[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48183-48185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19052]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2013-N147; FXRS1265066CCP0-134-FF06R06000]
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City,
CO; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement;
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge, Arvada, CO; Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife
Refuge in Commerce City, Colorado. The Service also intends to prepare
a CCP and an Environmental Assessment for the Two Ponds National
Wildlife Refuge in Arvada, Colorado. These refuges are currently being
managed under Comprehensive Management Plans developed in the mid-1990s
and as part of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Complex. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to
advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our
intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of
issues to consider in the planning process of revising the management
plans for these refuges.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
October 11, 2013. Submit comments by one of the methods under
ADDRESSES. We will announce opportunities for public input in local
news media throughout the CCP process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
Email: rockymountainarsenal@fws.gov. Include ``Rocky Mountain
Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge CCP'' or ``Two Ponds National Wildlife
Refuge CCP,'' as appropriate, in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Bernardo Garza and Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leaders,
303/236-4792.
U.S. Mail: Bernardo Garza and Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leaders,
Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box 25486, Denver, CO 80225-0486.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at the above address, or at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal
National Wildlife Refuge Complex administrative office located at 6550
Gateway Road, Commerce City, CO 80022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernardo Garza, 303/236-4377 (phone)
or bernardo_garza@fws.gov (email); Toni Griffin, 303/236-4378 (phone)
or toni_griffin@fws.gov (email); or David C. Lucas, Chief, Division of
Planning, 303/236-4366 (phone), P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center,
Denver, CO 80225-0486.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing CCPs for
the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City,
CO, and the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge in Arvada, CO. This
notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other Federal and
State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intention to conduct
detailed planning on these refuges and (2) to obtain suggestions and
information on the scope of issues to consider in the environmental
document and during development of the CCPs.
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 unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). The
purpose for developing a CCP is to provide the managers of the units of
the NWRS with a 15-year plan for achieving the units' purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the NWRS, 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, where appropriate, opportunities for hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental
education and interpretation. We will review and update the CCPs 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 unit within the NWRS and to
determine how the public can enjoy public uses in the NWRS units. 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
wildlife-dependent recreation
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opportunities that are compatible with each of the unit's establishing
purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public.
At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas,
and suggestions for the future management of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal
and Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuges.
We will conduct the environmental review of these projects in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508 and 43 CFR part 46); other
appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and
procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is one of the
nation's premier urban national wildlife refuges. Located within the
highly urbanized Denver Metropolitan Area, it is approximately 16,000
acres in size and consists of a number of important fish and wildlife
habitats, including native shortgrass and mixedgrass prairies, riparian
corridors, numerous wetlands, and multiple lakes. The U.S. Army and
Shell Corporation recently finished their remediation of the site,
which included restoring thousands of acres of native grasslands, and
the site is now being managed for wildlife conservation and compatible,
wildlife-dependent public uses. This refuge supports many animals,
including more than 271 species of birds, such as bald eagles,
burrowing owls, and Swainson's hawks; coyote and red fox; bison and
deer; raccoon and several other species of small mammals, amphibians,
reptiles, and fish. Without traveling far from the Colorado Front Range
region, people have a unique opportunity to connect with their natural
environment. There are a variety of wildlife-dependent recreational
opportunities available to the over 300,000 annual visitors, such as
hiking trails, observing wildlife from the Auto Tour Route or the
Wildlife Drive, participating in environmental education programs, and
experiencing one of the best catch-and-release fisheries in Colorado.
As part of the planning process, this refuge is considering
reintroducing the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).
This federally listed species is the only ferret native to North
America and is considered one of the most endangered mammals in the
world. Historically, this ferret species occurred throughout the Great
Plains wherever prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) were found. As a highly
specialized predator, black-footed ferrets prey upon prairie dogs and
use their underground burrows for shelter. Black-footed ferrets and
prairie dogs are part of an ecosystem that has been dramatically
altered and reduced in size over the past century. The proposed
reintroduction of the black-footed ferret to this refuge is a positive
step toward the recovery of this iconic prairie species.
