This plan for the St. Catherine Creek Refuge will identify the role of the refuge in supporting the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and provide guidance in refuge management and public use activities. The plan articulates the refuge's management direction (goals, objectives, and strategies) for the next 15 years. Specifically, the plan is needed to: provide a clear statement of management direction for the refuge; provide refuge neighbors, visitors, and government officials with an understanding of the Service's management actions on and around the refuge; ensure that the Service's management actions, including its land protection, recreational, and educational programs, are consistent with the mandates of the National Wildlife Refuge System; ensure that management of the refuge is consistent with federal, state, and county plans; and provide a basis for development of the refuge's budget requests for operational, maintenance, and capital improvement needs.