Proposed Southern Maryland Woodlands National 野生动物 Refuge
Increasing access to public lands and waters is a central component of the Biden administration’s approach to conservation under the 美丽美国倡议. The draft proposal draws upon a 2018 conservation plan that the Service developed in partnership with the Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance and was informed by three public listening sessions that took place across the proposed 保护区.
“The forests and wetlands of Southern Maryland provide special places for people and for 野生动物. 当这些栖息地受到来自 气候变化 还有其他威胁, this proposal would help conserve these areas for future generations,斯科特·卡汉说, chief of the National 野生动物 Refuge System for the Service’s northeast region. “We look forward to working with local communities and partners and receiving their feedback.”
作为建议, the new refuge would consist of four watershed-based units: the Lower Patuxent-卡尔弗特 Unit, Nanjemoy-Mattawoman单位, Zekiah-Wicomico Unit和McIntosh Run-St. 玛丽的单位. The total area of the proposed refuge acquisition boundary is about 577,420 acres. 在这个地理范围内, 该事务处建议最多购置40个,通过简易收费和 保护地役权 purchases from willing sellers, to be managed as part of the National 野生动物 Refuge System. The Service would continue to facilitate partner-led efforts to conserve important habitats across the remaining 保护区.
罗杰·史密斯摄
Habitat loss is the greatest threat to biodiversity in the United States. More than half of Maryland’s forests and wetlands have been lost in the conversion of important natural areas to other land uses, with more than 1 million acres having been developed since 1973. Such habitat loss represents the primary threat to Maryland’s fish and 野生动物 and the livelihoods and local economies that depend upon them.
如果保护, these watersheds will continue to provide resilience to 气候变化, conserve waterfowl and other migratory bird habitat, aid in the recovery of listed threatened and endangered species and provide needed outdoor recreational opportunities for the 10 million people who live and work in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan region. 建议纳入这一新的领域 国家野生动物保护区 support a wide range of species including waterfowl, 水鸟, 森林内部和草原依赖的鸟类, threatened and endangered species such as the dwarf wedgemussel, 大西洋和短鼻鲟鱼, Puritan and Northeastern tiger beetles and the northern long-eared bat.
Conservation easements are voluntary agreements that allow landowners to maintain working and private lands as they are with no further subdivision or development. These less-than-fee-title interests would provide important opportunities for conservation while maintaining private ownership rights and responsibilities.
The public may now review possible impacts and alternatives online at: http://www.The UFish类和Wildlife管理局.gov/
All interested parties have the opportunity to participate and provide comments during the open 45-day public comment period. 请将意见提交至: FW5southernmarylandplan@
The National 野生动物 Refuge System is an unparalleled network of 570 国家野生动物保护区s and 38 wetland management districts. There is a 国家野生动物保护区 within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas. More than 67 million Americans visit refuges every year. Refuges provide vital habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, 从钓鱼, 打猎、划船到观赏自然, 摄影与环境教育. This recreation on 国家野生动物保护区s supports regional economies to the tune of $3.2 billion dollars per year and support more than 41,000 jobs.
美国.S. 鱼 and 野生动物 Service works with others to conserve, 保护和改善鱼类, 野生动物, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. 欲了解更多信息，请访问 www.美国鱼类和野生动物管理局.政府 并在社交媒体上与我们联系: 脸谱网, Instagram, X
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