[Federal Register: August 4, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 148)]
[Notices]
[Page 38668-38669]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04au09-75]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2008-N0292; 80230-1265-0000-S3]
Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Klamath County, OR
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments: draft
comprehensive conservation plan/environmental assessment.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental
Assessment (CCP/EA) for the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge for
public review and comment. The CCP/EA, prepared pursuant to the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,
describes how the Service will manage the Refuge for the next 15 years.
Draft compatibility determinations for several existing and proposed
public uses are also available for review and public comment with the
Draft CCP/EA.
DATES: Written comments must be received at the address below on or
before Friday, September 18, 2009.
ADDRESSES: For more information on obtaining documents and submitting
comments, see ``Review and Comment'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
For public meeting location see ``Public Meetings.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Pelz, Chief, Refuge Planning,
2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825, phone (916) 414-6500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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
[[Page 38669]]
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 and photography, environmental education and
interpretation.
We initiated the CCP/EA for the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife
Refuge in February 2007. At that time and throughout the process, we
requested, considered, and incorporated public scoping comments in
numerous ways. Our public outreach has included a Federal Register
notice of intent published on January 29, 2007, agency and Tribal
scoping meetings, two public workshops, planning updates, and a CCP Web
page. We received over 180 scoping comments during the 60-day public
comment period.
Background
Klamath Marsh was established in 1958 and is located in south
central Oregon on the east slope of the Cascade Mountain Range along
the Williamson River. The Service owns approximately 40,960 acres
within the 49,583-acre acquisition boundary. The Refuge protects one of
the largest remaining natural freshwater marshes on the west coast.
Other important habitats on the refuge include sedge meadow, grassland,
riverine, riparian scrub, and ponderosa pine forest. The refuge
protects habitat for a variety of unique species including greater
sandhill cranes, yellow rails, Oregon spotted frogs, red-naped
sapsuckers, pygmy nuthatches, bald eagles, beaver, and red band trout.
The entire Refuge is located within the former reservation of the
Klamath Tribes.
Alternatives
The Draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three alternatives for
managing Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years.
The alternative that appears to best meet the Refuge purposes is
identified as the preferred alternative. The preferred alternative is
identified based on the analysis presented in the Draft CCP/EA, which
may be modified following the completion of the public comment period
based on comments received from other agencies, Tribal governments,
non-governmental organizations, or individuals.
Under Alternative A, the no action alternative, we would continue
to manage the Refuge as we have in the recent past. No major changes in
habitat management would occur. The existing wildlife observation,
photography, environmental education, and interpretation programs would
remain unchanged.
Under Alternative B, (preferred alternative), the Service would
restore the portion of the Williamson River and Big Spring Creek on the
Refuge; substantially improve management of emergent marsh, meadows,
ponderosa pine forest and aspen to increase habitat value for migratory
birds and other wildlife; improve and expand visitor services by
developing new trails, interpretive exhibits, an environmental
education program, and a visitor contact station; maintain existing
hunting and fishing programs with minor modifications; increase
cultural resources protection; and recommend no units for wilderness
designation. The Service would also revise and update the MOU with the
Klamath Tribes regarding subsistence hunting and gathering.
Under Alternative C, the Service would restore the portions of the
Williamson River and Big Springs Creek on the Refuge; improve
management of emergent marsh, meadows, ponderosa pine forest and aspen
using a more limited tool set (fire only for non-forested areas);
minimally expand opportunities for non-consumptive public uses;
eliminate public hunting; increase cultural resource protection; and
recommend 11,165 acres for wilderness designation. The Service would
also revise and update the MOU with the Tribes regarding subsistence
hunting and gathering.
Public Meetings
The locations, dates, and times of public meetings will be listed
in a planning update distributed to the project mailing list and posted
on the Refuge Web site at http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/
KlamathMarshCCP/kmarshccp.html.
Review and Comment
Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be obtained by writing to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Mark Pelz, CA/NV Refuge Planning
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846. Copies of
the Draft CCP/EA may be viewed at this address or at the Klamath
National Wildlife Refuge, HC 63 Box 303, Chiloquin, OR 97624. The Draft
CCP/EA will also be available for viewing and downloading online at:
http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/KlamathMarshCCP/kmarshccp.html.
Comments on the Draft CCP/EA should be addressed to: Mark Pelz,
Chief, Refuge Planning, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825-
1846. Comments may also be faxed to (916) 414-6497 or if you choose to
submit comments via electronic mail, submit them to the following
address: fw8plancomments@fws.gov.
At the end of the review and comment period for this Draft CCP/EA,
comments will be analyzed by the Service and addressed in the Final
CCP/EA. 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.
Dated: July 28, 2009.
Ren Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E9-18427 Filed 8-3-09; 8:45 am]
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