The comment period for the Compatibility Determination on Commercial Forestry Management has been extended to September 11th to allow additional time to review.
The required NEPA process was completed during development of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan in 2011. A CCP is a 15 year plan for management of the Refuge that is used by the American Public for conserving, protecting, and enhancing the habitat for wildlife and the species therein. The Refuge received an award of national recognition for that document, with many public meetings and coordination with several partners, state and federal agencies, biologists, foresters, and ecologists.
The CCP process included full analysis of potential impacts, including ESA Section 7 analysis, and communication with West Virginia Ecological Field Office for protecting threatened and endangered species. As alternatives were evaluated in this process, this CD does not require evaluation of additional alternatives.
For more information, please visit www.fws.gov/refuge/canaan_valley/ look under Wildlife & Habitat and you will see Forest Management. There you will find the presentation, CD, and public comment form.
For more information contact Dawn Washington, Wildlife Biologist at 304-866-3858 ext. 3013.
Comments will be accepted, via electronic to ron_hollis@fws.gov or written to Canaan Valley NWR, Attn Ron Hollis, 6263 Appalachian Hwy, Davis, WV 26260.
