FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2004

Contact:

Steve Lenz or Jim Lutes, 608-742-7100

EA 04-56

Service Seeks Public Input on
Draft Environmental Assessment for Implementing
Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan
at Leopold Wetland Management District

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comments on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that considers adoption of a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Plan for the Leopold Wetland Management District. The draft EA looks at various alternatives for surveillance and management of CWD on Service lands within District boundaries in south central Wisconsin.

Copies of the draft EA and CWD Management Plan are available for review at the District headquarters located outside of Portage at W10040 Cascade Mountain Road. A copy of the EA may also be found on the Service Web site at http://midwest.fws.gov/nepa, or may be requested by calling the Leopold Wetland Management District at 608-742-7100.

The Service is accepting comments on the draft EA through August 12. Written comments may be mailed to: Leopold WMD, Attn: CWD Management Plan EA Comment, W10040 Cascade Mountain Road, Portage, WI 53901, or via e-mail to: LeopoldCWD@fws.gov.

The EA considers three alternatives for surveillance and management of CWD on Service-owned lands within CWD Management Zones established by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The preferred alternative includes acceptance of many of the measures identified in the state plan, including disease and population management, surveillance and coordination, testing and handling of CWD suspect animals, and baiting and feeding measures.

A second alternative (No Action) considers ceasing any type of active surveillance or management that may be used to address the incidence of CWD on District lands. Deer hunting would still be allowed on District lands based on state regulations and the Service policy of prohibiting baiting and feeding would still be enforced.

The final and most restrictive alternative considers closing all Leopold Wetland Management District lands to white-tailed deer hunting while also ceasing any type of active surveillance or management that may be used to address the incidence of CWD on District lands. The Service policy of prohibiting baiting and feeding would still be enforced.
Public participation is a key component in the Environmental Assessment process. The Service encourages interested individuals and groups to review the draft EA and District CWD Management Plan and submit comments.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

-FWS-