is

largely unknown.

Exotic and Invading Vegetation

Several species on the Nebraska noxious plant list are found on the

Refuge. The most widespread is Canada thistle which is common on

the many disturbed sites within and adjacent to the Refuge. Other

invasive, nonnative plants include musk thistle, Kentucky bluegrass,

smooth brome, downy brome, and Russian olive. The latter is very

aggressive and is invading the cottonwood understory at Winters

Creek, Lake Alice, and Stateline Island.
36 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Summary of Basic Habitat Types on Each Refuge Unit

S t ummary of Basic Habitat Types on each Refuge Unit

M e s inatare W s inters

C k ree

L e ak

A e lic

S e tateline

I d slan

T l ota

O 5 pen Water (lakes) 3 6 4 5 1 7 92

Small Wetlands

(w/emergent veg.)

8 8

G 7 rassland 3 9 2 3 8 4 6 5 9 6 9 1,43

T 3 rees/scrub shrub 1 5 0 5 29 56 5 31

Administrative

(roads,dams,canals)

2 1 3 1 593

T 0 OTALS 4 0 3 7 7 8 1 5 ,37 1 2 3 2,72
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 37

Wildlife

Endangered and Threatened Species

The bald eagle is a federally listed threatened species which, at this

writing, has been nominated for delisting. If that occurs it would most

likely fall into the category of a Species of Management Concern. The

Refuge was established, in part, because of the presence of wintering

eagles. Numbers were never large (up to 24); however, the Refuge

remains a consistent and important wintering area because of the

large numbers of migrating and wintering mallards. One pair of bald

eagles has nested on the Refuge since 1993; 21young were produced

to flight stage through 2001.

Whooping cranes, a federally listed endangered species, have not been

seen on the Refuge but are occasionally sighted nearby. In 1987, a lone

bird was observed east of Scottsbluff and 12 miles north of Lake

Minatare. One bird was seen among a flock of sandhill cranes just

west of Scottsbluff in 1999. The exposed and shallow water beaches of

Lake Minatare and Lake Alice are considered potential fall roosting

sites.

Species of Management Concern

For the purposes of this Plan, Species of Management Concern are

those listed by the Fish and Wildlife Service or the State as declining

and in need of special attention. Comparing these lists with the Refuge

bird list indicates 40 such species occur on the Refuge sometime

during the year (see Appendix H).

Birds

Nebraska includes 413 bird species on its official list, 228 of which

occur on the North Platte Refuge (Appendices F, G, and H).

Beside the bald eagle, other raptors common to the Refuge include

great horned owl, American kestrel, rough-legged hawk, golden

eagle, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, and osprey. Use by all raptors

averages about 1,500 to 2,000 use-days per year. The peregrine falcon,

a recovered endangered species, is an occasional visitor during

migrations.

The American Bird Conservancy (1998) has designated Lake Minatare

“globally significant” as a wintering area for waterfowl. Although no

longer part of the Refuge, Lake Minatare is closed as a fall and winter

sanctuary under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation and the

NGPC. Table 1 indicates average annual waterfowl use on the Refuge,

about 95 percent of which occurs from mid-October through December.
38 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

North Platte Refuge is not a waterfowl production area. Only four

species nest on the Refuge (Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, and

blue-winged teal). About 100 geese and 200 ducks, 95 percent of which

are wood ducks, are raised to flight stage annually.

T e able 1. Average Annual Waterfowl Use Days for the North Platte

N R e W (Includes Lake Minatare proper which is no longer part of th

Refuge but adjoins the Lake Minatare Unit and is closed as a fall and

winter sanctuary under agreement with Reclamation and NGPC.)

Species

Average Annual

Use Days

TOTAL USE

DAYS

T 4 rumpeter Swan 2

T s 4 otal Swan Use Days 24

W 7 hite-fronted Goose 3

S 3 now Goose 37

C 7 anada Goose 80,83

T s 7 otal Goose Use Days 8 7 1,24

C 0 ommon Merganser 158,34

R 9 ed-breasted Merganser 48

H 0 ooded Merganser 48

M 3 allard 4,721,95

G 1 adwall 10,34

A 3 merican Wigeon 16,84

G 3 reen-winged Teal 7,69

B 0 lue-winged Teal 2,91

S 7 hoveler 9,16

P 9 intail 13,35

W 3 ood Duck 94

R 3 edhead 8,29

C 3 anvasback 2,14

L 4 esser Scaup 11,64

R 1 ing-necked Duck 1,70

C 0 ommon Goldeneye 174,78

B 9 ufflehead 2,61

R 4 uddy 3,39

T s 2 otal Duck Use Days 5 2 ,147,092

T S 3 OTALWATERFOWLUSEDAYS 5 3 ,228,363
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 39

Table 2 indicates average annual marsh and water bird use for the

Refuge. Herons and cormorants use the area primarily from March

into November. A rookery on the Lake Alice Unit, idle since 1991,

was occupied by about 50 herons and 30 cormorants. It is not known

why the rookery was abandoned.

The heaviest use by shorebirds, gulls, and terns occurs from March

through November. Table 3 indicates average annual use by shorebirds and allied species.

T e able 2. Average Annual Marsh and Water Bird Use Days for the

N R t orth Platte NWR (includes Lake Minatare proper which is no longer par

of the Refuge but adjoins the Lake Minatare Unit and is closed as a fall and

winter sanctuary under agreement with Reclamation and the NGPC).

S l pecies Average Annua

Use Days

TOTAL USE

DAYS

D 6 ouble-crested Cormorant 12,90

W 9 hite Pelican 4,21

G 2 reat Blue Heron 10,73

B 6 lack-crowned Night-Heron 2,70

T S 3 OTAL USE DAYS 3 3 0,56

T e able 3. Average Annual Shorebird/Allied Species Use Days for the

N R t orth Platte NWR (includes Lake Minatare proper which is no longer par

of the Refuge but adjoins the Lake Minatare Unit and is closed as a fall and

winter sanctuary under agreement with Reclamation and NGPC).

S l pecies Average Annua

Use Days

TOTAL USE

DAYS

H 4 erring Gull 3,08

R 4 ing-billed Gull 220,32

F 9 ranklin's Gull 28,45

B 5 onaparte's Gull 61

L 5 ong-billed Dowitcher 45

S 8 tilt Sandpiper 4

B 6 aird's Sandpiper 4,24

L 0 east Sandpiper 1,86

M 8 arbled Godwit 16

L 1 esser Yellowlegs 40

W 4 illet 8

K 2 illdeer 10,03

T S 6 OTAL USE DAYS 2 6 69,776
40 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Ring-necked pheasants and sharp-tailed grouse occur in small numbers,

primarily on the Lake Alice and Winters Creek units. Bobwhite quail

and wild turkey inhabit Stateline Island; the turkey population is

estimated at 50.

Mammals

Larger mammals include raccoon, striped skunk, coyote, red fox,

black-tailed prairie dog, badger, eastern fox squirrel, eastern cottontail,

white-tailed deer, and mule deer (Appendix F). The Refuge Units are

small and deer move on and off the Refuge throughout the year; peak

numbers occur during winter and average about 50 to 60 mule deer

and 10 white-tailed deer. Two black-tailed prairie dog towns on the

Lake Minatare Unit were struck by plague in 1996 and have not been

occupied since. The black-tailed prairie dog is a candidate for listing

as a threatened or endangered species. River otter is a state-listed

threatened species. While this species has not been documented on

Refuge lands, potential habitat exists for this species to be found

here.

The Refuge mammal list is not complete and little is known about small

rodents and other species.

Amphibians and Reptiles

The northern leopard frog is the most common amphibian. The

bullsnake, western plains garter snake, and eastern yellow bellied

racer are the most common reptiles. The Refuge does not have a

complete list of amphibians and reptiles, and little is known about

these species (Appendix F).

Fish

Refuge reservoirs are man-made and all fish have been introduced

through stocking or have entered the lakes through the irrigation

canals. Walleye, yellow perch, bluegill, muskellunge, largemouth bass,

and channel catfish are stocked for recreational purposes at Winters

Creek by the NGPC. Little is known about nongame fishes.

Invertebrates

Refuge habitats produce large numbers of invertebrates which form

an important food base for migrating and nesting birds. The Refuge

does not have an insect list and little is known about relative numbers

or distribution. Two native mussels are known to occur in Lake

Minatare, the paper floater and the giant floater (see Appendix F). A

third species, the cylindrical papershell, could be expected to occur

but has not been documented.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 41

Cultural Resources

No significant historic, prehistoric or paleontological resources have

been identified within the Refuge. The lake units lie north of the

Oregon Trail and 10 miles northeast of the Scotts Bluff National

Monument. Construction of the lakes took place in the early 1900s.

The Veterans Civilian Conservation Corps developed some

recreational facilities on and around the Refuge in the 1930s. The

dilapidated remains of a stone latrine are located at the North Cove

area in the Lake Minatare Unit.

Stateline Island adjoins the North Platte River and lies within two

miles of the confluence of the North Platte River and Horse Creek

where more than 10,000 Plains Indians gathered in council with the

U.S. Government to sign the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851.

The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for general cultural resource

surveys. The Service is responsible for surveys and mitigation on

sites disturbed by Refuge management activities.

Public Use and Environmental Education

All four Refuge units are open during daylight hours for wildlife

observation and photography, interpretation and environmental

education, fishing, hiking, canoeing, boating (no internal combustion

motors), and mushroom and berry picking. The Lake Minatare,

Winters Creek, and Lake Alice Units are closed during portions of the

fall and winter to provide sanctuary for migrating birds. Stateline

Island is open year-round.

About 4,500 people visited in 1999, an increase of 20 percent since

1987; about 90 percent are from local communities. Visitors often

engage in more than one activity and an approximate breakdown by

activity is: wildlife observation/interpretation (2,100); environmental

education (1,400); and fishing (1,900). In addition, Refuge staff

presented off-site education programs to about 1,100 people, mostly

students, in 1999.

Visitor facilities are limited. Interior Refuge roads are two-track

trails which are difficult to travel when wet. Mowed parking areas are

located near fishing access points, including a primitive boat launch at

Winters Creek. Five information kiosks with leaflet dispensers are

located at Refuge entrances. No rest room facilities are provided.

Refuge entrances and boundaries are signed.

The adjoining Lake Minatare State Recreation Area (SRA) is managed

by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission through a lease with

the Bureau of Reclamation. It is open for public use from January 15

to September 30 and closed the rest of the year, under agreement

with the Service, as a sanctuary for migrating and wintering birds.

NGPC estimates that the area receives 250,000 to 325,000 visits

annually (McCoy, personal communication). These visits are primarily

for power boating and fishing, camping (including ORVs), and

swimming.
42 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

IV. Refuge Goals, . Refuge Goals, . Refuge Goals,

Objectives, and Strategies Objectives, and Strategies

Background

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and legal purpose

of the North Platte Refuge are the primary references for setting

Refuge goals and objectives. Service ecosystem priorities are also

considered.

The following goals and objectives were first established in the early

stages of the planning process and then refined and updated based on

comments from stakeholders and the review team. They provided the

base for development of the alternatives discussed in the Environmental

Assessment published in the Draft CCP.

It is important to understand that individual objectives cannot be

taken out of context. Refuge objectives are interrelated and, together,

will produce the desired results. Generally speaking, habitat is

managed to produce and/or support a definable variety and amount of

wildlife. However, because it is the habitat over which refuge managers

have most control, a clear understanding must also exist of the kinds

and amounts of habitat needed to support that wildlife. Thus, objectives

occur for both wildlife species or groups of species and for habitat -

but they must be viewed collectively. Public use and environmental

education are also important functions and managers must know what

kinds and how much public use can be allowed and remain compatible

with the wildlife purposes and objectives.

The Refuge consists of four small, geographically separated units and

cannot be all things to all forms of wildlife. Therefore, in order to

decide how to manage a specific habitat, it is necessary to define in

general terms which animals, or group of animals, will receive

priority and where. This is not always a popular idea and perhaps a

couple of examples will help. For instance, if a conflict exists between

providing for a species of management concern and providing for

migrating mallard ducks, the species of management concern would

generally be given priority. Similarly, in the event of a management

conflict, species that are abundant on private lands surrounding the

Refuge (i.e., horned lark) would have lower priority than species

which are more dependent on native prairie (i.e., long-billed curlew).

The general wildlife priorities for North Platte Refuge are:

(1) endangered or threatened species;

(2) species considered candidates for listing as threatened or

endangered, and Species of Management Concern (species which

are or are becoming rare or are declining in numbers, are listed

as such on either Federal or State lists, and for which the proper

habitat occurs on the Refuge);

(3) native birds (resident and migratory);

(4) other native wildlife; and

(5) nonnative species that people use consumptively (i.e., ringnecked pheasant and sport fish).
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 43

Endangered and Threatened Species

Plants and animals listed as endangered or threatened by either the

Federal government or the State of Nebraska will receive priority

consideration in all refuge management decisions. The bald eagle is

listed as threatened, however, at this writing, has been recommended

for delisting. An average of 10 eagles have wintered on the Refuge

over the last 10 years, and one pair has successfully nested on the

Refuges since 1993. No known endangered plants occur on the

Refuge. Scoping and public involvement did not reveal a need for

more use by these species or to change present management.

