National Wildlife Refuge Boundary Expansion: A Case Study for the Expansion of Paint Rock River National Wildlife Refuge

Abstract

This paper focuses on the question of National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) boundary expansion, a timely and important issue in light of multiplying threats to wildlife and wildlife habitat. The paper features a case study on the Paint Rock River National Wildlife Refuge in southern Tennessee. I begin with an overview of the NWR System including a brief history of the NWR System and a short explanation of the purpose of NWRs. The NWR System was established in 1903 with the formation of Pelican Island by President Theodore Roosevelt to protect and conserve wildlife. Today, the system has evolved into a network of national conservation efforts, protecting a vast number of wildlife species, many of which are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The most exceptional aspect of the National Wildlife Refuge System is that it is the only federal land system dedicated solely to the protection of native wildlife. Additionally, NWRs are designed to preserve biodiversity, promote environmental education, and allow for wildlife-dependent recreation. However, the fixed lines of refuge boundaries present a challenge when habitats are faced with growing environmental threats. Expanding the boundaries of refuges is crucial to mitigate threats like habitat fragmentation, urban development, and climate change. Boundary expansion enhances habitat connectivity and helps to secure critical habitat amid shifting species ranges. After a review of eight NWRs in the Southeast, I determined that Paint Rock River NWR shows high potential for boundary expansion, and I present a case for expanding the boundary of this small 87-acre refuge. Paint Rock River NWR lies in a biologically rich region in southern Tennessee that supports over a dozen federally endangered species. I discuss four of these in detail: the gray bat, the Tennessee cave salamander, the palezone shiner, and Morefield’s leather flower. Using ArcGIS, I mapped the species distribution overlayed with the current refuge boundary. I also identified neighboring state and private-owned lands that have potential land acquisition opportunities. I gathered general information on a privately-owned parcel that lies between the existing refuge boundary and a nearby protected area—Bear Hollow Wildlife Management Area—and propose this parcel would strengthen the conservation value of this area. By expanding the existing refuge boundary to include this parcel of privately owned land, a continuous wildlife corridor would be created by connecting the boundaries of the Paint Rock River NWR with that of Bear Hollow Wildlife Management Area. The evidence I present supports the argument for a major boundary expansion of the Paint Rock River NWR.