[Federal Register: November 29, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 228)]
[Notices]
[Page 73121-73123]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29no10-122]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2010-N230; 10137-1265-0000 S3]
Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife
Refuges, Coos, Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, OR; Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent; announcement of three 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 Bandon Marsh,
Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs), in or
near the towns of Bandon, Pacific City, Neskowin, and Lincoln City,
Oregon. 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 other Federal
and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions and to
obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider
during the planning process. We are also announcing public meetings and
requesting public comments.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
December 31, 2010. We will hold public meetings to begin the CCP
planning process; see Public Meetings under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
for dates, times, and locations.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods:
E-mail: oregoncoastCCP@fws.gov. Include ``Bandon Marsh, Nestucca
Bay, and Siletz Bay CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Project Leader, 541-867-4551.
U.S. Mail: Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE.
Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader, Oregon
Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE. Marine Science Drive,
Newport, OR 97365; phone (541) 867-4550, and fax (541) 867-4551.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges in
Coos, Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, Oregon. This notice complies
with our CCP policy to (1) advise other Federal and State agencies,
Tribes, and the public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on
these refuges, 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) (Refuge 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, consistent with sound principles of
fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our
policies. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in
accordance with the Refuge Administration Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System was established
for specific purposes. These purposes are the foundation for developing
and prioritizing the conservation and management goals and objectives
for each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System, and
determining compatible public uses for each refuge. The planning
process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and
objectives for refuge wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while
providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are
compatible with the refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of
the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public.
At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas,
and suggestions for the future management of Bandon Marsh, Nestucca
Bay, and Siletz Bay Refuges.
We will conduct an environmental review of this project and prepare
an EA in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C.
[[Page 73122]]
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.
Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges
Bandon Marsh NWR was established in 1983, with the acquisition of
289 acres of salt marsh, mudflats, and tidal sloughs. The Bandon Marsh
Unit is located near the mouth of the Coquille River, with
approximately 75 percent of the Unit within the city limits of Bandon,
Oregon. The 582-acre Ni-les'tun Unit, established in 2000, includes 400
acres of historic salt marsh that is currently being restored to tidal
action. The Ni-les'tun Unit is located on the east side of Highway 101
on the north bank of the Coquille River. The total land base of Bandon
Marsh NWR is 889 acres.
The purpose for establishing Bandon Marsh NWR was ``for the
preservation and enhancement of the highly significant wildlife habitat
of the area known as Bandon Marsh, in the estuary of the Coquille River
* * * for the protection of migratory waterfowl, numerous species of
shorebirds, and fish, including Chinook and silver salmon, and to
provide opportunity for wildlife-oriented recreation and nature study
on the marsh * * *'' (95 Stat. 1709, dated Dec 29, 1981). The Ni-
les'tun Unit was added to Bandon Marsh NWR in order to (1) protect and
restore intertidal marsh, freshwater marsh, and riparian areas to
provide a diversity of habitats for migratory birds, including
waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and songbirds; (2) restore
intertidal marsh habitat for anadromous fish such as the threatened
coho salmon, chinook, chum salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout; (3)
protect and restore habitat for species listed under the Endangered
Species Act as threatened or endangered; and (4) provide wildlife-
dependent public use opportunities compatible with refuge purposes.
Nestucca Bay NWR is located near Pacific City and Neskowin in
Tillamook County, Oregon. The refuge was established in 1991 with the
acquisition of a 384-acre dairy farm, and has since expanded to 818.5
acres. The primary need for establishing Nestucca Bay NWR was to
protect high-quality coastal habitats for dusky Canada geese and
threatened Aleutian Canada geese (delisted in 2001); other endangered
and threatened species; and a variety of other migratory waterfowl,
shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, anadromous fish, and other wildlife
while preserving part of Oregon's biodiversity. In 2002, the refuge was
expanded to include the Neskowin Marsh Unit (222.6 acres acquired),
located about 2.5 miles south of the Nestucca Bay Refuge Unit near the
community of Neskowin, Oregon. Neskowin Marsh incorporates unique
freshwater wetland and bog habitats and wildlife resources not found
within the initial refuge boundary.
Siletz Bay NWR is located near Lincoln City on the central coast of
Oregon. The refuge was established in 1991 with a donation of 46 acres
of tidally muted salt marsh. The approved acquisition refuge boundary
totals 1,936 acres and encompasses the northern tip of the Siletz spit,
vegetated and unvegetated tidelands of the bay, and a portion of the
diked former tidelands of the Siletz River floodplain. Approximately
1,060 acres within the authorized boundary are State-owned tidelands.
