Document 2RdQGN7zanMQqDojDeDdyDKLb

Appendix A: Legal, Policy, and Planning Guidance A.3.3.4 North American Waterfowl Management Plan The North American Waterfowl Management Plan is dedicated to the recovery of waterfowl populations through the restoration and management of wetland ecosystems (NAWMP Committee 2004). The North American Waterfowl Management Plan seeks to conserve biological diversity in the Western Hemisphere, integrate wildlife conservation with sustainable economic development, and promote partnerships of public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals for conservation. Canada, the United States, and Mexico are committed to this ongoing continental effort and have formed an international partnership to identify priority waterfowl habitats and to establish goals and objectives for the management of waterfowl populations and habitats. Arctic Refuge provides important breeding and migration habitat for a variety of waterfowl from throughout North America. A.3.3.5 Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plans Partners in Flight is a cooperative effort among Federal, State, and local government agencies; philanthropic foundations; professional organizations; conservation groups; industry; universities; and private individuals. Partners in Flight was created in 1990 in response to growing concerns about declines in the populations of many landbird species and to emphasize the conservation of birds not covered by existing conservation initiatives. Bird conservation plans are developed in each region to identify species and habitats most in need of conservation, to establish objectives and strategies to meet those needs, and to implement plans and monitor progress on them. A.3.3.6 U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (Brown et al. 2001) seeks to stabilize populations of all shorebirds that are in decline because of factors affecting habitat in the United States. At a regional level, the plan's goal is to ensure that shorebird habitat is available in adequate quantity and quality to support shorebird populations in each region. Ultimately, the goal of the Shorebird Conservation Plan is to restore and maintain shorebird populations throughout the Western Hemisphere through an international partnership. Arctic Refuge provides important breeding and staging habitats for a variety of shorebirds. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan A-15 Appendix A: Legal, Policy, and Planning Guidance A.3.3.7 North American Waterbird Conservation Plan The North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (Kushlan et al. 2002) is the product of an independent partnership of individuals and institutions having interest and responsibility for conservation of waterbirds and their habitats in the Americas. The partnership, called Waterbirds of the Americas, was created to "support a vision in which the distribution, diversity, and abundance of populations and habitats of breeding, migratory, and non-breeding waterbirds are sustained or restored throughout the lands and waters of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean." Their plan "provides a continental-scale framework for the conservation and management of 210 species of waterbirds ... in 29 nations throughout North America ..." Over 30 species of migratory waterbirds have been recorded on Arctic Refuge, and 18 of these species are regular breeders. Included are such diverse groups as loons, gulls, seabirds, and cranes. A.3.4 Regional Management Plans In addition to considering national conservation plans, this Revised Plan must consider the management of neighboring lands by reviewing regional conservation plans and other land management goals of the region. Regional plans, goals, and objectives from other programs were reviewed to understand how the Refuge can contribute to the goals for conservation within the State or local region. This list is not intended to be comprehensive, but it demonstrates some of the major regional plans that were reviewed during the development of this Plan. A.3.4.1 Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Management Plan Interagency fire management plans for 13 geographic areas of the State were prepared between 1982 and 1988 to provide a coordinated and cost-effective approach to fire management on all lands in Alaska. In 1998, an amendment was produced called the Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Management Plan (AIWFMP). This amendment consolidated the original 13 plans into a single document and provided land managers, land owners, and fire suppression organizations a single reference for interagency fire management operational information. The amended plan also incorporated operational changes that occurred since the inception of the statewide fire management planning effort. In 2010, the AIWFMP was updated again in response to public requests for more information regarding Alaskan fire management practices (Bureau of Land Management 2010). The 2010 revision clarifies interagency guidelines, policies, and operational direction for responses to wildland fires, and brings terminology up to date. The purpose of the plan is to be the interagency reference for wildland fire operational information and to promote a cooperative, consistent, cost-effective, interagency approach to wildland fire management in Alaska. While the plan does not supersede individual agency policies and requirements, it is intended that unit-specific fire management plans (such as the Arctic Refuge Fire Management Plan) be used in conjunction with the interagency plan. A.3.4.2 Landbird Conservation Plan for Alaska Biogeographic Regions Continental and local declines in numerous bird populations have led to concern for the future of migratory and resident bird species. The Landbird Conservation Plan for Alaska A-16 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan