Lower Suwannee Refuge Seeks Public Comments

6/22/2020

The Refuge is seeking Public Comment on two proposed new activities on the refuge. For each, there is a press release that explains the activity and draft of the compatible use determination related to the activity. Comments from the public need to be in writing and can be sent by mail or email, as described in the press releases. The deadline for comments is 24 July 2020.

Activity 1) Hound Field Trials - under a Special Use Permit allow sanctioned dog clubs to conduct (non-lethal) field trial at night for racoons. We already allow a raccoon hunt; field trials are just an activity where dogs chase the coon, tree the coon, participants don't shoot the coon, but score points based on judging the dog's performance.

Info - Hound Field Trials

Compatible Use - Hound Trials

Activity 2) Thrips Release - under a Special Use Permit partner with the State of Florida Division of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs to release a non-native insect as a biological control onto stands of Brazilian pepper trees on the Refuge. USDA APHIS has conducted a rigorous environmental compliance review in which the USFWS was a collaborating agency. This biocontrol has been coordinated with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, as well as State of Florida Forest Service and Park Service and cleared at the national level.

Info - Thrips Release

Compatible Use - Thrips Release

6 Comments

Milli Chapell

7/14/2020 12:47:41 pm

Allow nature to sort things out and observe the results. We have few pristine areas in the world where nature can balance itself out. Keep introductions of anything to a minimum. Thanks

Scott D Wright PhD

7/14/2020 02:24:36 pm

The proposed release of thrips for the biological control of the invasive plant Brazilian Pepper, is compatible with the mission of the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge. This invasive plant can thrive in all habitats within the refuge and displace native plant species. Despite efforts over a decade of mechanical control, the plant continues to thrive on refuge lands. Given that the proposed control is specifically targeting a single plant species, it seems unlikely that there will be collateral damage to native plant species. Nevertheless, it will be critical to monitor the progress of the insects post release to assure that there is not damage to adjacent native plants.

7/14/2020 02:43:48 pm

While I understand the suggested benefits of the proposed use of the refuge and raccoon dog trials I note that those benefits are for the people involved and not wildlife. That is, dogs released into the field at night will not only disrupt raccoons but many other wildlife species as well. At the minimum, white-tailed deer, hogs, opossums, turkey, armadillo. The presence of dogs running and barking through the woods at night will be disruptive. Also, there are no fences to contain the dogs in a specific area so they will be free to go beyond the intended areas and chase non-target species (deer). While the proposed event may be sanctioned, the word will get out to those not part of the club inviting unsanctioned dogs running around at night chasing wildlife. Given the likely stress the dogs would create for non-target species, I do not believe this is a wise activity for the refuge to undertake.

Jim Burney

7/14/2020 03:52:53 pm

Activity 1) Hound Trials. As a hunter I can understand both the public buy-in benefit of allowing night hunts and as a professional land manager I also see the wildlife benefit of uninterrupted nocturnal patterns, So I withhold judgement and defer to USFWS protocol.

Activity 2) Thrip Introduction. As a professional land manager with direct contact with biocontrol researchers I understand the need for Integrated Pest Management for controlling invasive plants. This integrated approach most certainly includes the use of thoroughly vetted biocontrol agents such a Brazilian Pepper thrips and other pepper host specific agents. This particularly persistent species of invasive plant will not be controlled without such an approach and I support the decision to release.

Sandra Muldrow

7/15/2020 07:22:09 am

I don't see how harassing wildlife should be an activity supported by a national wildlife refuge. A refuge is supposed to be a "safe" place. I do not support this activity.

John Lowenthal

7/19/2020 06:54:15 am

Having been a volunteer working to eradicate Brazilian Pepper I do not think we can control the damage it does by mechanical removal. While concerned the Thibs may have effects beyond Pepper this sounds like a worthwhile trial. Hopefully we will see positive results and I expect the researchers will report accurately.

Lower Suwannee Refuge Seeks Public Comments

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