Goal 1: Contribute to the preservation and restoration of endangered or

threatened species that are or were endemic to the North Platte

Refuge area.

1.1 Objective: 1.1 Objective: Maintain habitat and food sources for at least 24 1.1 Objective: 

wintering and migrating bald eagles, and one pair of nesting bald

eagles.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Continue to close the Lake Alice, Winters Creek, and Lake

Minatare units to public use from mid-October to mid-January.

■ Maintain a protective zone around the existing nesting site.

■ Continuously monitor for new nesting activity; immediately

establish new protective zones at the first signs of nesting.
44 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Fish and Wildlife

Wildlife objectives, particularly those for migratory species, must be

considered in light of: the purpose and role of North Platte Refuge;

continental and statewide populations and trends; the potential of the

Refuge to make a measurable contribution at reasonable cost; and the

effects of applied management on other species. For instance, if a

migratory species is declining because of problems on wintering

grounds to the south, it does not automatically follow that this Refuge

should make significant adjustments in management to produce or

sustain more - but that possibility should be considered. Or, for

example, if increases are indicated, care should be taken that refuge

management is resulting in a net increase, not just redistributing

animals from surrounding areas.

Goal 2: Preserve, restore, and enhance the ecological diversity and

abundance of migratory birds and other indigenous fish and

wildlife.

2.1 Objective: 2.1 Objective: Maintain present migrating and breeding populations of 2.1 Objective: 

Species of Management Concern (see Appendix H) and species which

are candidates for listing as threatened or endangered.

The black-tailed prairie dog is a candidate for Federal listing as a

threatened or endangered species. The Refuge population was

decimated by plague in 1996, and the two colonies have not been

reinhabitated. Because of the small size of the Refuge and the

inability to prevent prairie dogs from migrating onto private

lands, the reintroduction of prairie dogs is not feasible at this

time. Should the population return to it’s own, however, they will

be fully protected. The Nebraska Conservation Plan for the blacktailed prairie dog is currently underway and will be considered as

future management decisions are made concerning prairie dogs on

Refuge lands.

Scoping and public involvement did not reveal a specific need for

more use on the Refuge by other species. Therefore, changes in

management for the specific purpose of increasing any of these

species is not necessary at this time. More information is needed

to determine how present habitat management helps or hinders

each species and if the Refuge has significant potential to increase

populations.

Strategies: Strategies: ■ Maintain habitat capable of supporting present populations of

Species of Management Concern and species which are

candidates for listing as threatened or endangered (see

Habitat Objectives).

■ Emphasize habitat uncommon or not found on surrounding

private lands (see Habitat Objectives).

■ Acquire management control over government owned Morrill

and Scottsbluff Islands.

■ Devise and implement surveys and monitoring to determine

status and trends of, and effects of management on, Species of

Management Concern; identify “indicator species” that will

help define with greater detail management strategies for this

group as a whole.

■ Participate in ecosystem management and area-wide strategies

to enhance these species.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 45

2.2 Objective: 2.2 Objective: Maintain present migrating and breeding populations 2.2 Objective:

and production of waterfowl (See Table 1).

Scoping and public involvement did not reveal a need to increase

present populations or production of waterfowl on the Refuge.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Maintain habitat capable of supporting present breeding and

migrating populations (see Habitat Objectives).

2.3 Objective: 2.3 Objective: Maintain present numbers and distribution of other 2.3 Objective: 

migratory and nonmigratory birds.

Scoping and public involvement did not reveal a need to increase

the breeding or migrating populations of other migratory or

nonmigratory birds on the Refuge.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Maintain habitat capable of supporting present numbers of

other migratory and nonmigratory birds (see Habitat

Objectives).

■ Monitor population trends and assess the effects of habitat

management on these species.

2.4 Objective: 2.4 Objective: Maintain the present diversity and abundance of 2.4 Objective: 

mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Scoping and public involvement did not indicate a need to increase

or decrease use on the Refuge of any other animal species. However,

little is known about the presence, abundance, and specific needs

of many of these species; problems and needs may simply be

unknown. Scientifically based, defendable surveys and research is

time consuming and often expensive; past and present funding

and staffing has limited such activity.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Devise and implement surveys, and monitor to detect the status

and trends of, and effects of management on, mammals,

reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

■ Seek alternative ways to obtain missing information (i.e.,

university studies, volunteer assistance).
46 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

2.5 Objective: 2.5 Objective: Maintain harvestable populations of sport fish in 2.5 Objective: 

Winters Creek and Lake Alice reservoirs; maintain an overall fishery

as a food source for birds dependent of an aquatic diet.

The NGPC manages sport fisheries on the Refuge, an arrangement

that has been valuable to both agencies. At present, only Winters

Creek has sustainable populations. Drawdowns for irrigation and

seepage prevent a sustainable fishery at Lake Alice. A fish screen

at the inlet of Winters Creek was damaged by a wildfire in 1996

and is no longer functional; unknown amounts of carp have

entered the lake for the past several years.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Maintain cooperative agreement with NGPC for fishery

management.

■ In cooperation with the NGPC:

- Evaluate the feasibility of, need for, and costs and benefits of

establishing a new sport fishery at Lake Alice.

- Devise and implement surveys to determine the presence,

status, and importance (both positive and negative) of fish

other than sport fish.

- Assess the effects of carp on the Winters Creek fishery;

implement control when indicated, including repair of the fish

screen.

Goal 3: Maintain ecological diversity and abundance of migratory birds

and other wildlife on Stateline Island.

3.1 Objective: 3.1 Objective: On Stateline Island maintain present migrating and 3.1 Objective: 

breeding populations of Species of Management Concern (see

Appendix H) and species which are candidates for listing as

threatened or endangered.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Maintain habitat capable of supporting present populations of

Species of Management Concern and species which are

candidates for listing as threatened or endangered (see

Habitat Objectives).

■ Devise and implement surveys and monitoring to determine

status and trends of, and effects of management on, Species of

Management Concern; identify “indicator species” that will

help define with greater detail management strategies for this

group as a whole.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 47

Upland Habitat

Goal 4: Preserve, restore, and enhance on North Platte Refuge the natural

diversity of indigenous flora; maintain the amounts and

distribution of basic upland habitat types as are now present.

An Upland Habitat Management Plan was written for North Platte

Refuge in 1996. Referred to as a “step-down plan,” it presents habitat

descriptions and the management techniques that will be used to

create and/or maintain the habitat necessary to reach and sustain the

fish and wildlife objectives. The step-down plan is available at the

Refuge Headquarters if more information is needed. The following

habitat objectives are based on that document.

4.1 Objective: 4.1 Objective: Maintain and sustain existing native prairie areas in 4.1 Objective: 

excellent condition; increase the warm season grass component of

native prairie and other grassland areas by 10 percent.

The theme of prairie/grassland management on North Platte Refuge

is to create a general landscape that mimics “native” prairie, with

emphasis on warm season grasses such as switch- grass and

Indian grass. This is desirable because surrounding privately

owned lands are managed for different purposes and have little

residual cover available in the early spring for ground nesting

birds. Cool season and exotic grasses (such as Kentucky bluegrass

and downy brome) begin growing in early spring and cure out in

midsummer. By the next spring, they are mostly lying flat and of

little use to nesting birds. Native warm season grasses do not

begin to grow until early or midsummer. They are generally bigger,

more robust, and remain standing throughout winter and spring.

While most bird species are adaptable and can survive in less than

optimum habitat, their numbers are generally fewer; some are

becoming rare because of changes in grassland resulting from

commercial uses on private lands.

Today, “native” prairie is not common on private lands surrounding

the Refuge. These private lands do, however, provide shorter

grasses for wildlife which need that habitat type for all or part of

their life cycle. By emphasizing taller, warm season grasses and

native forms on the Refuge, a mixture of habitats can be provided

over a larger area. The Refuge can and should provide habitat not

common in surrounding private lands.

Among the species that will benefit from taller vegetation are the

grasshopper sparrow, bobolink, clay-colored sparrow, mallard, and

sharp-tailed grouse. Birds which may benefit from shorter grass

surrounding the Refuge include killdeer, willet, horned lark, and

lark bunting (Kantrud and Kologiski 1982; Kirsch 1978; Ryder 1980).

Duebbert (1974) stated that residual nesting cover carried over

from year-to-year is an important component of nesting cover.

However, if undisturbed for too many years, the vigor of the

vegetation declines. He suggested a system of management that

includes several years of non-use interrupted by nearly complete

cover removal during one year.

The desired mixture of grasses and forbs is encouraged by a

combination of rest, fire, and grazing (Duebbert 1974). Refuge

management will strive for a balance between providing undisturbed

wildlife cover and maintaining vegetative composition and vigor.
48 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Leave no less than 75 percent of upland cover in an undisturbed

state every year. (Note: treating up to 25 percent annually is

the approximate maintenance level; up to 50 percent may be

treated in some years until the desired condition and

composition is reached.)

■ Prescribe burn 10 to 25 percent of native prairie or other

grassland areas annually until habitat objectives are met; then

burn about 5 to 10 percent annually.

■ Graze up to 50 percent of native prairie or other grassland

areas annually until habitat objectives are met; then graze

about 5 to 10 percent annually.

■ Plant native grasses in disturbed areas (i.e., Russian olive

control sites) and areas infested with brome grasses.

■ Work with utility companies to remove or bury overhead

power lines.

■ Through acquisition, conservation easements or other instruments,

protect selected adjoining lands as upland habitat and to

improve general administration of the Refuge.

■ Evaluate the results of applied management annually; adjust

step-down plan as needed.

■ Refine the Upland Habitat Management Plan to more

specifically describe mixed-grass prairie and desired species

composition, including indicator species to help measure

change and progress.

4.2 Objective: 4.2 Objective: Eradicate or reduce to the lowest practical level all 4.2 Objective: 

noxious plants.

The four refuge units are small and surrounded by private lands

subjected to a wide variety of uses. Noxious plant control has

been and no doubt will continue to be an ongoing battle.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Manage Canada thistle using integrated pest management

techniques. Eradication is not feasible but the plant should not

be allowed to spread or become the dominant species on any

given area.

■ Eliminate Russian olive trees through a combination of

mechanical removal, burning, and chemical treatment of stumps.

■ Manage other noxious plants with a combination of mechanical

removal, biological (insect) control, spot application of

herbicides, overseeding, and proper management/restoration

of native plants.

■ Include information about control of exotic/invasive species in

information leaflets, kiosks, and other environmental education

efforts.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 49

Goal 5: Preserve, restore, and enhance on Stateline Island the natural

diversity of indigenous flora; maintain the amounts and

distribution of basic upland habitat types as are now present.

5.1 Objective: 5.1 Objective: Maintain and sustain existing native grassland and 5.1 Objective: 

cottonwood stands in good to excellent condition.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Continue to prescribe burn Stateline Island Unit approximately

once every four years.

■ Continue to monitor vegetation health and production by using

photo-point measuring techniques.

5.2 Objective: 5.2 Objective: Eradicate or reduce, to the lowest level practical, all 5.2 Objective: 

State and federally listed noxious weeds.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Manage Canada thistle using integrated pest management

techniques. Eradication is not feasible but the plant should not

be allowed to spread or become the dominant species on any

given area.

■ Manage other noxious plants with a combination of mechanical

removal, biological (insect) control, spot application of

herbicides, overseeding, and proper management/restoration

of native plants.

Wetlands

Goal 6: Enhance and maintain diverse and reliable wetlands for fish and

wildlife on North Platte Refuge.

Refuge and nearby impoundments are irrigation reservoirs and the

Refuge has no control over the amounts and timing of water delivered

through the irrigation canals. Water levels fluctuate widely, resulting

in unreliable shallow and deep-water habitat.

6.1 Objective: 6.1 Objective: Establish a reliable water source for management of 6.1 Objective: 

water levels for wildlife at Lake Alice.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Obtain water rights through fair market purchase and

agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Pathfinder

Irrigation District.

■ Increase the inactive (fall-winter) pool elevation at Lake Alice

through agreement with Reclamation and the Pathfinder

Irrigation District.

■ Explore the feasibility of pumping groundwater into one or

more of the reservoirs for improved wetlands habitat.
50 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Public Use and Environmental Education

Goal 7: Provide opportunities to learn about and enjoy the outdoor

environment, fish, wildlife, and the history of the Refuge in a

manner compatible with the purposes for which the Refuge was

established.

