Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Restoration Update

Please read below and send a strong letter of support for this project. 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Contact: Al Rizzo, 302-653-9345 ext. 102

Service invites public input to environmental assessment for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge marsh restoration project

Open house scheduled, public comment period through March 25, 2015

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public input as it evaluates the restoration of a 4,000-acre tidal marsh at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge along the Delaware Bay. The project is supported by federal funding from the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Act.

In its environmental assessment (EA), the Service evaluates the impacts of the full tidal marsh restoration project. The project was initially evaluated as part of the refuge’s comprehensive conservation plan in 2012 (CCP/EIS, 2012). The environmental assessment addresses the full scope of the project as well as new information and environmental circumstances that were not evaluated in the development of the CCP. This environmental review for federal projects is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The EA will be available for public review and comment for 30 days through March 25, 2015. The document is available online at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/prime_hook/. A hard copy version of the document also will also be available at the refuge’s headquarters office, 11978 Turkle Pond Rd, Milton, DE, and at Milton Library, 121 Union St, Milton, DE.

The refuge also will host an open house March 18 at 7 p.m. at its headquarters office. The meeting is an opportunity to meet Service staff, learn about the EA and provide verbal and written comments on the EA.

Comments may be submitted at the public meetings or at any time during the comment period. Email northeastplanning@fws.gov (include Prime Hook in the subject line) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prime-Hook-National-Wildlife-Refuge/319564514783623?fref=nf Mail: 11978 Turkle Pond Rd, Milton, DE 19968

Long-term project goals focus on helping local communities and wildlife better withstand future storm events and climate change by increasing the resiliency of the Delaware coastal barrier beach system.

The Service has been working closely with the Corps of Engineers (USACE) in coordinating the design of the marsh restoration project. The USACE, along with the National Marine Fisheries Service, are serving as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the NEPA documentation for this project.

For more information on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/prime_hook/

For more information on the marsh restoration project:

http://www.fws.gov/hurricane/sandy/projects/PrimeHookBarrierBeach.html

-FWS-

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen in the northeast region, visit www.fws.gov/northeast. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwsnortheast, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwsnortheast, watch our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsnortheast.