[Federal Register: November 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 224)]
[Notices]
[Page 69671-69673]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19no08-105]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0246; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, Barbour and Russell Counties,
AL and Stewart and Quitman Counties, GA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: Final comprehensive conservation plan
and finding of no significant impact.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for Eufaula National Wildlife
Refuge (NWR). In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage this
refuge for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the CCP may be obtained by writing to: Mr. Troy
Littrell, Refuge Manager, 367 Highway 165, Eufaula, AL 39027-8187. The
CCP may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service's Web site:
http://southeast.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Dawson, Refuge Planner,
Jackson, MS; Telephone: 601-965-4903 ext. 20; fax: 601-965-4010; e-
mail: mike_dawson@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Eufaula NWR. We
started this process through a notice in the Federal Register on
January 26, 2006 (71 FR 4373). For more about the process, see that
notice.
Eufaula NWR was established in 1964 through community support and
in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide habitat
for wintering waterfowl and other migratory and resident wildlife. The
refuge landscape is a mixture of wetlands, croplands, woodlands,
grasslands, and open water, creating a mosaic of wildlife-rich
habitats.
[[Page 69672]]
Eufaula NWR is located on both banks of the Chattahoochee River in
southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. The refuge is superimposed on
the Walter F. George Reservoir (also referred to as Lake Eufaula), a
river and harbor project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The
reservoir was created from the impoundment of the Chattahoochee River
between Alabama and Georgia. Named after the city of Eufaula, the
refuge provides 11,184 acres of land and water for public enjoyment in
a wide range of outdoor activities. The refuge covers 7,953 acres in
Barbour and Russell Counties, Alabama, and 3,231 acres in Stewart and
Quitman Counties, Georgia.
Habitats encompassed by the refuge include a riverine area on the
west side containing a section of the Escatawpa River and a tributary,
Black Creek; an area of coastal savanna in the central part of the
refuge; and a large gopher tortoise colony at the northeast corner of
the refuge.
Eufaula NWR lies on the eastern edge of the Mississippi Flyway.
Peak wintering populations of ducks reached over 40,000 in the mid-
1970s. Recently, the refuge's duck populations have peaked at 12,000-
20,000. Few migratory geese visit Eufaula NWR, but more than 2,000
Canada geese are residents. Large breeding populations of raptors, such
as bald eagles and osprey, are becoming more common on the refuge. High
populations of herons and other marsh birds are supported by the
habitat. An abundance of other migratory birds and wildlife is present
seasonally.
Eufaula NWR is a significant component in the region's recreational
opportunities. The refuge's Management Information System (RMIS) showed
371,251 visits to the refuge in 2002. Fishing and nature observation
were the most popular activities with 129,959 and 101,190 visits,
respectively. Deer hunters accounted for 8,700 visits in 2002. The auto
tour route attracted 35,974 motorists, and a small proportion of these
people walked the nature trails or used the observation platform. The
local economy significantly benefits from the refuge. In 2002, refuge
visitors spent $7 million related to refuge recreation. This resulted
in $5.6 million in local final demand, $2.4 million in earnings, and
125 jobs attributable to refuge visitation.
We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and
FONSI for Eufaula NWR in accordance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) [40 CFR 1506.6(b)] requirements. We completed a
thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, which we
included in the draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental
assessment (Draft CCP/EA).
The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Eufaula NWR for
the next 15 years. Alternative D, as we described in the final CCP, is
the foundation for the CCP.
The compatibility determinations for (1) hunting; (2) fishing; (3)
wildlife observation and photography; (4) environmental education and
interpretation; (5) bicycling; (6) canoeing; (7) farming/haying; (8)
feral hog management program; (9) forest management; (10) horseback
riding; (11) jogging/walking; and (12) scientific field studies are
also available within the final CCP.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, 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 Improvement Act.
Comments
Approximately 100 copies of the Draft CCP/EA were made available
for a 30-day public review period as announced in the Federal Register
on June 6, 2008 (73 FR 32349). Nineteen public comments were received.
Selected Alternative
After considering the comments we received, we have selected
Alternative D for implementation. This alternative is judged to be the
most effective management action for meeting the purposes of the refuge
by optimizing habitat management and visitor services throughout the
refuge. Over the life of the CCP, Eufaula NWR will provide a complex of
habitats, both moist-soil and grain crops, to meet the foraging needs
of 25,000 wintering ducks. This will assist the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan. The refuge will also provide adequate open
space (upland crop fields) for winter utilization and feeding of at
least 500 geese and cranes. In addition, staff and/or volunteers will
maintain 200 wood duck boxes on the refuge.
