To people who travel regularly through Great Swamp, it may sometimes seem that local homesteads simply disappear. First, the owners move out. Next, "Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge" signs are posted around the property’s perimeter. And then the structures vanish, often without a trace.

To some, this process – the most visible evidence of our land-acquisition program – may seem mysterious or secretive. It shouldn’t. Here’s how it works.

Land acquisition is a high priority of about 25% of our 521 National Wildlife Refuges. Refuges targeted for growth – like GSNWR – are nationally ranked on criteria such as contributions to the protection of fish and aquatic resources, threatened and endangered species, girds, ecosystem and the overall degree of project completion. National ranking is one of the tools used to direct limited acquisition dollars.

In the 1960s, local residents donated 2,872 acres toward the establishment of GSNWR. Since then, 4,583 additional acres have been purchased at a cost of more than $13.5 million in federal funds. Citizen support for a refuge acquisition program is very important, and equally important is expressing that support to congressional representatives. GSNWR is fortunate in having both good citizen and congressional support.

In 1987, with public input and in conjunction with the Refuge Master Plan Environmental Impact Statement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) established an "approved acquisition boundary" for GSNWR. The acquisition boundary identifies our "area of interest" and is illustrated on a map at GSNWR headquarters. (In 2003, GSNWR will begin a process – again with public input – to review and update the acquisition boundary.)

Our current acquisition boundary encompasses existing GSNWR lands as well as additional nearby private properties whose acquisition would advance the purposes of the refuge as well as our overall mission, which is "the conservation, management, and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats … for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans."

There are currently about 2,000 acres of private lands within the GSNWR’s acquisition boundary. The lands are prioritized with emphasis placed on acquiring undeveloped land. At times, however, a property will have existing structures – a house, barn, garage, shed, etc. As properties within the boundary are put up for sale, we offer fair market value, determined by a current appraisal. It is the policy of the FWS to purchase land only from willing sellers -- pending available funds, of course.

To property owners within the boundary, the acquisition program offers some distinct advantages. First, there’s comfort in knowing that should they decide to sell, there will almost always be an interested buyer (GSNWR). Also, if opting to sell to us, we assume all closing costs. And finally, in some cases we can consider offering a "life use reservation." This gives the seller a lump-sum cash payment at the time of the sale, with the right to occupy the property for the rest of his or her life – often with the possibility of a waiver of local property taxes.

Though it may look as if some acquired structures disappear in the blink of an eye, the actual process always takes much longer – months or even years if necessary funds are not immediately available.

When acquisition is made, we first assess the potential usefulness of the structure for Refuge purposes. If it’s needed, in good shape, and strategically located, it may be retained.

Also, before demolition is even contemplated, we determine whether the acquisition has any archaeological or historical significance. If it has, it remains. If not, we then identify and arrange for the proper removal of any asbestos. Lead testing is also necessary to determine disposition of demolition debris. Then we arrange for the actual demolition and removal of building materials. Once demolition is begun, it’s usually just a matter of days to clear, contour and seed the site. The process of restoring the land to its natural state is now well on the way.

Eventually, all traces of human impact disappear as native plants and animals return. And local residents and visitors can be grateful to a former landowner that the ecological integrity of the Great Swamp has an additional of measure of protection for the benefit of current and future generations.