The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) is soliciting public comments on a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge (TRNWR). The CCP is required for management of each national wildlife refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS).

The mission of the NWRS 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 America". The TRNWR was established by Congress in 1994 for "the conservation of the wetlands of the Nation in order to maintain the public benefits they provide and to help fulfill international obligations contained in various migratory bird treaties and conventions."

Currently the TRNWR consists of 22,000 acres of mostly bottomland hardwood forest in Liberty County, about 40 miles east of Houston, Texas. The mail-out for the TRNWR asks the following questions:

1) What do you see as the primary issues that need to be addressed in the CCP? 2) What is your vision for the future of TRNWR? 3) Do you want to remain on the mailing list to receive planning updates? 4) Is there anyone else you know who would like to be on the mailing list? 5) Do you have any additional comments at this time?

The Sierra Club urges you to submit your letter by November 30, 2007 to: Yvette Truitt-Ortiz, U.S. FWS, Region 2, Division of Planning, Refuges, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103, and make the follow comments regarding question 1) above:

1) Protection of natural resources of the TRNWR must always take precedence over any uses or user groups.

2) A refuge entrance fee should not be instituted.

3) Quick acquisition of additional lands to buffer, link, and fully protect the 100 year floodplain, and associated uplands, in the TRNWR is needed. This means more money must be appropriated to complete acquisition.

4) A comprehensive public outreach, education, participation, and input program (POEPIP) is needed to educate the public and provide opportunities for volunteer conservation activities and compatible use activities that teach the value of the TRNWR.

5) Protection of natural resources in the TRNWR from legal/illegal uses/actions (like poaching of fish/wildlife, off-road vehicles, highway projects, etc.) is required. More law enforcement/resource protection personnel are needed to ensure that the TRNWR is fully protected.

6) Stringent regulation of oil/gas activities in the TRNWR is needed.

7) Invasive species, like Chinese Tallow and Japanese Privet, must be, over time, removed from the TRNWR and replaced with native plant species.

8) Acquisition of Davis Hill State Park site as part of the TRNWR.

9) Full funding of staff, equipment, operations, and maintenance for the TRNWR is required.

10) Low impact restoration of bottomland hardwood and other ecosystems may be required.

For more information contact Brandt Mannchen at 713-664-5962 or brandtshnfbt@juno.com.

September 2007

Last updated:  11/02/2007.   Content © 1999-2007 by the Sierra Club.