[Federal Register: June 26, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 124)]
[Notices]
[Page 36347-36350]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26jn08-83]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0137; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Brevard and Indian River
Counties, FL
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: draft comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Archie Carr National
Wildlife Refuge for public review and comment. In this Draft CCP/EA, we
describe the alternative we propose to use to manage this refuge for
the 15 years following approval of the Final CCP.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by July 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Draft CCP/EA should be addressed
to: Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 6504, Titusville, FL
32782-6504. Please indicate whether you would like a hardcopy or a
compact diskette. The Draft CCP/EA may also be accessed and downloaded
from the Service's Internet site: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning.
You may also visit the refuge office at 1339 20th Street, Vero Beach,
FL to obtain a copy. Comments on the Draft CCP/EA may be submitted to
the above address or via electronic mail to: ArchieCarrCCP@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri Ehrhardt, Natural Resource
Planner; Telephone: 321/861-2368, or Joanna Webb, Park Ranger, Archie
Carr National Wildlife Refuge; Telephone: 772/562-3909.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Archie Carr
National Wildlife Refuge. We started the process through a notice in
the Federal Register on April 24, 2000 (65 FR 21784).
The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is administered under the
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex and co-managed with
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. Archie Carr Refuge is located
along Florida's southeast coast between Melbourne Beach and Wabasso
Beach in Brevard and Indian River Counties. Named after the famed sea
turtle researcher, Dr. Archie F. Carr, the refuge was authorized in
1989 and established in 1991 to conserve threatened and endangered
wildlife, especially sea turtles. The refuge is more than 250 acres in
size and supports hundreds of wildlife and plant species. In addition,
the refuge provides protection for listed terrestrial species and
native wildlife and habitat diversity across a mix of habitats,
including maritime hammock and coastal scrub. The refuge consists of
four segments spanning 20.5 miles and protects historical and
archaeological sites. Several partners work with the Service to manage
and protect wildlife and habitat along this stretch of the barrier
island. A growing human population along with ongoing development and
other human activities currently threaten the refuge.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), which amended the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, requires us to develop a CCP for each
national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide
refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System,
consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management,
conservation, legal mandates, and our policies. In addition to
outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their
habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education
and interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15
years in accordance with the Improvement Act and NEPA.
Significant issues addressed in the Draft CCP/EA include: Wildlife
and habitat management, resource protection, visitor services, and
refuge administration.
[[Page 36348]]
CCP Alternatives, Including Our Proposed Alternative
We developed four alternatives for managing the refuge and chose
Alternative B as the proposed alternative. A full description of each
alternative is in the Draft CCP/EA. We summarize each alternative
below.
Alternative A--No Action Alternative
The refuge currently conducts limited management activities to
protect sea turtles and other listed species; enhance biodiversity; and
control exotic, invasive, and nuisance species.
From March 1 through September 30, the refuge conducts daily sea
turtle nest surveys along five miles of beach in Indian River County.
Partners survey thirteen miles in Brevard County and three miles of the
Sebastian Inlet State Park. Completion of the surveys is dependent upon
volunteers and partners. Nest predation rates are targeted at less than
10 percent, achieved through a combination of management techniques,
including monitoring, trapping in target areas, and euthanizing
nuisance animals. The refuge coordinates with Brevard and Indian River
Counties and the Archie Carr Working Group to address lighting issues
and unauthorized beach activities. The refuge also participates in
stranded and injured sea turtle rescues. Further, the refuge annually
supports about six sea turtle research studies on and around the
refuge.
Minimal southeastern beach mouse activities are conducted on the
refuge, with occasional surveys conducted by researchers. However, the
refuge is currently working with the Service's North Florida Ecological
Services' Field Office, the University of Central Florida, and the Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station to translocate beach mice from the Air
Force Station to refuge-managed lands just north of Sebastian Inlet in
an effort to reestablish an extirpated population. The refuge is
working with Sebastian Inlet State Park to conduct habitat management
and monitoring activities in support of the translocation efforts.
The primary habitat management activity conducted by the refuge
involves implementation of prescribed burns in scrub habitat on 5-year
rotations. Fire suppression and prescribed burns are conducted by the
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge fire crew in close coordination
with Brevard County, Florida Park Service, and Florida Division of
Forestry.
Minimal refuge management activities address exotic, invasive, and
nuisance species control beyond the trapping of raccoons in relation to
sea turtle nest protection. Although volunteers annually treat about
five acres of refuge lands for exotic plants, the partners are actively
conducting exotic plant control efforts on their properties. The refuge
also seeks grants to control invasive exotics.
The refuge responds to cultural resource issues as they arise,
coordinating with Merritt Island Refuge's law enforcement staff and the
Regional Archaeologist. Currently, no law enforcement presence exists
on the refuge, hence resource protection is minimal.
All authorized visitor activities within the refuge originate on
partner properties. Other than special tours and research activities
and limited uses that occur in the small area above mean high water and
below the vegetation along the shorelines, the refuge's properties are
closed to public access. All fishing activities occur on and from
partner properties, with some fishing occurring along the refuge's
Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean shorelines; however, unapproved
access currently occurs through closed refuge lands. Wildlife viewing
and photography opportunities occur on partner properties. The refuge
annually conducts ten sea turtle viewing programs, while the partners
conduct an additional forty programs.
All facilities, equipment, utilities, and staff are shared with
nearby Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, with an office co-
located with the South Florida Ecological Services' field office in
Vero Beach, Florida. The refuge shares four full-time staff positions
with Pelican Island Refuge, with two positions targeted for
elimination. Archie Carr Refuge historically has received endangered
species recovery funding to support sea turtle monitoring and
protection and to hire a seasonal biological science technician;
however, this funding activity ends in 2008.
Alternative B--Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species (Proposed
Action)
The refuge would expand management activities to protect federal
and state listed species, migratory birds, and native wildlife and
habitat diversity; expand management activities to control exotic,
invasive, and nuisance species; and develop management activities to
address the impacts of climate change on the refuge's resources.
Sea turtle nest surveys would continue as in Alternative A. Nest
predation rates would be lowered from 10 percent to less than 5 percent
through trapping. The refuge would continue to coordinate with Brevard
and Indian River Counties and Archie Carr Working Group to address
lighting issues and unpermitted beach activities. The refuge would
continue to participate in rescuing stranded and injured sea turtles.
Further, the refuge would foster needed research to support sea turtle
recovery and would work with the Service's South Florida Ecological
Services' Office to develop sea turtle recovery targets. Management
activities would include oversight of beach and dune restoration and
mitigation of effects from erosion control efforts.
Southeastern beach mouse management activities would be expanded.
The refuge would actively modify and restore habitats to serve beach
mice, including mechanical cutting of vegetation, prescribed burning,
and planting of sea oats and other forage plants.
The refuge would develop management activities to address the needs
of gopher tortoises. This would include working with the partners to
evaluate and implement, where feasible, projects to reduce vehicle
mortality.
Since only one known Florida scrub-jay family is known to occur on
the refuge, the Service would evaluate its ability to meet the needs of
this bird. The refuge would coordinate with the scrub-jay recovery team
to evaluate management of refuge habitats to support the species. If
determined to be feasible, the refuge would work with partners to
restore former scrub-jay habitat on tracts in Segment 1, especially in
the area of Twin Shores Park and Coconut Point Park.
The refuge would work with partners to minimize impacts to wood
storks and the conflicts with humans (e.g., at fish cleaning houses).
The refuge would expand management activities in relation to the bald
eagle, piping plover, eastern indigo snake, and West Indian manatee.
Habitat management activities would be expanded or developed for
scrub, the beach and dune system, and mangroves and wetlands. The
refuge could continue to conduct regular prescribed burns in scrub
habitat to help increase the amount and quality of scrub acreage
managed on the refuge.
Control of exotic, invasive, and nuisance species activities would
be expanded and focused on high priority habitats serving rare,
threatened, and endangered species.
The refuge would institute management activities to address the
impacts of climate change on refuge resources. This would be
accomplished by coordinating with researchers and partners to identify
climate change research needs for the refuge, and
[[Page 36349]]
investigating the impacts of climate change on rare, threatened, and
endangered species and their habitats.
The Service would pursue completion of the acquisition boundary
from willing sellers through prioritized active acquisition efforts on
those properties east of State Route A1A, and those adjacent to
existing conservation lands. Land swaps, if necessary, would be used to
protect high priority properties.
The refuge would continue to respond to cultural resource issues as
they arise, but would expand efforts in relation to protection of the
Oak Lodge Site.
A Pelican Island Refuge law enforcement officer would be shared
with Archie Carr Refuge to conduct both nighttime and daytime patrols.
Nighttime patrols would be conducted during the sea turtle nesting
season to protect sea turtles from poaching and harassment.
All permitted visitor activities would continue to occur on partner
properties. Other than special tours and research activities, the
refuge's properties would remain closed to public access. Although
users would continue to access the beach from partner properties and
access the refuge's shoreline along the Indian River Lagoon above mean
high water and below the vegetation. The refuge would continue to work
directly with the partners to install kiosks at all approved beach
access points, with messages focusing on the protection of rare,
threatened, and endangered species.
