Arthur R. Marshall

LoxahatcheeNational Wildlife Refuge

Visitor Services Planning Process

Visitor Services Planning Process• Wildlife-dependent recreation• Step-down from Comprehensive Conservation Plan• 14 Standards (goals, objectives, and strategies)• Analyze 25 proposed recreation enhancements from State License

Agreement (Exhibit C)• Public involvement• Public use and compatibility• Facilities and maps

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

1997 Refuge Improvement Act“Big 6” Wildlife-dependent Recreation

Fishing Hunting

PhotographyInterpretation

Wildlife ObservationEnvironmental Education

Policy (601 FW 1) • Refuge Improvement Act of 1997

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Visitor Services Standards1. Visitor Services Plan2. Welcome and orient visitors3. Hunting4. Fishing5. Wildlife observation and photography6. Environmental education7. Interpretation of key resources and issues8. Other recreational uses9. Outreach10. Work with volunteers, Friends, and other partnerships11. Recreation fees 12. Concessions 13. Commercial Use 14. Wilderness (not applicable at Lox)

Policy (605 FW 1)

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Refuge map

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Current Uses and Potential Uses

Strazzulla EA

License Agreement • Evaluate 25 proposed uses from Exhibit C

Public scoping in May

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Welcome and Orient Visitors

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FacilitiesWelcome kiosks/signs

Visitor Center• 7 days/week• 9:00 am to 4:00 pmRefuge hours • 5:00 am-10:00 pm

Brochures and mapsADA accessibleFront desk staffWebsite & Social Media

What are your thoughts and

ideas for welcoming and

orienting visitors?

Policy (605 FW 1)

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Hunting OpportunitiesCurrentlyHunt Plan completed in 2012~30,000 acres/21% open

Alligator• 11 permits/year (total 22)

Duck and Coot• Early teal• Regular season• Youth Season• Wed-Sun• 4:00 am – 1:00 pm

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Policy (605 FW 2) •CFR Refuge-Specific Regulations for Hunting

What are your thoughts and ideas

for hunting opportunities?

Strazzulla EAWhite-tailed deer & feral hog

State regulationsArchery only

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Fishing OpportunitiesCurrentlyFishing Plan 2014• Boat based sport fishing in canals• Bank fishing• 2 ADA fishing piers• 3 boat ramps• Kids’ fishing events• 17 Tournaments• Commercial guides

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Policy (605 FW 3) • CFR Refuge Specific Regulations for Fishing

What are your thoughts and ideas

for fishing opportunities?

Strazzulla EAADA fishing pier in

L-40 Canal

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Wildlife Observation & PhotographyCurrently• C-8 photo blind • > 46 miles of trails• Observation towers• Butterfly Garden• Binocular loan• Kid’s birding event• Bird checklist (2011)• Stationary scope• Bird walks• Friends’ Photo contest

What are yourthoughts and ideas

for wildlife observation and

photography opportunities? St

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Policies (605 FW 1 and 605 FW 4)

Strazzulla EAPhoto blind

Observation towerBoardwalk trail

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Environmental EducationCurrentlyHosted almost 15,000 participants through various partners during FY2016-17

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Policy (605 FW 6)

What are yourthoughts and ideas for environmental

education opportunities?

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Interpretation“Interpretation on refuges connects the hearts and minds of our

visitors with the places, objects, and resources we protect.”

CurrentlyVisitor center exhibitsSpecial eventsVolunteer-led programs• Tram Tours• Bird walks• Night walks• Canoe tours2 Friends’ Art ContestsFriends’ publicationsInterpretive signs

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Policy (605 FW 7)

What are yourthoughts and ideas for interpretation

opportunities?

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Other Recreational UseMust be appropriate and compatible • SUPs • Conflicts/Benefits

Current UsesWalking/hiking

BikingCanoeing/kayaking

Boating

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Policies (601 FW 1, 603 FW 1, 603 FW 2, 631 FW 5, 8 RM 7, RM 9)

What are yourthoughts and ideas

for other recreational opportunities?

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Communicate Key Issues (Outreach)Relations with:• Conservation partners• Congressional relations• News media• Public involvement• Stakeholder groups

Activities involving• Visitor center exhibits• Presentations• Brochures & publications• Off-site events• Social media• Website St

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Policy (605 FW 1)

What are your thoughts and ideas

for outreach opportunities?

