Ecosystem Management

A Memorandum of Agreement between the U.S. Army and Region 3, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) was signed in May 1997. The purpose of this agreement is to implement a partnership between Army and the FWS for ecosystem-based management of the Northern Firing Range Area of JPG.

In this unique arrangement, the U.S. Army will retain ownership of the Northern Firing Range Area in a caretaker status because of the presence of and risks associated with unexploded ordnance and depleted uranium. The Army also will be responsible for security of the firing range and administer, with the FWS, the fishing, deer, turkey and other designated hunting programs.

The FWS will develop an ecosystem-based plan to conserve the fish and wildlife resources of the firing range, including:

• An Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan.
  
• Forest interior management to protect the existing forest habitat and the nesting and migration habitat for birds.
  
• A grassland management program which is inclusive of monitoring the Henslow's Sparrow population.
  
• Endangered species management based on documenting the distribution and status of State of Indiana threatened and endangered species as well as FWS species of management concern.
  
• Integration of aquatic habitat management (wetlands, streams, ponds, lakes) into forest, grassland, and endangered species management.
  
• Encouragement of fish and wildlife interpretive and research activities.
  
• Provision of controlled recreational opportunities.

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Region 3
• Indiana Department of Natural Resources
• Chipper Woods Bird Observatory, Henslow's Sparrow
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Henslow's Sparrow
• Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
  

Relevant Documentation

• Memorandum of Agreement Between the U.S. Army and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (PDF, 775k)
• Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge Use Annual Report (2000) (PDF, 1.6mb)
• Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge Public Use Report (2000) (PDF, 40k)
• Productivity of Interior Forest and Grassland Birds (1998) (PDF, 465k)
• Finding of No Significant Impacts for Fire Management Plan (2001) (PDF, 129k)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge Dedication Staff

Left to right:

• Refuge Manager
• FWS Director
• Refuge Operations Specialist
• Administrative Technician
• Wildlife Biologist
• Wildlife Biologist

---