Size (acres):  2419.24

River Mile:  595.4 to 598.4

Bank:  Left descending bank

County:  Mills

State:  Iowa

Ownership:  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Acquisition Status:  Acquired from willing sellers between 2004 and 2009 under Water Resources Development Acts 1986 and 1999 authorizations.

On-Site Management:  Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) administers and/or performs operation and maintenance activities on behalf of the Corps according to the terms of various agreements.

Site Access:  Public road access is available.

Description:  The St. Mary's Island site is located along the left descending bank of the Missouri River and places about 2.9 miles of Missouri River frontage into public ownership.

• This site lies 1.6 miles from the southeast end of the runway at Offutt Air Force Base, which in turn, limits the amount of waterfowl management that can be implemented at this site due to the risk associated with attracting waterfowl to the flight path of the air base.
• General management plans will focus on terrestrial measures that will include regeneration of bottomland forest to provide woodland habitat and restore a habitat corridor along the river, and wildlife food plots to increase wildlife nutrition and attract wildlife for viewing.

Status:  Open to the public. Site/Habitat is in operations and maintenance status.

Site Use:  The site is open to the public for a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, bird watching, hiking and hunting (under special regulations).

Site-use Regulations:  

• People visiting these areas must comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including hunting, fishing, etc.  In general Title 36 Part 327 of the Code of Federal Regulations governs the use of Corps property.  Other regulations may apply to properties owned by other federal agencies.
• Special regulations and restrictions may be posted on site.

Special-use Regulations:  No target shooting, primitive camping or off-road vehicles permitted.

Contact Information: 

• Contact Iowa Department of Natural Resources at (712) 350-0147 or visit the IDNR web document.
• Also contact the Corps' Missouri River Project Office at (402) 996-3761.

Story Maps Link:  http://rsgisias.crrel.usace.army.mil/story_maps/nwo/mrrp/index.html#

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