[Federal Register: August 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 161)]
[Notices]
[Page 48388]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19au08-57]
[[Page 48388]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2008-N0059; 60138-1265-6CCP-S3]
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Nine Wetland Management
Districts, North Dakota
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce that
our Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the nine Wetland Management Districts (Districts)
is available. The nine Districts include Arrowwood, Audubon, Chase
Lake, Crosby, Devils Lake, J. Clark Salyer, Kulm, Lostwood, and Valley
City Districts, located throughout the State of North Dakota. This
Draft CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to manage these
Districts for the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
on the draft CCP/EA by September 18, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Please provide written comments to John Esperance, Planning
Team Leader, Division of Refuge Planning, Branch of Comprehensive
Conservation Planning, Mountain-Prairie Region, P.O. Box 25486, Denver
Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225-0486; via facsimile at 303-236-
4792; or electronically to John_Esperance@fws.gov. A copy of the CCP/
EA may be obtained by writing to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Division of Refuge Planning, 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood,
Colorado 80228; or by download from http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/
planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Esperance, 303-236-4369 (phone);
303-236-4792 (fax); or John_Esperance@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The wetland management districts provide
oversight for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's small wetlands
acquisition programs, that from receipts from Duck Stamp funds, acquire
habitat under the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The nine
districts manage 1,208 waterfowl production areas (232,509 acres), tens
of thousands of conservation easements, and 50 wildlife development
areas (18,540 acres) in 34 counties in North Dakota. These district
lands (totaling 1,125,100 acres) are part of the National Wildlife
Refuge System, a network of lands set aside to conserve fish and
wildlife and their habitat.
This draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three alternatives for
managing the districts for the next 15 years. Alternative A, funding,
staff levels, and management activities at the districts would not
change. Programs would follow the same direction, emphasis, and
intensity as they do at present. The Service would prioritize
management of wildlife habitat and associated species at the districts'
WPAs into high, medium, and low areas. Only high-priority WPAs receive
consistent management. District staffs conduct limited, issue-driven
research and limited monitoring and inventory of birds and vegetation.
The district staffs monitor all conservation easements and high-
priority easement violations are consistently enforced. On a multiyear
rotation among districts, the staffs conduct public use events and
workshops with such groups as school districts, youth groups, and
conservation groups.
Alternative B, the Service's proposed action, wildlife habitat
management would enhance wetlands and uplands, where warranted, on
district lands. Management objectives for habitat types would be based
on the habitat preferences of groups of target species such as
waterfowl, migratory shorebirds, grassland birds, and threatened and
endangered species. District staff would focus on high-priority tracts
and medium-priority tracts. The district staff would carry out
compatible techniques, such as nest boxes for waterfowl, to enhance
production of targeted migratory bird populations. The district staff
would maintain existing environmental education and visitor services
programs, with additional waterfowl emphases. The Service proposes, at
a future date, (1) one new administration and visitor center facility
each for Audubon and Kulm wetland management districts, and (2) one new
visitor contact station each for Lostwood, Valley City, and Arrowwood
wetland management districts.
Alternative C, management by the district staff would be more
intensive and widespread, targeting native prairie and wetland habitat.
As a priority, district staff would seek out restoration projects that
expand and return native grasslands to quality native prairie. This
alternative would have potential for additional management options that
address habitat requirements and needs of specific groups of water-
dependent birds such as waterfowl and shorebirds. The staff would
develop new environmental education and visitor services programs. The
Service proposes, at a future date, (1) one new administration and
visitor center facility each for Audubon and Kulm wetland management
districts, and (2) one new visitor contact station each for Lostwood,
Valley City, and Arrowwood wetland management districts.
Opportunity for public input will be provided by the Service. All
public comment information provided voluntarily by mail, by phone, or
at meetings (e.g., names, addresses, letters of comment, input recorded
during meetings) becomes part of the official public record. If
requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen or
organization, the Service may provide copies of such information. The
environmental review of this project will be conducted in accordance
with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA Regulations (40 CFR
parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations;
Executive Order 12996; the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997; and Service policies and procedures for compliance with
those laws and regulations.
Dated: August 13, 2008.
David Lucas,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-19145 Filed 8-18-08; 8:45 am]
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