[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9692-9693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3648]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2011-N228;1265-0000-10137-S3]
Ke[amacr]lia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and Kakahai`a National
Wildlife Refuge, Maui County, HI; Final Comprehensive Conservation
Plans and Findings of No Significant Impact for the Environmental
Assessments
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plans (CCPs) and
findings of no significant impacts for the environmental assessments
for the Ke[amacr]lia Pond National Wildlife Refuge (refuge or NWR) and
Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge. In the final CCPs, we describe how
we plan to manage these refuges for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCPs and findings
of no significant impacts (FONSIs) and environmental assessments (EAs)
by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM.
Agency Web Site: Download the documents at www.fws.gov/pacific/planning.
Email: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR
final CCP'' or ``Kakahai`a NWR final CCP'' in the subject line of the
message.
Mail: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, Maui National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, P.O. Box 1042, K[imacr]hei, Hawai`i 96753.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call (808) 875-1582 to make an
appointment during regular business hours at Maui NWR Complex, Milepost
6, Mokulele Highway (Hwy. 311), K[imacr]hei, Hawai`i 96753.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, Maui
NWR Complex, phone number (808) 875-1582.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we announce the completion of the CCP processes
for Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR and Kakahai`a NWR. The Service started this
process through a notice of intent in the Federal Register on October
20, 2009 (74 FR 53755). We released the draft CCPs/EAs to the public,
announcing and requesting comments in a notice of availability in the
Federal Register (76 FR 52008; August 19, 2011).
We announce our CCP decisions and the availability of the FONSIs
for the EAs 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 a thorough analysis of
impacts, which we included in the EAs that accompanied the draft CCPs.
The CCPs will guide us in managing and administering the refuges
for the next 15 years. Alternative C, as described in the draft CCPs
for each refuge, is the basis for the CCPs.
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 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
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.
The Ke[amacr]lia Pond and Kakahai`a NWRs are part of the Maui NWR
Complex. Ke[amacr]lia Pond Refuge, located along the southern shore of
the island of Maui, was established in 1992 for the purpose of
providing habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, specifically the
endangered Hawaiian stilt (ae`o) and endangered Hawaiian coot (`alae
ke`oke`o). The refuge is administered under a perpetual conservation
easement provided by Alexander and Baldwin, Inc., and encompasses open
water, marsh, mudflat, upland shrub, and coastal beach strand habitats.
The refuge has one of the largest concentrations of wetland birds in
Hawai`i, and is an important breeding, foraging, and resting area for
the ae`o and `alae ke`oke`o. In addition, Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR
provides a strategic landfall for migratory birds coming from Alaska,
Siberia, and Asia, including Northern
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pintail (koloa m[amacr]pu), Northern shoveler (koloa moh[amacr]),
lesser scaup, Pacific golden-plover (k[omacr]lea) and ruddy turnstone
(`akekeke). A majority of the refuge is closed to general public
access; however, trails, overlooks, and educational programs provide
the public with opportunities to view some of Hawai`i's endangered and
migratory wildlife.
Kakahai`a NWR, located on the southeastern coast of the island of
Moloka`i, was established in 1976 to protect and provide habitat for
endangered species. Habitats found on this refuge include freshwater
marsh, grassland, dry forest, and coastal strand. The refuge has the
potential to provide breeding, foraging, and resting areas for
endangered waterbirds, a variety of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds,
and other wetland birds. Some of the more common migrants are koloa
m[amacr]pu and k[omacr]lea. Kakahai`a NWR is closed to the general
public; however, nongovernmental organizations occasionally conduct
wetland education programs.
During the CCP planning process, many elements were considered,
including wildlife management and habitat protection, compatible
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities, on- and off-site
environmental educational opportunities, and coordination with State
and Federal agencies and other interested groups.
The draft CCPs and EAs identified and evaluated three alternatives
for managing each refuge. These were available for a 30-day public
review and comment period, which included two open house public
meetings. The Service incorporated or responded to the comments on the
Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR draft CCP and Kakahai`a NWR draft CCP in the
final CCPs.
Selected Alternative for Each Refuge
All actions in the selected alternative for each refuge are subject
to funding and any other compliance requirements. After considering the
comments we received, we have selected each refuge's Alternative C for
implementation. Implementing Alternative C for the CCPs will encompass
the following key actions:
Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR
The Service will remove the most aggressive invasive plants and
control pickleweed on the flats. Planned projects include constructing
a water control structure, developing new wells to deliver water to
target areas, and recontouring topography to maintain water on the
flats. We expect an increased capability to dewater and flood the Main
Pond will enhance our dust, midge, and tilapia control efforts. New
vegetated blinds will provide better wildlife viewing opportunities,
and public interpretation and environmental education programs will be
expanded. Internships will be provided for up to five students.
Wildlife monitoring on the proposed Molokini Unit will include up to
six visits during the period running March through November, and we
will initiate a native plant restoration plan.
Kakahai`a NWR
If funded, we will restore the 15-acre Old Pond and 5.5 acres of
New Pond by removing California bulrush and other aggressive nonnative
species, dredging accumulated sediment, recontouring topography,
removing radial levees, reconstructing perimeter levees, replacing the
water control structure, and replacing the pump between the two ponds.
A well, pump, water distribution line, and control outlet for New Pond
will be constructed, and levees will be rebuilt. All monitoring
activities will resume as part of the wetland restoration. A predator-
proof fence will be installed to protect wetland habitat and species.
The coastal strand will be restored and protected from further erosion
to provide a protective barrier to the refuge wetlands and highway. A
cultural resources survey will be completed for the entire refuge.
Opportunities for visitors to engage in compatible wildlife-dependent
recreation may expand with new staffing. At a minimum, a kiosk will be
constructed along the refuge entrance road and volunteer groups will be
developed to assist refuge staff with restoration and maintenance
activities.
Dated: November 9, 2011.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2012-3648 Filed 2-16-12; 8:45 am]
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