[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49011-49015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19891]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R2-R-2012-N160; FXRS12610200000S3-123-FF02R06000]
Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Brazoria, Fort
Bend, Matagorda, and Wharton Counties, TX; Comprehensive Conservation
Plan and Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
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[[Page 49012]]
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and an
environmental assessment (EA) for public review and comment. The draft
CCP/EA describes our proposal for managing the Texas Mid-Coast National
Wildlife Refuge Complex for the next 15 years. The Complex, which
includes Brazoria, San Bernard, and Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuges
(NWRs), is located approximately 50 miles south of Houston, Texas.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
August 15, 2012. We will announce upcoming public meetings in local
news media.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or requests for copies or more
information on the Draft CCP/EA by any of the methods listed below. You
may request hard copies or a CD-ROM of the documents. Please contact
Jennifer Sanchez, Project Leader, or Carol Torrez, Lead Planner/R2 NWRS
NEPA Coordinator.
Email: carol_torrez@fws.gov. Include ``TMC NWR Complex Draft CCP
and EA'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Carol Torrez, 505-248-6803.
U.S. Mail: Carol Torrez, Lead Planner/NWRS NEPA Coordinator, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, NWRS Division of Planning, P.O. Box 1306,
Albuquerque, NM 87103.
In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: You may drop off comments
during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at 500 Gold Street
SW., 4th Floor, Room 4336, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Sanchez, Project Leader,
Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, CCP--Project, 5247 CR
316, Brazoria, TX 77422; phone: 979-964-4011; fax: 979-964-4021.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for the Texas Mid-
Coast NWR Complex. We started this process through a notice in the
Federal Register (74 FR 29714; June 23, 2009).
The Complex is located along the upper Texas Gulf Coast,
approximately 50 miles south of Houston, Texas. It is comprised of
three refuges: Brazoria NWR, which was established in 1966, and
encompasses 44,414 acres; San Bernard NWR, which was established in
1968, and encompasses 52,400 acres; and Big Boggy NWR, which was
established in 1983, and encompasses 4,526 acres. These lands provide a
vital complex of salt and freshwater marshes, sloughs, ponds, coastal
prairies, and bottomland hardwood forests that provide habitat for a
wide variety of resident and migratory wildlife.
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 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
Formal scoping began with publication of a notice of intent to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment
(EA) in the Federal Register on June 23, 2009 (74 FR 29714). The Refuge
solicited comments on issues and concerns to aid in CCP development
through three open house meetings held in September 2009.
An ecoregion-wide coordination meeting was held at the Complex's
Discovery Center on December 2, 2009, to gain a better understanding of
the issues within the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Ecoregion, where
the Complex is located, and to determine the Complex's role in
addressing issues impacting fish, wildlife, and their habitats within
the larger landscape. In February 2010, the Complex met with
representatives from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to discuss
their concerns regarding past management, future management, and issues
common to both agencies.
Additional public scoping for the Land Protection Planning process
was conducted in January 2012. Three open house meetings were held to
provide information on the proposed expansion and respond to questions
and concerns.
The feedback received at the conclusion of the public involvement
period identified numerous concerns from a variety of stakeholders.
These concerns were organized by five broad issue categories and one
administrative category: Ecoregion, Habitat, Wildlife, Visitor
Services, and Facilities/Infrastructure Management.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
During the public scoping process with which we started work on
this draft CCP, we, other governmental partners, Tribes, and the
public, raised multiple issues. Our draft CCP addresses them. A full
description of each alternative is in the EA. To address these issues,
we developed and evaluated the following alternatives, summarized
below.
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Alternative A--no Alternative B--
Issue topic action proposed action Alternative C
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Ecoregion Management Issue 1: Climate Supplement natural Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B
Change. forest regeneration plus increase plus increase
with restoration restoration efforts; restoration efforts
efforts; monitor utilize exchange of above described
carbon sequestration; carbon credits; gather levels.
conduct education baseline data on
programs; and use habitat composition/
``green'' technologies wildlife diversity;
and building products update refuge
on all new displays; and increase
construction. use of ``green''
technologies.
