WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Congressman Sam Graves again contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to voice his concerns over the agency’s lack of clarity in its plans for the Swan Lake Refuge.  Echoing the sentiments of many local residents, Graves pressed U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Regional Director Thomas Mellius to explain specifics about the “Comprehensive Conservation Plan Preferred Alternative 4 for Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge.”

“There are still questions surrounding ‘Alternative 4’ and it is critical that stakeholders be given critical information before moving forward,” Graves said.  “I would like to know why this latest plan does not define the main purpose of Silver Lake as a provider of source water for wetlands across the refuge and why the plan is unclear about future use of crop land in the area.”

As it is currently written, the plan calls for decreasing the size of Silver Lake and eliminating farmland to create more wetlands.  Many believe decreasing the size of the lake would deplete the fish and migratory bird population, thereby reducing local revenue from hunting and fishing permits.  Fewer visitors to the lake and the elimination of local farmland would further erode the economy in surrounding areas.

“I strongly suggest U.S. Fish and Wildlife amend ‘Alternative 4’ to clearly state the main purpose of Silver Lake is to provide source water, and at no point will that source water be risked to increase vegetation,” Graves added.  “They also must be clear about the future of agricultural land in the area.  Clarifying these points will no doubt go a long way toward gaining the community’s and my support for the plan.”

Graves initially contacted U.S. Fish and Wildlife on this issue in June after local residents voiced numerous concerns about proposed changes to the refuge. 

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