[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61378-61379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25317]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2011-N099; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, Clallam County, WA;
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 Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge or NWR)
in Clallam County, Washington. 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 send your written comments by
November 3, 2011. We will announce opportunities for public input in
local news media throughout the CCP process.
ADDRESSES: Additional information concerning the refuge is available on
our Web site: http://www.fws.gov/washingtonmaritime/dungeness/. Send
your comments or requests for more information by any of the following
methods:
E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Dungeness NWR CCP''
in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Kevin Ryan, Project Leader, (360) 457-9778.
U.S. Mail: Kevin Ryan, Project Leader, Dungeness National Wildlife
Refuge, 715 Holgerson Road, Sequim, WA 98382.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Ryan, Project Leader, phone
(360) 457-8451, or e-mail kevin_ryan@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP/EA
for Dungeness NWR. This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1)
Advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our
intention to conduct detailed planning on this refuge 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 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 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 (NWRS), 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 NWRS.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for the
public; Tribal, State, and local governments; agencies; and
organizations. At this time we encourage input in the form of issues,
concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of Dungeness
Refuge.
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.
Dungeness Refuge
The refuge was established in 1915 as a ``refuge, preserve, and
breeding ground for native birds'' (Executive Order 2123). The refuge's
approved boundary encompasses 773 acres of sand spit, tidelands, and
upland forest habitat along Washington's Strait of Juan de Fuca; of
this, the Service manages 325 acres through perpetual easements and
owns and manages approximately 448 acres.
Habitat types found on the refuge include beach, bluffs, coastal
strand, eelgrass beds, mudflats, coastal lagoon, salt marsh, natural
and constructed freshwater wetlands, and mixed conifer forests. At 5.5-
miles (8.9 kilometers), Dungeness Spit is the longest natural sand spit
in the United States. Graveyard Spit, which is attached to Dungeness
Spit, is designated as a Research Natural Area due to the quality of
its native plant community, which provides an excellent representation
of coastal strand. The refuge's eelgrass beds are important over-
wintering and staging areas for Brant. Numerous other birds use the
refuge during migration and winter, including dabbling and diving
ducks, shorebirds, and bald eagles. Dungeness Refuge also provides
breeding habitat for black oystercatchers, pigeon guillemots, and
forest birds. Harbor seals use the refuge to pup, haulout, and molt.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
that we may address in the CCP. We have briefly summarized these issues
below. During public scoping, we may identify additional issues.
Should we actively manage the Dawley Unit's forest to
enhance old growth forest characteristics and/or marbled murrelet
habitat, and if so, how?
Should we enhance the refuge's eelgrass beds, and/or
mitigate
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anticipated impacts to the eelgrass beds from climate change?
How can we reduce marine debris and derelict fishing gear
on and adjacent to the refuge?
How can we reduce the risks of and impacts from oil spills
and other contaminants on the refuge?
Which invasive species should be our highest priorities
for monitoring and control measures? How can we prevent the
introduction and dispersal of invasive plants and animals?
How should we address the anticipated impacts of climate
change and sea level rise on the refuge's wildlife and habitat in the
CCP and environmental document?
What research or monitoring studies are needed to improve
wildlife and habitat management?
How can we reduce human-caused wildlife disturbance
impacts on and adjacent to the refuge, and improve compliance with
refuge regulations?
How can we improve the refuge's environmental and cultural
education and interpretation programs, partnerships, and other priority
public uses that are compatible with the refuge's conservation
purposes? How can we enhance opportunities for people with disabilities
to experience refuge resources?
Public Meetings
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting. You can obtain the schedule from our Web site or the project
leader (see ADDRESSES). We will also announce the public meeting
through other media outlets. In addition, you may send comments anytime
during the planning process by mail, e-mail, or fax (see ADDRESSES).
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: August 16, 2011.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2011-25317 Filed 10-3-11; 8:45 am]
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