Summary

Description

This annual narrative report for Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge outlines Refuge accomplishments during the 1991 calendar year. The report begins with a summary of the years highlights and weather conditions. Land acquisition is covered. The report includes a planning section which discusses the master plan, management planning, public participation, compliance with environmental and cultural resource mandates, and research and investigations. Refuge administration is outlined; information about personnel, youth programs, manpower programs, volunteer programs, funding, safety, and technical assistance is given. Habitat management is also covered; subjects include wetlands, forests, grasslands, grazing, haying, fire management, pest control, wilderness areas, WPA easements, and private lands. The wildlife section of the report discusses wildlife diversity, endangered and threatened species, waterfowl, marsh birds and waterbirds, shorebirds, raptors, game mammals, fisheries resources, wildlife propagation, surplus animal disposal, marking and bird banding, and disease control. The public uses of the Refuge described in this report include outdoor classrooms, interpretive programs, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and law enforcement. The equipment and facilities section of the report provides information about rehabilitation, major maintenance, equipment replacement, communication systems, and computer systems. Economic uses of the Refuge and items of interest are provided at the end. This narrative also mentions that the Niobrara Scenic River Designation Act of 1991 Senate Bill 248 was passed by Congress on May 14, 1991 and signed by President Bush on May 24, 1991 and that a Biological Diversity Study was began on Valentine and Fort Niobrara.