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Public Comment Opportunity: Draft Rights‑of‑Way Compatibility Determination

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public review and comment on the Draft Programmatic Compatibility Determination for Rights‑of‑Way and Rights to Access for Temporary Disturbances and Minor Impacts on Conservation Easements in the Mountain‑Prairie Region. This draft document evaluates the compatibility of proposed activities that may cause temporary, minor disturbances while supporting necessary public infrastructure needs across conservation easements in the Mountain-Prairie Region. The draft Compatibility Determination will be available for a 30‑day public comment period from April 1 to May 1, 2026. Comments, questions, concerns, or a request for a hard copy can be sent to: MountainPrairieNWRS@fws.gov.

Long Lake Wetland Management District staff oversee more than 100,000 acres with U.S. Fish and Wildlife interests. Management practices help protect and maintain wetland and grassland habitats that preserve the integrity of the historic and vital nesting and breeding grounds of North America’s migratory waterfowl. Other wildlife species, including resident wildlife, also benefit from these habitats.
Public Comment Opportunity: Draft Research, Scientific Collecting and Surveys Compatibility Determination

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public review and comment on the draft Compatibility Determination (CD) for Research, Scientific Collecting and Surveys by Third Parties in the Central North Dakota Wetland Management District Complex. This proposed CD is for the following locations: Audubon National Wildlife Refuge & Wetland Management District, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District, and the Kulm Wetland Management District.  The CD evaluates compatibility of any proposed research and related activities, the anticipated impacts, and stipulations necessary when considering permitting of these activities. The CD will be available for public review and comment through May 1, 2026. Hard copies of this document are available at the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge (3275 11th Street NW, Coleharbor, ND 58531-9419), Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge (12000 353rd Street SE Moffit, ND 58560-9740), and the Kulm Wetland Management District (One 1st Street SW, Kulm, ND 58456). The document is also available electronically on the respective National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District websites. Concerns expressed during the public comment period will be addressed in the final Compatibility Determination. Comments, questions, concerns, or requests for a hard copy or alternative format can be submitted to: Audubon@fws.gov or by mail or visit to one of the office addresses listed above. 

Visit Us

The Waterfowl Production Areas in the Long Lake Wetland Management District are open to the public year-round. Wildlife-dependent recreational activities allowed on waterfowl production areas include hunting, fishing, and trapping in accordance with State regulations. Visitors may also enjoy wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation on these areas. 

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Long Lake Wetland Management District was started as part of the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program in the 1950s. The wetland management district wetland management district
      A wetland management district is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office that manages waterfowl production areas in one or more counties. Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. The Fish and Wildlife Service acquires waterfowl production areas under the authority of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, primarily using funds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps. The Refuge System’s 38 wetland management districts comprise thousands of waterfowl production areas – almost all in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Northern Great Plains.

      Learn more about wetland management district       includes three counties in south-central North Dakota: Kidder, Burleigh, and Emmons. Headquarters is located near Moffit, North Dakota at the Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The wetland management district is famous for its wealth of waterfowl-producing potholes and native prairie grasslands.

      What We Do

      The Long Lake Wetland Management District includes Waterfowl Production Areas and wetland and grassland easements on private land. Staff members also partner with private landowners to enhance and protect wetland and grassland habitats on both public and private lands.