[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8305-8306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02666]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R7-NWRS-2022-N078; FF07R0200-FXRS12610700000-234]
Environmental Assessment for a Right-of-Way Application on the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; Extension of Time for Completion
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and
the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, we, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, are preparing an environmental assessment for a
[[Page 8306]]
wintertime access to inholdings right-of-way (ROW) application that we
have received from Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation. The application is for
an ROW across the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Due to the
complexity of the project, we are announcing our need to extend the
timeframe for completing the EA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Glaspell, Chief, National
Wildlife Refuge System in Alaska, Alaska Regional Office, by email at
FW7_ArcticNWR_KIC_ROW_NEPA@fws.gov; by U.S. mail at 1011 East Tudor
Road, Anchorage, AK 99503; or by telephone at 907-786-3584. Information
about the applicant's proposal is also available at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/arctic. Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial
711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay
services offered within their country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.), and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA;
16 U.S.C 3111-3126), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),
are preparing an environmental assessment (EA) for a wintertime access
to inholdings right-of-way (ROW) application submitted by Kaktovik
Inupiat Corporation (KIC). Submitted under section 1110(b) of ANILCA,
the application is for a 20-year ROW across the lands and waters of the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) between KIC lands located
within the Refuge and the land-based winter transportation network west
of the Refuge's western boundary. Due to the complexity of the project,
we announce via this notice that we need to extend the timeframe for
completing the EA.
Applicant's Proposed Activities
The applicant has identified the following initial items for
transport over the ROW during the term of the desired ROW permit,
including but not limited to the following:
Permanent school modules for Kaktovik and other building
modules;
Bi-directional movement of community vehicles;
Diesel fuel, using double-walled fuel tanks, for the
community powerplant; and
Other consumables, as identified by the community.
The number of round trips would vary year to year, depending on
community needs. All products would be transported across the proposed
winter overland trail on Rolligon vehicles, which exert low ground
pressure. For detailed information regarding KIC's application, please
go to https://www.fws.gov/refuge/arctic.
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The purpose of the proposed action is to assure adequate and
feasible access (to the extent it does not already exist) for economic
and other purposes to KIC's inholdings within the Refuge while
protecting the natural and other values of the Refuge. The need for the
proposed action is established by KIC's application for an ROW pursuant
to title XI, section 1110(b) of ANICLA and the Department's
implementing regulations at 43 CFR part 36.
Potential Affected Resources
Based on the proposed route and methods identified by KIC in their
ROW application (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/arctic), the Service has
identified the following potentially affected resources:
Polar bears and their critical habitat;
Cultural and paleontological resources;
Tundra, soils, permafrost, stream banks, and coastal
banks;
Proposed wilderness and wilderness character;
Central Arctic and Porcupine caribou herds;
Water;
Public safety;
Viewshed;
Soundscape;
Shorebirds and other avian species;
The Hula Hula River (proposed by the Service as a wild and
scenic river under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Act (Pub.
L. 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.));
Other marine mammal species in the vicinity of the project
area;
Other threatened and endangered species;
Socioeconomics of the Kaktovik community; and
Subsistence uses.
Next Steps
The Service received the complete application from KIC on December
21, 2021. Although departmental regulations in 43 CFR part 36 state
that an EA or a draft environmental impact statement shall be completed
within 9 months after the application filing date, those regulations
allow for a longer time period if the lead agency determines, for good
cause, that the 9-month period is insufficient. Due to the complexity
of the project, the Service needs to extend the completion date for the
EA. The Service will complete the draft EA by September 2023. Upon
completion, the Service will make the draft EA available on the
Refuge's website (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/arctic) for a 45-day
public comment period. Within 90 days after the draft EA comment period
closing date, the Service will either prepare a final EA (and, if
appropriate, a finding of no significant impact), or will commence
development of an environmental impact statement.
Sara Boario,
Regional Director, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. 2023-02666 Filed 2-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P