[Federal Register: September 28, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 186)]
[Notices]
[Page 49399-49400]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28se09-92]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-2009-N146; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Kaua`i National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Kaua`i County, HI
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment and announcement of public open house
meetings; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the K[imacr]lauea
Point, Hanalei, and Hul[emacr]`ia National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). We
will also prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate the
potential effects of various CCP alternatives. We provide this notice
in compliance with our CCP policy to advise the public, other Federal
and State agencies, and Native Hawaiian organizations of our intentions
and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be
considered in the planning process. We are also announcing public open
house meetings and requesting public comments; see SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for details.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
November 27, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods:
E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Kaua`i NWR Complex
CCP Scoping Comments'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Shannon Smith, (808) 828-1413.
U.S. Mail: Kaua`i National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O Box 1128,
Kilauea, HI 96754.
Additional information concerning the NWRs is available on the
Internet at http://www.fws.gov/hanalei/; http://www.fws.gov/huleia/;
and http://www.fws.gov/kilaueapoint/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Smith, (808) 828-1413, or
Shannon_Smith@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to develop
a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose of developing a
CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year direction for
achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound
principles of fish and wildlife conservation, legal mandates, and
Service 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, wildlife
photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
The Service will prepare a CCP/EA in compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
[[Page 49400]]
seq.); 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.
Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use
these purposes to develop and prioritize management goals and
objectives within the NWRS mission and to guide which public uses occur
on a refuge. The planning process is a way for us and the public to
evaluate management goals and objectives for the best possible approach
to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities that are compatible with
a refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
We will conduct a planning process that provides opportunities for
the public, Federal and local government agencies, Native Hawaiian
organizations, and others to participate in issue scoping and public
comment. We request input for issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions
for the future management of the Hanalei, Hul[emacr]`ia and
K[imacr]lauea Point NWRs.
We will also give the public an opportunity to provide input at
open houses to identify issues and concerns. All information provided
voluntarily by mail, phone, or at public meetings becomes part of our
official public record. We will handle requests for comments received
in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA, and other
applicable statutory authorities.
The Refuges
Hanalei, Hul[emacr]`ia, and K[imacr]lauea Point National Wildlife
Refuges (NWRs) are part of the Kaua`i National Wildlife Refuge Complex
(NWRC or Complex). Hanalei NWR, located along the lower reach and
floodplain of the Hanalei River along the northern shore of Kaua`i, was
established in 1972 for the purpose of providing habitat for Hawai`i's
endangered water birds and the Hawaiian goose. Hul[emacr]`ia NWR,
located along the Hul[emacr]`ia River on Kaua`i's eastern shore, was
established in 1973 for the purpose of providing habitat for Hawai`i's
endangered water birds. K[imacr]lauea Point NWR, located at the
northern most point of Kaua`i, was established in 1985 for the purpose
of providing habitat for seabirds, n[emacr]n[emacr], and native plants,
to preserve the historic light station, and provide environmental
education to the public. K[imacr]lauea Point NWR's purpose was expanded
in 2004 to include conserving and managing the biological diversity of
native coastal strand, riparian, and aquatic habitats, and continue the
protection and recovery of endangered Hawaiian water birds and other
endangered birds, including the Hawaiian goose.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
to be addressed in the CCP; additional issues may be identified through
public scoping.
During the CCP planning process, the Service will analyze methods
for protecting the resources of the Hanalei, Hul[emacr]`ia, and
K[imacr]lauea Point NWRs while providing quality opportunities for
wildlife-dependent recreation. The Service will evaluate public use
programs and facilities, cultural and historic resources, cooperative
farming, alternative transportation opportunities, wetland management,
land acquisition, and endangered species interactions with humans.
Public Meetings
``Talk Story'' Sessions
To begin the public scoping phase of the planning process, we will
hold a number of facilitated ``Talk Story'' Sessions for the public,
Refuge neighbors, and others. These facilitated sessions are designed
to gather information about local knowledge and cultural ties for each
of the refuges, including stories passed down through generations of
living on, working on, and enjoying the Refuges' lands, waters, and
natural and cultural resources. These sessions will be open to the
public and held in communities near the Refuges to encourage local
participation.
Public Open House Meetings
We will also hold Public Open House Meetings as part of public
scoping to answer questions, obtain comments on Refuge management
issues, and learn about natural resource issues important to the
public, the State, and other agencies and organizations. In order to
incorporate the information we gain from the Talk Story Sessions into
the Public Open House Meetings, the meetings will be held several weeks
after the Talk Story Sessions. We will provide additional opportunities
for public involvement throughout our CCP planning process. Public
involvement opportunities will be announced in local news media, on our
websites, and through our mailing list.
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.
Dated: August 13, 2009.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E9-23169 Filed 9-25-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P