All fishing activities would continue to occur or originate on
partner properties. Unapproved access through closed refuge lands would
be eliminated, and fishing activities would be directed toward approved
access points. The refuge would work with the partners to evaluate the
need to develop additional dune crossovers and to expand the
monofilament recycling program.
Wildlife viewing and photography opportunities would continue to
occur on partner properties. Environmental education and interpretive
opportunities would be increased, and the refuge would develop on- and
off-site curriculum-based and interpretive programs with messages
focused on rare, threatened, and endangered species and the
minimization of human impacts. The volunteer program would increase and
volunteers would be coordinated by staff.
The refuge would continue to share facilities, equipment,
utilities, and staff with Pelican Island Refuge, but would have its own
budget and some of its own full-time staff members. The refuge would
share a wildlife refuge manager, assistant refuge manager, refuge
officer, administrative assistant, supervisory park ranger, supervisory
maintenance worker, and wildlife biologist with Pelican Island Refuge.
The staff specific to the refuge would include: Park ranger (volunteer
coordinator/outreach and environmental education), maintenance worker,
biological science technician, and a seasonal biological science
technician (trapper).
Alternative C (Migratory Birds)
Sea turtle monitoring and patrol efforts would be altered to
minimize their effects on nesting shorebirds. If sea turtle surveys and
other beach-side activities associated with these species were
determined to have a negative effect on nesting shorebirds, these
efforts would have to be altered. Likewise, southeastern beach mouse
monitoring would have to be scaled back or otherwise adjusted if these
activities conflicted with migratory bird management needs. Gopher
tortoise, Florida scrub-jay, wood stork, and eastern indigo snake
management would remain unchanged.
For bald eagles, potential future nest sites would be protected. If
eagles were found to be present, the refuge would adapt management as
necessary, including creating closed areas to protect the site from
human and pet disturbance.
Migratory bird management would increase under this alternative.
Management of piping plovers would increase with annual wintering
surveys. Survey and monitoring efforts would be expanded for
neotropical migratory birds, shorebirds, wading birds, water birds, and
waterfowl. The refuge would work with partners to identify the
potential for larger, unfragmented forests to serve the needs of these
trust species. Shorebird management would include the closure of key
areas to limit disturbance, including the alteration or elimination of
sea turtle surveys in locations where shorebirds are particularly
vulnerable. Law enforcement would be increased to enforce ``no dogs on
beach'' zones, where applicable. For wading and water birds, the refuge
would work with the partners to increase the ability in the area to
rehabilitate injured birds. With regards to waterfowl, the refuge would
work with partners to manage impoundments to also benefit waterfowl.
Control of exotic, invasive, nuisance, and free-roaming/feral
species would be expanded. The refuge would focus exotic plant control
efforts on high priority habitats for migratory birds (e.g., maritime
hammock). In addition, the refuge would coordinate with the partners to
control feral and free-roaming animals to minimize adverse impacts to
migratory birds.
Under this alternative, the refuge would complete the boundary
survey and prioritize active acquisition efforts on those properties
with high migratory bird values. In addition, the refuge would consider
a coordinated land management approach and consolidate those areas
publicly held by multiple partners under the lead management of one
entity (e.g., through management agreements and land swaps).
A complete archaeological and historical survey of the refuge would
be conducted. The refuge would also actively work with the partners to
acquire or otherwise manage and protect the historically important Oak
Lodge Site due to its contributions to research and historical data on
migratory birds of the barrier island.
Visitor services would be expanded under this alternative. Visitor
informational resources would be altered with messages emphasizing
migratory birds. An interpretive kiosk would be added to the Oak Lodge
Site and a bird list would be developed.
Management of fishing would be increased under this alternative.
The refuge would work with the partners to provide information to the
fishing public regarding the impacts of fishing activities on migratory
birds (e.g., disturbance of shorebirds and monofilament line). All
unapproved foot trails to public access through refuge properties would
be closed, and the fishing public would be directed to approved access
points. The need to create additional dune crossovers on partner
properties would be evaluated.
Wildlife viewing and photography would be changed from current
management efforts. The sea turtle walk programs conducted by the
Service would be eliminated. The refuge would work with the partners to
develop informational materials for partners' trails to include
migratory bird messages of the refuge. Staff and/or volunteer-led
migratory bird walks would be developed by the refuge. Environmental
education, interpretation, and outreach activities would be expanded.
