[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 98 (Friday, May 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29259-29260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12411]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R3-R-2011-N024; 30136-1265-0000-S3]
Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Chariton County, MO; Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact
for Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Environmental
Assessment (EA) for Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Goals and
objectives in the CCP describe how the agency intends to manage the
refuge over the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final CCP and FONSI/EA may be viewed at the
Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge Office or at public libraries near
the refuge. You may also request a copy by any of the following
methods.
1. Agency Web site: View or download a copy of the document at
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/SwanLake/.
2. E-mail: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ``Swan Lake Final CCP/EA''
in the subject line of the message.
3. Mail: Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 16194 Swan Lake
Avenue, Sumner, MO 64681.
4. In Person: A limited number of hardcopies will be available for
distribution at the Refuge Headquarters.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitson, 660-856-3323.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we complete the CCP process for Swan Lake NWR,
which we began by publishing a notice of intent on (71 FR 20722, April
21, 2006). For more information about the initial process, see that
notice. We released the draft CCP and EA to the public, announcing and
requesting comments in a notice of availability (75 FR 30422) on June
1, 2010.
Swan Lake NWR was established in 1937 by Executive Order 7563 to
serve as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other
wildlife. The Refuge includes more than 11,000 acres and is also
responsible for managing 57 easements and outlying fee-title tracts
scattered across 15 counties in Missouri.
The Draft CCP and EA were officially released for public review on
June 1, 2010, opening a 35-day comment period that ended on July 5,
2010. Planning information was sent to approximately 200 individuals,
organizations, elected officials, and local, State, and Federal
agencies, and an electronic copy of the Draft CCP and EA was made
available on the Service's Web site. During the comment period, the
Refuge also hosted an open house to receive public comments and
feedback. An estimated 385 people attended the event and submitted more
than 130 written comments. In total, more than 500 comments were
received by the Service during the public review period. Based on
comments received, a fourth alternative was developed, followed by
another public comment period, which produced 50 additional comments
and a number of minor changes to the fourth alternative.
[[Page 29260]]
Selected Alternative
Based on input and feedback during the planning process,
alternative 4 was selected as the preferred alternative. The
alternative maintains a mixture of woodland, wetland, and grassland
habitats, with an emphasis on increasing native habitats such as
prairie and wet meadow. Moist soil management would continue, and there
would be additional study on methods for increasing the amount of
native foods for waterfowl within a 2,100-acre reservoir on the Refuge.
The alternative also calls for measuring Refuge water needs,
identifying source water, and working with others to address watershed
issues, including water quality and flooding. Monitoring migratory
birds and threatened and endangered species would inform management
actions to benefit these species. The introduction of duck hunting and
small game hunting would add to existing wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities available on the Refuge.
Background
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 et seq.), requires the Service to develop a CCP
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 Service policies. In
addition to outlining broad management direction for conserving
wildlife and their habitats, the CCP identifies 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 National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act
of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321-4370d).
Dated: February 24, 2011.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort
Snelling, Minnesota.
[FR Doc. 2011-12411 Filed 5-19-11; 8:45 am]
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