Los Banos, California - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex has released the Complex's Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment, guiding the purpose and management of the complex. In response to comments received from the public, the final plan includes minor changes to the agricultural uses section and to the North and South Freitas hunt unit section.

The Complex's Comprehensive Conservation Plan covers the San Luis and Merced National Wildlife Refuges and Grasslands Wildlife Management Area. The plan includes the history of the refuges, current management activities and concerns, information about water acquisition and availability, refuge resources, future management goals and objectives and an overview of the plan's implementation. San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge already has an established Comprehensive Conservation Plan and therefore is excluded from this Plan.

The complex solicited feedback from the public through a 30-day public comment period, open from September 11 through October 26, 2023, and hosted a public meeting on September 27. The Service received 15 comment letters during the public comment period, 11 of which were determined to contain substantial comments. Refuge staff read and analyzed each letter and incorporated feedback into the final plan. Detailed information about the comment letters and the Service's response can be found in Appendix L.

In response to comments received, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex staff performed additional review of the Merced National Wildlife Refuge agricultural use section, and added information about when use would occur to allow for greater sensitivity to ground nesting birds when mowing, cutting hay and harvesting crops. Staff also updated descriptions of hunter access times and zones for the North and South Freitas hunt units and committed to exploring the possibility of opening a portion of the North Snobird unit to waterfowl hunting, subject to compatibility and resource availability.

"We're grateful to everyone who participated in the public comment period and helped determine how the refuge complex should be managed," Chris Harper, the refuge project leader, said. "Our community's engagement and commitment to public land is part of what makes our refuge so special."

The final plan and associated appendices can be found here.

The San Luis Complex is a critical stopover for migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway and provides refuge for many other native wildlife species and provides unique opportunities for connecting with nature through wildlife viewing, photography, hunting, fishing and hiking.