The scoping sessions did not reveal a need to increase any specific

type of on-site public use. About 90 percent of current use is from

local communities, and tourism is not expected to increase

significantly. Therefore, for planning purposes, it is assumed that

public use will increase at about the same rate as the local population

or about 13 to 14 percent by 2010 (Panhandle Area Development

District). If this growth rate remains steady through the life of this

Plan, public use (other than fishing) would increase by about 20

percent by 2015.

Local schools have expressed a desire for more on-site and off-site

environmental education programs and facilities; based on discussions

with teachers, the present demand is about twice the current output.

Fishing, especially winter fishing, has been increasing about 10

percent a year for the last 3 to 4 years, primarily because people have

discovered that fishing on Winters Creek Lake is often better than on

other nearby areas such as the Lake Minatare State Recreation Area.

Thus, while the total number of anglers in the general area is not

increasing faster than the local population, the distribution is

changing. This trend will not continue indefinitely, but a 50 percent

increase in fishing on the Refuge over the life of this Plan (15 years)

would not be surprising.

7.1 Objective: 7.1 Objective: Provide up to 5,000 visitors with quality interpretation, 7.1 Objective: 

wildlife observation, and photography opportunities.

7.2 Objective: 7.2 Objective: Provide on-site environmental education and 7.2 Objective: 

interpretation opportunities for up to 2,000 local K-college students.

7.3 Objective: 7.3 Objective: Increase off-site environmental education by Refuge 7.3 Objective: 

staff from 1,100 to 1,700 local students.

7.4 Objective: 7.4 Objective: Provide people of all ages and people with disabilities 7.4 Objective: 

access to some portion of all allowed public uses.

Strategies: Strategies: ■ Shorten the closure on Lake Minatare and Winters Creek

from October 1 through January 14 to October 15 through

January 14.

■ Acquire lands within the Winters Creek Expansion boundary,

from willing sellers, and management control over Scottsbluff

Island for the expansion of on-site environmental education

and interpretation opportunities.

■ Develop an accessible visitor contact station, staffed on a parttime basis, at Winters Creek for formal and informal on-site

interpretation and education.

■ Seek partnerships for development of formal on-site education

facilities.

■ Revise the public use step-down plan; include site and facility

plans for a visitor contact station at Winters Creek.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 51

7.5 Objective: 7.5 Objective: Provide sport fishing opportunities 7.5 Objective: for up to 3,500 people

per year.

Strategies: Strategies: ■ Maintain agreement with NGPC for fishery management. ■ In cooperation with NGPC:

- determine the sport fishing capacity for Refuge lakes and be

prepared to limit use if necessary.

- conduct a feasibility study/cost benefit analysis for a

sustainable sport fishery at Lake Alice.

7.6 Objective: 7.6 Objective: Provide opportunity for hunting (except migratory 7.6 Objective: 

birds) at Lake Alice from January 15 through October 14 in

accordance with State laws.

The Refuge has never been open to hunting. Until 1990, the

Refuge was unstaffed and the Crescent Lake National Wildlife

Refuge, 100 miles distant, served as “caretaker” of the limited

Service interests. The Refuge is now staffed, and it is believed

that limited hunting on the 1,377-acre Lake Alice unit would be

compatible with Refuge purposes if the fall/winter closure is

retained.

Strategies: Strategies: ■ In partnership with the NGPC, prepare a hunting plan

complete with public involvement.

Goal 8: Provide outdoor opportunities on Stateline Island for visitors to

enjoy environmental aspects of open space and protected

wildlife.

8.1 Objective: 8.1 Objective: Provide the public of all capabilities with quality 8.1 Objective:

interpretation, wildlife observation, and photography opportunities.

Strategies: Strategies: ■ Maintain existing trail system and develop an accessible

interpretive river-walk trail on Stateline Island.

Cultural Resources

Broad-based cultural resource surveys (history, archaeology,

paleontology) have not been conducted on the Refuge. General

surveys are the responsibility of the Bureau of Reclamation, the

agency with primary jurisdiction. The Service is responsible for

surveys on sites that will be disturbed by refuge management

activities and for subsequent protection or mitigation of any resources

discovered during those surveys.

Goal 9: Preserve the cultural resources of the North Platte Refuge.

9.1 Objective: 9.1 Objective: Identify and protect cultural resources for scientific, 9.1 Objective: 

educational, and interpretive purposes.

Strategies: Strategies: ■ In partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation, conduct a

general survey of cultural resources on the Refuge by

December 31, 2002.

■ Continue to conduct site-specific surveys on areas that will be

disturbed by refuge management activities; take advantage of

prescribed burns to detect presence of cultural resources.
52 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Community Involvement / Support Systems

Goal 10: Promote partnerships to preserve, restore, and enhance the

natural environment and socio-economic community of which

North Platte Refuge is a part.

10.1 Objective: 10.1 Objective: North Platte Refuge is part of larger socio-economic 10.1 Objective:

and biological communities. It influences and is influenced by what

goes on around it - agriculture, recreation, community growth and

development, natural resource preservation. It does not stand alone

and must be involved in maintaining a healthy social, economic, and

natural environment for people and wildlife.

Strategies: Strategies:

■ Continue participation in the Fish and Wildlife Service

Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to enhance wildlife

habitat on private lands.

■ Encourage and support scientific research on the Refuge, with

emphasis on information needs of the Refuge.

■ Participate with other Service divisions and the NGPC in the

“ecosystem approach to resource management” and define the

Refuge role in that effort.

■ Participate in local and State planning efforts.

■ Continue to provide areas on the Refuge for use by teachers

and students for environmental/biological education.

■ Continue interagency cooperation in such activities as wildfire

and noxious weed control.

■ Develop a Friends Group for North Platte Refuge.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 53

V. Implementation . Implementation

and Monitoring and Monitoring

Funding and Personnel

Staffing Needed for Implementation

The following Staffing Chart shows current staff and additional staff

needed to implement this Plan. All personnel would be part of the

Crescent Lake NWR Complex and some positions would be shared

with the Crescent Lake NWR. If positions are not filled, some aspects

of this Plan would not be completed or may take longer to complete.

S d taffing Chart - Current and Proposed

P n t osition C t d urrent P d roposed

P XX roject Leader, GS-13 (Complex)

R XX efuge Manager

B X iological Aid, GS-3

C X lerk, GS-4 (Complex)

R X efuge Manager, GS-5/7/9

B X iological Technician, GS-5

(1/2 time)

X

(full-time)

B X iological Technician, GS-7

Y XX CC Crew Leader, Part-time, GS-5

M X aintenance Worker, WG-5

W X ildlife Biologist, GS-11 (Complex)

Administrative Support Assistant, GS-8

(Complex)

X X

Outdoor Recreation Planner, GS-11

(Complex)

X
54 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Funding Needed for Implementation

The Service maintains two national databases for tracking funding

needs: (1) The Maintenance Management System (MMS) which

records needs for maintaining or replacing existing facilities and

equipment; and (2) the Refuge Operating Needs System (RONS)

which documents new or additional projects, facilities, equipment, and

personnel needed to implement CCP.

The North Platte Refuge maintenance backlog was $324,000 in 1999

(see Appendix D for project summary). New projects, or additions to

existing projects, needed to fully implement this Plan total $1.6 million.

Projects on both lists are in order of priority as viewed by the Project

Leader. Those priorities are sometimes changed as funding requests

move up through the Service to the Department of the Interior and

Congress. More specific information about each project can be found

in the database on file at the Refuge headquarters.

Implementation of this Plan would require projects not yet included

in MMS or RONS. The total cost for these additional projects is about

$400,000. A summary of these costs follows:

A s dditional MMS and RONS Projects

Bury or reroute overhead utility lines

(6 miles @ $10.00/foot)

$320,000

G 0 ain management control over Morrill Island $20,00

A 0 cquire public domain land, Scotts Bluff Island $20,00

Develop and construct, through a partnership with the

Bureau and Pathfinder Irrigation District, an interpretive

overlook on or near the dam at Lake Alice

$40,000
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 55

Step-down Management Plans

Step-down management plans describe management strategies,

procedures, methods, and tasks for specific resources or functions.

Step-down plans for North Platte Refuge are listed below and are on

file at the Refuge headquarters and/or Regional Office. All step-down

plans are reviewed annually to be sure they are up-to-date; several

will require changes to reflect the content of this CCP.

Refuge Management Policies and Guidelines

In addition to the laws, policies, and regulations under which all

national wildlife refuges operate (Section 1 and Appendix C), North

Platte Refuge is guided by a number of agreements with the Bureau

of Reclamation, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and local

agencies (Appendix C). The public involvement process did not reveal

a need to change these agreements.

A e pproved Step-down Plans and Approval Date

W 1 ildlife Management Plan for Stateline Islands - 1991

Per management agreement with Bureau of Reclamation and

Farmers Irrigation District, provides management guidance over the

130-acre unit.

N 2 orth Platte NWR Management Plan - 1992

Provides overall wildlife management guidance over the Minatare,

Winters Creek, and Lake Alice Units.

P 5 ublic Use and Education Program Plan - 1995

Provides overall public use management guidance.

I 5 ntegrated Pest Management Plan - 1995

Provides overall management guidance of noxious and invasive plant

species within the Refuge.

U 6 pland Management Plan - 1996

Provides overall guidance of upland management within the

Complex. Guides use of such tools as grazing, haying, fire, and

seeding.

W e ildlife Management Plan, for Reclamation Lands Adjoining the

N 7 orth Platte NWR - 1997

Per management agreement with Bureau of Reclamation and

Pathfinder Irrigation District, provides management guidance over

the subject lands adjoining the Inland Lakes Units.

F 8 ire Management Plan - 1998

Provides overall management guidance of wildfire suppression and

prescribed burning within the Complex.
56 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Partnership Opportunities

The Service will continue to seek opportunities to work with Federal,

State, and local agencies, conservation groups, and private

corporations and organizations to advance the purpose of North

Platte Refuge. Partnerships require time to coordinate, develop, and

nurture. This must be accounted for in the development of budgets

and annual work plans. Existing and potential partners include:

■ Bureau of Reclamation/Pathfinder Irrigation District

Both organizations have cooperated with several Refuge initiatives

in the past, including ways and means to seal Lake Alice and

prevent loss of irrigation waters. Future Refuge facilities could

interpret the mission of the Bureau and District as well as that of

the Service.

■ Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Continue partnership with the Commission to manage Refuge

fisheries.

■ University of Nebraska - University of Nebraska - Panhandle Extension and Research Center

Continue coordination of integrated pest management with

research staff.

■ Educational Service Unit #13, Nebraska Department Educational Service Unit #13, Nebraska Department of Education

Continue partnership for formal environmental education of area

students.

■ Wildcat Audubon Society

This Chapter has formally “adopted” the Refuge through the

“Adopt-a-Refuge” program and will continue to be called upon for

environmental education projects and for technical assistance.

■ Scotts Bluff National Monument

The Refuge will share staff, equipment, and professional expertise

with the Monument.

■ Scotts Bluff County Fire Association

Maintain cooperative agreements for wildfire suppression.

■ West Nebraska Sportsmen’ est Nebraska Sportsmen’s Association

The Refuge staff will continue to request the assistance for selected

wildlife projects.

■ Scotts Bluff County

Continue coordination of integrated pest management activities

with the County Weed Superintendent.

■ Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce

Maintain cooperation with the Chamber to dispense and promote

Refuge information and activities.

■ North Platte Natural Resources District
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 57

Monitoring and Evaluation

This Plan emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluating

the effects of applied management and public use on plants and

animals. Additional scientific, long-term monitoring is needed in order

to measure progress toward stated objectives, detect successes and

failures, make adjustments in management techniques, and modify

plans, and budget requests. Some monitoring needs and techniques

are documented in the step-down plans; others have been identified

but not designed.

At this writing, a lot goes undone. The staffing plan will contribute

significantly to monitoring and evaluation and to conducting refuge

management studies, but the Refuge will also be dependent on

university level research and volunteers to get the whole job done

right.

Plan Amendment and Revision

This is a dynamic Plan and will be adjusted to include new and better

information. It will be monitored continuously, reviewed during

inspections and programmatic evaluations, dove-tailed with budget

requests and annual work plans, and formally reviewed every five

years. Public involvement will be part of any substantive change. The

Plan will be formally revised at least every 15 years.
58 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Finding of No Significant Impact Finding of No Significant Impact

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge

Comprehensive Conservation Plan

Two management alternatives for the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge were assessed as to their

effectiveness in achieving the Refuge’s purposes and their impact on the human environment. A “No

Action - Alternative A” which would maintain a status quo management plan for the Refuge and the

preferred “Alternative B” CCP management plan were assessed in the Environmental Assessment.

Based on this Assessment and comments received, I have selected the Preferred Alternative B for

implementation.

The preferred alternative was selected because it best meets the purposes of the Refuge to provide

and preserve a breeding ground for native birds. The preferred alternative will also provide for public

access for wildlife-dependent recreation, and provides environmental education opportunities related

to fish and wildlife resources.

I find that the preferred alternative is not a major Federal action that would significantly affect the

quality of the human environment within the meaning of Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental

Policy Act of 1969. Accordingly, the preparation of an environmental impact statement on the proposed

action is not required. This conclusion is based on the following:

■ The preferred alternative will not adversely impact endangered of threatened species or their

habitat.

■ The preferred alternative will not adversely impact archaeological or historical resources.

■ The preferred alternative will not adversely impact wetlands nor does the Plan call for structures

that could be damaged by or that would significantly influence the movement of floodwater.

■ The preferred alternative will not have a disproportionately high or adverse human health or

environmental effect on minority or low-income populations.

■ The State of Nebraska has been notified and given the opportunity to review the Comprehensive

Conservation Plan and associated Environmental Assessment.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 59

Environmental Action Statement Environmental Action Statement

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Region 6

Denver, Colorado

Within the spirit and intent of the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations for implementing

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other statutes, orders, and policies that protect

fish and wildlife resources, I have established the following administrative record and have determined

that the action of implementing the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation

Plan is found not to have significant environmental effects as determined by the attached Finding of

No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment.
60 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Appendix A. Glossary Appendix A. Glossary

AUM or Animal Unit Month: AUM or Animal Unit Month: A AUM or Animal Unit Month: measure of the quantity

of livestock forage. Equivalent to the forage

sufficient to sustain a 1,000 pound animal (or 1

cow/calf pair) for 1 month during the normal range

season.

Biological Control: Biological Control: Use of organisms/viruses to control Biological Control: 

weeds or other pests.

Biological Diversity: Biological Diversity: Biological Diversity: The variety of life and its processes,

including the variety of living organisms, the

genetic differences among them, and the

communities and ecosystems in which they occur.

CCP or Plan: CCP or Plan: Comprehensive Conservation Plan. CCP or Plan: 

Compatible Use: Compatible Use: A wildlife-dependent recreational use Compatible Use: 

or any other use of a refuge that, in the sound

professional judgment of the Refuge Manager, will

not materially interfere with or detract from the

fulfillment of the mission of the Refuge System or

the purposes of the refuge.

Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Plan, or CCP: Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Plan, or CCP: A Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Plan, or CCP: 

document that describes the desired future

conditions of the refuge and provides long-range

guidance and management direction for the refuge

manager to accomplish the purposes of the refuge,

contribute to the mission of the Refuge System,

and to meet other relevant mandates.

EA or Environmental Assessment: EA or Environmental Assessment: A concise public EA or Environmental Assessment:

document, prepared in compliance with the

National Environmental Policy Act, that briefly

discusses the purpose and need for an action,

alternatives to such action, and provides sufficient

evidence and analysis of impacts to determine

whether to prepare an Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant

Impact (FONSI).

Ecosystem: Ecosystem: Dynamic and interrelated complex of plant Ecosystem: 

and animal communities and their associated

nonliving environment.

Endangered Species (Federal): Endangered Species (Federal): A plant or animal Endangered Species (Federal):

species listed under the Endangered Species Act

that is in danger or becoming extinct throughout

all or a significant portion of its range.

Exotic and Invading Species (Noxious Weeds): Plant eeds): 

species designated by Federal or State law as

generally possessing one or more of the following

characteristics: aggressive or difficult to manage;

parasitic; a carrier or host of serious insects or

disease; or nonnative, new, or not common to the

United States, according to the Federal Noxious

Weed Act (PL 93-639), a noxious weed is one that

causes disease or has adverse effects on man or his

environment and, therefore, is detrimental to the

agriculture and commerce of the United States

and to the public health.

Integrated Pest Management: Integrated Pest Management: Methods of managing Integrated Pest Management: 

undesirable species, such as weeds, including:

education; prevention, physical or mechanical

methods of control; biological control; responsible

chemical use; and cultural methods.

Migration: Migration: The seasonal movement from one area to Migration: 

another and back.

National Wildlife Refuge, Refuge, or NWR: ildlife Refuge, Refuge, or NWR: A ildlife Refuge, Refuge, or NWR: 

designated area of land or water or an interest in

land or water within the Refuge System, including

national wildlife refuges, wildlife ranges, wildlife

management areas, waterfowl production areas,

and other areas (except coordination areas) under

Service jurisdiction for the protection and

conservation of fish and wildlife. A complete

listing of all units of the Refuge System may be

found in the current “Annual Report of Lands

Under Control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service.”

National Wildlife Refuge System, Refuge System, or

System: System: Various categories of areas that are System: 

administered by the Secretary for the

conservation of fish and wildlife, including species

that are threatened with extinction; all lands,

waters, and interests therein administered by the

Secretary as wildlife refuges; areas for the

protection and conservation of fish and wildlife

that are threatened with extinction; wildlife

ranges; game ranges; wildlife management or

waterfowl production areas.

Neotropical Migratory Bird or Neotropicals: Neotropical Migratory Bird or Neotropicals: A bird Neotropical Migratory Bird or Neotropicals:

species that breeds north of the U.S. - Mexican

border and winters primarily south of this border.

PID: Pathfinder Irrigation District PID: 

Public: Public: Individuals, organizations, and groups; officials Public:

of Federal, State, and local government agencies;

Indian tribes; and foreign nations. It may include

anyone outside the core planning team. It includes

those who may or may not have indicated an

interest in Service issues and those who do or do

not realize that Service decisions may affect them.

Public Involvement: Public Involvement: The process by which interested Public Involvement:

and affected individuals, organizations, agencies,

and governmental entities are offered an

opportunity to become informed about, to express

their opinions and participate in the planning and

decision-making process of Service actions and

policies. In this process, these views are studied

thoroughly and thoughtful consideration of public

views is given in shaping decisions for refuge

management.

Purposes of the Refuge: Purposes of the Refuge: The purposes specified in or Purposes of the Refuge: 

derived from the law, proclamation, executive

order, agreement, public land order, donation

document, or administrative memorandum

establishing, authorizing, or expanding a refuge,

refuge unit, or refuge sub-unit.

Reclamation Uses: Reclamation Uses: Includes all Bureau and Irrigation Reclamation Uses:

District activities necessary to carry out the

primary purpose of construction, maintenance, and

operation of irrigation works for the storage,

diversion, and delivery of waters for the irrigation

of Project lands.

Refuge: Refuge: short for North Platte National Wildlife Refuge:

Refuge.

Refuge Purposes: Refuge Purposes: The purposes specified in or derived Refuge Purposes: 

from the law, proclamation, executive order,

agreement, public land order, donation document,

or administrative memorandum establishing,

authorizing, or expanding a refuge, a refuge unit,

or refuge subunit (Draft Service Manual 602 FW1.5)
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 61

Service or USFWS: Service or USFWS: Short for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or USFWS: 

Service.

Threatened Species (Federal): Threatened Species (Federal): Species listed under the Threatened Species (Federal): 

Endangered Species Act that are likely to become

endangered within the foreseeable future

throughout all or a significant portion of their

range.

Trust Resources: rust Resources: A trust is something managed by one rust Resources: 

entity for another who holds the ownership. The

Service holds in trust many natural resources for

the people of the United States of America as a

result of Federal Acts and treaties. Examples are

species listed under the Endangered Species Act,

migratory birds protected by the Migratory Bird

Treaty Act and other international treaties, and

native plant or wildlife species found on the

Refuge System.

USFWS or Service: USFWS or Service: Short for U.S. Fish and Wildlife USFWS or Service:

Service.

Wildlife-Dependent Recreation/Wildlife-Dependent

Recreational Use: Recreational Use: A use of a refuge involving Recreational Use: 

hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and

photography, or environmental education and

interpretation. The National Wildlife Refuge

System Improvement Act of 1997 specifies that

these are the six priority general public uses of the

Refuge System.
62 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Appendix B. Appendix B. Appendix B.

Literature Cited/References Literature Cited/References

Literature Cited

American Bird Conservancy. 1998. Bird Conservation.

16 pp

Armbruster, M.J. 1990. Characterization of habitat

used by whooping cranes during migration. U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service Report 90(4).

Duebbert, H.F., and H.A. Kantrud. 1974. Upland duck

nesting related to land use and predator reduction.

J. Wildl. Manage. 38(2):257-265.

Kantrud, Harold A. and Russell L. Kologiski. 1982.

Effects of soils and grazing on breeding birds of

uncultivated upland grasslands of the northern

great plains. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Rep.;

15.ii+33pp. WR 186.

Kirsch, L.M. 1978. Grazing and haying effects on

habitats of upland nesting birds. Trans. Of 43rd No.

Am. Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference.

43:486-497

McCoy, M. Superintendent. Personal communication.

1994. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Panhandle Area Development District. Undated (ca.

1998). Economic Development Report. Gering,

NE. 10pp.

Ryder, R.A. 1980. Effects of grazing on bird habitats.

U.S. For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep: Int-86: 51-66.

Savory, A. 1986. Aide memoire for range monitoring.

Center for Holistic Resource Management. 10pp.

Schainost, Steve. Research Specialist, Fisheries

Division. phone conversation. May 23, 2000.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Scotts Bluff County. 1999. Draft Vision for the Year

2020. Vision 2020 Steering Committee and

Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce,

Nebraska. 28pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. March 1994. An

Ecosystem Approach to Fish and Wildlife

Conservation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. April 1995. Recreation

Management on the Lake Minatare Unit, North

Platte NWR, Final Environmental Assessment. 30

pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, North Platte NWR,

herbarium, 179 species, 1992-1993

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. September 1995.

Migratory Nongame Birds of Management

Concern in the United States: The 1995 List.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. July 1992. Needs

Assessment: Monitoring Neotropical Migratory

Birds.

Yost, D.A., D.L. Brown, L.L. Buller, and J.O. Olson.

1968. Soil survey of Scotts Bluff County,

Nebraska. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil

Conservation Service. 119pp.

Additional References

Bellrose, F.S. 1980. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North

America. Stockpole Books, Harrisburg, PA, 540 pp.

Farrar, J. 1990. Wildflowers of Nebraska and the

Great Plains. NEBRASKALand Magazine, Nebr.

G&P Comm. 216 pp.

Hebert, E., Reese, E., et al. 1995. Avian collision and

electrocution: an annotated bibliography.

California Energy Commission. Pub. No.:P700-95-

001.

LaGrange, Ted. 1997. Guide to Nebraska’s wetlands

and their conservation needs: Nebraska Game and

Parks Commission, Lincoln, Nebraska. 34pp.

Smith, L.M., R.L. Pederson, and R.M. Kaminski, et.al.

1989. Habitat management for migrating and

wintering waterfowl in North America. Texas

Tech University Press. Pp 311-335.

U.S. Bureau of Census, County and City Data Book:

1994. 12th Edition, Washington, DC
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 63

Appendix C. Appendix C. Appendix C.

Legal and Policy Guidance Legal and Policy Guidance

Day-to-day management is guided in part by the

following cooperative agreements that are germane to

the North Platte NWR:

■ Memorandum of Agreement Between the U.S. Memorandum of Agreement Between the U.S.

Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service Concerning the North Platte National Service Concerning the North Platte National

Wildlife Refuge, 1995, Agreement No. 97-AG-60- ildlife Refuge, 1995, Agreement No. 97-AG-60-

08870: Defines how respective agencies will 08870: 

manage Federal interests within the subject

boundaries.

■ Memorandum of Understanding Between the U.S. Memorandum of Understanding Between the U.S.

Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service Regarding Use of Lands at the Inland

Lakes for Wildlife Habitat, 1995, Agreement No. ildlife Habitat, 1995, Agreement No.

97-AG-60-08860: 97-AG-60-08860: Transfers wildlife management of 97-AG-60-08860: 

adjoining Reclamation lands (180 acres) to the

North Platte NWR.

■ Memorandum of Understanding Between the U.S. Memorandum of Understanding Between the U.S.

Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service Regarding Use of Lands at Stateline

Island for Wildlife Purposes, 1991, Agreement No. ildlife Purposes, 1991, Agreement No.

1-AG-60-01460: 1-AG-60-01460: Transfers wildlife management of 1-AG-60-01460: 

Stateline Island to the North Platte NWR.

■ Memorandum of Understanding Between the U.S. Memorandum of Understanding Between the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service and Nebraska Game and

Parks Commission Regarding Fisheries

Management of Winters Creek Lake, 1985, inters Creek Lake, 1985,

Agreement No. 14-16-0006-86-982: Agreement No. 14-16-0006-86-982: Defines how Agreement No. 14-16-0006-86-982: 

respective agencies are to cooperatively manage

the fishery on this Refuge lake.

■ Final Environmental Assessment - Recreation

Management on the Lake Minatare Unit of the

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, April, ildlife Refuge, April,

1995: Delineates conditions and considerations 1995: 

under which the Service would be willing and

support a divestiture of those lands being managed

as the Lake Minatare State Recreation Area.

Refuge management is also bounded by Title 50 of the

Code of Federal Regulations and the following myriad

of Federal Acts:

Antiquities Act (1906): Antiquities Act (1906): Authorizes the scientific Antiquities Act (1906):

investigation of antiquities on Federal land and

provides penalties for unauthorized removal of objects

taken or collected without a permit.

Executive Order 2446 (August 21, 1916): Executive Order 2446 (August 21, 1916): Establishes Executive Order 2446 (August 21, 1916): 

the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, “. . .

reserved, subject to Reclamation Service uses . . . as a

preserve and breeding ground for native birds.”

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918): reaty Act (1918): Designates the reaty Act (1918):

protection of migratory birds as a Federal

responsibility. This Act enables the setting of seasons,

and other regulations including the closing of areas,

Federal or non-Federal, to the hunting of migratory

birds.

Migratory Bird Conservation Act (1929): Migratory Bird Conservation Act (1929): Establishes Migratory Bird Conservation Act (1929):

procedures for acquisition by purchase, rental, or gift

of areas approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation

Commission.

Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act

(1934): (1934): Authorized the opening of part of a refuge to (1934):

waterfowl hunting.

Fish and Wildlife Act (1956): ildlife Act (1956): Established a ildlife Act (1956):

comprehensive national fish and wildlife policy and

broadened the authority for acquisition and

development of refuges.

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (1958): ildlife Coordination Act (1958): Allows the ildlife Coordination Act (1958):

Fish and Wildlife Service to enter into agreements

with private landowners for wildlife management

purposes.

Refuge Recreation Act (1962): Refuge Recreation Act (1962): Allows the use of Refuge Recreation Act (1962):

refuges for recreation when such uses are compatible

with the refuge’s primary purposes and when

sufficient funds are available to manage the uses.

Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (1965): ater Conservation Fund Act (1965): Uses ater Conservation Fund Act (1965):

the receipts from the sale of surplus Federal land,

outer continental shelf oil and gas sales, and other

sources for land acquisition under several authorities.

National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act

of 1966 as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge

System Improvement Act of 1997, 16 U.S.C. 668dd- System Improvement Act of 1997, 16 U.S.C. 668dd668ee. (Refuge Administration Act): 668ee. (Refuge Administration Act): Defines the 668ee. (Refuge Administration Act):

National Wildlife Refuge System and authorizes the

Secretary to permit any use of a refuge provided such

use is compatible with the major purposes for which

the refuge was established. The Refuge Improvement

Act clearly defines a unifying mission for the Refuge

System; establishes the legitimacy and appropriateness

of the six priority public uses (hunting, fishing, wildlife

observation and photography, or environmental

education and interpretation); establishes a formal

process for determining compatibility; established the

responsibilities of the Secretary of Interior for

managing and protecting the System; and requires a

Comprehensive Conservation Plan for each refuge by

the year 2012. This Act amended portions of the

Refuge Recreation Act and National Wildlife Refuge

System Administration Act of 1966.

National Historic Preservation Act (1966) as amended: National Historic Preservation Act (1966) as amended:

Establishes as policy that the Federal Government is

to provide leadership in the preservation of the

nation’s prehistoric and historic resources.

Architectural Barriers Act (1968): Architectural Barriers Act (1968): Requires federally Architectural Barriers Act (1968):

owned, leased, or funded buildings and facilities to be

accessible to persons with disabilities.

National Environmental Policy Act (1969): National Environmental Policy Act (1969): Requires National Environmental Policy Act (1969):

the disclosure of the environmental impacts of any

major Federal action significantly affecting the quality

of the human environment.
64 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Endangered Species Act (1973): Endangered Species Act (1973): Requires all Federal Endangered Species Act (1973):

agencies to carry out programs for the conservation of

endangered and threatened species.

Rehabilitation Act (1973): Rehabilitation Act (1973): Requires programmatic Rehabilitation Act (1973):

accessibility in addition to physical accessibility for all

facilities and programs funded by the Federal

government to ensure that anybody can participate in

any program.

Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act (1974): Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act (1974):

Directs the preservation of historic and archaeological

data in Federal construction projects.

Clean Water Act (1977): ater Act (1977): Requires consultation with ater Act (1977):

the Corps of Engineers (404 permits) for major

wetland modifications.

American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978): American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978):

Directs agencies to consult with native traditional

religious leaders to determine appropriate policy

changes necessary to protect and preserve Native

American religious cultural rights and practices.

Public Law 94-233: Public Law 94-233: The “Game Range Bill” was passed Public Law 94-233: 

in 1976 and mandates that all National Wildlife

Refuges under the Secretary of Interior will be

administered by the Service.

Archaeological Resources Protection Act (1979) as

amended: amended: Protects materials of archaeological amended:

interest from unauthorized removal or destruction and

requires Federal managers to develop plans and

schedules to locate archaeological resources.

Emergency Wetlands Resources Act (1986): etlands Resources Act (1986): The etlands Resources Act (1986):

purpose of the Act is “To promote the conservation of

migratory waterfowl and to offset or prevent the

serious loss of wetlands by the acquisition of wetlands

and other essential habitat, and for other purposes.”

Federal Noxious Weed Act (1990): eed Act (1990): Requires the use of eed Act (1990):

integrated management systems to control or contain

undesirable plant species; and an interdisciplinary

approach with the cooperation of other Federal and

State agencies.

Americans With Disabilities Act (1992): ith Disabilities Act (1992): Prohibits ith Disabilities Act (1992):

discrimination in public accommodations and services.

House Resolution 2679: House Resolution 2679: This bill, passed in 1995, House Resolution 2679: 

removed from the National Wildlife Refuge System

portions of the Refuge that had been developed to

serve as the Lake Minatare State Recreation Area.

Executive Order 12996 Management and General Executive Order 12996 Management and General

Public Use of the National Wildlife Refuge System

(1996): (1996): Defines the mission, purpose, and priority (1996):

public uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It

also presents six goals to guide management of the

System.

Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement

Act (1998): Act (1998): The purposes of this Act are to encourage Act (1998):

the use of volunteers to assist in the management of

refuges within the Refuge System; to facilitate

partnerships between the Refuge System and nonFederal entities to promote public awareness of the

resources of the Refuge System and public participation

in the conservation of the resources and; to encourage

donations and other contributions.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 65

Appendix D. Operation and Maintenance Needs Appendix D. Operation and Maintenance Needs

The Refuge Operation Needs System (RONS) is a comprehensive, Servicewide database containing the unfunded

operational needs of each refuge. The following list of projects for the North Platte NWR, in priority order, are

those required to implement approved plans, and meet goals, objectives, and legal mandates. More specific

information about each project can be found in the database on file at the Refuge headquarters.

*Complex denotes project or MMS need is shared with Crescent Lake NWR

R s efuge Operation Needs System (RONS) Projects

P t l roject L l t inks to CCP Goal F t TE Cost

( ) 2000 dollars)

O t ther Cost

( ) 2000 dollars)

U 5 pland habitat restoration 4 0 , $ 0 12,00 $12,00

P 0 ublic Use Specialist-Complex 7 0 , 8, 1 7 0 3,00 65,00

C 0 lerk (GS-4) 1 0 -1 4 0 2,00 65,00

B 0 iological Technician (GS-7) 1 0 -1 4 0 9,00 95,00

A 70 ccessible fishing pier 67,00

W60 ater budget module 32,00

S 80 tateline Island: Env. Edu. package 38,00

C 0 ooperative exhibit at NGPC facility 7 0 , 1 38,00

B 0 iological Technician (GS-5) 1 0 -1 4 0 2,00 65,00

A 0 ssistant Refuge Manager 1 0 -1 4 0 9,00 65,00

L 0 aborer 1 0 -1 4 0 5,00 65,00

Y 0 outh Conservation Corps Leader 1 0 -1 1 0 1,00 39,00

R 5 ussian Olive Control 2 0 , 4, 2 0 3,00 10,00

T S 0 OTALS $ 0 0 346,000 $ 0 656,000
66 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

The Maintenance Management System (MMS) documents, Servicewide, facility and equipment deficiencies,

justifies budget requests for maintenance needs, and provides a basis for management decision-making. The

Refuge maintenance backlog is $324,000. The following MMS projects for the North Platte NWR are listed in

priority order. MMS projects without priority are not shown here. More specific information about each

maintenance need can be found in the database on file at the Refuge headquarters.

*Complex denotes project or MMS need is shared with Crescent Lake NWR

P ) riority MMS Needs and Cost (1999 dollars)

P t l roject L l t inks to CCP Goal C t os

R 40 epair/replace 10 miles of fence $60,00

U 70 pgrade Winters Creek Lake boat ramp 13,00

U 70 pgrade Winters Creek Unit entrance road 23,00

R 0 eplace steel storage building 1 0 -1 35,00

R 8 ehab Stateline Island Road 7 0 , 40,00
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 67

Appendix E. Compatibility Appendix E. Compatibility

Determinations Determinations

Station Name:

North Platte National Wildlife Refuge

Date Established:

August 21, 1916

Establishing and Acquisition Authorities:

The North Platte Bird Reservation was established by

Executive Order #2446, signed by President Woodrow

Wilson on August 21, 1916. The name of the

reservation was changed to North Platte National

Wildlife Refuge on July 25, 1940 via Proclamation

#2416.

Purposes For Which The Refuge Was Established:

“. . . reserved, subject to Reclamation Service uses . . .

as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds.”

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.”

Description of Proposed Use:

Wildlife Observation, Wildlife Photography,

Interpretation and Environmental Education

Approximately 4,000 people visit the Refuge annually.

About 45 percent of these visitors engage in

interpretation and/or nature observation activities.

About 30 percent are engaged in some formal

environmental education activity. Information kiosks

are located at five Refuge entrances. These kiosks

contain general Refuge information, maps, specific

information on wildlife habitat management, and

leaflet dispensers. For the past six years, Refuge staff

have hosted a mid-October nature walk through the

Stateline Island Unit and a mid-December waterfowl

and eagle viewing opportunity at Lake Minatare.

Off-site, about 1,000 students, parents, and educators

annually participate in Refuge programs such as

“Water Wonders,” “Branch Out,” “Earth Stewards,”

“Environ-Art,” and the “Nebraska Jr. Duck Stamp”

program. Some requests for educational programs and

technical assistance are denied each year due to

staffing shortages.

A Refuge web site has been operational since 1998:

http://www.r6.fws.gov/crescentlake/

The Comprehensive Conservation Plan proposes to

continue with the above uses and improve

interpretation and access for visitors through the

following actions:

■ Shorten the closure period (closed to public use) for

the Lake Alice, Winters Creek, and Lake Minatare

Units to October 15 to January 15.

■ Eliminate the “closed to all public entry” designation

currently covering the west half of the Lake Alice

Unit.

■ Construct an observation overlook along the east

dam at Lake Alice.

■ Acquire from the public domain, Scottsbluff Island

to be developed as an environmental educational

facility.

■ Develop an interpretive river-walk trail on

Stateline Island.

■ Develop a visitor contact station, staffed on a parttime basis, at Winters Creek Unit for formal and

informal on-site interpretation and education.

Availability of resources:

Sufficient resources are available to continue the

existing wildlife observation, photography, interpretation

and environmental education opportunities. Many of

the additional, proposed actions to be added from the

Comprehensive Conservation Plan are linked to

funding requests in the form of RONS projects

(Appendix D).

Anticipated impacts of the use:

Construction of needed interpretive facilities will have

short-term and minor adverse impacts. Some

disturbance to wildlife will occur in areas of the

Refuge frequented by visitors. However, with limiting

areas open to public access and limiting public access

to seasonal use, these impacts can be lessened.

Justification:

Based upon biological impacts described in the CCP

and the Environmental Assessment (published in the

Draft CCP), it is determined that wildlife observation,

wildlife photography, interpretation, and environmental

education within the Refuge will not materially

interfere with or detract from the purpose for which

the Refuge was established. Indeed, such activities are

directly supportive of the Refuge purpose and provide

opportunities to inform visitors about wildlife

conservation and management and the National

Wildlife Refuge System.

Determination:

Wildlife observation, wildlife photography, interpretation,

and environmental education are compatible. are compatible

Stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility:

✓ During peak migration, areas will be closed and

access limited to minimize any disturbance to

wildlife.

✓ When necessary, impose temporary closure zones

around nests of known bird species of management

concern.
68 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Description of Proposed Use:

Recreational Fishing

Fishing is permitted on both Refuge reservoirs and

from Stateline Island along the North Platte River.

About 2,000 people fished the Refuge in 1999, mostly

on Winters Creek Lake where a boat ramp and

parking area are provided. Lake Alice cannot sustain a

fishery because most water is removed for irrigation

by late summer and is not replaced until spring. Lake

Minatare proper, while no longer within the Refuge

boundary, adjoins the Lake Minatare Unit and

receives about 80,000 fishing visits annually.

Refuge regulations permit the use of boats but

prohibit the use of internal combustion engines.

The Comprehensive Conservation Plan proposes to

expand fishing opportunities by working with other

agencies in seeking ways and means of developing

Lake Alice as a sport fisheries.

Availability of resources:

Sufficient resources are available to continue the

existing recreational fishing activity. The development

of Lake Alice as a sport fishery will be dependent on

many variables not the least of which are the needs of

water by other stakeholders and the determination of

a Federal reserve water right for the Refuge.

Additional facilities to be added from the Comprehensive

Conservation Plan are tied to funding requests as

described in Appendix D.

Anticipated impacts of the use:

Some disturbance to wildlife will occur in areas of the

Refuge frequented by the fishing public. However,

with limiting areas open to public access, limiting boat

motors, and limiting public access to seasonal use,

these impacts can be lessened.

Justification:

Based upon biological impacts described in the CCP

and the Environmental Assessment (published in the

Draft CCP), it is determined that recreational fishing

within the Refuge will not materially interfere with or

detract from the purpose for which the Refuge was

established. Further, fishing has been identified as a

priority public use in the National Wildlife Refuge

System Improvement Act of 1997 when this activity is

compatible with the Refuge purpose.

Determination:

Recreational fishing, as described, is compatible. is compatible

Stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility:

✓ During peak migration, areas will be closed and

access limited to minimize any disturbance to

wildlife.

✓ When necessary, impose temporary closure zones

around nests of known bird species of management

concern.

✓ Internal combustion boat motors will be

prohibited.

Description of Proposed Use:

Recreational Hunting

While hunting has never been a permitted public use

activity on the Refuge, the request to consider such

opportunities was raised during the scoping portion of

the CCP process. As a result of such planning efforts,

the Service now seeks to expand wildlife-dependent

recreation by opening the Lake Alice Unit to hunting,

from January 15 through October 14, in accordance

with State regulations, of game mammals and

pheasants.

Before a Refuge can be opened to hunting, a Hunting

Plan must be approved by the Director of the Service

and the proposal published in the Federal Register.

Availability of resources:

Should a Hunting Plan be approved, extra funding will

be initially required to produce necessary signing and

brochures. Beyond such, current resources are

adequate to manage a limited hunting program.

Anticipated impacts of the use:

Hunting will remove individual animals from the

wildlife populations. Some disturbance to wildlife will

occur in areas of the Refuge open to hunting. However,

with limiting areas open to hunting and limiting public

access to seasonal use, these impacts can be lessened.

Justification:

Based upon biological impacts described in the CCP

and the Environmental Assessment (published in the

Draft CCP), it is determined that recreational hunting

within the Refuge will not materially interfere with or

detract from the purpose for which the Refuge was

established. Further, hunting has been identified as a

priority public use in the National Wildlife Refuge

System Improvement Act of 1997 when this activity is

compatible with the Refuge purpose.

Determination:

Hunting, as described, is compatible. is compatible

Stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility:

✓ Hunting of native birds (mourning doves, snipe,

turkey, rail, crow, quail, grouse, waterfowl, etc.)

would not be compatible with the Refuge purpose not

of serving “as a preserve and breeding ground for

native birds.”

✓ During peak migration, areas will be closed to the

public and access limited to minimize any

disturbance to wildlife.

✓ Public hunting on the other Refuge units

(Stateline Island, Lake Minatare, and Winters

Creek Lake) is not proposed at this time because

of their diminutive size and/or close proximity to

neighboring residences.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 69

Description of Proposed Use:

Economic Management Tools (Grazing and Haying)

Continue upland management activities that are

conducted under permit by private individuals: grazing

and haying. Currently, these economic uses are used as

management tools to manage habitat for wildlife. Such

tools are used to control undesirable vegetation and

promote vigor of preferred grasses for improved

wildlife habitat.

Availability of resources:

Current resources are stretched to maintain existing

upland management programs (to include prescribe

burning and integrated pest management). If

additional staff were available, as identified in Section

V of the CCP, such tools would be utilized more

effectively, and the necessary monitoring could be

accomplished.

Anticipated impacts of the use:

Properly managed, grazing and haying activities can

improve wildlife habitat conditions.

While some temporary disturbance to wildlife will

occur during grazing and haying activities, the benefits

to wildlife far outweigh these disturbances.

Justification:

Upland habitat conditions would deteriorate without

the use of a full range of upland management tools.

Exotic and noxious weed species would increase and

habitat diversity would decrease causing a decline in

wildlife diversity. Migratory bird production and

diversity would decrease as nesting habitat for these

species declined.

Determination:

Grazing and haying, when used as management tools,

are compatible. are compatible

Stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility:

✓ General and specific conditions are required for each

permit to ensure consistency with management

objectives.

Signatures:
70 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Appendix F. List of Animal . List of Animal

and Plant Species and Plant Species

Birds

Names are in accordance with the American

Ornithological Union check list. Birds known to nest on

the Refuge are marked with a closed dot (●). Those

suspected to nest at least occasionally, but needing

further confirmation, are marked with an open dot (❍).

Loons

Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica

Common Loon Gavia immer

Grebes

❍ Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena

Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis

Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis

Clark’s Grebe Aechmophorus clarkii

Pelicans

American White Pelican

 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Cormorants

● Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus

Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus

● Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

Great Egret Ardea alba

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Green Heron Butorides virescens

● Black-crowned Night-Heron

 Nycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Nyctanassa violaceus

Ibises and Spoonbills

White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi

New World Vultures

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Swans, Geese, and Ducks

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

Snow Goose Chen caerulescens

Ross’ Goose Chen rossii

● Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator

Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus

● Wood Duck Aix sponsa

Gadwall Anas strepera

American Wigeon Anas americana

● Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

● Blue-winged Teal Anas discors

Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

Northern Pintail Anas acuta

Green-winged Teal Anas crecca

Canvasback Aythya valisineria

Redhead Aythya americana

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis

Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata

White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Barrow’s Goldeneye Bucephala islandica

Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus

Common Merganser Mergus merganser

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis

Osprey, Kites, Hawks, and Eagles

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

● Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus

Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

Harris’ Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus

Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni

● Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis

Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis

Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos

Falcons and Caracaras

● American Kestrel Falco sparverius

Merlin Falco columbarius

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus

Gallinaceous Birds

❍ Ring-necked Pheasant Introduced

 Phasianus colchicus

❍ Sharp-tailed Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus

● Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo

Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus

Rails

Virginia Rail Rallus limicola

Sora Porzana carolina

● American Coot Fulica americana

Cranes

Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis

Plovers

Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus

❍ Killdeer Charadrius vociferus

Stilts and Avocets

Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana

Sandpipers and Phalaropes

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria

Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 71

Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda

Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus

Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Sanderling Calidris alba

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla

Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis

Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus

Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis

Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus

Skuas, Jaegers, Gulls, and Terns

Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan

Bonaparte’s Gull Larus philadelphia

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis

California Gull Larus californicus

Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus

Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini

Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri

Black Tern Chlidonias niger

Pigeons and Doves

Rock Dove Introduced Columba livia

● Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

Cuckoos and Anis

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus

Barn Owls

Barn Owl Tyto alba

Typical Owls

● Eastern Screech-Owl Otus asio

● Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus

Nightjars

❍ Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor

Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Kingfishers

❍ Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon

Woodpeckers

❍ Red-headed Woodpecker

 Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis

● Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens

Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus

● Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus

Tyrant Flycatchers

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi

❍ Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus

Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii

Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus

Cordilleran Flycatcher Empidonax occidentalis

Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya

Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus

Cassin’s Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans

● Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis

❍ Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus

Shrikes

❍ Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus

Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor

Vireos

● Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus

❍ Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus

Crows, Jays, and Magpies

● Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata

Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

● Black-billed Magpie Pica pica

● American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos

Larks

● Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris

Swallows

● Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor

Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina

❍ Northern Rough-winged Swallow

 Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia

● Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

● Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Titmice and Chickadees

● Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus

Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli

Nuthatches

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis

❍ White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis

Creepers

Brown Creeper Certhia americana

Wrens

Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus

● House Wren Troglodytes aedon

Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris

Kinglets

Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
72 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Thrushes

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides

Townsend’s Solitaire Myadestes townsendi

Veery Catharus fuscescens

Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus

Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus

● American Robin Turdus migratorius

Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius

Mimic Thrushes

Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis

Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus

● Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum

Starlings

❍ European Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Wagtails and Pipits

American (Water) Pipit Anthus rubescens

Waxwings

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

Wood Warblers

Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina

Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata

● Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia

Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata

Townsend’s Warbler Dendroica townsendi

Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata

American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus

❍ Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas

Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia pusilla

Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens

Tanagers

Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana

Sparrows and Towhees

Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus

American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea

Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina

Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida

Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla

Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus

● Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus

❍ Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys

Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis

● Grasshopper Sparrow

 Ammodramus savannarum

Baird’s Sparrow Ammodramus bairdii

● Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia

Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii

Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana

White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis

Harris’ Sparrow Zonotrichia querula

White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys

Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis

McCown’s Longspur Calcarius mccownii

Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus

Chestnut-collared Longspur Calcarius ornatus

Cardinals, Grosbeaks, and Allies

Black-headed Grosbeak

 Pheucticus melanocephalus

Blue Grosbeak Guiraca caerulea

Blackbirds and Orioles

Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus

● Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus

● Western Meadowlark Surnella neglecta

● Yellow-headed Blackbird

 Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Brewer’s Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus

● Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula

● Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater

● Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius

Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula

● Bullock’s Oriole Icterus bullockii

Finches

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Leucosticte tephrocotis

House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus

Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus

❍ American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis

Old World Sparrows

● House Sparrow Introduced Passer domesticus

Mammals

A thorough investigation of what mammals can be

found utilizing the Refuge has not been conducted. The

following list of Refuge mammals has been compiled

from casual observations made in the past by staff and/

or stakeholders.

Small-footed myotis Myotis lucifugus

Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris noctivagans

Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus

Hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus

Deer mouse Peromyscus manicualatus

Hispid pocket mouse Perognathus hispidus

Ord’s kangaroo rat Dipodomys ordii

Plains harvest mouse Reithrodontomys montanus

Muskrat Ondatra zibenthicus

Beaver Castor canadensis

Raccoon Procyon lotor

Coyote Canis latrans

Mink Mustela vision

Opossum Didelphis virginiana

Badger Taxidea taxus

Red fox Vulpes vulpes

Mule deer Odocoileus hemionus

White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus

Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus

Fox squirrel Sciurus niger

Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 73

Amphibians and Reptiles

Species of amphibians and reptiles recorded as

occurring on the North Platte NWR (Complied by Dr.

John Iverson):

Salamanders

Barred Tiger Salamander Ambystoma tigrinum

Frogs and Toads

Woodhouse’s Toad Bufo woodhousii

Boreal Chorus Frog Pseudacris triseriata

Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana

Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens

Turtles

Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina

Ornate Box Turtle Terrapene ornataornata

Western Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta

Western Spiny Softshell Turtle Apalone spinifera

Lizards

Northern Earless Lizard Holbrookia maculata

Northern Prairie Lizard Sceloporus undulatus

Northern Many-lined Skink Eumeces multivirgatus

Snakes

Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer Coluber constrictor

Bullsnake Pituophis melanoleucus

Red-sided Garter Snake Thamnopyhis sirtalis

Western Plains Garter Snake Thamnophis radix

Prairie Rattlesnake Crotalus viridis

Additional species of amphibians and reptiles recorded

immediately adjacent to, BUT NOT ON, the North

Platte NWR (i.e., potential Refuge residents)

Lizards

Northern Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporus graciosus

Snakes

Pallid Milk Snake Lampropeltis triangulum

Additional species of amphibians and reptiles NOT

RECORDED on the North Platte NWR but expected

to occur in Scottsbluff County:

Lizards

Eastern Short-horned Lizard Phrynosoma douglassii

Prairie Racerunner Cnemidophorus sexlineatus

Snakes

Western Hog-nosed Snake Heterodon nasicus nasicus

Fish

Refuge reservoirs are man-made, thus all fish have

been introduced, either intentionally or otherwise.

Unintentional fish enter the lakes via the inlet canals

each year when water is diverted into the reservoirs.

Intentional introductions are those game fish stocked

for recreational purposes at Winters Creek Lake. Fish

species include carp, walleye, yellow perch, muskellunge,

largemouth bass, catfish, carp sucker, and bullhead. A

variety of native and introduced fish species can be

found using the North Platte River at Stateline Island.

Such species would include carp, bullhead, and catfish.

Mollusk

A thorough investigation of what mollusks use the

Refuge has not been conducted. According to Steve

Schainost, Fisheries Research Specialist (NGPC), two

mussels have been found in Lake Minatare; paper

floater (Anodonta imbecillis) and giant floater

(Anodonta grandis). A third mussel, cylindrical

papershell (Anodontoides ferussacianuf), is a likely

resident but has not yet been documented.
74 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Flora

The following list of plants found on the Refuge was

compiled by seasonal Biological Technician, Pam Orr in

1993. The list of 179 plants, while useful, is not

intended to be comprehensive.

Abronia fragrans Heart’s-delight

Agropyron cristatum Crested Wheatgrass

Agropyron elongatum Tall Wheatgrass

Agropyron smithii Western Wheatgrass

Allium canadense Wild Onion

Althaea Hollyhock

Ambrosia tomentosa Perennial Bursage

Ambrosia trifida Giant Ragweed

Andropogon gerardi Sand Bluestem

Apocynum cannabinum Indian Hemp Dogbane

Arenaria hookeri Sandwort

Argemone polyanthemos Prickly Poppy

Artemisia frigida Fringed Sage

Asclepias incarnate Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias pumila Low Milkweed

Asclepias speciosa Showy Milkweed

Asparagus officinalis Garden Asparagus-fern

Aster ericoides White Aster

Aster praealtus v.nebraska Willowleaf Aster

Aster simplex Panicled Aster

Aster tanacetifolius Tansyleaf Aster

Astragalus adsurgens Prairie Milk-vetch

Astragalus crassicarpus Ground Plum

Astragalus mollissimus Woolly Locoweed

Bouteloua gracilis Blue Grama

Bromus inermis Smooth Brome

Bromus tectorum Downy Brome

Calamovilfa longifolia Prairie sandreed

Calvatia cyathiformis Puff Ball

Calylophus serrulatus

 Tooth-Leaved Evening Primrose

Cardamine Bitter Cress

Carduus nutans Musk Thistle

Carex helnoshemsis Nebraska Sedge

Carex lanuginosa Wooly Sedge

Carex scoparia Broom Sedge

Carex stricta Strict Sedge

Carex vesicaria Inflated Sedge

Carex vulpinoidea Fox Sedge

Cenchrus incertus Field Sandbur

Chenpodium gigantospermum Maple Leaf Goosefoot

Chorispora tenella Blue Mustard

Chrysopsis villosa Golden Aster

Cirsium arvense Canada Thistle

Cirsium canescens Platte Thistle

Cirsium flodmanii Flodman’s Thistle

Cirsium ochrocentrum Yellow Spine Thistle

Cirsium vulgare Bull Thistle

Cleome serrulata Rocky Mountain Bee Plant

Conium maculatum Poison Hemlock

Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed

Conyza canadensis Horseweed

Coryphantha vivipara Pincushion cactus

Crepis rundinata Dandelion Hawksbeard

Croton texensis Texas Croton

Cryptantha thyrsiflora Miner’s Candle

Dactylis glomerata Orchardgrass

Dalea candida White Prairie Clover

Dalea cylindriceps Massive Spike Prairie Clover

Dalea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover

Delphinium virescens Plains Larkspur

Descurainia pinnata Tansy Mustard

Descurainia sophia Flixweed

Dyssodia papposa Fetid Marigold

Echinocystis lobata Wild Cucumber

Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian olive

Eleocharis erythropoda Red-Stemmed Spike Sedge

Elymus canadenis Canada Wildrye

Equisetum hyemale Scouring Rush

Eragrostis trichodes Sand Lovegrass

Erigeron pumilus Low Fleabane

Eriogonum annuum Umbrella Plant

Erysimum asperum Western Wall Flower

Euphorbia dentata Wild Poinsettia

Euthamia graminifolia Grassleaf Goldenrod

Franseria discolor Skeleton-leaf Bursage

Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash

Gaura coccinea Scarlet Gaura

Gaura parviflora Velvety Gaura

Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust

Glycyrrhiza lepidota Wild Licorice

Grindelia squarrosa Curly-top Gumweed

Gutierrezia sarothrae Broom Snakeweed

Haplopappus spinulosus Cutleaf Goldenweed

Helianthus annuus Common Sunflower

Helianthus petiolaris Plains Sunflower

Hesperis matronalis Dames Rocket

Hordeum jubatum Foxtail Barley

Ipomoea leptophylla Bush morning-glory

Iva axillaris Marsh Elder

Juncus balticus Baltic Rush

Juncus torreyi Torrey’s Rush

Koeleria pyramidata Prairie Junegrass

Kuhnia eupatorioides False Boneset

Lactuca pulchella Blue Lettuce

Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce

Lathyrus polymorphus Hoary Vetchling

Lepidium virginicum Virginia Pepperweed

Lesqterella ludoviciana Silvery Bladderpod

Liatris punctata Dotted Gayfeather

Linum suloatum Grooved Flax

Lippia cuneifolia Wedgeleaf Fog-fruit

Lithospermum Puccoon

Lithospermum carolinense Hairy Puccoon

Lupinus argenteus Silvery Lupine

Lycopus americanus Water Horehound

Lycopus uniflorus Northern Bugleweed

Lygodesmia juncea Skeletonweed

Medicago sativa Alfalfa (cultivated)

Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweet Clover

Mentha arvensis Wild Mint

Mentzelia decapetala Ten-petaled

Mentzelia Mirabilis hirsuta Hairy Four-o’clock

Mirabilis linearis Narrowleaf Four-o’clock

Mirabilis nyctaginea Wild Four-o’clock

Monarda pectinate Plains Beebalm

Muhlenbergia asperifolia Alkali Muhly

Myriophyllum verticillatu Whorled Water-milfoil

Nepeta cataria Catnip

Oenothera biennis Common Evening Primrose

Oenothera coronapifolia Combleaf Evening Primrose

Oenothera nuttallii

 White-Stemmed Evening Primrose

Oenothera speciosa Showy Evening Primrose
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 75

Onopordum acanthium Scotch Thistle

Opuntia Prickly Pear Cactus

Oryzopsis hymenoides Indian Ricegrass

Oxytropis lambertii Lambert Crazyweed

Panicum capillare Witchgrass

Panicum virgatum Switchgrass

Penstemon albidus White Penstemon

Penstemon angustifolius Narrowleaf Penstemon

Penstemon canescens Gray Beardstongue

Physalis subglabrata Smooth Ground Cherry

Plantago major Broadleaf Plantain

Plantago purshii Woolly Plaintain

Poa compressa Canada Blue Grass

Polanisia trachysperma Roughseed Clammyweed

Polygonum Smartweed

Polygonum ramosissimum Tall Knotweed

Populas deltoides Eastern Cottonwood

Potentilla argentea Silvery Cinquefoil

Psoralea argophylla Silver-leaf Scurf Pea

Psoralea tenuiflora Wild Alfalfa

Ranunculus Buttercup

Ratibida columnifera Prairie Coneflower

Ratibida pinnata Grayhead Prairie Coneflower

Rorippa sinuata Yellow Cress

Rosa woodsii Western Wild Rose

Rumex crispus Curly Dock

Rumex venosus Wild Begonia

Russula variata Mushroom

Salidago missouriensis Prairie Goldenrod

Salix amygdaloides Peach-leaf Willow

Saponaria officinalis Bouncing Bet

Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem

Scirpus pungens Three-square Bulrush

Scutellaria galericulata Marsh Skullcap

Senecio plattensis Prairie Ragwort

Sisymbrium altissimum Tumble Mustard

Sisyrinchium montanum Blue-eyed Grass

Smilacina stellata False Solomon’s Seal

Solanum americanum Common Nightshade

Solanum dulcomara Bittersweet Nightshade

Solanum rostratum Buffalo Bur

Solidago canadensis Canada Goldenrod

Sonchus asper Spiny Sow Thistle

Sorghastrum nutans Indiangrass

Spartina pectinate Prairie Cordgrass

Sphaeralcea coccinea Red False Mallow

Stipa comata Needle-and-Thread

Tamarix ramosissima Saltcedar

Teucrium canadense American Germander

Thlaspi arvense Field Pennycress

Tradescantia occidentalis Prairie Spiderwort

Tragopogon dubius Western Salsify

Tribulus terrestris Puncturevine

Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaf Cattail

Typha latifolia Broadleaf Cattail

Verbascum thapsus Common Mullein

Verbena bracteata Prostrate Vervain

Verbena hastata Blue Vervain

Verbena stricta Hoary Vervain

Xanthium strumarium Common Cocklebur
76 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Appendix G. Neotropical Migrants Appendix G. Neotropical Migrants

st n

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North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 77

Appendix H. Appendix H. Appendix H. Species of Management Concern

The following species are, or have been, found on the Refuge and are also identified as at least rare in Nebraska

by the Nebraska Natural Heritage Program from a list last updated May 23, 1996. Additionally, noted species

have been listed in the USFWS’s Migratory Nongame Birds of Management Concern (1995). These species are of

concern because of (1) documented or

apparent population declines, (2) small

or restricted populations, or (3)

dependence on restricted or vulnerable

habitats. The status and habitat

requirements of the following species

will be given primary consideration

when management actions are planned

and implemented.

KEY

State Rank

S1 = Critically imperiled in Nebraska

because of extreme rarity or

because of some factor(s) making

it especially vulnerable to

extirpation from the State.

(Typically 5 or fewer occurrences.)

S2 = Imperiled in Nebraska because of

rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or few

remaining individuals) or because

of some factor(s) making it very

vulnerable to extirpation from the

State.

S3 = Rare and uncommon in Nebraska

(on the order of 21 to 100

occurrences).

SA = Accidental or casual in Nebraska.

Includes birds recorded once or

twice or only at very great

intervals, hundreds or even

thousands of miles outside their

usual range.

Federal Listing - As determined by the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

SMC = Species of Management Concern

LE = Listed Endangered

PE = Proposed for Listing as

Endangered

LT = Listed Threatened

PT = Proposed for Listing as

Threatened

State Listing - As determined by the

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

E = Endangered

T = Threatened

S n pecies of Management Concern

B S e IRDS S e tat

R k an

S f pecies of

M t anagement

C n oncern

Common Loon

American Bittern

Black-crowned Night-Heron

White-faced Ibis

Trumpeter Swan

Canvasback

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Northern Goshawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Swainson's Hawk

Ferruginous Hawk

Golden Eagle

Merlin

Peregrine Falcon

Black-necked Stilt

Upland Sandpiper

Long-billed Curlew

Common Snipe

Forster's Tern

Black Tern

Barn Owl

Common Poorwill

Red-headed Woodpecker

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Cordilleran Flycatcher

Violet-green Swallow

Brown Creeper

Townsend's Solitaire

Veery

Sage Thrasher

Loggerhead Shrike

Savannah Sparrow

Baird's Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

McCown's Longspur

Chestnut-collared Longspur

S3

S2

S1

S2

S3

S1

S3

S1

S1

S1

S3

S2

S3

S1

S3

S1

S3

S2

S3

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S3

S3

S2

S1

S3

S3

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S2

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SMC

SMC

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SMC

SMC

SMC

SMC

SMC

SMC

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SMC

SMC

SMC

SMC

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P S LANT

Wild Onion Allium canadense

Perennial Bursage Ambrosia tomentosa

Strict Sedge Carex stricta

S3

S1

S1
78 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Appendix I. Waterfowl Use at Lake Minatare aterfowl Use at Lake Minatare
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 79

Appendix J. Appendix J. Appendix J. Mailing List Mailing List

Federal Officials

■ U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel

Mary Crawford, Ag Director, Scottsbluff, NE

■ U.S. Senator Ben Nelson

Deb Cottier, Staff Assistant, Scottsbluff, NE

■ U.S. Representative Tom Osborn

Esther Benson, Scottsbluff, NE

Federal Agencies

■ USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service,

Chuck Schmitt, Kearney, NE

■ USDI/Bureau of Reclamation, John Lawson, Mills

WY

■ USDI/NPS, Scotts Bluff Nat’l Monument, Gering,

NE

■ US EPA, Denver, CO

■ USFWS, Albuquerque, NM; Alamosa/Monte Vista

NWR, CO; Anchorage, AK; Arapaho NWR, CO;

Arlington, VA; Arrowwood NWR, ND; Atlanta,

GA; Crescent Lake/North Platte NWR, NE;

Denver, CO; Fort Snelling, MN; Hadley, MA;

Juneau, AK; Air Quality Branch, Lakewood, CO;

Ecological Services Field Office, Grand Island,

NE; Medicine Lake NWR, MT; Portland, OR;

Sacramento, CA; Sherwood, OR; Sand Lake

NWR, SD; Seedskadee NWR, WY;

Shepherdstown, WV; Waubay NWR, SD

■ USGS, BRD, Rick Schroeder, Fort Collins, CO

State Officials

■ Governor Mike Johanns, Lincoln, NE

■ Senator Adrian Smith, Gering, NE

■ Senator Bob Wickersham, Harrison, NE

State Agencies

■ Ritch Nelson, NGPC-Alliance, NE

■ Jim Zimmerman, NGPC-Gering, NE

■ Scott Brandt, NGPC-Scottsbluff, NE

■ Jack Peterson, NGPC-Alliance, NE

■ Dan Thorton, NGPC-Minatare, NE

■ Steve Kemper, NGPC-Chadron, NE

■ Penny Businga, ESU #13, Scottsbluff, NE

■ Capt. Jim Rogers, NE State Patrol, Scottsbluff, NE

■ NE State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE

■ North Platte Natural Resources District

Local Agencies

■ Sheriff Jim Lawson, Gering, NE

■ Scotts Bluff County Commissioners, Gering, NE

Libraries

■ Scottsbluff Public Library

■ Gering Public Library

Media

■ Star-Herald, Scottsbluff, NE

■ Gering Courier, Gering, NE

■ The Business Farmer, Scottsbluff, NE

■ Mitchell Index, Mitchell, NE

■ KNEB Radio, Scottsbluff, NE

■ KMOR/KOAQ/KOLT Radio, Scottsbluff, NE

■ Omaha World Herald, Omaha, NE

■ KDUH TV, Scottsbluff, NE

■ KSTF TV, Gering, NE

Organizations/Business/Civic Groups

■ Nat’l Audubon Society, Gretchen Muller,

Washington, D.C.

