[Federal Register: September 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 171)]
[Notices]
[Page 51506-51507]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03se08-106]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R3-R-2008-N00168; 30136-1265-0000-S3]
Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Schoolcraft County, MI
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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and draft
environmental assessment (EA) for Seney National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
for public review and comment. In this draft CCP/EA, we describe how we
propose to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by October 8, 2008. An open house style meeting will be held during the
comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft
plan. Special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and
other media announcements will inform people of the meetings and
opportunities for written comments.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods. You may also drop off comments in person at
Seney NWR.
Agency Web site: View or download a copy of the document
and comment at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Seney.
E-mail: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ``Seney Draft CCP/EA''
in the subject line of the message.
Fax: 906-586-3800.
Mail: Refuge Manager, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, 1674
Refuge Entrance Road, Seney, MI 49883-9501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Casselman, 906-586-9851 Ext 11.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Seney NWR, which
was started with the notice of intent we published in the Federal
Register on April 21, 2006 (71 FR 20722). For more about the initial
process and the history of this refuge, see that notice. Seney NWR was
established in 1935 by Executive Order under the Migratory Bird
Conservation Act for the protection and production of migratory birds
and other wildlife. The Refuge encompasses approximately 95,238 acres;
of this area, 25,150 acres comprise the Seney Wilderness Area, in which
is contained the Strangmoor Bog National Natural
[[Page 51507]]
Landmark. The Refuge is also responsible for the 33-acre Whitefish
Point Unit, a former Coast Guard Station at Whitefish Point, in
Chippewa County.
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), requires us to develop a comprehensive
conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy
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, plans identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
CCP Alternatives and Our Preferred Alternative
Priority Issues
During the public scoping process, we, other governmental partners,
and the public identified several priority issues, which include
habitat management, invasive and exotic species, and demand for
additional visitor services. To address these issues, we developed and
evaluated the following alternatives during the planning process.
Alternative 1, Current Management Direction of Opportunistic
Conservation, Restoration, and Preservation (No Action)
The current management direction of Seney NWR would be maintained
under this alternative. For NEPA purposes, this is referred to as the
``No Action'' alternative, a misnomer as some changes will occur over
the next 15 years. Management includes conservation, restoration and
preservation but occurs opportunistically as budgets allow. Some
programs, especially environmental education and outreach, would see
improvements only if budgets increase in the future.
Alternative 2: Management Gradient of Conservation Emphasis (Unit 1),
to Conservation-Restoration Emphasis (Unit 2), to Restoration-
Preservation Emphasis (Unit 3) and Wilderness Preservation (Unit 4)
(Preferred Alternative)
Alternative 2 would segment the Refuge into four general units and
apply a management strategy to each unit. The units would follow a
general gradient of management from low intensity (wilderness) to
higher manipulation (managed impoundments and visitor use). Some high
and low intensity management actions would occur in all units. Wildlife
needs always receive priority when in conflict with visitor services.
Alternative 3: Management to Emphasize Historic Patterns and Processes
through Restoration and Preservation (All Anthropogenic Habitats
Removed in Units 2 and 3), and Wilderness Preservation (Unit 4)
Alternative 3 would include the Refuge striving to manage its
forests and water to allow unfettered succession to take place. Dynamic
events such as windstorms, insect and tree disease outbreaks, flooding
and wildfire would play a more substantial role in shaping habitats.
Natural events may lead to limitation or closure of some exiting
visitor use areas or services. However, crucial Refuge infrastructure
such as roads and dikes would be protected from or repaired after
destructive circumstances.
Public Meeting
We will give the public an opportunity to provide comments at a
public meeting. You may obtain the schedule from the addresses listed
in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments anytime
during the comment period.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should know
that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you may
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.
Dated: July 22, 2008.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort
Snelling, Minnesota.
[FR Doc. E8-20351 Filed 9-2-08; 8:45 am]
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