West Virginia: Comments Needed on Management Plan for Canaan Valley National Refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a plan to guide management of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years.  The 16,000 acre Refuge is located in a high elevation valley in Tucker County and includes the largest wetland complex in the state.  The Refuge offers hunting, but the new plan would open more hunter access into the interior of the Refuge and open more land to rifle hunting. 

All three management alternatives described in the plan would enhance hunting opportunities.  The plan can be viewed at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/planning.  Click on "Refuge CCP's" and scroll down to Canaan. 

The Service is accepting public comments until July 16th and comments can be emailed to [email protected].  Please put "Canaan Valley NWR CCP" in the subject line.  For further information, you may call 304-866-3858.  It is important to the future of hunting in Canaan that hunters comment on this draft plan.  You can be assured that anti-hunters and animal rights activists will file comments urging the Service to reduce or eliminate hunting in Canaan.