■ Audubon Nebraska, Dave Sands, Lincoln, NE

■ Wildcat Audubon Society, Alice Kenitz, Gering, NE

■ Western NE Sportsmen Association, Darrell Fox

■ Scottsbluff-Gering United Chamber of Commerce,

Karen Anderson

■ Nebraska Chapter TWS, Bill Vodehnal, Bassett, NE

■ North Platte Valley Water Coalition, Ron Moore

■ Farmers Irrigation Dist, Kevin Adams,

Scottsbluff, NE

■ Pathfinder Irrigation Dist, Dennis Strauch,

Mitchell, NE

■ North Platte Valley Boat Club, Clarence

Bohlander, Minatare, NE

■ Nat’l Wildlife Refuge Assoc, Colorado Springs, CO

■ TWS-Central Mountain and Plains Section, Fort

Collins, CO

■ Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, D.C.

and Pratt, KS

■ KRA Corporation, F&W Reference Section,

Bethesda, MD

■ Defenders of Wildlife, Washington, D.C.

■ The Wilderness Society, Washington, D.C.

■ Animal Protection Institute, Sacramento, CA

■ Illinois Dept of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL

■ The Nature Conservancy, Boulder, CO

Universities & Colleges

■ UNL, Panhandle Research & Extension Center,

Scottsbluff, NE

■ Professor Paul Friesema, Northwestern U,

Evanston, IL

Individuals

Ray Boice

Britt Bowen

Kelly Bowen

Lee Buffington

Dale Henry

Byron Peterson

Mike Pickinpough

Jim and Jean Roebuck

Bruce Rolls

Ed Scott

Dale Staman

Donald Stubby

David and Cathy Wehrly

Leslie Wondercheck
80 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Appendix K. List of Preparers Appendix K. List of Preparers

This document is a compilation of efforts by Brad McKinney (Refuge

Manager) and Steve Knode (Project Leader). Dale Henry (ResPro

Consulting) provided leadership with formulating goals and objectives and

producing the written document in the approved format. Others involved in

the process included: John Esperance (Division of Realty) - Team Leader;

Sean Fields (Division of Planning) produced the maps, and Barbara Shupe

(Division of Planning) completed edits and document layout.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 81

Appendix L. Intra-Service Section 7 Biological Evaluation

Regarding the implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan - 2001

Region 6

National Wildlife Refuge System, North Platte NWR

Listed Species Within the Refuge Area:

Whooping Crane Grus americana endangered

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus threatened - proposed for de-listing

Occurrence:

Whooping cranes have not been documented on the Refuge but are occasionally sighted in the vicinity. As many

as 24 bald eagles are attracted to the Refuge during the fall and winter months by the large concentration of

waterfowl. One pair of bald eagles has nested on the Refuge since 1993.

Location:

Units of the North Platte NWR are within the Nebraska Panhandle, all located within Scotts Bluff County. The

Refuge lies within the Platte/Kansas Rivers Ecosystem.

Action:

The implementation of the CCP is intended to result in the preservation and/or restoration of ecosystem natural

resources. Public use and general access will be expanded as well.

Determination of effects:

No discernable effects will occur to the bald eagle or whooping crane as a result of the implementation of the CCP.
82 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001

Appendix M. Public Appendix M. Public

Involvement / Consultation

and Coordination

In order to inform and solicit ideas from the public

regarding a variety of Refuge programs and issues,

open house invitations were mailed to 150 individuals

on a mailing list comprised of local and national

stakeholders (permittees, educators, neighbors, and

agency and non-profit organization representatives).

An open invitation was further offered to interested

parties via a widely published/broadcast news release.

Both the personal and open invitation included requests

to those unable to attend the open house but wishing

to provide input into the planning process, to contact

the Refuge Manager for additional information and

means by which to participate by mail.

The open house scoping session was then held Friday,

July 17, 1998, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the

Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff,

Nebraska. The open house provided participants an

opportunity to learn about the Refuge’s purpose, mission

and goals, and issues currently facing management.

Seventeen people attended the afternoon/evening

session and were provided the chance to speak with

Service representatives and to share their comments.

A summary of those individual comments are as

follows:

✓ Lake Alice leaks. Partnership with Pathfinder

Irrigation District to stop the leak.

✓ Need to acquire the corner east of the west dam

(Bob Eisle) that extends into the lake bed.

✓ Build dike across Lake Alice from mid-point south

and riprap to stop wind erosion.

✓ Build a new dam.

✓ Explore the possibility of pumping groundwater

into Lake Alice for improved wetlands habitat.

✓ Contends that they, the neighboring landowners,

rightfully own “Morrill Island” through accretion.

Said that the County accepted their property tax

on the island for a couple of years before catching

the “mistake.”

✓ Would like to see public lands along the River

managed as Refuge.

✓ Is a neighbor to, and supports recent administrative

changes the Service has implemented at Lake

Minatare. Can see more wildlife now than before.

✓ Has concerns regarding moored sailboats in cove

near Boy Scout area - didn’t know NGPC leased

the mooring area.

✓ Would like to do primitive camping along the River.

✓ Supports environmental education.

✓ Mosquitos are a problem in the trees - we may

want to route any trail out through grassland.

✓ Questions whether power lines are a hindrance to

wildlife.

✓ October 1 closure is too early; push it back to

October 31. It interferes with best walleye fishing.

✓ Supports management of Refuge.

✓ Likes buoyed off areas at Lake Minatare.

✓ Interested in 3-way partnership to line bottom of

Lake Alice (to correct leaking issue); perhaps 4- way

partnership with irrigation district.

✓ No changes on Winters Creek Unit regarding

public use.

✓ Feels public use estimate for Lake Minatare State

Recreation Area (250,000 visits annually) may be

too high.

✓ Doesn’t see value in closed area on Lake Alice at

least in summer.

✓ Is interested in access to public lands along the

River. Would like to use islands as float stops.

✓ Agrees with recent changes/work at Minatare.

✓ Clarify island ownership; specifically “Morrill Island.”

✓ Lots of people want 5 hp gas motors (on Winters

Creek Lake) because of wind.

✓ Wouldn’t mind no-wake limitation with gas motor

boats (vs limiting to only electric motor).

✓ Morrill Island should be made available to public.

✓ Lake Alice would be more beneficial to wildlife if

the leakage problem could be resolved.

✓ North Cove - fire hazard, need to cut weeds,

grasshoppers are a problem, snakes. Never see

anyone using the area.

✓ Boater’s speed, wake limits need better enforcement.

✓ Would support acquisition of River islands if public

hunting was permitted.

✓ Not interested in sealing Lake Alice because of

the cost not benefitting the agricultural

community. Can’t see how wildlife, irrigators or

recreationist would benefit that much for the cost

of correcting the leakage problem.

✓ Opposed to North Cove being closed to motorized

vehicles. Don’t see the wildlife use as prior to

closure.

✓ Need to see “weeds” brought into control so that

there’s wildlife habitat, but also not unattractive to

neighbors (fire is a concern).

✓ The Refuge needs to communicate with North

Cove neighbors regarding management (maybe a

newsletter), let the neighbors know who you are.

✓ North Cove neighbors will need access to maintain

septic tanks.

✓ Lake Alice needs to be fixed; dredged out and

sealed. Then open the Lake to jet ski use.

✓ Make dredged “fill” available to farmers for field

leveling.

✓ Rehab the little old pit toilet near North Cove

parking lot.

✓ Maintain the alcohol ban.

Managers met with several community groups during

the ensuing weeks to further discuss the CCP process.

Such groups included the Wildcat Audubon Society,

West Nebraska Sportsman Association, and the

Scottsbluff Lions Club. The Crescent Lake/North

Platte NWR Complex also conducted a formal staff

meeting by which individual ideas were raised and

documented regarding future Refuge management

direction.
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001 83

An early CCP draft was submitted to Review Team

members. Substantive comments, as opposed to editorial

comments, to this early draft are highlighted below:

Dale Henry, USFWS-Retired

✓ Future re-draft should further explain the

jurisdictional relationship between the Bureau of

Reclamation and the Service.

✓ Need more explanation as to why Congress, in

1994, removed portions of the Lake Minatare Unit

from the National Wildlife Refuge System.

✓ Refuge objectives need to be quantifiable.

Dr. James Stubbendieck, Director, Center for Great

Plains Studies, University of Nebraska

✓ May want to consider Appendixing copies of

environmental assessments and compatibility

determinations that have been completed for the

Refuge in the past.

✓ Consider including scientific names along with

common names of plants and animals.

✓ Questions why there has been no hunting permitted

when hunting is one of the six primary, approved

uses of national wildlife refuges.

Lorrie Beck, USFWS, Education/Visitor Services,

Region 6

✓ When discussing objectives and strategies for

recreational opportunities, include references for

developing facilities and programs that are

universally accessible. Also discuss the need to

update all Refuge brochures and publications to

the new Service standards.

✓ Consider discussing the need to keep interpretive

panels at area kiosks up-to-date.

✓ Consider a discussion of training needs for public

use staff that will better assist them in providing

quality programs.

Jack Peterson, NGPC, Panhandle District, Fisheries

Supervisor

✓ Supports the reduction of the closure period,

allowing sport fishing opportunities to expand by

two weeks.

✓ Would support a multi-agency partnership that would

seek to seal Lake Alice. Perhaps some aquatic

habitat stamp money could be utilized for this.

✓ Fully supports the ban on gas-powered boat

motors on Winters Creek Lake. “Manufacturers

now produce electric motors that are as powerful

as 5hp gas motors. We don’t want to pollute Lake

Winters Creek with oil from internal combustion

motors.”

Ritch Nelson, NGPC, Panhandle Dist. Mgr, Wildlife Div.

✓ When discussing state-listed (endangered and/or

threatened) species, consider Stateline Island as

possible habitat for the river otter.

✓ List species of management concern.

✓ For consistency sake, consider changing the public

use season at the Lake Alice Unit to match what is

being proposed at Winters Creek and Lake

Minatare Units (lengthening the season by two weeks).

✓ Removal of the year-round public use closure

designation of the west end of the Lake Alice Unit

is a positive change.

✓ Closing the road along the south side of Lake Alice

and establishing an observation overlook at the

southeast corner of the Lake would be supported.

✓ The acquisition of additional land (Scottsbluff

Island, Morrill Island and land near Winters Creek

Lake) should be key objectives within this Plan.

✓ Would like to see the Lake Alice Unit opened to

compatible hunting opportunities.

Dave Tunink, NGPC, Assistant Administrator,

Fisheries Management Section

✓ Supports the change in closure period from

October 1 to October 15 as it would allow for two

more weeks of fall fishing opportunity.

Rhoda Lewis, USFWS, Regional Archeologist, Region 6

✓ Feels that the ultimate responsibility, within the

Refuge, for compliance with Federal legislation

regarding cultural resource issues lies with the

Bureau. The Service should initiate consultation

under Section 106 of the National Historic

Preservation Act with the Nebraska State History

Preservation Office for Service generated projects as a

courtesy to the Bureau. Any studies undertaken as a

result of that consultation will be coordinated with

the Bureau cultural resource specialist.

Rick Schroeder, Biological Resources Div., U.S.G.S.

✓ Expand discussion of the Refuge habitat types.

✓ Expand discussion of species of management concern.

✓ The CCP should include additional scientific

support and citations to demonstrate the level of

understanding of the biology and ecology of the Refuge

that exists. If such information is not available or

has not yet been acquired, the CCP can identify

the need for this information as part of the plan.

✓ Objectives need to be measurable.
84 North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan - August 2001
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge

115 Railway Street, Suite C109

Scottsbluff, NE 69363-1346

308/635 7851

FW6_RW_Crescent_Lake_NWR@fws.gov

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

http://www.fws.gov

http://www.r6.fws.gov/larp

For Refuge Information

1 800/344 WILD

August 2001

Environmental Education, USFWS Photo