UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 230
Karnack, Texas 75661-0230
Phone: 903.679.9144 – Fax: 679.9148
E-mail mark_williams@fws.gov

September 2, 2009

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Leta Kay or Mark Williams

CADDO LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TO OPEN SOON

Plans are underway for the official opening of the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge according to, Refuge Manager, Mark Williams.  The “Opening Celebration” will be held Saturday, September 26, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Refuge, located on the former site of Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant, 15600 Highway 134, in Karnack, Texas.

According to Williams, the opening of the Refuge will allow the visiting public the opportunity to enjoy outdoor educational and recreational experiences.  “The Refuge will offer compatible wildlife oriented programs, including wildlife observation trails, an auto tour route and hunting.  We are currently in the process of completing work on the Refuge and Ramsar Visitor Contact Stations.  We are also marking and signing the auto tour route, areas that will be closed to vehicles and public entry, and the equestrian trail”.  A biological white-tailed deer hunt will also be conducted in November.

The Refuge is one of more than 550 refuges in the U.S. Managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service, and one of only 19 in Texas.  Williams said, “We are fortunate to have a refuge here.  It took a lot of people working long and hard to establish the refuge, but I believe their efforts will pay off with an area set aside for optimum wildlife habitat. Additionally, economic and tourism development will also be enhanced, both in Texas and in Louisiana.  We are also next door neighbors to Caddo Lake State Park, that recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary, and the 9,000 acre Caddo Lake Wildlife Management Area.  I guess you could say that this corner of Harrison County will be the right area to go to for outdoor activities, be it hunting, fishing, camping, photography, bird watching, horseback riding or just relaxing.”

The Refuge is one of only 22 wetland areas in the world recognized by the Ramsar Convention, as a “wetland of international significance.”  It is home to 224 species of birds, 22 species of amphibians, 46 species of reptiles and 93 species of fish.  The Refuge will be open from sun-up to sun-set throughout the week.  The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, considered to be the most comprehensive in the world, is to administer a national network of lands for the conservation, management and restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for present and future generations.  For additional information regarding the Refuge, or the opening, contact:  Mark Williams at mark_williams@fws.gov or call 903/679-9144.

www.ramsarcommittee.us     www.caddofriends.org

 Story Line Suggestions of Local Interest:

• Considered to be the only Natural Lake in Texas.  Half of Lake in Texas, half in Louisiana.  Organizations/officials from both Texas and Louisiana will attend the Refuge opening.
• Named for Caddo Indians.  Members of the Caddo Indian Nation will attend the opening and offer a ceremonial blessing for the Refuge. They will provide historical and cultural demonstrations throughout the day.
• Refuge is located on the site of the former Longhorn Army Ammunition plant, established in the 1940’s.  A major employer in the region. Last utilized in 1991, for the elimination of Pershing I and II rocket motors in compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force Treaty between the U.S. and former Union of Soviet Republics. Site will soon receive Texas Historic Commission marker.
• In October 1993, Caddo Lake became the thirteenth Ramsar Site in the U.S.
• In 2000 the U.S. fish and Wildlife Service entered into a cooperative agreement with Department of Army for the establishment of the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, established for the purpose of migratory bird, fish and wildlife management, conservation and protection.
• Refuge is home to over 220 species of birds, 22 species of amphibians, 46 species of reptiles, and 93 of Fish.  Considered a biologically rich ecosystem.