Input Sought in Seney National Wildlife Conservation Plan

Public input is being sought for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Schoolcraft County. An open house at the Refuge Visitor Center in Seney will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 15.

The CCP will set wildlife, habitat, and public use priorities and guide management decisions on the

Refuge for the next 15 years. The open house will give those who are interested an opportunity to participate in the planning process.

All aspects of the Refuge will be addressed in the CCP, which includes 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.

Those interested are invited to attend the open house and speak with refuge staff or submit comments.

"We want to hear the public's idea on management of the Seney Refuge," said Tracy Casselman, refuge manager. "I hope everyone who is interested will attend and share their perspective. It's an opportunity to identify areas of improvement, issues, or express support of ongoing management."

The Refuge was established in 1935 by Executive Order under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act for the protection and production of migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge encompasses 95,212 acres. The Seney Wilderness Area covers 25,150 acres, which makes up 26 percent of the Refuge. More than 200 species of birds, 26 species of fish, 45 species of mammals, and 420 plant species have been recorded on the Refuge.

Comments can also be mailed to Tracy Casselman at Seney National Wildlife Refuge at 1674 Refuge Entrance Road, Seney, Michigan 49883.