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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., August 17, 1967, page 8

KLICKITAT COUNTY'S CONBOY LAKE WILDLIFE REFUGE

The following article concerning the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Klickitat County, Washington, has been prepared by the Portland office of the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and is designed to answer those questions most frequently asked about this recent addition to the National Wildlife Refuge System.
In August 1964 the Conboy Lake National Refuge was established in the Glenwood Valley of the south-central Washington. When land acquisition and development are complete, Conboy will fill an important niche in wildlife areas administered by the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Benefits will be great for both wildlife and people.
The refuge is located approximately two miles south of Glenwood in Klickitat County. Total area required for proper refuge management is approximately 10,000, only half of which has already been acquired by the Bureau.
Historically, Conboy Lake has been an important waterfowl area. At the time of settlement in the 1870's a large shallow lake existed, along with several hundred acres of surrounding marsh. Ducks and geese used the area mainly in spring and fall, and many ducks stayed through summer to nest and rear their young. Numerous other marsh and water bids found living conditions suitable.
Water bird use declined markedly following a partial drainage of the Conboy marshes about 50 years ago. However, large flocks of Canada geese and some ducks still use of the area during spring high water, and there is good indication that with proper management, birds use can be restored to near its former level.
Disappearance of Prime water-fowl habitat is proceeding throughout the country at an alarming rate. Rehabilitation of once-important areas such as Conboy Lake is vital if our water-fowl resources are to be preserved. Management envisioned by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife will also provide living space for water life forms other than waterfowl, afford opportunity for considerable nature-oriented recreation, and benefit of the local community both economically and socially.
Conboy Lake is being acquired with Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp funds, derived entirely from the sale of "duck stamps" to waterfowl hunters. Development will involve construction of several dikes needed to create approximately 1,000 acres of permanent water and between 3,500 and 5,000 acres of seasonally flooded ponds. Uplands surrounding the water areas will be managed primarily for waterfowl feeding and nesting. Total development costs are estimated at $291,000; annual operation expenses will be approximately $50,000.
Although water fowl management will be stressed at Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge, there will be considerable opportunity for recreational uses such as hunting, nature study, sightseeing, and picnicking. The refuge will attract recreation seekers from the metropolitan Portland-Vancouver area. Recreation is one of the virtually untapped assets and sources of income of the striking scenic area at the base of Mt. Adams.
Haying, grazing and farming are essential tools of wildlife management and will continue at Conboy. Refuge lands will be available to refuge neighbors under permit for haying, grazing and farming. Former landowners and users receive first priority for these resources. Although farming is limited by the short growing season, it is planned to crop 500 to 1,000 acres to provide food for wildlife under a share crop system with local residents.
The refuge share of these crops produced will be left in the fields for wildlife. The primary purpose of the cropping program is to eliminate the depredation to private land crops by holding waterfall on the area and off of adjoining private lands.
Existing buildings acquired with lands will be used whenever possible in administration of the refuge. Under existing laws designed to eliminate any possible local, economic hardships resulting from removal of lands acquired for refuge purposes from the tax rolls, Klickitat County will receive annual payments. Payment is made on the basis of 25 percent of the income from economic uses or three-fourths of one percent of the value of the lands purchased, whichever is greater. The county will receive approximately $5,500 under the revenue sharing act for fiscal year of 1967.
The staff of refuge manager, clerk, maintenance man, and summer help as needed will be assigned as the program grows with construction of refuge facilities. A maintenance man and was recently assigned and is now living on the area. Until such time as the operating program warrants the assignment of a full staff, the refuge will remain under the supervision of the refuge manager of the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge near Toppenish, Washington.
A summary of refuge plans is included in a 28-page pictorial brochure entitled "Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge" now available from the regional director, U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Post Office Box 3737, Portland, Oregon 97208.