Federal officials scaled back conservation plans for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, abandoning proposals to ban alcohol among campers and limit the number of shells hunters could carry.
MADISON, Wis. — Federal officials scaled back conservation plans for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, abandoning proposals to ban alcohol among campers and limit the number of shells hunters could carry.
The regulations released Saturday, which still need final approval from a regional director, could transform river life by limiting hunting, boating and camping.
More than 3 million people visit the river refuge, which runs about 260 miles from southern Minnesota to northern Illinois.
A more stringent proposal released in May was withdrawn after more than 3,000 people in four states complained at public hearings.
The earlier plan would have created a 25-shell limit for hunters in hopes of discouraging "skybusting," the practice of shooting excessively at out-of-range waterfowl, often resulting in crippled ducks that can't be retrieved. That was eliminated from the new version.
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Officials also had wanted to ban anyone with a blood-alcohol level of at least 0.08 percent from camping, and give district managers authority to declare booze-free beaches.
Both alcohol provisions were abandoned.
The plan would create three additional no-hunting zones, for a total of 10 encompassing 3,973 acres. Most are near McGregor, Iowa.
Duck hunting would be banned in six new zones, including one that would have a divided season.
The plan would also create eight no-wake zones in the river, and limit boats to electric engines in six other zones.
The federal Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1997 calls for every refuge to have a new conservation plan in place by 2012.
Source: Associated Press
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