Ecoregion Management Issue 2: Erosion/ Construct/Use a variety Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A
Saltwater Intrusion. of structural and some plus increase the plus increase the
restoration techniques types and amounts of types and amounts of
at various locations. structural and structural and
restoration techniques restoration techniques
used. used.
[[Page 49013]]
Ecoregion Management Issue: 3 Follow direction of Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
Wildland Fire Use. current Fire
Management Plan (FMP).
Ecoregion Management Issue 4: Work cooperatively with Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
Petroleum Development. companies to minimize
impacts to refuge
resources.
Ecoregion Management Issue 5: Land The Complex will The Complex will Same as Alternative B.
Conservation. continue to acquire acquire lands under
lands under the 1997 the new Land
Austin's Woods Protection Plan up to
Conservation Plan 70,000 acres.
until the 28,000-acre
cap is reached.
Habitat Management Issue 1: Gulf Cooperative haying Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative B
Coast Prairie and Marshes-- conducted; wetland and plus increase acreage plus develop seed bank
Restoration and Management. farmland of haying, and on prairie restoration
rehabilitation. Native increase number of areas.
prairie restoration. rehabilitation
projects. Increase
prairie restoration.
Habitat Management Issue 2: Gulf Mechanical, chemical, Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B
Coast Prairie and Marshes-- and prescribed fire plus increase the but diversify the
Management of Invasive Species use allowed; grazing types and amounts of types of management
(Flora). not allowed. management prescriptions used,
prescriptions used, including bison
including limited grazing.
livestock grazing.
Habitat Management Issue 3: Gulf Allowed Complex-wide to Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
Coast Prairie and Marshes-- improve habitats and
Prescribed Fire Use. reduce hazardous fuels.
Habitat Management Issue 4: Gulf Cooperative farming and Same as A, plus Reduce cooperative
Coast Prairie and Marshes--Farming force account farming incorporate additional farming acres at
Program. occur on all three moist soil units into Brazoria NWR and
refuges. farming rotation at eliminate farming at
Brazoria NWR. Big Boggy and San
Bernard NWRs.
Habitat Management Issue 5: Gulf Restore prairie pothole Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B
Coast Prairie and Marshes--Water hydrology as plus drill additional plus increase water
Management. opportunity arises; wells, and develop new/ availability through
use established wells rehabilitate existing the development of
to provide freshwater water control partnerships and
to moist soil units structures. purchase of water
during drought rights; expand
periods; and purchase wetlands; and
water from various rehabilitate marshes.
water authorities
annually.
Habitat Management Issue 6: Allow natural Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
Bottomland Hardwood Forest-- regeneration; where
Restoration. appropriate add
supplemental planting
of hardwood species;
treat invasive species.
Habitat Management Issue 7: Restore previously Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
Bottomland Hardwood Forest--Water drained wetlands.
Management.
Habitat Management Issue 8: Dune and Management of beach Cooperatively work with Same as Alternative B.
Beach Management. resources has not been County and General
clearly defined due to Land Office (GLO) to
recent silting in of provide additional
Cedar Lakes Cut and protection on San
trespass across upland Bernard Beach
vegetation on private restricting type of
land to access the Cut. access and activities
by visitors that would
be compatible with
Refuge Purpose.
Wildlife Management Issue 1: Implement the Sea Same as A, plus if Same as Alternative B.
Threatened and Endangered Species. Turtle Recovery Plan. reintroduction of APC
and whooping crane
occur, implement APC
and whooping crane
recovery plans.
Wildlife Management Issue 2: Manage a variety of Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
Migratory Bird Species and Species habitats for resting,
of Special Management Concern. feeding, and
reproductive purposes.
Wildlife Management Issue 3: Hunting and trapping Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A,
Management of Invasive Species used to control feral plus release natural but diversify the
(Fauna). hogs. Baiting and predators to control types of management
broad scale treatments ants. prescriptions used for
to control ants. each invasive.
Visitor Services Issue 1: Hunting.... Allowed in designated Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B
areas for waterfowl, plus provide a youth plus provide a
youth deer/feral hog waterfowl hunt; revise population reduction
hunt on San Bernard the hunting schedule deer hunt.
