Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge

Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge
Location Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington, United States
Nearest city La Push, Washington
Coordinates 47°48′59″N 124°29′59″W / 47.81646°N 124.49964°W / 47.81646; -124.49964Coordinates: 47°48′59″N 124°29′59″W / 47.81646°N 124.49964°W / 47.81646; -124.49964[1]
Area 300.2 acres (121.5 ha)[2]
Established 1907
Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge
Map of the refuge

Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge is the central refuge of the three (along with Flattery Rocks and Copalis) which make up the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, a group of 870 islands, rocks, and reefs extending for more than 100 miles along Washington's coast from Cape Flattery to Copalis Beach. These islands are protected from human disturbance, yet are close to abundant ocean food sources.[3]

They are a vital sanctuary where 14 species of seabirds nest and raise their young. During migration the total populations of seabirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds may exceed a million birds. Sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and whales may also be seen around the islands.[3]

The refuge is within the boundary of Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and Olympic National Park, and except for Destruction Island is also incorporated into the Washington Islands Wilderness. The three agencies cooperate on research programs and other issues that may have impacts on the resources.[3]

History

The refuge was originally created as Quillayute Needles Reservation on October 23, 1907, by an executive order from Theodore Roosevelt. It encompassed the islands off the Washington coast between latitudes 47° 38′ North, and 48° 02′ North.[4] It was renamed by a presidential proclamation on July 25, 1940.[5] In 1966, James Island was removed from the refuge by the U.S. Department of the Interior and returned to the Quileute when the island was discovered to be part of the Quileute Indian Reservation.[6]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

  1. ↑ "Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. ↑ "Annual Report of Lands as of September 30, 2013" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
  3. 1 2 3 "Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge Profile". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  4. ↑ Executive Order 705, October 23, 1907.
  5. ↑ Proclamation 2416, July 25, 1940. Mentioned in the citations in the National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act.
  6. ↑ Removed by Public Land Order 4095, September 19, 1966, according to Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment, Chapter 1, page 1-8.
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