[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78940-78942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32589]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2011-N090; FXRS12650100000S3-123-FF01R06000]
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge, Blaine, Cassia, Minidoka, and
Power Counties, ID; 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, intend to prepare a
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for Minidoka National Wildlife
Refuge. We will also prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to
evaluate the potential effects of various CCP alternatives. We provide
this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise the public,
Federal and State agencies, and Tribes of our intentions, and to obtain
public comments,
[[Page 78941]]
suggestions, and information on the scope of issues to consider during
the planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
January 31, 2012. We will announce opportunities for public input in
local news media throughout the CCP planning process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
Email: jeffrey_krueger@fws.gov. Include ``Minidoka CCP/EA'' in the
subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Jeffrey Krueger, Refuge Manager, (208) 436-1570.
U.S. Mail: Jeffrey Krueger, Refuge Manager, Minidoka National
Wildlife Refuge, 961 E Minidoka Dam Road, Rupert, ID 83350-9471.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at 961 E Minidoka Dam Road, Rupert, ID 83350-9471.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Krueger, (208) 436-3589
(phone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
the Minidoka Refuge. 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
EA 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), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 (Refuge Administration Act), 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 may be 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 of 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 insure 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 the 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.
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909
for the purpose of serving as a refuge and breeding grounds for native
birds. The Refuge is located 12 miles northeast of Rupert, ID, in the
Snake River Plain, at approximately 4,200 feet in elevation. The area
was historically comprised of a portion of the Snake River surrounded
by an expansive sea of sagebrush, identified as the high desert. In
1904 the Bureau of Reclamation impounded the Snake River and created
Lake Walcott to store water for irrigation, and provide hydroelectric
power. The Refuge is primarily an overlay refuge superimposed over
Bureau of Reclamation lands and waters.
The Refuge boundary extends upstream approximately 25 miles from
the Minidoka Dam, along both shores of the Snake River. The Refuge
encompasses approximately 20,700 acres; of that, 11,300 acres are the
open waters of Lake Walcott and the Snake River, and 9,400 acres are
upland sagebrush and grassland habitats. The large expanse of open
water within the arid environment attracts numerous avian species,
including waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. The Service has
documented 243 species of birds on the Refuge, of which 85 species are
known to nest within the Refuge's boundaries.
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.
What is the Refuge's role in conserving Snake River Plain
wildlife and habitat?
What are our options for preventing the introduction and
dispersal of invasive plants and animals?
What is the most appropriate Refuge land management
strategy for providing contiguous and quality habitats for focal
wildlife resources?
How can we maintain, manage, and restore the Refuge's
sagebrush, wetland, and upland habitats, to support the long-term
viability of native wildlife populations, and maximize habitat values
for key wildlife species?
How can the Refuge adaptively manage habitat in response
to the effects of climate change?
How can we protect the Refuge's cultural and historical
resources?
What actions should we take to minimize disturbance to
nesting and migrating waterbirds and other wildlife on the Refuge?
How can we meet increasing demands for recreational
opportunities on the Refuge, and conduct quality visitor services
programs in a manner that protects wildlife from disturbances?
Public Meetings
We will involve the public through open houses, informational and
technical meetings, and written comments. We will release mailings,
news releases, and announcements to provide information about
opportunities for public involvement in the planning process.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, email 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
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to withhold your personal identifying information from public review,
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Dated: October 28, 2011.
Richard R. Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2011-32589 Filed 12-19-11; 8:45 am]
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