[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57107-57110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22960]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2012-N116; 12560-0000-10137 S3]
Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife
Refuges, Coos, Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, OR; Comprehensive
Conservation Plans and Environmental Assessments
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of the draft comprehensive conservation plans and
environmental assessments (Draft CCP/EAs) for three Oregon refuges--
Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges
(NWRs)--for public review and comment. Each refuge's Draft CCP/EA
describes our proposal for managing that refuge for the 15 years
following approval of the final CCP.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
October 22, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or requests for copies or more
information by any of the following methods. You may request printed
copies or a CD-ROM of the documents.
Email: oregoncoastCCP@fws.gov. Include ``Bandon Marsh, Nestucca
Bay, and Siletz Bay draft CCP and EA'' in the subject line of the
message.
[[Page 57108]]
Fax: Attn: Project Leader, 541-867-4551.
U.S. Mail: Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE
Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365.
In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 541-867-4550 to make
an appointment (necessary for viewing/pickup only) during regular
business hours at the above address. For more information on locations
for viewing or obtaining documents, see ``Public Availability of
Documents'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Web site: http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ccp_nes_slz_bdm.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader, Oregon
Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE Marine Science Drive,
Newport, OR 97365; phone (541) 867-4550 and fax (541) 867-4551.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Bandon Marsh,
Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges in Coos,
Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, Oregon, respectively. We started this
process through a notice in the Federal Register (75 FR 73121; November
29, 2010).
Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges
Bandon Marsh NWR was established in 1983, with the acquisition of
289 acres of salt marsh, mudflats, and tidal sloughs. The Bandon Marsh
Unit is located near the mouth of the Coquille River, with
approximately 25 percent of the Unit within the city limits of Bandon,
Oregon. The 582-acre Ni-les'tun Unit, established in 2000, is located
on the east side of Highway 101 on the north bank of the Coquille
River. A tidal marsh restoration project, completed in summer 2011 at
the Ni-les'tun Unit, restored 418 acres of historic tidal wetlands
within the lower Coquille River estuary. The total land base of Bandon
Marsh NWR is 889 acres.
The purpose for establishing Bandon Marsh NWR was ``for the
preservation and enhancement of the highly significant wildlife habitat
of the area known as Bandon Marsh, in the estuary of the Coquille River
* * * for the protection of migratory waterfowl, numerous species of
shorebirds, and fish, including Chinook and silver salmon, and to
provide opportunity for wildlife-oriented recreation and nature study
on the marsh * * *'' (95 Stat. 1709, dated Dec 29, 1981). The Ni-
les'tun Unit was added to Bandon Marsh NWR in order to (1) Protect and
restore intertidal marsh, freshwater marsh, and riparian areas to
provide a diversity of habitats for migratory birds, including
waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and songbirds; (2) restore
intertidal marsh habitat for anadromous fish such as the threatened
coho salmon, chinook, chum salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout; (3)
protect and restore habitat for species listed under the Endangered
Species Act as threatened or endangered; and (4) provide wildlife-
dependent public use opportunities compatible with refuge purposes.
Nestucca Bay NWR is located near Pacific City and Neskowin in
Tillamook County, Oregon. The refuge was established in 1991 with the
acquisition of a 370-acre dairy farm, and has since expanded to 1,010
acres. The primary need for establishing Nestucca Bay NWR was to
protect high-quality coastal habitats for dusky Canada geese and
threatened Aleutian Canada geese (delisted in 2001); other endangered
and threatened species; and a variety of other migratory waterfowl,
shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, anadromous fish, and other wildlife
while preserving part of Oregon's biodiversity. In 2001, the refuge was
expanded to include the Neskowin Marsh Unit (228 acres acquired),
located about 2.5 miles south of the Nestucca Bay Refuge Unit near the
community of Neskowin, Oregon. The Neskowin Marsh Unit incorporates
unique freshwater wetland and bog habitats and wildlife resources not
found within the initial refuge boundary.
