Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex Seeks Public Comment on Draft Compatibility Determinations for Res

Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which includes Blackwater, Eastern Neck, Martin, and Susquehanna wildlife refuges, is seeking public review and comment on draft Compatibility Determinations for research and surveys that are not conducted by staff or authorized agents. The proposed research could be conducted by federal, state, local agencies, federally recognized Tribes, universities, non-governmental agencies and qualified members of the public. The Complex proposes authorizing such research to fulfill one or more purposes of these refuges, but only where there is minimal disruption to wildlife, habitats, ecosystems and cultural resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will accept comments received or postmarked on or before June 2, 2025.

The Service prepares Compatibility Determinations to ensure that public and economic uses of national wildlife refuges do not interfere with or detract from the purposes for which each refuge was established. Compatibility Determinations also describe how these uses would contribute towards achieving refuge purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Compatibility Determinations are available at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater, https://www.fws.gov/refuge/eastern-neck, https://www.fws.gov/refuge/martin, and https://www.fws.gov/refuge/susquehanna. Comments or requests for additional information may be made by email to matt_whitbeck@fws.gov or mail to 2145 Key Wallace Dr, Cambridge, MD 21613, Attn: Matt Whitbeck.

All comments received from individuals become part of the official public record. The Service’s practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents can request that we withhold their home address from the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. If you wish to have your name and/or address withheld, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife. To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, is a 2,285 acre island which supports a wide variety of habitats including brackish marsh, natural ponds, upland forest, and grasslands for a diversity of wildlife. The refuge holds the designation of Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society. To learn more, visit our website at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Eastern-Neck or follow us on Facebook @EasternNeckNWR.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.