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LOWER SUWANNEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 



The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge was established on ;Jpril 10, 1979, 

 to preserve 57,000 acres of unique and significant fish and wildlife habitat 

 within the lower Suwannee River floodplain. The major habitat types within 

 the proposed area include tidal salt marsh, timbered swamp, hardwood hammock, 

 pine flatwoods, fresh marsh, wet prairie, and open water. 



The significant habitat within the proposed area is utilized by a wide variety 

 of fish and wildlife species. Nongame marsh and water birds, along with 

 resident and wintering waterfowl including black ducks, redhead ducks, 

 mallards, and wood ducks are present on the area seasonally or year-round. 

 Six endangered and threatened species are known to exist on the area including 

 the West Indian manatee, the bald eagle, the green sea turtle, the American 

 alligator, and the Eastern indigo snake. 



Notably, the refuge provides essential nursery and feeding habitat for the 

 Crystal River population of the West Indian manatee. This unique aquatic 

 mammal is reported to inhabit some of the springs of the Suwannee River during 

 the winter months. 



The conversion of sizable areas of the timbered swamp and upland forest for 

 residential, commercial, and recreational developments is an imminent 

 threat to the Gulf Coast north of Cedar Key. Conversion to agriculture 

 and, more importantly, pine monoculture has already begun and can be 

 expected to increase. The coastline developments and the increased public 

 use of the marshes, salt water areas, and the Suwannee River itself would 

 cause a substantial reduction in available wildlife habitat and an increase 

 in disturbance and harassment of wildlife using the refuge area. 