Siletz Bay NWR is located near Lincoln City on the central coast of
Oregon. The refuge was established in 1991 with a donation of 40 acres
of tidally muted salt marsh. The approved acquisition refuge boundary
totals 1,936 acres and encompasses the northern tip of the Siletz spit,
vegetated and unvegetated tidelands of the bay, a portion of the diked
former tidelands of the Siletz River floodplain, and forested headlands
near the mouth of Schooner Creek and Drift Creek. Approximately 1,060
acres within the authorized boundary are State-owned tidelands.
Currently, refuge lands total 568 acres. The primary need for
establishing this refuge was to protect coastal wetland habitats and
upland buffers for a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, marine mammals,
endangered species, raptors, songbirds, fish, and other wildlife. The
refuge serves to protect the remaining coastal wetlands and uplands
adjacent to Siletz Bay from rapidly encroaching development, and
management emphasis has been to enhance and restore wetland and upland
habitats for a variety of estuarine-dependent fish and wildlife
species.
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, 111 Stat.
1254, 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, the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 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 each CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Refuge Administration Act. Implementing a CCP is subject to the
availability of funding and any additional compliance requirements.
Public Outreach
We began public outreach by publishing a notice of intent in the
Federal Register (75 FR 73121; November 29, 2010) announcing our intent
to complete a CCP and EA for each of the refuges and inviting public
comments. In November 2010, we distributed Planning Update 1 to our
mailing list and public outlets. On November 29 and 30 and December 2,
2010, we held public scoping meetings in Lincoln City, Pacific City,
and Bandon, Oregon, respectively, to meet with the public and identify
issues for evaluation. The meetings were announced through local media
outlets, on the refuges' Web sites, and in Planning Update 1. Some
scoping comments we received were about broad or long-range issues,
while others suggested very specific or detailed strategies that could
be used to achieve biological or public use objectives. Most of the
comments suggested changes or additions to the refuges' public use
programs; some examples were adding new areas where wildlife
observation and photography could be allowed,
[[Page 57109]]
establishing waterfowl hunting and fishing programs where none exist,
expanding interpretation and environmental education programs, or
partnering with local and State agencies and community groups that
share common goals for the refuges' natural resources.
We reviewed and evaluated the potential issues, management
concerns, and opportunities that we, our partners, and the public
identified during scoping. We used this information to define the
significant issues to be addressed in the CCP/EA for each refuge.
Preliminary draft alternatives were then developed to address these
issues and meet the goals and objectives of each refuge. In November
2011, we distributed Planning Update 2, which included a summary of the
scoping comments we received, a summary of our preliminary draft
alternatives, a planning schedule, notice of three public open house
meetings, and information on how and where to comment. On November 9,
10, and 16, 2011, we held public open house meetings in Lincoln City,
Pacific City, and Bandon, Oregon, respectively, to meet with the public
and solicit comments on our preliminary draft alternatives. Comments we
received have been considered and evaluated, with many incorporated
into the various alternatives addressed in each draft CCP/EA.
To better address issues raised regarding our Bandon Marsh NWR
boundary expansion study, we decided in February 2012 to conduct our
Land Protection Planning (LPP) process separately from the CCP.
Separating the LPP process from the CCP process will allow us to more
readily meet our CCP completion schedule, and focus more attention on
evaluating potential environmental, recreational, and socio-economic
benefits and impacts of our LPP alternatives, and respond to public
concerns.
Alternatives We Are Considering for Each Draft CCP/EA
During the public scoping process with which we started work on
these draft CCPs, we, other governmental partners, Tribes, and the
public raised several issues. Our draft CCPs address these issues. A
full description of each alternative is in the EA for each refuge. To
address these issues, we developed and evaluated the following
alternatives, briefly summarized below:
Bandon Marsh NWR
Alternative A: No Action
Under Alternative A, the refuge would continue with current
management, which focuses on protecting and maintaining habitats in
their current condition. Existing invasive species control and
monitoring programs would continue. Public use would remain limited to
wildlife observation and photography, interpretation and environmental
education, hunting, and fishing allowed on the Bandon Marsh Unit. The
only public uses on the Ni-les'tun Unit would be wildlife observation,
photography, and interpretation from the observation deck and
associated gravel trail, with no public entry into the remainder of the
unit. Existing structures would be maintained and the refuge would
continue to seek funding to replace or rehabilitate the Smith Tract
structures.
