The purpose of comprehensive management planning is to "provide long range guidance for the management of national wildlife refuges." The goals and objectives contained in this document reflect a "wildlife first" management theme. The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 established the primacy of the management of wildlife on the nation's National Wildlife Refuges and focus on issues pertaining to the Refuge. The Refuge will manage for biodiversity with emphasis on protection and enhancement of habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. The Refuge, along with adjacent lands, form an area that will be considered in this plan as the "Area of Ecological Concern"