Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York seeking public input on draft compatibility determination for research and surveys

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing a 14-day public review and comment period on a draft compatibility determination for research and survey activities at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York. The public review and comment period is open from June 9 through June 22, 2025. 

Compatibility determinations (CDs) are the end results of a process whereby the refuge manager reviews a proposed use on a refuge and determines whether the use is compatible with the service’s mission and the purpose for which the refuge was established. Service policy requires that compatibility determinations be provided to the public for review and comment.  

This CD addresses using the refuge to conduct research and surveys with low- or no-adverse impacts conducted by federal, state, or local agencies, federally recognized tribes, universities, nongovernmental organizations, and qualified members of the public that are not operating as Service-authorized agents.  

Research is a planned, organized, and systematic investigation of a scientific nature. A survey is a scientific inventory or monitoring activity. These activities are intended to advance our collective understanding of the natural and human environment.  

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Low- or no-adverse impact projects include those that have minimal potential to adversely affect cultural resources, populations of plants, wildlife, or their habitats, or ecosystems. Any adverse impacts from these research activities would be expected to affect only individual organisms or resources, at most; to rarely or never result in accidental mortality of individuals; and to not have detectable effects at the local population level.

Additionally, any adverse impacts to habitat would be short-term, at most. Such research projects span a wide range of subjects covering biological, physical, or cultural resources, as well as public-use management issues, and may be conducted using a variety of methods.   

The draft research compatibility determinations are available for public review here.

Copies may also be obtained by visiting the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters Office at 3395 U.S. 20, Seneca Falls, NY, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

How to provide comments

Comments can be made by mail, e-mail, or over the phone from June 9 through June 22, 2025. 

Mail:

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Research CD

3395 U.S. 20

Seneca Falls, NY 13148 

E-mail: mnt_refuge_admin@fws.gov     

Phone: 315-568-5987 

Comments received will be reviewed and addressed in the Final Compatibility Determination for Research and Surveys, which is expected later in 2025. Refuge staff will be available to provide information and answer questions Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. throughout the 14-day comment period from June 9 through June 22, 2025.