Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge N W R Management

The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 requires all units of the National Wildlife Refuge System to be managed under a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). The CCP must describe the desired future conditions of a refuge and provide long-range guidance and management direction to achieve refuge purposes. Charles M. Russell (CMR) National Wildlife Refuge, located in north-central Montana, is in the process of developing a range of management goals, objectives, and strategies for the CCP. The CCP for the Refuge must contain an analysis of expected effects associated with current and proposed refuge-management strategies.

This draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental impact statement identifies the purpose and need for a management plan, outlines the legal foundation for management of two refuges in Montana, Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge, and describes and evaluates four alternative plans for managing wildlife, habitat, and wildlife-dependent public use. This process has involved the development of a vision, goals, objectives, and strategies that meet the legal directives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and has considered the input of interested groups and the public.