The purpose of the CCP is to identify the role the refuge will play in supporting the mission of the Refuge System and the Lower Mississippi River Valley Ecosystem (LMRE). The CCP outlines issues, concerns, and opportunities expressed to the Service during a public scoping meeting, a series of workshops, and on comment sheets. It also provides a description of desired future conditions and proposes long-range guidance to accomplish the purposes, mission, and vision of the refuge. This guidance is presented in a listing of refuge goals, objectives, and strategies resulting from an analysis of possible management alternatives. The CCP will serve as an operational guide for management of the refuge over the next fifteen years. This plan will: provide a clear statement of the desired future conditions when refuge purposes and goals are accomplished; provide refuge neighbors and visitors with a clear understanding of the reasons for management actions on the refuge; ensure management of the refuge reflects policies and goals of the Refuge System; ensure refuge management is consistent with Federal, State, and local plans; provide long-term continuity in refuge management; and provide a basis for operation, maintenance, and capital improvement budget requests.