[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 12 (Thursday, January 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3910-3911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00896]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R3-R-2012-N261; FXRS1265030000-134-FF03R06000]
Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Becker County, MN; 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental
assessment (EA) for the Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge,
NWR). In this final CCP, we describe how we intend to manage the refuge
for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You will find the final CCP, a summary of the final CCP, and
the EA/FONSI on the planning Web site at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/hamdenslough/index.html. A limited number of hard copies and
CD-ROMs are available. You may request one by any of the following
methods:
Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ``Hamden Slough Final
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
U.S. Mail: Hamden Slough NWR, c/o Detroit Lakes Wetland
Management District, 26624 N. Tower Road, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Frohling, 218-847-4431.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we complete the CCP process for Hamden Slough
National Wildlife Refuge, which we began by publishing a notice of
intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010. For
more about the initial process and the history of this refuge, see that
notice. We released the draft CCP and EA to the public, announcing and
requesting comments in a notice of availability (77 FR 52346) on August
29, 2012. The 30-day comment period ended on September 28, 2012. A
summary of public comments and the agency responses is included in the
final CCP.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), requires us to develop a
CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP
is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving
refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service
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 and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Administration Act.
Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use
these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the
management goals and objectives for each refuge within the NWRS
mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. The
planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management
goals and objectives that will ensure the best possible approach to
wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for
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wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with
each refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
Additional Information
The final CCP may be found at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/hamdenslough/index.html. The final CCP includes detailed information
about the planning process, refuge, issues, and management alternative
selected. The Web site also includes an EA and FONSI, prepared in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.). The EA/FONSI includes discussion of three alternative
refuge management options. The Service's selected alternative is
reflected in the final CCP.
The selected alternative focuses on increasing the quantity and
quality of habitat for wetland and grassland birds. Acquisition and
full restoration of Pierce Lake will be emphasized over the next 15
years. The hydrologic regime will better emulate natural seasonal and
long-term variability. More diverse, sustainable vegetation patterns
will be restored on refuge wetlands and prairies. A detailed
description of objectives and actions included in this selected
alternative is found in chapter 4 of the final CCP.
Christopher P. Jensen,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-00896 Filed 1-16-13; 8:45 am]
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