Proposed Expansion of Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge

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Working closely with landowners, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to expand Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge’s acquisition boundary to allow for the conservation of a contiguous forested riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

Learn more about riparian corridor along a 137-mile stretch of the Roanoke River extending from the Weldon area to the Albemarle Sound. The proposal identifies a 287,090-acre Conservation Partnership Area that contains 93,000 acres already managed for conservation by public and private entities and would enable the Service to acquire up to 50,000 acres in fee-title acquisitions from willing sellers and up to 100,000 acres in conservation easements or cooperative agreements with willing private landowners. 

The proposal, including possible impacts and alternatives, is now available for public review alongside the draft Land Protection Plan and Environmental Assessment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosted two public meetings, one at 7 p.m. on December 14, 2023 at the Windsor Community Building, 201 S. Queen Street, Windsor, N.C., 27983, and the other virtual, at 2 p.m., on December 15, 2023. The virtual meeting was recorded and is available below.

All interested parties have the opportunity to participate and provide comments during the open 30-day comment period. Please submit comments to Roanokeriver@fws.gov. Comments will be accepted until Jan 4, 2024.