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge
The Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge--located in the heart of the
City of Arvada, Colorado--is one the smallest urban unit of the NWRS
and is part of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Complex. This refuge is about 72 acres in size and consists of
important fish and wildlife habitats such as native shortgrass prairie,
native mixed-grass prairie, and wetland. The Two Ponds National
Wildlife Refuge supports many animals, including more than 120 species
of birds, coyote and red fox, muskrat, raccoon, and beaver, deer,
several species of small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. In
1990, a local citizen's group--the Two Ponds Preservation Foundation--
was instrumental in preserving this site from development. The group's
efforts contributed to the establishment of this refuge in 1992. Since
then, the refuge staff has worked to restore, enhance, and preserve a
diversity of upland and wetland habitats for migratory and resident
wildlife, and to provide many visitor experiences. Located conveniently
within the Denver metro area, the refuge provides a unique opportunity
for people to connect with their natural environment. A variety of
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities is available annually to
more than 15,000 visitors--people can hike trails, observe and
photograph wildlife, participate in environmental education programs,
volunteer their talents, and join in a diverse array of community
service projects.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR
[ssquf] Possibility of reintroducing black-footed ferrets: Habitat and
prey needs; protection
[ssquf] Management of the bison herd
[ssquf] The Refuges' urban and wildlife interface as a gateway
community and urban refuge
[ssquf] The Refuge's role on the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail and
other such efforts
[ssquf] The Refuges' role in the Service's ``Connecting People with
Nature'' and other initiatives
[ssquf] Relationship of the CCP to other landscape wide conservation
efforts
[ssquf] Implications of outdoor recreational opportunities on the
Refuges' habitats and wildlife
[ssquf] Habitat and invasive species management
[ssquf] Successful outreach and engagement of nontraditional publics
[ssquf] Expanding commercial development and urbanization surrounding
the Refuge
[ssquf] Necessary infrastructure (e.g., boardwalk, interpretive signs,
parking lot, etc.)
[ssquf] Involvement of different publics in the Refuge's wildlife-
dependent public uses
[ssquf] Law enforcement
[ssquf] Habitat management tools, such as fire and chemical control, in
highly urbanized areas
[ssquf] Protection of remedy and facilities under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Two Ponds NWR
[ssquf] Management and implications of the water canals that cross the
refuge to surrounding cities
[ssquf] The Refuges' urban and wildlife interface as a gateway
community and urban refuge
[ssquf] The Refuge's role on the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail and
other such efforts
[ssquf] The Refuges' role in the Service's ``Connecting People with
Nature'' and other initiatives
[ssquf] Implications of outdoor recreational opportunities on the
Refuges' habitat and wildlife
[ssquf] Habitat and invasive species management
[ssquf] Existing vs. necessary infrastructure (e.g., buildings, water
control structures, etc.)
[ssquf] Involvement of different publics in the Refuge's wildlife-
dependent public uses
[ssquf] Habitat management tools, such as fire and chemical control, in
a highly urbanized area
We request input on these issues and other concerns affecting
refuge management or public use during the planning process. We are
especially interested in receiving public input in the following areas:
(a) What suggestions do you have for managing wildlife and habitat
on the
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refuges in the face of possible climate change and declining
precipitation?
(b) What ideas do you have regarding visitor services and wildlife-
dependent public uses on the refuges?
(c) What changes, if any, would you like to see in the management
of Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuges?
(d) What concerns do you have regarding bison and prairie dog
management or the reintroduction of species such as black-footed ferret
at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR?
We provide the above questions for your optional use. We have no
requirement that you provide information; however, any comments the
planning team receives will be used as part of the planning process.
Public Meetings
We will give the public opportunities to provide initial input via
telephone, email, postal mail, fax (see ADDRESSES), and in person at
public scoping meetings we will host throughout the Denver Metropolitan
Area in July, August, and September, 2013. We will announce the details
of the public meetings and other opportunities for public input in
local news media throughout the CCP process. You may also send comments
anytime during the planning process by U.S. mail, email, or fax. There
will be additional opportunities to provide public input and comments
once we have prepared a draft CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
Any comments we receive will become part of the administrative
record and may be available to the public. Before submitting comments
that include your address, phone number, email address, or other
personal identifying information, you should be aware that your entire
comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made
publicly available at any time. While you may 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 10, 2013.
Matt Hogan,
Acting Regional Director, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-
Prairie Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-19052 Filed 8-6-13; 8:45 am]
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