[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41284-41286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17423]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2011-N089; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Cold Springs and McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuges, Umatilla
County, OR; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental
Assessment
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 a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental
assessment (EA) for Cold Springs and McKay Creek National Wildlife
Refuges, located in Umatilla County, Oregon. 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 in the
planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please provide your written comments by
August 12, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods:
E-mail: mcriver@fws.gov. Include ``Cold Springs and McKay
Creek NWRs CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Lamont Glass, Refuge Manager, (509) 546-8303.
U.S. Mail: Mid Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, Cold Springs and McKay Creek CCP, 64 Maple Street, Burbank, WA
99323.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during
regular business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lamont Glass, Refuge Manager, Cold
Springs and McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuges, (509) 546-8313
(phone), lamont_glass@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Cold Springs and McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs), in
Umatilla County, Oregon. This notice complies with our CCP policy to
(1) Advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and
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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. 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 Refuge Administration Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife 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 National Wildlife 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 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 Cold Springs and McKay
Creek NWRs.
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.
Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge
Cold Springs NWR covers 3,117 acres of rich and diverse wetland
habitats, surrounded by upland habitat of big sagebrush and native
steppe grasses. Cold Springs NWR was created by President Theodore
Roosevelt on February 25, 1909, as ``preserves and breeding grounds for
native birds'' and ``for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any
other management purpose, for migratory birds.'' It overlays Cold
Springs Reservoir, a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) storage facility,
the primary source of irrigation water for local agriculture. The
Service manages the lands, whereas the reservoir's water levels are
regulated by the BOR. Full pool occurs in May with 1,550 acres of open
water. By late August, an average of only 200 acres of water remain.
A mix of several distinct habitat types--open water, riparian,
shrub-steppe upland, and seasonal wetlands--attracts a variety of
wildlife to the refuge. The open water habitat of the reservoir
provides isolation for the resting needs of migrating waterfowl. Large
numbers of waterfowl, primarily Canada geese and mallards, can be seen
on the open water in winter. They move between the reservoir and the
river daily, looking for food or quiet space.
Dense, wide stands of cottonwoods and willows represent the
riparian zones on Cold Springs NWR. The area where water meets the land
is especially important as it offers wildlife food and shelter choices.
The thick underbrush provides excellent habitat for many species of
songbirds and is a good place to look for deer, elk, and other animals
feeding or resting.
The shrub-steppe upland consists of sagebrush, bitterbrush,
rabbitbrush, and native bunchgrasses. Mule deer, coyote, badger, ring-
necked pheasant, California quail, and the small resident elk herd can
be seen using the uplands throughout the year. Swainson's, Cooper's,
and red-tailed hawks and American kestrels may be seen soaring over the
uplands.
McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge
McKay Creek NWR covers 1,837 acres nestled between the plains and
the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. The refuge was established by
President Calvin Coolidge on June 7, 1929, as ``a refuge and breeding
ground for birds * * * subject to the use * * * for grazing, and to any
other valid existing rights.'' It overlays the McKay Creek Reservoir, a
BOR storage facility, serving the irrigation needs of the Umatilla
River Basin. The Service manages the lands, whereas the water levels
are regulated by the BOR. At full pool the refuge consists of 1,300
acres of water and 537 acres of upland habitat. By late September, an
average of 250 acres of water remains at minimum pool.
The refuge serves as a recreational destination for residents of
nearby Pendleton, Oregon, receiving over 50,000 visitors annually. The
majority of visitors engage in fishing. Upland bird hunting is also
popular, with many area hunters taking part in the annual pursuit of
pheasant and quail. Other visitors simply enjoy bird watching, wildlife
photography, or nature.
The mix of several distinct habitat types, including open water,
riparian, and upland grasslands, along with the lack of other local
wetland habitats, elevates the importance of this refuge as a home to a
variety of wildlife and plant species. Aquatic habitats and open water
serve as resting and feeding grounds for wintering waterfowl, wading
birds, and migrating shorebirds. During peak winter migration, the
refuge historically supported large numbers of waterfowl. Mallards and
Canada geese comprise the majority of waterfowl, while American wigeon,
green-winged teal, and pintail account for smaller numbers.
Thick stands of willow and cottonwood represent the riparian zone--
the areas on the refuge where land meets water, which are especially
important to wildlife as they offers a variety of food and shelter.
Osprey nest in the cottonwoods, and bald eagles frequent the area in
fall and winter. The thick underbrush provides excellent habitat for
many species of songbirds, like yellow warblers and song sparrows, and
is a good place for deer and small animals to feed and rest. During the
late summer drawdown, migrating shorebirds can be seen probing the
exposed mudflats in search of high energy foods, while colonial nesting
birds, like great blue herons and egrets, stand still, waiting for
prey.
The surrounding upland grassland community comprises the remaining
refuge habitat and consists of a mix of grasses and forbs, including
wheatgrass and fescues. A variety of wildlife species can be seen using
the uplands throughout the year: ring-necked pheasant, quail, mule
deer, songbirds, and hawks.
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Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
for the refuges that we may address in the CCP. We have briefly
summarized these issues below. During public scoping, we may identify
additional issues.
Cold Springs NWR and McKay Creek NWR
The decline of waterfowl use at the refuges; management of wetland
habitats to best benefit waterfowl and other wildlife species;
management for long-term viability of riparian habitat; providing
benefits to shrub-steppe or grassland obligate species; management of
non-wildlife-oriented recreational activities given the increasing
visitation at the refuges; increasing the understanding of the natural
and cultural resources of the refuges; control of invasive and non-
native species; determining if big game hunting is a viable public use
at either or both refuges; effective law enforcement; the impacts of
climate change and increasing development; monitoring and control of
mosquitoes and related human health hazards.
Public Comments
Opportunities for the public to provide input will be announced in
press releases, planning updates, and on our Web sites at http://www.fws.gov/mcriver, http://www.fws.gov/coldsprings/management.html,
and http://www.fws.gov/mckaycreek/management.html. There will be
additional opportunities to provide public input throughout the CCP
process.
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: June 17, 2011.
Richard R. Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2011-17423 Filed 7-12-11; 8:45 am]
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