[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33339-33340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14208]
[[Page 33339]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS R1-R-2010-N223; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Black River Unit
of Nisqually NWR; Comprehensive Conservation Plans and Environmental
Assessments
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare comprehensive conservation plans (CCP) for Grays Harbor
National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) and Nisqually National Wildlife
Refuge's Black River Unit (Unit) (collectively, Refuges). We will also
prepare environmental assessments (EA) to evaluate the environmental
effects of the CCPs' various alternatives. We provide this notice in
compliance with our CCP policy to advise the public, other Federal and
State agencies, and Tribes, of our intentions, and to obtain public
comments, suggestions, and information on the scope of issues to
consider in the planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
July 8, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Information about the Refuge Units is available on our Web
sites: http://www.fws.gov/graysharbor/ and http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/management/bru_general.html. Send your comments or requests
for information by any of the following methods.
E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Grays Harbor/Black
River CCPs'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Jean Takekawa, Project Leader, (360) 534-9302.
U.S. Mail: Project Leader, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, 100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia, WA 98516.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Takekawa, (360) 753-9467.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing the
Refuges' CCPs/EAs. This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1)
Advise the public, other Federal and State agencies, and Tribes of our
intention to conduct detailed planning on the Refuges; and (2) obtain
suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the
EAs and during development of the CCPs.
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 (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
compatible 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 CCPs at least every 15
years in accordance with the Refuge Administration Act.
Each unit of the Refuge System 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 Refuge System 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 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 the Refuges.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project and
develop EAs 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.
The Refuges
Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge's approved boundary encompasses 1,500 acres of estuary
and uplands in Grays Harbor County, WA; of this, the Service owns
approximately 1,411 acres, and leases 63 acres from the Port of Grays
Harbor. The Refuge was established in 1990 for the following purposes.
To conserve fish and wildlife populations and their
habitats, including but not limited to western sandpiper, dunlin, red
knot, long-billed dowitcher, short-billed dowitcher, and other
shorebirds and migratory birds, including birds of prey.
To fulfill U.S. international treaty obligations with
regard to fish and wildlife and their habitats.
To conserve those species known to be threatened with
extinction.
To provide opportunities, consistent with the Refuge's
wildlife conservation purposes, for wildlife-oriented recreation,
education, and research.
For the development, advancement, management,
conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources.
For the benefit of the Service, in performing its
activities and services.
The Refuge encompasses an area known as Bowerman Basin. Refuge
habitats include open tidal water, intertidal mudflats, tidal salt and
brackish marshes, and forests. The Refuge provides important migratory
habitat for western sandpiper, dunlin, semi-palmated and black-bellied
plover, red knot, short-billed dowitcher, greater yellowlegs, and other
shorebird species; common loon, red-breasted and common mergansers,
Caspian tern, gulls, double-crested cormorants, and other waterbirds;
American wigeon, northern pintail, gadwall, American green-winged teal,
bufflehead, mallard, and other ducks; Canada, cackling, white-fronted,
and other geese; bald eagle, peregrine falcon, merlin, northern
harrier, and other raptors; and many neotropical migratory birds.
Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
The following preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities have
been identified for the Refuge, and may be evaluated in the CCP.
Additional issues may be identified during public scoping.
Habitat management and restoration. What management
actions are needed to sustain and restore
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priority species and habitats over the next 15 years? How is the
quality of the Refuge's shorebird habitat being impacted by
sedimentation? What effects will climate change and sea level rise have
on Refuge habitats and species?
Invasive species control. Invasive species degrade habitat
for shorebirds, migratory birds, and many other fish and wildlife. How
can we reduce the incidence and spread of invasive species?
Visitor experiences and education opportunities. Wildlife
observation, interpretation, and photography, and environmental
education are provided at the Refuge. How can we improve these
programs? What visitor facilities are needed? What volunteer programs
and partnerships can we develop to improve outreach and education? How
can we reduce trespassing, vandalism, and other illegal activities on
the Refuge, and improve wildlife and habitat protection?
Black River Unit
The Unit is located southwest of Olympia, WA. The Unit's approved
boundary encompasses approximately 3,960 acres. The Service currently
owns and manages more than 1,300 acres within the approved boundary,
and land acquisition activities are ongoing as willing sellers come
forward. The Unit was established in 1996 for the following purposes.
For use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other
management purpose, for migratory birds.
For the development, advancement, management,
conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources.
For the benefit of the Service, in performing its
activities and services.
The Unit consists of a large, complex mosaic of mostly wetland and
riparian habitats, and some upland habitats surrounding the low-lying
river. Its habitats include the Black River and tributary instream
channels, bog (a rare habitat locally), shrub swamp, riparian forest,
emergent marsh, wet and dry meadows, and fir-hemlock forest. Both the
upper Black River and associated wetlands are unusual features in the
Puget Trough. The Unit contains rearing habitat and migration corridors
for steelhead, coastal cutthroat trout, and coho and Chinook salmon. At
least 150 species of migratory birds, including waterfowl, marshbirds,
and neotropical songbirds, use the wetland and riparian habitats. One
Federally listed candidate species, the Oregon spotted frog (which is
also State listed as endangered), is found within the Unit. The Oregon
spotted frog is known to occur at only a few locations in Washington;
three of those locations fall within the Unit's approved boundary.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
for the Unit that we may address in the CCP. We have briefly summarized
these issues below. During public scoping we may identify additional
issues.
Land and water protection. What management actions are
needed to sustain and restore priority species and habitats, improve
habitat protection and connectivity, and reduce habitat fragmentation?
What are our options for improving water quality and quantity for fish
and wildlife in the Black River system?
Habitat management and restoration. How can we obtain the
data we need, regarding key species and habitat composition, to restore
degraded habitats and protect fish and wildlife species? How will
climate change and sea level rise affect the Unit's habitats and
species? How can we enhance our recovery efforts for the Oregon spotted
frog?
Invasive species control. How can we reduce the incidence
and spread of invasive species on the Unit?
Visitor services and education opportunities. What
wildlife-dependent public uses should we consider at the Unit? How can
we reduce trespassing, vandalism, and illegal activities on the Unit
and improve wildlife and habitat protection?
Public Meetings
Public meetings will be announced in press releases, planning
updates, and on our Web sites: http://www.fws.gov/graysharbor/ and
http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/management/bru_general.html.
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: May 4, 2011.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2011-14208 Filed 6-7-11; 8:45 am]
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