Photo: Lygodium spores by USFWS

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Volunteers, Friends, and Partnerships2016: 73 volunteers completed 12,900 hours

Our partners help us meet our mission and goalsFund-raising efforts through Friends

EE, interp, maintenance, biology, admin, more

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Policies (150 FW 1, 150 FW 2, 150 FW 3, 240 FW 9, 605 FW 1)

What are your thoughts

and ideas for partnership

opportunities?

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Recreation Fee ProgramCurrentlyMultiple passes available• 80% fees to public use

management

What are your thoughts and ideas on the recreation

fee program?

Policies (Federal Lands REA 2004 • USFWS Rec Fees • 261 FW 1 • 263 FW 1)

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Concessions and Commercial UseCurrentlyLoxahatchee Canoeing (SUP)• Canoes• Kayaks• Bicycles

Commercial fishing guides

USFWS Policies 603 FW1 and 605 FW 5 Director’s Order N0.139 • 50 CFR 25.61, 29.1, and 27.97,

What are yourthoughts and ideas for concessions and

commercial use opportunities?

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Exhibit C – Immediate Time FrameReview process < 6 months.

Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 24 months.

1. Provide specialty hunts, fishing, and other recreational opportunities for youth, veterans, and active military

2. Host additional Kids Fishing Days3. Increase number of alligator quota permits4. Open remainder of L-40 and L-7 to hiking and

bicycling.5. Allow leashed pets6. Participate in the District and Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation Commission python removal programs from levees and roads.

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Exhibit C – Short-term Time Frame Review process < 1 year.

Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 36 months.

7. Establish a canoe trail on south end of Refuge8. Provide camping adjacent to the L-7 levee by

permit9. Expand the total number of days of hunting

allowed during alligator season10. Provide bank fishing opportunities by

constructing a fishing pier at Loxahatchee Road Entrance

11. Provide for nontraditional uses such as weddings, yoga, and other similar activities

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Exhibit C- Mid-term Time FrameReview process < 3 years.

Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 48 months.

12. Expanding the number of days available for waterfowl hunting from 5 days per week to 7 days per week

13. Allow hunter access from additional locations including the L-39, L-40, and L-7 levees.

14. Provide specialized deer hunting opportunities (youth and/or wounded warrior hunt) on lands owned in fee by the Department of the Interior

15. Expand existing hunt area16. Establish a small mammal and hog hunting

season in interior of Refuge in accordance with State regulations for listed game species

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

17. Provide camping on platforms in the Refuge “interior”

18. Provide concession operation at the south end Loxahatchee Road Entrance for canoe and kayak rental, john boat rental, bike rental, commercial fishing guides, bait, snacks, and drinks and guided tours for wildlife observation.

19. Provide bowfishing opportunity per State regulations in current areas open to fishing except the A, B, and C impoundments

20. Open perimeter canal to alligator hunting

Exhibit C- Mid-term Time FrameReview process < 3 years.

Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 48 months.

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

21. Provide an entrance at Wellington and Delray Regional Park to the L-40

22. Allow air-cooled outboard motors and jet drive motor boats in perimeter canals. Allow airboat use within the designated waterfowl hunting area and within perimeter canals excluding the L-40.

23. Provide horseback riding along the L-40, L-39, or L-7 levees

24. Authorize frog gigging within perimeter canals and the hunt area.

25. Build an observation tower along the canoe trail for additional wildlife viewing opportunity

Exhibit C- Mid-term Time FrameReview process < 3 years.

Complete evaluation, implement approved activities within 48 months.

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Planning Process

Process

Public Scoping & Issues Identification

Preplanning

Vision Statement and Goals

Develop Alternatives, Objectives and Strategies

Prepare Draft Plan

Final Plan

Implement Plan and Monitor

Review and Revise Plan

Public Input

Public Input

Public Input

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

Next Step?Dates ActionsNow-July 2018

Evaluate comments received, Develop & analyze alternatives, Develop EA & draft VSP

August 2018

Request public review and comment on EA and draft VSP

Sept. 2018

Evaluate comments received, Respond to substantive comments,Update VSP as needed

October 2018

Develop Final VSP

Upcoming MeetingsPublic Scoping Meeting

Saturday, May 19th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pmPalm Beach Co. Extension • 559 North Military Trail • West Palm Beach, FL 33415

Public Scoping MeetingTuesday, May 22nd from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

South County Civic Center • 16700 Jog Road • Delray Beach, FL 33446

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development

We want to hear from you!Please Submit Public Scoping Comments by Friday, August 3, 2018:

At: Public Meetings

By Email: armloxvsp@fws.gov

By Mail: P.O. Box 924 Freeport, FL 32439

A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Services Plan Development