[Federal Register: December 9, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 235)]
[Notices]
[Page 65137-65138]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09de09-75]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2009-N226; 10137-1265-0000 S3]
Oregon Islands, Three Arch Rocks, and Cape Meares National
Wildlife Refuges, Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Coos, and Curry
Counties, OR
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of comprehensive conservation plan,
wilderness stewardship plan, and finding of no significant impact.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our completed comprehensive conservation plan (CCP),
wilderness stewardship plan (WSP), and finding of no significant impact
(FONSI) for the Oregon Islands, Three Arch Rocks, and Cape Meares
National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges) in Oregon. In this CCP, we describe
how we will manage the Refuges for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You can obtain printed or CD-ROM copies of the CCP/WSP/FONSI
by any of the following methods:
Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the CCP/WSP/FONSI at http://
www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ccp.htm/.
E-mail: oregoncoastccp@fws.gov. Include ``Oregon Islands CCP'' in
the subject line of the message.
[[Page 65138]]
Mail: Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE Marine
Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call (542) 867-4550 to make an
appointment during regular business hours to view the CCP/FONSI at 2127
SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader, (542) 867-
4550.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we complete the current CCP process for the
Oregon Islands, Three Arch Rocks, and Cape Meares Refuges. We started
this process with a notice of intent published in the Federal Register
(71 FR 62605, October 26, 2006). We released the Draft CCP/
Environmental Assessment (EA) to the public, requesting comments in a
notice of availability in the Federal Register (74 FR 28270, June 15,
2009).
The Oregon Islands, Three Arch Rocks, and Cape Meares Refuges are
parts of the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Planning
for these Refuges occurred simultaneously because all three Refuges
consist of rocks, reefs, islands, and headlands located along the
Oregon coast, and many of the same issues and management opportunities
occur at all three Refuges.
These Refuges span the coast of Oregon and support a rich diversity
of wildlife habitats including coastal rocks, reefs, islands, and
forested and grass-covered headlands. Oregon Islands Refuge includes
1,854 rocks, reefs, islands, and two headland units, spanning 320 miles
of the Oregon Coast. With the exception of Tillamook Rock, all of the
rocks, reefs, and islands within the Refuge are included in the Oregon
Islands Wilderness Stewardship Area. The Three Arch Rocks Refuge and
Wilderness Stewardship area is located offshore in the Pacific Ocean,
one-half mile west of Oceanside, Oregon, in Tillamook County. The
Refuge encompasses nine rocks and islands with a total land area of 15
acres. Cape Meares Refuge consists of vertical coastal cliffs, rock
outcroppings, and rolling headlands with old-growth forest dominated by
Sitka spruce and western hemlock.
We announce our decision and the availability of the CCP/WSP/FONSI
for Oregon Islands, Three Arch Rocks, and Cape Meares Refuges in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [40 CFR
1506.6(b)] requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on
the human environment, which we included in the EA that accompanied the
Draft CCP.
The CCP will guide us in managing and administering the Refuges for
the next 15 years. Alternative 2, as we described in the Draft CCP/EA,
is the foundation for the completed CCP. We made minor additions and
corrections to the CCP based on public comments we received on the
Draft CCP/EA.
Background
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 for 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, 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, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Administration Act.
CCP Alternatives, Including the Selected Alternative
We addressed several issues in our Draft CCP/EA through development
and evaluation of two alternatives for managing the Refuges. The Draft
CCP/EA was available for a 30-day public review and comment period. The
Service received 11 comments on the Draft CCP, which were incorporated
into or responded to in the completed CCP. No substantive changes were
required to address public comments. One new strategy was added to
emphasize communication with all branches of the military that conduct
flights along the Oregon coast to educate pilots about the Refuges and
the impacts caused by low-level overflights along the Oregon coast.
Additional text was added to highlight the Service's plan to formalize
the U.S. Coast Guard's supporting role in reporting Federal wildlife
violations and enforcing Refuge regulations.
Selected Alternative
After considering the comments we received, we selected Alternative
2 for the CCP. As planned in the CCP, we will develop law-enforcement
assistance agreements to increase resource protection along the coast;
continue seabird surveys; develop GIS-based inventory and monitoring
programs for target wildlife and plant species; actively work with
partners to design and implement research on seabirds, pinnipeds,
climate change, and other pertinent issues; expand the volunteer
program to include interpretation at new locations; and develop
agreements with school districts to implement environmental education
programs at Oregon Islands and Three Arch Rocks Refuges.
For Cape Meares Refuge, we will maintain closed areas; create a
wildlife checklist; conduct an official boundary survey and post the
boundary; and develop law enforcement assistance agreements, as planned
in the CCP. We will also increase the volunteer interpreter presence
and recruit more volunteers to lead guided walks. Environmental
education and evening campground programs at adjacent Cape Lookout
State Park will be developed and implemented.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents at the following locations:
Our Web site: http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/CCP.htm.
Public libraries on the Oregon Coast will have a copy of
the CCP in their Reference sections.
Dated: November 12, 2009.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E9-29316 Filed 12-8-09; 8:45 am]
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