Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge to add 3,200 acres

The Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge near Chiloquin will add nearly 3,200 acres of new marsh and grasslands for expanding key habitat for migrating birds.

A $4.77 million grant from the U.S. Department of Interior will expand the 40,000-acre refuge, which provides key habitat for various bird species that either reside there or stop over while migrating along the Pacific Flyway.

The marshlands are considered important resting, nesting and feeding areas for migrating waterfowl, as well as water habitat for rare sturgeon, suckers and bull trout.

The refuge also hosts seasonal waterfowl hunting opportunities, and those opportunities helped generate the money used for the expansion.

Refuge managers did not immediately return telephone calls Wednesday morning seeking comment.

The Klamath Marsh project is one of seven wildlife refuges in six states to collectively receive $13 million next year from the federal Migratory Bird Conservation Fund.

The fund is derived primarily from the sale of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly known as Duck Stamps, and import duties on imported arms and ammunition.

Since 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp Program has provided more than $1.1 billion for habitat conservation in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

A current Federal Duck Stamp also is a pass into any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee, making their purchase also popular among birders and nature photographers.

This year’s round of funding will be used to acquire 9,610 acres to seven wildlife refuges.

The Klamath Marsh addition is the second largest in the group of grants announced Wednesday.

The Bear River Watershed Conservation area in Idaho and Utah will receive $5.17 million to acquire 4,631 new acres, according to Interior officials.

-Mark Freeman