[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49762-49763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19808]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2013-N059; FXRS12650400000S3-123-FF04R02000]
Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge, PR; Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for the
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 the final comprehensive conservation plan and finding
of no significant impact for the environmental assessment (Final CCP/
FONSI) for Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in the municipality
of Mayag[uuml]ez, Puerto Rico. In the Final CCP/EA, we describe how we
will manage this refuge for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the Final CCP/FONSI by writing to:
Ms. Susan Silander, via U.S. mail at P.O. Box 510, Boquer[oacute]n, PR
00622. Alternatively, you may download the document from our Internet
Site at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning under ``Final Documents.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan Silander at 787/851-7258
(telephone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Desecheo NWR. We
started the process through a notice in the Federal Register on
December 19, 2008 (73 FR 77828). For more about the refuge and planning
process, please see that notice.
Desecheo NWR is a 360-acre island located in the Mona Passage,
approximately 12 miles west of Rinc[oacute]n, Puerto Rico.
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 Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) available for a 30-day public
review and comment period via a Federal Register notice on July 11,
2012 (77 FR 40893). We provided copies of the Draft CCP/EA to a number
of individuals, non-governmental organizations, and government
agencies. Several comments were received, mostly dealing with the
safety of the refuge regarding the removal of unexploded ordnance.
CCP Alternatives, Including Our Preferred Alternative
We developed three alternatives for managing the refuge
(Alternatives A, B, and C), with Alternative C selected for
implementation.
Over the 15-year life of the CCP, we will provide the conditions
for reestablishment of nesting seabird colonies. Routine monitoring and
life-history studies of terrestrial reptiles will be conducted and
habitat improvements will be made. We will continue periodic surveys of
turtles and implement seasonal surveys of migratory landbirds. We will
pursue opportunities for propagation, reintroduction, and removal of
threats to the Higo Chumbo cactus.
We will increase monitoring and, if necessary, efforts to remove
invasive species. The number of vegetation plots and frequency of
monitoring will be increased to improve restoration efforts. Over the
15-year life of the CCP, we will complete the removal of all invasive
animal species. We will also develop and implement a plan for
monitoring and mitigating the effects of climate change on the refuge.
Under our preferred action, the levels of surveillance and
enforcement with partners will be increased, and we will also provide
additional equipment to improve enforcement capabilities on the refuge.
We will increase off-site environmental education and outreach to
mainland communities and schools, and we will increase the availability
of interpretive materials, such as brochures and fact sheets. Subject
to safety concerns being met, we will increase on-site interpretation
through signage and brochures and provide limited opportunities for
refuge-guided wildlife observation and photography. We will continue to
respond to special requests for non-wildlife-dependent uses that are
appropriate and compatible.
We will continue to work with cooperating agencies and partners to
increase safety on the refuge through the
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removal of unexploded ordnance. Safety will be ensured by only
permitting controlled, refuge-guided activities in cleared areas. We
will acquire an open-water boat capable of reaching the island to
provide for extended visits.
This alternative will add a half-time public use or park ranger
position and a half-time manager position to be shared with the
Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Authority
This notice is published under the authority of the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et
seq.).
Dated: April 25, 2013.
Mike Oetker,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-19808 Filed 8-14-13; 8:45 am]
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