[Federal Register: April 3, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 63)]
[Notices]
[Page 15297-15298]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03ap09-45]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R3-R-2008-N0323 ; 30136-1265-0000-S3]
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, Jackson, Jennings, and
Monroe Counties, IN
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: Draft comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and draft
environmental assessment (EA) for Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR) for public review and comment. In this draft CCP/EA, we describe
how we propose to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by May 6, 2009. An open house style meeting will be held during the
comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft
plan. Special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and
other media announcements will inform people of the meetings and
opportunities for written comments.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods. You may also drop off comments in person at
Muscatatuck NWR.
Agency Web Site: View or download a copy of the document
and comment at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Muscatatuck.
E-mail: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ``Muscatatuck Draft
CCP/EA'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: 812-522-6826.
Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, Muscatatuck National
Wildlife Refuge, 12985 East U.S. Highway 50, Seymour, IN 47274-8518.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Webber, 812-522-4352.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Muscatatuck NWR,
which was started with the notice of intent we published in 72 FR
27587-27588, May 16, 2007. For more about the initial process and the
history of this refuge, see that notice.
Muscatatuck NWR was approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation
Commission and established in 1966 to provide duck breeding and
migration habitat. The Refuge covers 7,802 acres, including the 78-acre
`Restle' unit donated to the FWS located 45 miles northwest of the
refuge. Muscatatuck is also responsible for nine Farm Service Agency
(FSA) conservation easements in surrounding counties, totaling 130.5
acres.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), requires us to develop a comprehensive
conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy
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, plans identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
CCP Alternatives and Our Preferred Alternative
Priority Issues
During the public scoping process, we, other stakeholders and
partners, and the public identified several priority issues, which
include habitat management, invasive species control, and demand for
additional recreation opportunities and visitor services. To address
these issues, we developed and evaluated the following alternatives
during the planning process.
Alternative A: Current Management Direction and Activities (No Action)
The current management direction of Muscatatuck NWR would be
maintained under this alternative. For NEPA purposes, this is referred
to as the ``No Action'' alternative, a misnomer as some changes will
occur over the next 15 years. Management includes conservation,
restoration, and preservation but occurs opportunistically as budgets
allow. Natural processes would play a large role in the transition and
succession of habitats, with little active management. Farming and
water management would
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continue in those areas where it currently exists. Some programs,
especially environmental education and outreach, would see improvements
only if budgets increase in the future.
Alternative B: Increased Restoration of Natural Processes; Maintain
Focus on Priority General Public Uses
Under Alternative B, we will focus on natural processes and promote
natural habitat succession on the refuge. Many of the constructed
management areas (moist soil units, open waters, green-tree reservoirs,
and agricultural areas) are restored to more natural or historic
landscape conditions. Management will increase in the areas of forestry
and invasive and pest species control, and the hunting seasons are
expanded for most game animals. This alternative proposes a reduction
in the number of trails and fishing areas to reduce disturbances to
wildlife.
Alternative C: Balance Natural Processes and Constructed Management
Units; Increased Focus on High Quality Priority General Public Uses
(Preferred Alternative)
Under Alternative C, we will increase the Refuge's forest acreage
and decrease the active management of some constructed management
units. Former farmland areas are either forested or managed as open
areas to increase the overall diversity of refuge habitat. Management
will increase in the areas of forestry and invasive and pest species
control, and hunting and fishing opportunities are expanded. The
quality of wildlife observation, photography, and interpretation are
all improved in this alternative.
Alternative D: Intensified Management of Constructed Management Units;
Expanded Priority General Public Uses
Under Alternative D, we will increase both the Refuge's forest
acreage and its active management of constructed management areas
(moist soil units, open waters, green-tree reservoirs, and agricultural
areas). Wildlife observation is enhanced by placing additional acreage
in agricultural production and by maintaining open, non-forested areas.
In this alternative, more active forest management and invasive and
pest species control are proposed, hunting opportunities and seasons
for most game animals are expanded, fishing opportunities are available
at nearly all available waters, and the quality of wildlife
observation, photography, and interpretation are all improved.
Public Meeting
We will give the public an opportunity to provide comments at a
public meeting. You may obtain the schedule from the addresses listed
in this notice (see addresses). You may also submit comments anytime
during the comment period.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should know
that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you may
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: February 11, 2009.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort
Snelling, Minnesota.
[FR Doc. E9-7482 Filed 4-2-09; 8:45 am]
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