Forsythe access limited during water control repair

Nov, 10-2009 3:33 pm

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – Part of the Wildlife Drive at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge will be closed through Nov. 20 due to a collapsed water control structure.

The structure located along the dike north of the northwest pool collapsed at a pipe joint making the pipe inoperable.

In order to replace the pipe, refuge managers will partially close the Wildlife Drive through Nov. 20. Visitors may continue to use the trails, the Gull Pond Road, and the Wildlife Drive up to the north dike/cross dike junction.

Traffic on the Wildlife Drive will be two-way during this period. Normally it is a one-way tour road.

The project helps restore a partial capability of the refuge to manage the water levels in the northwest and the southwest freshwater impoundments. The water control structure is designed to drain the northwest impoundment. In its current inoperable condition, draw downs are nearly impossible.

Lowering the water level promotes moist soil conditions which provide optimum foraging habitat for thousands of spring-migrating shorebirds and wintering waterfowl.

The refuge entrance fee will be waived while the drive is at limited use.

For information call (609) 652-1665 or see www.fws.gov/northeast/forsythe.