Alternative B: Enhanced Active Habitat Management and Restoration
This alternative would continue the activities in Alternative A;
however, Alternative B would expand the level of active habitat
management and restoration. Approximately 29 acres of grasslands
(former pastures) and 11 acres of forested wetlands would be restored.
Monitoring programs would be expanded. Wildlife observation and
photography would continue 7 days per week on the Bandon Marsh Unit,
and would be allowed daily during the non-waterfowl hunting season on a
portion of the Ni-les'tun Unit. The waterfowl hunting program, which
currently allows hunting on 256 acres of Bandon Marsh Unit 7 days per
week, would expand to also allow hunting on 300 acres of the Ni-les'tun
Unit 7 days per week. With regard to facilities and structures, the
Service would focus on participation in partner- and community-based
visitor information projects.
Alternative C: Enhanced Active Habitat Management and Restoration and
Visitor Services (Preferred Alternative)
All additional active habitat management, monitoring, and
restoration activities included in Alternative B are also included in
this alternative. A portion of the Ni-les'tun Unit would be open to
wildlife observation and photography daily during the non-waterfowl
hunting season. In addition to the existing waterfowl hunting program
on the Bandon Marsh Unit, hunting would be allowed on 300 acres of the
Ni-les'tun Unit 3 days per week. Fishing for cutthroat trout would be
permitted in Redd, No Name, and Fahys Creeks south of North Bank Lane,
in accordance with state regulations but with an additional refuge
regulation of artificial lures or flies only. The start of the season
would coincide with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's season
for trout fishing; however, the season on the refuge would end on
September 30 to avoid conflicts with the waterfowl hunting season.
Additional trails and parking lots would be constructed. Some
administrative and visitor facilities would be replaced. Off-refuge,
the Service would participate in partner- and community eco-tourism or
natural resource-based visitor centers.
Nestucca Bay NWR
Alternative A: No Action
Under Alternative A, the refuge would continue with current
management, which focuses on protecting and maintaining habitats in
their current condition and taking advantage of opportunities to
restore or enhance some habitats. Existing invasive species control and
monitoring programs would continue. The 346 acres of lowland pastures
would continue to be managed by cooperative farmers, and the upland
grasslands would be occasionally mowed and silaged, with small areas
enhanced with native prairie and Oregon silverspot butterfly habitat
plant species when possible. Public use would remain limited to the
wildlife observation, photography, interpretation, and minimal
environmental education programs offered at Cannery Hill. A trail and
observation deck would also be constructed. Existing structures would
remain in place and the refuge would continue to seek funding to
replace the deteriorating volunteer residence with a bunkhouse through
the standard funding process.
Alternative B: Enhanced Active Habitat Management and Monitoring
This alternative would continue many of the activities in
Alternative A, but would also include more active habitat management
and monitoring activities. The tsunami evacuation route through
Neskowin Marsh would remain open and, following a hydrological study,
redesigned to improve hydrology and accessibility. Some lowland
pastures would be restored to tidal marsh habitat and the remainder
would continue to be managed for wintering goose forage through
cooperative farming agreements. Approximately 25 acres of former
coastal prairie on Cannery Hill would be fully restored, and some
active
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forest management techniques would be employed along with invasive
species management. Public use changes include the construction of new
trails and an observation deck, allowing seasonal public access on a
portion of the Little Nestucca Restoration area, and allowing public
access on Brooten Marsh. A waterfowl hunting program would be
established on 108 acres at Brooten Marsh, 33 acres at the mouth of the
Little Nestucca River, and 82 acres at the Little Nestucca Restoration
area. The Service would seek funding to build a refuge office with a
visitor lobby under this alternative, as well as replacing the existing
volunteer residence with a bunkhouse.
Alternative C (Preferred Alternative): Enhanced Active Habitat
Management and Monitoring and Visitor Services
All lowland pastures would continue to be managed for wintering
goose habitat through cooperative farming agreements. A hydrological
study would be conducted and used to guide the future modification of
the tsunami evacuation route through Neskowin Marsh to improve
hydrology and accessibility. The Neskowin Marsh Unit would be proposed
for designation as a Research Natural Area. The 25-acre full
restoration of former coastal prairie on Cannery Hill would be focused
on specific life-history parameters needed by the threatened Oregon
silverspot butterfly, with the goal of introducing a nonessential
experimental population once habitat parameters specified in the Oregon
Silverspot Butterfly Recovery Plan are reached. An additional 14 acres
of upland grassland would also be restored to coastal prairie. New
trails and an observation deck would be constructed on Cannery Hill.
