Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge Seeks Input on Future Management

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be hosting two open house events to request input from the public in developing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge located in Polk County, Minn.

The CCP will set wildlife, habitat, and public use priorities and guide management decisions on the refuge for the next 15 years. The open houses will give interested members of the public, tribes, agencies, neighbors, public interest groups, and local governments an opportunity to participate in this planning process from the very beginning. All aspects of the refuge will be addressed by the CCP, including important fish and wildlife habitats, public use and facilities, and current management activities. By law, six wildlife-dependent recreational uses receive a priority on National Wildlife Refuges: fishing, hunting, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation.

The first open house will be on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the Rydell Refuge headquarters. The headquarters is located at 17788 349^th Street SE, Erskine, Minnesota. A second open house is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Crookston Public Library, 110 North Ash Street, Crookston, Minnesota.

Both open houses will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Interested citizens may stop by any time during the open houses, and stay as long as they wish, to speak with refuge staff or submit comments. Comment forms will be made available so that written comments can be submitted at the meeting or mailed in to the refuge later.

Comments may also be sent through the Service’s Planning website at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/GlacialRidge.

For more information on the Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visit http://midwest.fws.gov.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.