[Federal Register: September 26, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 188)]
[Notices]
[Page 55864-55865]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26se08-78]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2008-N0187; 60138-1261-0000-S3]
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Red Rock Lakes National
Wildlife Refuge, Lima, MT
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 Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is
available. This Draft CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to
manage this Refuge for the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
on the draft CCP/EA by October 27, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Please provide written comments to Laura King, Planning Team
Leader, Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, 9756 143\1/2\ Avenue, SE.,
Cayuga, North Dakota 58013; via facsimile at 701-724-3683; or
electronically to redrocks@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: Laura King, 701-724-3596 (phone); 701-
724-3683 (fax); or laura_king@fws.gov (e-mail) or John Esperance, 303-
236-4369 (phone); 303-236-4792 (fax); or john_esperance@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
is located 28 miles east of Monida in Beaverhead County in southwestern
Montana. This 47,756-acre Refuge sits at 6,670 feet above sea level and
lies east of the Continental Divide near the uppermost reach of the
Missouri drainage. The Refuge was established in 1935 by President
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Historically, management focused on protecting
and enhancing the trumpeter swan population at the Refuge. In the
1930s, the Refuge was their last known breeding location. Today, swans
can still breed in the valley, but the intensive management of swan
populations (through feeding and raising young) has been altered in
favor of allowing the swans to thrive under mostly natural conditions.
The Refuge has one of the most naturally diverse areas in the
National Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge boasts the largest wetland
complex within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, as well as expansive
tracts of grassland and sagebrush-steppe habitats and a small amount of
mid-elevation forested areas. These habitats support over 200 species
of birds, including peregrine falcons, bald eagles, short-eared owls,
sandhill cranes, sage grouse, and numerous species of waterfowl and
waterbirds. Common mammalian species include Shiras moose, Rocky
Mountain elk, mule and white-tailed deer, badger, coyote, and red fox.
In addition, wolves and grizzly bears have been documented using the
Refuge in recent years. There is also a remnant population of native
adfluvial Arctic grayling that occurs on the Refuge.
A full-time staff of five employees and various summer temporaries
manage and study the Refuge habitats and maintain visitor facilities.
Domestic livestock grazing and prescribed fire are the primary
management tools used to maintain and enhance upland habitats.
Currently, four grazing cooperators are using Refuge lands. Water level
manipulation occurs in some areas of the Refuge to improve wetland
habitats.
Approximately 12,000 people visit the Refuge annually. Two Refuge
roads and three county roads that pass through the Refuge account for
the majority of visitor use. The Refuge is open to limited fishing with
the majority of fishing occurring on Red Rock Creek. In addition, the
Refuge is open to limited hunting of ducks, geese, coots, and moose.
Elk, pronghorn, moose, mule deer and white-tailed deer are also hunted
on certain areas of the Refuge according to State regulations and
seasons. This draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates four alternatives
for managing the Refuge for the next 15 years.
Under Alternative A, funding staff levels and management activities
at the Refuge would not change. Refuge habitats would continue to be
managed utilizing water control structures, cattle grazing, prescribed
fire, and various methods to control invasive species. There would be
limited monitoring of habitat and wildlife response. The Refuge would
continue to divert water from streams and impound water using all
Service installed dikes, diversions, and structures. Wildlife dependent
compatible priority uses, for example, hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation, wildlife photography, and interpretation, would continue
to occur at current levels. Hunting for big game and waterfowl would
continue to be permitted on the Refuge. There would continue to be
minimal outreach and education programs due to the poor county access
roads and remote location. There would be minimal resources to
adequately update signs, informational kiosks, and brochures as well as
improve hiking trails, access roads, and campgrounds. There would be
five full-time staff assigned to the Refuge.
Alternative B, the Proposed Action, acknowledges the importance of
naturally functioning ecological communities on the Refuge. However,
changes to the landscape (e.g., human alterations to the landscape,
past refuge management creating wetlands and species in peril requiring
special management actions) prevent managing the Refuge solely as a
naturally functioning ecological community. Because some of these
changes are significant, some Refuge habitats would require ``hands
on'' management actions during the life of this plan, while others
would be restored. Refuge habitats would continue to be managed
utilizing water control structures, cattle grazing, prescribed fire,
and various methods to control invasive species. The Refuge would
determine their level of participation in State initiatives to
reintroduce bison should they become designated as wildlife in Montana.
Monitoring and documenting the response to management actions would be
greatly expanded. Habitat and wildlife objectives would be clearly
stated in step-down management plans. Visitor services programs would
be maintained and expanded including hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation and photography, and interpretation programs while
maintaining the wilderness characteristics of the Refuge. Boundaries
for big game hunting would be adjusted to reduce confusion, provide
additional opportunities, and reduce illegal road hunting. Fishing
would be expanded and following State regulations, visitors would be
encouraged to keep nonnative fish species that impact native adfluvial
Arctic grayling. Some Refuge roads and trails would provide
interpretation and be identified on a new visitor services map.
Idlewild Road would be closed to reduce maintenance costs and
fragmentations of wildlife habitats. Both Refuge campgrounds would be
maintained to support wildlife dependent compatible recreation on this
remote Refuge.
Alternative C acknowledges the importance of a naturally
functioning ecosystem. Management action emphasis would be placed on
allowing wetland and riparian habitats to
[[Page 55865]]
function naturally through the restoration of created and modified
wetlands. Refuge habitats would continue to be managed utilizing the
remaining water control structures, cattle grazing, prescribed fire,
and various methods to control invasive species. The Refuge would
determine their level of participation in State initiatives to
reintroduce bison should they become designated as wildlife in Montana.
Monitoring and documenting wildlife and habitat responses to management
actions would be greatly expanded. Habitat and wildlife objectives
would be clearly stated in step-down management plans. Visitor services
programs would be improved and expanded, particularly environmental
education and interpretation programs, while maintaining the wilderness
characteristics of the Refuge. Boundaries for big game hunting would be
adjusted to reduce confusion, provide additional opportunities, and
reduce illegal road hunting. Some Refuge trails would provide
interpretation and be identified on a new visitor services map.
Idlewild Road would be closed to reduce maintenance costs and
fragmentations of wildlife habitats. Fishing would be expanded and
following State regulations, visitors would be encouraged to keep
nonnative fish species that impact native adfluvial Arctic grayling.
Only one Refuge campground would be maintained to support wildlife
dependent compatible recreation on this remote Refuge.
Alternative D further acknowledges the importance of a naturally
functioning ecosystem. Management action emphasis would be placed on
the restoration of all natural processes including the restoration of
all wetland and riparian habitats. The Refuge would participate in
State initiatives to reintroduce bison should they become designated as
wildlife in Montana. Monitoring of habitat and wildlife response to
management actions would be greatly expanded. Habitat and wildlife
objectives would be clearly stated in step-down management plans. The
Refuge will place emphasis on creating a wilderness setting in all
areas away from the Refuge headquarters. Visitor services programs
would be maintained or expanded while promoting a wilderness experience
with little or no signage and interpretation. Moose hunting would be
eliminated. Boundaries for big game hunting areas would be adjusted to
reduce confusion, provide additional opportunities, and reduce illegal
road hunting. Fishing would be expanded and following State
regulations, visitors would be encouraged to keep nonnative fish
species that have impacted native adfluvial Arctic grayling. Idlewild
Road, the associate boat ramp, and the north entrance spur roads would
be closed to public vehicle access to reduce maintenance costs. Both
Refuge campgrounds would be closed.
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: July 21, 2008.
Sharon R. Rose,
Acting Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the
Federal Register on September 23, 2008.
[FR Doc. E8-22697 Filed 9-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P