The Little Nestucca Restoration area would gain a trail as well as
graveled parking lots. Brooten Marsh would be opened to access for
wildlife observation and photography year round. A waterfowl hunting
program would be established on Brooten Marsh (108 acres) and the mouth
of the Little Nestucca River (33 acres), and clamming access would be
allowed through Brooten Marsh. To accommodate increasing visitation to
the refuge, the current refuge volunteer residence would be replaced
with a bunkhouse and small administrative office. The Service would
also remodel the north bay of the maintenance shop to accommodate two
offices: one for maintenance staff and a second for the refuge Friends
Group.
Siletz Bay NWR
Alternative A: No Action
Under Alternative A, the refuge would continue with current
management, which focuses on protecting and maintaining habitats in
their current condition and contributing to restoration and enhancement
of some habitats. Existing invasive species control and monitoring
programs would continue. The Service would continue to work with
private landowners and partners to acquire lands within the approved
refuge boundary with the intention of restoring full tidal action to
those properties. Partnerships would also continue to be cultivated for
the restoration of tidal marsh on privately-owned and state-owned
lands. Public use would remain limited to the interpreter-led, seasonal
paddle trips through Millport Slough and the Siletz River.
Alternative B: Enhanced Active Habitat Management
Under Alternative B, more active habitat management activities
would occur, such as inventory and management for late-successional
forest and closer coordination with the Oregon Division of State Lands
to monitor and treat invasive species. If feasible, tidal marsh
restoration would occur at Siletz Keys and Alder Island, and on any
additional diked lands acquired. Monitoring programs would be expanded.
Proposed new public use opportunities include opening Alder Island to
public access with development of a loop trail, viewing platform,
parking lot, and boat launch. Unrestricted walking would also be
allowed on lands south of Millport Slough. Walk-in bank fishing would
be allowed from Alder Island and lands south of Millport Slough. A
waterfowl hunting program would be established on 80 acres of refuge
lands west of Highway 101 7 days per week, as well as on 225 acres of
refuge lands north and south of Millport Slough and east of Highway 101
3 days per week.
Alternative C: Alternative B: Enhanced Active Habitat Management and
Visitor Services (Preferred Alternative)
All additional habitat monitoring and management activities
included in Alternative B are also included in this alternative.
Interpreter-led seasonal paddle trips would continue and potentially
expand with the development of the boat launch near Alder Island. A
loop trail, viewing platform, and parking lot would be developed at
Alder Island. Access to clamming would be allowed through Snag Alley
and walk-in bank fishing would be allowed from Alder Island only. A
waterfowl hunting program would be allowed daily in season on 80 acres
of refuge lands west of Highway 101 and 3 days per week on 97 acres of
refuge lands south of Millport Slough and east of Highway 101. A small
gravel parking lot and kiosk would be developed to support the Millport
Slough waterfowl hunting access.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to any methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents by calling the refuge complex at 541-867-4550 or visiting our
Web site at http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ccp_nes_slz_bdm.htm.
Printed copies will be available for review at the following libraries:
Bandon Public Library, 1204 11th St. SW., Bandon, OR 97411
Coquille Public Library, 105 N. Birch St., Coquille, OR
97423
Newport Public Library, 35 NW Nye St., Newport, OR 97365
Driftwood Public Library, 801 SW Hwy 101 201,
Lincoln City, OR 97367
Pacific City Public Library, 6200 Camp Street, Pacific
City, OR 97135
Tillamook County Library, 1716 3rd St., Tillamook, OR
97141
Submitting Comments/Issues for Comment
Public comments are requested, considered, and incorporated
throughout the planning process. Comments on each Draft CCP/EA will be
analyzed by the Service and addressed in the final planning documents.
See ADDRESSES for how to submit comments.
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: June 1, 2012.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22960 Filed 9-14-12; 8:45 am]
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