[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 84 (Monday, May 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24511-24512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10547]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2010-N277; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico; Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our draft comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Cabo Rojo National Wildlife
Refuge (NWR) for public review and comment. In the Draft CCP/EA, we
describe the alternative we propose to use to manage this refuge for
the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by June 1, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the Draft CCP/EA by contacting Ms.
Laura Housh, Regional Planner, Okefenokee NWR, 2700 Suwannee Canal
Road, Folkston, GA 31537. Alternatively, you may download the document
from our Internet Site at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning under
``Draft Documents.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Laura Housh, at 912/496-6273
(telephone) or laura_housh@fws.gov (e-mail); or Mr. Oscar D[iacute]az,
at 787/851-7258, extension 312 (telephone), or oscar_diaz@fws.gov (e-
mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Cabo Rojo NWR. We
started the process through a notice of intent in the Federal Register
on March 12, 2007 (72 FR 11047). For more about the refuge, its
purposes, and our CCP process, please see that notice.
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, 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, wildlife photography, and
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration
Act.
The refuge lies along a coastal plain and has a few gently rolling
hills overlooking the southwestern tip of Puerto Rico. The
establishment of the refuge was justified for the potential value that
the habitat held for migratory birds and also for its value in
providing habitat for resident birds, particularly doves and pigeons.
The area is one of the few blocks of land in southwestern Puerto Rico
west of the Gu[aacute]nica Commonwealth Forest remaining in public
ownership. The native vegetation is classified as subtropical dry
forest under the Holdridge classification of world life zones. At least
245 plant species and 145 bird species have been identified on the
refuge.
CCP Alternatives, Including Our Proposed Alternative
We developed three alternatives for managing the refuge and chose
Alternative C as the proposed alternative. A full description of each
alternative is in the Draft CCP/EA. We summarize each alternative
below.
Alternative A (Current Management, No Action)
Under this alternative, we would continue to restore and maintain
existing sub-tropical dryland forests, salt lagoons, and grassland
habitats. Active habitat wetland management would be implemented by
continuing water level manipulations for management of the saltwater
lagoons through a special use permit with a commercial salt production
company. We would continue to accommodate environmental education and
interpretation programs and wildlife observation and photography. The
friends group, Caborroje[ntilde]os, would continue to partner with us
in providing limited visitor services. The law enforcement program for
the protection of wildlife and visitors would continue at current
levels.
Alternative B (Resource Emphasis)
Under this alternative, we would provide greater management of
habitats and associated plant communities for the benefit of wildlife.
Activities that would be expanded or introduced under this
alternative would include: Managing endangered plant populations and
reducing the occurrence of exotic species; exploring opportunities and
alternatives to assume direct control of managing water levels in the
saltwater lagoons; establishing and managing a larger nursery to
increase reforestation of native tree species in upland areas;
restoring additional freshwater and saltwater ponds to increase avian
habitat; expanding the volunteer base to increase habitat restoration
activities; and proactively expanding research collaboration with
universities.
Additional staff would be required to implement this alternative.
Such staff would likely include a biologist, a volunteer coordinator,
and additional support staff.
Alternative C (Habitat and Public Use Emphasis, Proposed)
Under this alternative, our emphasis would be on improving refuge
resources for habitat and wildlife. We would provide greater support
for the visitor service program, including emphasis on the following:
Developing a curriculum-based environmental education program;
expanding the role of the friends group to include providing staffing
and interpreting services at the new visitor services center; reviewing
and updating our brochures and website, including offering a Spanish
version of the website; updating current kiosks and building new kiosks
along the trail system; expanding the volunteer program to also provide
assistance with public use activities; seeking and developing new
partnerships, particularly with regard to trail maintenance; and adding
additional signage to clarify refuge uses.
Additional staff required to implement Alternative C would include
an additional visitor services/environmental education specialist and a
volunteer coordinator. Additional infrastructure would also be required
to expand activities under this alternative, including developing
volunteer housing and acquiring one or more additional vehicles.
[[Page 24512]]
Next Step
After the comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and
address them.
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.
Authority
This notice is published under the authority of the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105-57.
Dated: January 5, 2011.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2011-10547 Filed 4-29-11; 8:45 am]
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