[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 164 (Thursday, August 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 51044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20723]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2011-N172; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge, PR; Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact
for Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental
assessment for Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in
Lajas, Puerto Rico. In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage
this refuge for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the CCP by writing to: Mr. Oscar
D[iacute]az, P.O. Box 510, Boquer[oacute]n, PR 00622. Alternatively,
you may download the document from our Internet Site: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning/ under ``Final Documents.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Oscar D[iacute]az, at 787/851-7258
(telephone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for the refuge. We
started this process through a Federal Register notice on May 16, 2007
(72 FR 27588).
We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and
FONSI for Laguna Cartagena NWR in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We
completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment,
which we included in the draft comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA).
Compatibility determinations for wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, environmental education and interpretation, fishing, non-
commercial harvesting of wild tropical fruits and plants, haying,
research studies, wildlife surveying and monitoring, scientific
collections, and camping (associated with environmental education,
interpretation, and conservation projects) are available in the CCP.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (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
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Comments
We made copies of the Draft CCP/EA available for a 30-day public
review and comment period via a Federal Register notice on May 2, 2011
(76 FR 24511). Several comments were received.
Selected Alternative
We developed three alternatives for managing the refuge. After
considering the comments we received and based on the professional
judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative B for
implementation. Under Alternative B, we will provide greater management
of all habitats and associated plant communities. We will reintroduce
native fish to the lagoon and actively support birds that are
threatened, endangered, or of management interest, including West
Indian whistling ducks and kestrels.
Under this alternative, specific activities that will be expanded
or introduced will include: (1) Initiating surveys for bats, breeding
birds, waterfowl, and species such as the Puerto Rican nightjar,
yellow-shouldered black bird, and short-eared owl; (2) managing
endangered plant populations, including Aristida chaseae; (3)
constructing a plant nursery and increasing native vegetative planting
in the uplands; (4) reducing the occurrence of exotic species; and (5)
managing the lagoon's water quality and open-water restoration efforts.
Under this alternative, we will conduct historical/archaeological
surveys of the entire refuge. Visitor services facilities and programs
will be expanded. Specifically, improving parking areas, providing
additional directional signs, improving and updating our refuge Web
site, creating a refuge brochure, developing a trail system and an
additional photo platform at La Tinaja, and increasing onsite
environmental education programs and community interpretive programs
will all be undertaken under this alternative. We will also work to
expand our volunteer program. Additional staff, such as a biologist,
biological technician, two engineering equipment operators, forestry
technician (fire), park ranger or environmental education specialist,
GIS specialist (shared with other refuges in Puerto Rico, and law
enforcement officer (shared with Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge),
will be needed to implement this management action.
Authority
This notice is published under the authority of the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105-57.
Dated: August 31, 2011.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the
Federal Register on August 20, 2012.
[FR Doc. 2012-20723 Filed 8-22-12; 8:45 am]
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