NWR, and a youth feral at two locations.
hog hunt. One permit
area and ATV use
allowed in designated
area for disabled
hunters.
Visitor Services Issue 2: Fishing.... Allowed on all Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
navigable waters and
from designated
locations.
[[Page 49014]]
Visitor Services Issue 3: Wildlife Brazoria and San Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.
Observation. Bernard NWRs open to plus construct
wildlife observation; additional photo
visitors directed to blinds, new trails, a
designated public use boardwalk, and road
areas. pull-offs to provide
for additional
opportunity.
Visitor Services Issue 4: Wildlife Photo blind at Hudson Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.
Photography. Woods. plus develop
additional photography
opportunities.
Visitor Services Issue 5: Various programs and Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.
Environmental Education. events conducted. plus increase number
of programs conducted
and expand programs
into additional school
districts at San
Bernard NWR.
Visitor Services Issue 6: One annual 3-day event. Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.
Interpretation. plus expand organized
interpretive programs
at a variety of Refuge
venues on a monthly
basis.
Visitor Services Issue 7: Historical sites are Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
Preservation of Historic Sites. identified and
interpreted in public
use areas when
appropriate.
Visitor Services Issue 8: Entrance No entrance fee Require entrance fee... Provide donation boxes
Fee. required. at various public use
areas.
Facilities Issue 1: Visitor Visitor contact station Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A
Orientation. located at Brazoria plus additional plus construct stand-
NWR Discovery Center. Visitor Contact alone Visitor Center
Station at San Bernard at San Bernard NWR
NWR. Field Office.
Facilities Issue 2: Visitor Use-- Hiking trail provided Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.
Trails. at Brazoria and San plus construct a new
Bernard NWRs. trail at Brazoria NWR
Field Office; provide
bicycle access at Dow
Woods Unit.
Facilities Issue 3: Visitor--Non- Canoe/Kayak launches Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B
Motorized Boat Launches Visitor. provided at San plus construct one plus construct two
Bernard and Brazoria additional launch. additional launches.
NWRs.
Facilities Issue 4: Visitor--Signs/ Signs and exhibits at Construct new exhibits Same as Alternative B.
Exhibits. Brazoria and San and signs and improve
Bernard NWRs. quality and content of
existing exhibits and
signs.
Facilities Issue 5 Visitor--Roadways. Vehicular access Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
allowed on designated
refuge roads.
Facilities Issue 6: Administrative-- Recreation vehicle pads Construct new Same as A, plus
Volunteer. provided at Brazoria recreation vehicle construct additional
and San Bernard NWRs. site at Brazoria NWR, facilities at Brazoria
and expand recreation NWR.
vehicle sites at San
Bernard NWR; include
additional facilities
at both locations.
Facilities Issue 7: Administrative A variety of Construct new Same as Alternative B.
Facilities. administrative/ administrative/
maintenance facilities maintenance facilities
available at various at various refuges.
refuges.
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Public Availability of Documents
In addition to any methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents at the following locations:
Texas Mid-Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Headquarters Office, CR 316, Brazoria, TX, between the hours of 8 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Our web site: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Plan/plansinprogress.html.
At the following public libraries:
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Library Address Phone No.
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Brazoria County Library City of 250 Circle Way, Lake 979-297-1271
Lake Jackson Branch. Jackson, TX 77566.
Brazoria County Library West 518 East Brazos, West 979-345-3394
Columbia Branch. Columbia, TX 77486.
Bay City Public Library........ 1100 7th Street, Bay 979-245-6931
City, Texas 77414.
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Submitting Comments/Issues for Comment
We consider comments substantive if they:
Question, with reasonable basis, the accuracy of the
information in the document;
Question, with reasonable basis, the adequacy of the
environmental assessment (EA);
Present reasonable alternatives other than those presented
in the EA; and/or
Provide new or additional information relevant to the
assessment.
Next Steps
After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and
address them in the form of a final CCP and finding of no significant
impact.
[[Page 49015]]
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 to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Dated: July 26, 2012.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Regional Director, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-19891 Filed 8-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P