[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2992-2993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1113]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2009-N231; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Adams and Grant Counties, WA;
Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant
Impact for Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and a
finding of no significant impact for the environmental assessment for
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge (NWR/refuge). In this final CCP, we
describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years.
Implementation of the CCP is subject to the availability of funding and
any additional compliance requirements.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and finding
of no significant impact (FONSI) and environmental assessment (EA) by
any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM.
Refuge Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at www.fws.gov/columbia/management.html.
Email: mcriver@fws.gov. Include ``Columbia NWR Final CCP'' in the
subject line of the message.
Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia NWR Final CCP, 64
Maple Street, Burbank, WA 99323.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call (509) 546-8333 to make an
appointment during regular business hours at the address above.
Local Library: The document is also available for review at the
library listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Chase, Refuge Manager, (509)
488-2668 (phone); mcriver@fws.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we announce the completion of the CCP process for
Columbia NWR. We started this process through a notice in the Federal
Register (74 FR 25576; May 28, 2009). We released the draft CCP/EA to
the public, announcing and requesting comments in a notice of
availability in the Federal Register (76 FR 45600; July 29, 2011).
We announce our CCP decision and the availability of a FONSI for
Columbia NWR in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge
Administration Act) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40
CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We prepared an analysis of environmental
impacts, which we included in the EA that accompanied the draft CCP.
The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Columbia NWR
for the next 15 years. The selected alternative, as described in the
final CCP, is a combination of actions from alternatives 2 and 3 in the
draft CCP and is the basis for management direction.
Background
The 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 compatible 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.
Comments
We solicited comments on the draft CCP/EA for the refuge from July
29, 2011, to August 29, 2011 (76 FR 45600). All letters and comments
received were thoroughly evaluated and considered in the selection of a
final alternative. The only change to the alternatives in the draft CCP
was modifying the overnight closure of Morgan Lake Road to allow for
access starting 1\1/2\ hours before legal hunting time and ending 1\1/
2\ hours after legal hunting time during State hunting seasons.
Selected Alternative
All actions in the selected alternative are subject to available
funding and any other compliance requirements. Under the selected
alternative, refuge management will continue much as is, consistent
with available funding and staffing, except that 175 acres of emergent
marsh wetlands in Marsh Unit III will be converted to riparian habitat,
with other wetlands to potentially follow based on the success of the
first conversion. The Crab Creek channel will be restored, and stream
restoration will be a priority to provide for steelhead and redband
trout and improve riparian areas for migrating neotropical birds.
Specialized habitats (e.g., rock outcroppings) will receive more
planned attention. Grasslands will be maintained to provide for species
like the long-billed curlew, and cooperative farming agreements will
continue to provide green forage and grains for geese, waterfowl, and
Sandhill cranes, while emphasizing low-impact techniques. Habitats will
be maintained and protected for loggerhead shrikes, sagebrush lizards,
and a variety of raptors. Management of State and Federal species of
concern will be emphasized. Refuge lands will continue to be managed
using a mix of natural processes and substantial management
intervention. For example, many wetland areas are allowed to follow
natural succession--although noxious weed control, prescribed fire, and
other maintenance actions are undertaken--but several moist soil
management areas require water level manipulation, dike maintenance,
extensive soil preparation, planting, and other treatments. Land
transfers will be pursued to provide continuous blocks of habitats and
simplify management.
[[Page 2993]]
Public use will be a blend of active and passive. Horseback riding
and bicycling will continue, but camping will be eliminated. The Soda
Lake Campground will be converted to day-use facilities, and the area
around the Bluebird Campground will be available by permit for day use
as an educational site. Morgan Lake Road will be closed to overnight
travel. Facilities with increased accessibility will be developed to
promote compatible hunting and fishing. Waterfowl and big game hunting
opportunities will be expanded by opening new areas; providing for
additional hunting weapons; and implementing additional youth hunt
days, areas, and seasons. The waterfowl hunting lottery will be
discontinued in favor of first-come, first-served hunting. A new hiking
and interpretive trail will be developed within the Drumheller Channel
National Natural Landmark in cooperation with the National Park
Service. Seasonal and permanent wildlife observation blinds will be
provided. New interpretive and educational programs and brochures will
be developed, with an emphasis on building the volunteer program to
manage them. The Sandhill Crane Festival will remain a priority. Fish
stocking by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will
continue, with an approved fisheries management plan, but will be
discontinued in lakes where there is the highest likelihood of success
for northern leopard frog recovery.
Step-down plans on informational and interpretive signs, cultural
resource management, habitat management, and other management areas
related to the goals and objectives in this CCP will be developed.
Water rights and/or agreements will be pursued to ensure the
availability of water for moist soil management.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents at the following locations:
Agency Web Site: www.fws.gov/pacific/planning/.
Public Library: Othello Branch of Mid-Columbia Libraries,
101 East Main Street, Othello, WA 99344; (509) 488-9683.
Dated: November 17, 2011.
Michael Carrier,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2012-1113 Filed 1-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P