Refuge seeks burn waivers while mitigation plan grant funding is cut

At 9:45 a.m. the board heard a burn waiver request introduced by Disaster Emergency Manager Warren Bogert on behalf of Calvin Moldenhauer, Fire Management Specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Refuge staff said annual plans are written and reviewed and that burning bans have constrained land‑management work. The minutes state the refuge will coordinate a plan with the county DES manager and sheriff and that authority language from a March 7 motion authorizes Corey Bristol and/or Warren Bogert to approve controlled burns.