Green River National Wildlife Refuge dedicated in Henderson County

Douglas White | Henderson

HENDERSON, Ky. - The nation's 568th national wildlife refuge was officially created on Friday in Henderson County. It is only the second such area completely inside the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) were both in attendance for the event, and said the project is a culmination of years' worth of work.

"This is an idea that has floated around since the 1980s," said Bernhardt, during a sit-down interview with The Gleaner. "These things take a long time to come into being and this one in particular has tremendous local support and that local interest is what drove Congress, through its leadership, to get it done."

He singled out McConnell for making this national wildlife refuge, and the state's first one at Clarks River near Benton, Ky., become a reality.

"But for him it would not have happened," Bernhardt said.

An angler and hunter himself, the secretary said he learned early about the value of open public lands.

"I grew up in a little town called Rifle, Colorado, and the whole community was surrounded by federal lands. You could do anything you wanted out on that land, and I spent way too much time hunting and fishing and probably not enough time studying."

"I'm a big believer that being outside is about as close to God as you can get," he added, "and I think so much comes from that, both individually and as a society."

From McConnell

"Twenty years ago, we were the only state in the union with no federal wildlife refuge," Sen. McConnell told those at the dedication Friday, in a corn field that is part of the new refuge near the Ohio River.

"And I can remember the first move for Clarks River and having a number of my western colleagues ... say 'Really, you want public lands. I've got plenty I'd be happy to give it to you ... but for us, it's different in the East, and we need places like this. The establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge will preserve our natural resources for future generations of sportsmen and tourists to enjoy."

“Like the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, the other federal wildlife refuge I helped establish in Kentucky, this widely popular habitat can draw outdoor enthusiasts and encourage growth in the local economy. I was proud to attract national attention to this Kentucky priority as Senate Majority Leader, bringing together Henderson’s leaders and the Trump administration, especially Secretary Bernhardt, to implement my legislation authorizing this refuge. Together, we’re protecting these lands for future recreation and enjoyment and fulfilling our responsibility as stewards of Kentucky’s natural treasures.”

While stressing that land for the refuges in Kentucky are only acquired from willing sellers, McConnell related that Margaret Everson, principal deputy director with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, told him this is the first such project she's seen that wasn't objected to by anyone on the local level.

"Nobody said it was a bad idea. I mean, hell, there's a contrarian in every group," McConnell said to a roar of laughter from the crowd. "So, talk about making it easier."

Starting small

The Conservation Partnership Area for the refuge -- areas here where land could be converted into the refuge by willing sellers -- includes a wide swath of Henderson County. The CPA (see attached graphic online) is more than 52,000 acres -- mostly made up of land along the Ohio and Green rivers and the river bottomland areas that are heavily influenced by the rise and fall of those waterways.

But the actual refuge is definitely starting small.

It debuted Friday with a 10-acre tract on Green River Road No. 2 donated by the Southern Conservation Corp., a non-profit land trust focused on the protection and restoration of native wildlife habitat in the southeastern United States.

Eventually, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service hopes to protect and manage more than 24,000 acres within the CPA for the benefit of both wildlife and outdoors loving citizens.

And, once again, officials stress that private landowners, farmers and homeowners have nothing to fear from the refuge.

"The (US. Fish and Wildlife) Service will work with willing sellers or partners to purchase or protect approximately 24,000 acres, which is the planning target for the refuge. Private landowners’ rights are not affected by the CPA or the refuge. The Service will work with willing sellers to acquire lands as opportunities and funding allow. Landowners have no obligation to sell their land or otherwise participate in the proposed refuge.

"The Service and its partners will work with willing landowners to establish the proposed Green River NWR through several methods, including donations and purchasing land at fair market value and development rights through conservation easements.

"This is a long-term effort that may take decades to complete. The number of willing sellers and availability of funding will determine the timeline for completing the purchase of approximately 24,000 acres for Green River NWR."

Why a national wildlife refuge?

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Green River NWR has numerous goals including:

Establish a second national wildlife refuge fully located in Kentucky to support fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation;

Protect and manage wetlands and bottomland forest habitats to support waterfowl, migratory birds, and threatened and endangered species;

Provide high-quality hunting and sport fishing;

Provide opportunities for public use and environmental education and interpretation;

Collaborate with partners to protect and enhance biodiversity and water quality and quantity within the Ohio River and Green River watersheds, benefiting people and wildlife; and

Ensure healthy wildlife populations for the benefit of Kentuckians and all Americans.

Funding the Refuge

Possible funding sources to purchase land for the refuge may come from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. These funds are collected from the sale of federal duck stamps, entrance fees from some refuges, import duties on arms and ammunition, and from the sale of offshore oil leases.

The proposed I-69 Ohio River crossing project is likely to affect native fish and wildlife, and lead to habitat loss and fragmentation. As a result, land may be acquired for the refuge using Federal Highway Administration funds to offset these impacts and habitat-restoration efforts.