Alternative C would increase staffing levels. Staff shared with
Pelican Island Refuge would include: Wildlife refuge manager, assistant
refuge manager, refuge officer, administrative assistant, supervisory
park ranger, supervisory maintenance worker, and wildlife biologist for
a total of seven shared full-time employees. Full-time refuge-specific
staff would include: Biological science technician, park ranger, and
[[Page 36350]]
maintenance worker for a total of three full-time employees.
Alternative D (Wildlife and Habitat Diversity)
For sea turtles, regular law enforcement patrols would be conducted
to protect these marine reptiles from disturbance and harassment. In
addition, the refuge would work with private landowners and beach goers
to minimize impacts to sea turtles (e.g., barriers to nesting,
harassment of nesting and hatching sea turtles, and lighting). The
refuge would coordinate and analyze sea turtle data and work with the
partners to understand and manage nearshore habitats.
Management of southeastern beach mice would include modifying and
restoring habitats utilized by this species, including maintaining and
opportunistically planting sea oats and other forage plants. The refuge
would increase control of feral predators.
Gopher tortoise management would be expanded under this
alternative. The refuge, working with the partners, would identify
locations where the gopher tortoise is especially vulnerable to vehicle
collisions and evaluate the feasibility of developing wildlife
underpasses, especially during roadway maintenance work. Gopher
tortoise crossing signs would be posted in key areas.
To minimize injury and drowning, the refuge would coordinate with
partners to prevent manatees from entering water control structures.
Piping plovers and eastern indigo snakes would be included in
wildlife diversity surveys in an effort to determine the extent of
their presence on the refuge.
Control of exotic, invasive, and nuisance species would be
expanded. The refuge would locate and identify new infestations of
Categories I and II plants and work to eradicate these, while
controlling non-native plants already established. It would coordinate
with partners to control feral and free-roaming animals.
The refuge would increase its efforts to minimize the effects of
climate change. First, it would coordinate with researchers and
partners to investigate the impacts of climate change on refuge
resources and identify climate change research needs. It would foster
and conduct needed research studies and adapt management as necessary.
Under Alternative D, the refuge would complete the boundary survey
and prioritize active acquisition efforts on those properties with high
biodiversity values. The refuge would work to complete acquisition of
lands within the acquisition boundary from willing sellers and use land
swaps, where appropriate, as a method to meet this objective. Through
collaboration with partners, areas high in biodiversity and wildlife
corridors would be identified and protected.
Under this alternative, a complete archaeological and historical
survey of the refuge would be conducted. The refuge would also actively
work with the partners to acquire or otherwise manage and protect the
Oak Lodge Site due to its contributions to research and historical data
on barrier island biodiversity.
Visitor service programs would be expanded under this alternative.
Informational resources available to visitors would emphasize
biodiversity on the refuge. The refuge would work with the partners to
incorporate wildlife and habitat diversity messages into their signage.
Fishing would be increased. The refuge would close all unapproved
foot trails to public access through refuge properties and direct the
fishing public to approved access points. The need to create additional
dune crossovers on partner properties would be evaluated.
Wildlife viewing and photography would be changed from current
management efforts. Sea turtle walk programs conducted by the Service
would remain the same. The refuge would work with the partners to
develop informational materials for partners' trails to include
wildlife and habitat diversity messages of the refuge. Staff and/or
volunteer-led migratory bird walks would be developed by the refuge.
The refuge would increase environmental education, interpretation,
and outreach activities under this alternative. Through collaborative
efforts with the partners, the refuge would incorporate more
information on biodiversity into existing education programs. On- and
off-site interpretive programs aimed at maintaining or increasing
biodiversity and the minimization of human impacts would be developed.
Nighttime access to the beach from refuge properties would be
eliminated and the refuge would close all unapproved foot trails to
public access through its properties. On partner properties, the refuge
would collaborate to eliminate nighttime access to the beach via
unapproved foot trails. In addition, the need to close, relocate, or
build dune crossovers at these sites would be evaluated.
Under Alternative D, staff levels would be increased. Shared staff
with Pelican Island Refuge would include: Wildlife refuge manager,
assistant refuge manager, refuge officer, administrative assistant,
supervisory park ranger, supervisory maintenance worker, and wildlife
biologist for a total of seven shared full-time positions. Full-time
refuge-specific staff would include: Biological science technician,
park ranger, maintenance worker, and seasonal biological science
technician for a total of 3.5 full-time positions.
Next Step
After the comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and
address them in the form of a final CCP and Finding of No Significant
Impact.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
Dated: June 9, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-14478 Filed 6-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P