[Federal Register: May 7, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 88)]
[Notices]
[Page 25286-25287]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07my10-130]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R5-R-2010-N018; BAC-4311-K9 S3]
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga
Counties, NY
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; 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) and environmental
assessment (EA) for Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Seneca,
Wayne, and Cayuga Counties, New York. We provide this notice in
compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State
agencies, Tribal Governments, and the public of our intentions, and to
obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider
in the planning process. We are also announcing public meetings and
requesting public comments.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
June 30, 2010. We will announce opportunities for public input in local
news media throughout the CCP process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods:
Electronic mail: northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include ``Montezuma NWR
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Facsimile: Attention: Nancy McGarigal, 413-253-8468.
U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center
Drive, Hadley, MA 01035.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at Montezuma NWR, 3395 U.S. Route 20 East, Seneca Falls,
NY 13148-9423.
[[Page 25287]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Jasikoff, Refuge Manager,
Montezuma NWR, 3395 U.S. 20 East, Seneca Falls, NY 13148-9423; phone:
(315) 568-5987; electronic mail: tom_jasikoff@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Montezuma NWR in Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties, New York. This
notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other Federal and
State agencies, Tribal Governments, and the public of our intention to
conduct detailed planning on this refuge, and (2) obtain suggestions
and information on the scope of issues to consider in the environmental
document and during development of the CCP.
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 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 (NWRS), 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.
Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use
these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the
management goals and objectives for each refuge within the NWRS
mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. The
planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management
goals and objectives that will ensure the best possible approach to
wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with
each refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments, conservation organizations, and the
public. At this time, we encourage input in the form of issues,
concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of Montezuma
NWR.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project and
develop an EA in accordance with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
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.
Montezuma NWR
Montezuma NWR was established as a refuge in 1938 primarily in
recognition of its importance as a stopover area for migratory birds
and other wildlife. The refuge provides resting, feeding, and nesting
habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds and is located in the
middle of one of the most active migratory bird pathways in the
Atlantic Flyway. Over 1,000,000 migrating geese and ducks, and one of
the largest concentrations of migrating shorebirds in New York, are
observed each year. Located at the north end of Cayuga Lake in the
Finger Lakes Region of New York, Montezuma NWR consists of 9,073 acres.
Refuge habitats are very diverse. They consist of approximately
4,700 acres of freshwater wetlands in 16 impoundments; 1,646 acres in
floodplain forest; 360 acres in cropland; 700 acres in early or mid-
successional forest; 584 acres in grassland, 157 acres in canals,
river, or dikes, and the remainder in roads, trails and other
infrastructure.
Montezuma NWR hosts over 150,000 visitors annually. Popular
activities include driving on the 3-mile auto tour, observing and
photographing nature on the 5.5 miles of walking trails, and hunting,
fishing, or participating in the many educational and interpretive
programs. The refuge visitor center, open from April 1 to November 30
each year, is a popular destination for visitors to the area.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
The planning team is in the process of identifying preliminary
issues, concerns, and opportunities to address in the CCP. We list
below the categories for issues we have identified. During public
scoping, we expect additional issues may be raised.
(1) Ecoregional or ecosystemwide issues, such as climate change,
regional land conservation, and the protection of water quality
throughout the West Oswego River watershed;
(2) Biological program issues, such as habitat and species
management needs, protection, restoration, monitoring, inventories, and
research;
(3) Public-use program issues, such as the breadth and quality of
programs, public access, user conflicts, and use impacts on natural
resources;
(4) Infrastructure and staffing issues, such as appropriateness of
facilities, safety, accessibility, and additional staffing needs;
(5) Community relations and outreach issues and opportunities, such
as tourism and local economic impacts; and
(6) Coordination and communication issues and opportunities with
Federal, State, and Tribal Governments, and with non-governmental
conservation partners.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting. You can obtain the schedule from the planning team leader or
refuge manager (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may also send
comments anytime during the planning process by mail, electronic mail,
or facsimile (see ADDRESSES). There will be additional opportunities to
provide public input once we have prepared a draft CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, electronic 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: March 26, 2010.
James G. Geiger,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-10822 Filed 5-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M