[Federal Register: April 9, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 69)]
[Notices]
[Page 19238-19239]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09ap08-72]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-NWRS-2008-N0061; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific County, WA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and associated environmental impact statement; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the Willapa
National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) located in Pacific County,
Washington. An environmental impact statement (EIS) evaluating effects
of various CCP alternatives will also be prepared. We provide this
notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other government
agencies and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions
and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning
and environmental review process. We are also requesting public
comments. See DATES and ADDRESSES for details.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by May 16, 2008. We will announce opportunities for public input
throughout the planning process.
ADDRESSES: Additional information concerning the Willapa Refuge is
available on the following Internet site: http://www.fws.gov/willapa/
WillapaNWR. Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@ fws.gov. Please include Willapa Refuge
in the subject.
Fax: Attn: Charlie Stenvall, (360) 484-3109.
U.S. Mail: Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader, Willapa National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, WA 98624-9707.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader,
phone (360) 484-3482.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Willapa Refuge. This notice complies with our CCP policy and National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.) to advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the
public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this Refuge,
and obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to
consider during development of the CCP/EIS.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us to
develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for
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 for
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Improvement Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System was established
for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the basis for
developing and prioritizing the management goals, objectives, and
potential public uses for each refuge. The planning process is a way
for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives, and
determine the best possible approach for conserving important wildlife
habitat, while providing wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities
compatible with a refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments; agencies;
[[Page 19239]]
organizations; and the public. At this time we encourage input in the
form of issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future
management of the Refuge.
We will prepare the EIS for this project in accordance with the
requirements NEPA; NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other
appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and
procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.
During the CCP planning process, many elements will be considered
including: wildlife and habitat management and public use
opportunities. Public input into the planning process is essential. The
CCP for Willapa Refuge will describe desired conditions for the Refuge
and how the Service will implement management strategies over the next
15 years. Until the CCP is completed, Refuge management will continue
to be guided by official Refuge purposes; Federal legislation regarding
management of National Wildlife Refuges; and other legal, regulatory,
and policy guidance.
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
The Willapa Refuge was established as the Willapa Harbor Migratory
Bird Refuge by Executive Order No. 7541 signed by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt on January 11, 1937. Under Executive Order No. 7721, signed
October 8, 1937, the Refuge boundary was enlarged and the name was
changed to Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge was established
to protect migrating and wintering populations of brant, waterfowl,
shorebirds, and other migratory birds. The goals of the Refuge, revised
in 1997, are to: (1) Protect and restore tideland habitat and
associated migratory bird species representative of the native
biological diversity of Willapa Bay; (2) preserve and protect unique
ecosystems associated with Willapa Bay; (3) manage for the conservation
and recovery of threatened and endangered species in their natural
ecosystem; and (4) provide opportunities for wildlife and wildland-
dependent recreation, education, and research.
Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
The FWS has identified the following preliminary issues, concerns,
and opportunities for consideration, additional issues may be
identified during public scoping:
Tidal Restoration. Is tidal restoration a desirable action, and if
so, which refuge units should be considered? Which units if any should
remain under current management practices?
Land Acquisition. Should expansion of the Refuge's boundary be
considered, and if so, why, and which properties should be proposed for
Refuge expansion?
Recovery of the federally threatened Western Snowy Plover. What
management actions should be implemented to better protect the Western
Snowy Plover from disturbance and predation, while measures to protect
and restore habitat are occurring?
Elk Management. What management actions should be implemented to
alleviate threats to rare plants and animals, from elk, on the
Leadbetter Unit?
Forest Management. What forest management practices should be
implemented to restore forest complexity and biodiversity?
Wildlife-Dependent Recreational Uses. Should the current wildlife-
dependent recreational uses on the Refuge be expanded? If so, what
opportunities are feasible and compatible with the Refuge's purposes
that would satisfy the needs of the public?
As part of the CCP planning process, a full range of alternatives
will be developed that address the issues and associated management
strategies. The alternatives' environmental effects will be evaluated
in the environmental impact statement. Comments we receive will be
taken into consideration in developing goals, key issues and management
strategies, and draft alternatives. Additional opportunities for public
participation will occur throughout the CCP process, which is expected
to be completed in early 2010.
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.
Date: April 2, 2008.
Renne R. Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E8-7452 Filed 4-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P