Currently, refuge lands total 568 acres. The primary need for
establishing this refuge was to protect coastal wetland habitats and
upland buffers for a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, marine mammals,
endangered species, raptors, songbirds, fish, and other wildlife. The
refuge serves to protect the remaining coastal wetlands and uplands
adjacent to Siletz Bay from rapidly encroaching development, and
management emphasis has been to enhance and restore wetland and upland
habitats for a variety of estuarine-dependent fish and wildlife
species.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
that we may address in the CCP. We have briefly summarized these issues
below. During public scoping, we may identify additional issues.
Bandon Marsh NWR Preliminary Issues: What actions should the
Service take to sustain and restore priority species and habitats on
this refuge over the next 15 years? Based upon the refuge's priority
fish and wildlife species, which habitats would be monitored and
managed to control invasive species? What management options should the
refuge consider for restoration of the degraded upland forest and
grassland? What possibilities exist for enhancing existing or adding
additional wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities, including
wildlife observation trails and/or photography points? Which areas/
habitats of the refuge should be managed as undisturbed wildlife
sanctuary areas (closed to the public) and which areas should be open
to public use? Should the refuge consider changes to the Bandon Marsh
NWR waterfowl hunting program? Would allowing hunting and other
wildlife-dependent recreational uses in new areas (e.g., Ni-les'tun
Unit) have detrimental effects on the refuge's ability to provide
adequate undisturbed quality wintering habitat for waterfowl and other
wildlife? Is there enough use of the refuge by migrating waterfowl to
provide a quality hunting program?
Nestucca Bay NWR Preliminary Issues: What actions should the
Service take to sustain and restore priority species and habitats on
this refuge over the next 15 years? Based upon the refuge's priority
fish and wildlife species, which are the priority habitats to monitor
for invasive species, and what is the range of Integrated Pest
Management strategies that should be considered to reduce the incidence
and spread of invasive species? Should the Service consider restoring
some pastures at Nestucca Bay NWR to tidal marsh, and what effect would
this have on the refuge's ability to provide wintering habitat for
geese and reduce goose depredation on neighboring private lands? Should
the Cannery Hill Unit at Nestucca Bay NWR be managed specifically to
restore former coastal prairie, and if so, how much emphasis should be
placed on specific needs of the threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly
within a larger coastal prairie restoration plan? What options should
be considered for the old roadbed through Neskowin Marsh (tsunami
escape route) if it is found to be impacting water flows through
Neskowin Marsh? Should the Service consider designating Neskowin Marsh
as a Research Natural Area? What possibilities exist for adding or
enhancing existing wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities on
Nestucca Bay NWR? Are existing refuge access points and uses adequate
and do they provide a quality experience? Should the refuge consider
establishing waterfowl hunting programs at Nestucca Bay NWR? Can the
level of migrating waterfowl use on Nestucca Bay NWR support a quality
hunting program?
Siletz Bay NWR Preliminary Issues: What actions should the Service
take to sustain and restore priority species and habitats on this
refuge over the next 15 years? Based upon the refuge's priority fish
and wildlife species, which habitats are most important to monitor for
invasive species? What partnering possibilities exist for treatment of
aquatic invasive species such as smooth cordgrass and New Zealand mud
snail? Can wetlands currently hampered by fish passage barriers and
other issues be restored, and if so, how should the
[[Page 73123]]
Service prioritize them? What opportunities exist for adding or
enhancing existing wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities and
access points? Which areas of the refuge should be managed as
undisturbed sanctuary areas and which areas should be considered for
public access? Should the refuge consider establishing a waterfowl
hunting program at Siletz Bay NWR? Would waterfowl hunting and other
wildlife-dependent recreational activities have detrimental effects on
the refuge's ability to provide adequate undisturbed quality wintering
habitat for waterfowl? Is there enough use of the refuge by migrating
waterfowl to support a quality hunting program? Should the refuge
consider enhancing the currently offered seasonal opportunities to
observe wildlife via guided canoe/kayak excursion through the refuge?
Public Meetings
We will hold the following public meetings. For more information,
contact the person under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
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Date Time Location
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November 29, 2010....................... 6-9 p.m.................. Lincoln City Community Center, 2150 NE. Oar Place, Lincoln City, OR 97367.
November 30, 2010....................... 6-9 p.m.................. Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiawanda Drive, Pacific City, OR 97135.
December 2, 2010........................ 6-9 p.m.................. Bandon Community Center, 1200 11th Street SW., Bandon, OR 97411.
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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: October 28, 2010.
Theresa E. Rabot,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2010-30063 Filed 11-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P