Under Alternative D, Eufaula NWR will provide forest habitat
conditions conducive to supporting both priority pine and hardwood
associated bird species. The refuge will provide high-quality grassland
habitat to support grassland bird species on 220 to 300 acres, while
achieving priority waterfowl objectives. This will include planting
native warm season grass species on old farm fields. In addition, it
will promote tall emergent vegetation sufficient to support a
population of 10-20 king rails and to benefit other species of marsh
birds.
For the benefit of wading birds, the refuge will provide for both
secure nesting sites and ample foraging habitat. The refuge will
furnish at least two areas of up to 20 acres each for shorebirds,
during both northbound and southbound movements. In addition, the
refuge will provide protective conservation measures for federal- or
state-listed species and habitats for future ecological existence.
The refuge staff will expand its capability and effort to implement
sound scientific principles to better manage healthy populations of
resident wildlife species. The staff will also control domestic, feral,
or pest animals, especially feral hogs, removing an average of 100-plus
hogs annually, or as needed.
Eufaula NWR will gradually reduce cooperative farmer cropland
acreage to 300 acres (from 500 acres at present) over the 15-year life
of the CCP. Additionally, the refuge itself will cultivate crops on 100
to 300 acres to provide food, cover, and sanctuary areas for wildlife.
This will provide adequate habitat for wintering waterfowl and provide
quality dove hunting opportunities.
The refuge will employ silvicultural treatments to improve 2,800
acres of refuge forestland to provide benefits to forest-dependent
wildlife. It will also use fire as a management tool on approximately
800-1,000 acres annually in suitable habitats for species and habitat
conservation. Management of moist-soil wetlands (approximately 1,200
acres) will be intensified, with emphasis on waterfowl and other
aquatic birds foraging and life-history requirements.
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Eufaula NWR will aggressively control aquatic invasive plant
species on approximately 25 shoreline miles (or as needed) and 1,250
acres annually. It will also conduct preventive and maintenance control
of upland invasive plant species.
In addition to maintaining all existing hunts and seasons, Eufaula
NWR will consider adding a youth wild turkey quota hunt, an alligator
hunt, and falconry. Boat launch facilities and bank fishing
opportunities on the refuge will be expanded. The refuge will document
the impact of sport fishing and fishing tournaments on sensitive
wildlife and habitat resources on the refuge. This will serve as a
basis for discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Alabama
and Georgia authorities on the possibility of establishing no-wake
zones in sensitive areas.
All existing wildlife observation and photography facilities will
be maintained, and within 10 years of the date of the CCP, the refuge
will: (1) Designate a one-way loop in the Houston Bottoms and add
additional pull-offs to the existing Wildlife Drive; (2) improve the
existing interpretive trail and add foot trails between Lakepoint State
Park and the refuge; (3) add one photo blind in the Houston Impoundment
or Goose Pen Impoundment; and (4) construct an observation platform
adjacent to the Hour Glass Impoundment on the Wildlife Drive and assess
the need for an additional viewing platform in the Houston Bottoms
area.
In terms of environmental education and interpretation, the refuge
will maintain its existing opportunities and facilities, and establish
a new visitor center.
Under Alternative D, the refuge will enlarge its current staff of
six by adding five full-time positions, consisting of a biological
science technician, a maintenance position, two non-law enforcement
park rangers, and a law enforcement officer. The total staffing level
will then be eleven.
Eufaula NWR will develop and begin to implement a Cultural
Resources Management Plan. In the meantime, there will continue to be
limited management of cultural resources based on known locations of
identified cultural, historical, and archaeological resources. The
refuge will follow standard procedures to protect cultural resources
whenever projects involving excavation are undertaken.
Refuge staff will increase cooperation with the Corps and both
states on invasives' management, and with Alabama and Georgia
authorities on overall refuge management, including restoration of
longleaf pine forests. The refuge will work to establish a Friends
group (support group).
Under Alternative D, Eufaula NWR will construct and begin to
operate a visitor center east of U.S. Highway 431, adjacent to the
Kennedy Unit. This center will serve as a focal point of public use
opportunities on the refuge.
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
Dated: September 12, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-27450 Filed 11-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P