[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 146 (Friday, July 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45600-45602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19200]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2011-N088; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Adams and Grant Counties, WA;
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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our draft comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for the Columbia National
Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) for public review and comment. The Draft CCP/
EA describes our proposal and alternatives for managing the Refuge for
the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
August 29, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may download a copy of the Draft CCP/EA from our Web
site: http://www.fws.gov/columbia/. You may submit comments on the
Draft CCP/EA or request a copy of it on CD-ROM by any of the following
methods. A limited number of printed copies are also available.
E-mail: mcriver@fws.gov. Include ``Columbia Draft CCP/EA'' in the
subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Kelly Chase, (509) 546-8303.
U.S. Mail: Kelly Chase, Refuge Manager, Columbia National Wildlife
Refuge, 64 Maple Street, Burbank, WA 99323.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Haas, (509) 546-8333 (phone); or
daniel_haas@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for the Refuge. The
Service began this process by publishing a notice of intent in the
Federal Register (74 FR 25576) on May 28, 2009.
The Refuge is located in the high desert of central Washington. It
encompasses 29,656 acres of grassland, shrub-steppe, lake, and wetland
habitats. The Refuge was established in 1944, in conjunction with the
Columbia Basin Irrigation Project (CBIP), and has been actively managed
since 1955. The Refuge's primary purposes are as a refuge and breeding
ground for
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migratory birds and other wildlife, and for use as an inviolate
sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.
The Refuge was created as a breeding ground for migratory birds;
however, it is primarily an important stopover during migration.
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 that are compatible with a
refuge's purposes, and 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.
Public Outreach
The Service began the public scoping phase of the CCP planning
process by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (74 FR
25576) on May 28, 2009, announcing our intention to complete a CCP/EA
for the Refuge, inviting the public to a public open house meeting, and
requesting public comments. Simultaneously, we distributed Planning
Update 1 to our mailing list, announcing the beginning of the CCP
planning process, requesting comments on Refuge management issues, and
inviting the public to attend a public open house meeting. The public
meeting was held June 16, 2009, in Othello, Washington.
In February 2011 we distributed Planning Update 2. The update
included a summary of the comments we received, and our draft
management alternatives, goals, and objectives. The public comments we
received throughout the planning process were considered during
development of the Draft CCP/EA.
Draft CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
During the public scoping process we identified a number of issues
in Planning Update 1, and in the comments we received from the public,
government agencies, and Tribes. To address these issues, we developed
and evaluated three alternatives for managing the Refuge. A full
description of each alternative is in the Draft CCP/EA. All of the
alternatives will include actions to control invasive species, develop
or improve partnerships, continue coordination with the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife, develop volunteer opportunities, and
make restoration of habitats a top priority. A brief summary of each
alternative follows.
Alternative 1
Alternative 1 is our no action alternative; under it we would
continue current management programs. Refuge lands would continue to be
managed using a mix of natural processes and habitat maintenance
activities. For example, we allow many wetland areas to follow natural
succession; however, we conduct noxious weed control, prescribed fire,
and other maintenance actions within them. Several moist soil
management areas also require water level manipulation, dike
maintenance, extensive soil preparation, plantings, and other
treatments. Several specialized habitats, such as rock outcroppings and
alkali wetlands, are not actively managed. A cooperative farming
program is conducted on the Refuge that provides food sources for
migratory birds and other wildlife. Waterfowl habitat is actively
managed. Management for State or Federal species of concern, such as
the Washington ground squirrel, is limited.
The Refuge's annual Sandhill Crane Festival attracts hundreds of
people from throughout the Northwest and the rest of the United States.
Other compatible public uses include hunting, fishing, wildlife
photography and observation, and environmental education and
interpretation; however, facilities to accommodate these activities are
limited. The Refuge stocks sport fish; however, it lacks a fishing
platform that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA). The Refuge conducts a hunting lottery for a few waterfowl
blinds, and other hunting occurs in compliance with Refuge-specific
regulations and law enforcement. A small number of trails are provided
for hiking and wildlife viewing. A few interpretive signs are provided,
and environmental education programs are limited and sporadic.
Alternative 2
Under Alternative 2, Refuge management actions would be similar to
Alternative 1, with a number of improvements. Approximately 175 acres
of emergent wetlands in Marsh Unit III would be converted to riparian
habitat. The Crab Creek channel would be restored. Specialized habitats
(e.g., rock outcroppings) would be managed. Farming would continue
using low-impact techniques. Management of State and Federal species of
concern would be emphasized.
Visitor use would focus on compatible wildlife observation,
photography, and interpretation. The Sandhill Crane Festival would
remain a priority. Camping, horseback riding, and bicycling uses may
change, or be restricted or eliminated, to enhance various habitats.
Additional facilities would be developed, including seasonal
photography blinds and an ADA-compliant fishing area and hunting blind.
Compatible waterfowl hunting would continue; however, the permanent
blinds would be removed (excluding the ADA-compliant blinds), and the
lottery would be eliminated. Morgan Lake Road would be closed to
overnight travel. Interpretive and educational programs would be
limited; however, numerous Refuge brochures would be developed to
enhance recreational use of the Refuge.
Alternative 3
Refuge management actions under Alternative 3 would be much the
same as Alternative 2, with a greater emphasis on visitor services. The
Soda Lake Campground would be converted to day-use facilities, and the
area around the Bluebird Campground would be available by permit, as a
day-use educational site. To promote hunting and fishing opportunities,
ADA-compliant facilities would be developed. Compatible waterfowl and
big game hunting opportunities would be expanded by opening new areas,
and implementing additional youth hunt days, areas, and seasons. The
waterfowl blinds and hunting lottery would be retained. Horseback
riding and bicycling would continue. Morgan Lake Road would remain open
for 24-hour use. A new hiking and interpretive trail would be developed
within the Drumheller Channel National Natural Landmark. Seasonal and
permanent wildlife observation blinds would be provided. New
interpretive and educational programs would be developed, and new
brochures to aid Refuge visitors would
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be developed. The Sandhill Crane Festival would remain a priority. Fish
stocking would continue in some lakes; however, to support northern
leopard frog recovery, we would discontinue fish stocking in lakes that
have the highest likelihood of the species recovery success, as
determined by an interdisciplinary team of experts.
Public Availability of Documents
We encourage you to review and comment on the proposals we have
developed in the Draft CCP/EA. The Draft CCP/EA is available on our Web
site or by request from the Refuge (see ADDRESSES).
Next Steps
After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and
address them in the final CCP and decision document.
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 20, 2011.
Richard Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2011-19200 Filed 7-28-11; 8:45 am]
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