[Federal Register: February 20, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 34)]
[Notices]
[Page 9351-9352]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20fe08-98]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for
Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Medicine Lake, MT
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 that
the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Medicine Lake
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex is available. This CCP, prepared
pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes how the
Service intends to manage the Medicine Lake NWR Complex consisting of
Medicine Lake NWR, the Northeast Montana Wetland Management District
(WMD), and Lamesteer NWR for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the CCP or Summary may be obtained by writing to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, 134 Union
Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, Colorado, 80228, or downloaded from
http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Shannon, 303-236-4317 (phone);
303-236-4792 (fax); or laurie_shannon@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Medicine Lake NWR Complex is located
within the highly productive prairie pothole region of the Northern
Great Plains, along the western edge of the Missouri Coteau, in
Northeastern Montana. It is composed of three individual units: the
Medicine Lake NWR, the Northeast Montana WMD, and the Lamesteer NWR.
These refuges are managed as one complex, and together they are
dispersed across four counties and require management of more than
73,532 acres of Service-owned lands and wetland and/or grassland
easements or leases on privately-owned land. Medicine Lake NWR
encompasses about 31,534 acres including 11,360 acres of designated
wilderness and was established in 1935 as ``* * * a refuge and breeding
ground for migratory birds and other wildlife'' (Executive Order 7148,
dated August 29, 1935). The Northeast Montana WMD was established in
1968 and consists of Waterfowl Production Areas and wetland and
grassland easements. ``Waterfowl Production Areas may be acquired
without regard to the limitations and requirements of the Migratory
Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715 et seq.), but all of the
provisions of such Act which govern the administration and protection
of lands acquired thereunder, except the inviolate sanctuary provisions
of such Act * * * '' (16 U.S.C. 718 d). Lamesteer NWR, established in
1942 as an easement refuge, was described as ``800 acres in Wibaux
County, Montana, as refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and
other wildlife'' (Executive Order 9166, dated May 19, 1942).
The refuge complex is home to approximately 280 species of birds,
38 species of mammals, and 17 species of reptiles and amphibians. Each
unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System), including
the Medicine Lake NWR Complex, has specific purposes for which it was
established and for which legislation was enacted. Those purposes are
used to develop and prioritize management goals and objectives within
the Refuge System mission, and to guide which public uses will occur on
these refuges. The planning process is a way for the Service and the
public to evaluate management goals and objectives for the best
possible conservation efforts of this important wildlife habitat, while
[[Page 9352]]
providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are
compatible with the refuges' establishing purposes and the mission of
the Refuge System.
This final CCP identifies goals, objectives, and strategies for the
management of Medicine Lake NWR Complex that emphasize restoration and
maintenance of native habitats in vigorous condition for migratory
birds. The CCP places high importance on the control of invasive plant
species with partners and integrated pest management. It seeks to
provide habitats in order to contribute to conservation, enhancement,
and production of migratory bird species while protecting federally
listed species.
The availability of the draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA)
was announced in the Federal Register on August 7, 2007, and made
available for a 30-day public review and comment period. The draft CCP/
EA evaluated three alternatives for managing Medicine Lake NWR and the
Northeast Montana WMD, and two alternatives for managing Lamesteer NWR
for the next 15 years.
The preferred alternative would conserve the natural resources of
Northeast Montana by restoring or protecting the native and mixed-grass
prairie grasslands and maintaining high-quality nesting habitats within
the refuge complex. The refuge would reduce populations of selected
species of invasive plants, and control of crested wheatgrass would be
the management priority. The approved refuge administrative boundary
would be expanded through willing sellers or buyers by about 722
hectares (1,784 acres) based on three priority areas. This alternative
would focus funding for visitor-use resources on developing access and
improving opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreational uses
(hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, interpretation,
and environmental education) while also encouraging a greater
understanding and appreciation for the mixed grass prairie ecosystem.
We selected this alternative because it best meets the purposes and
goals of the Medicine Lake NWR and the Northeast Montana WMD, as well
as the mission and goals of the Refuge System. The preferred
alternative also will benefit federally listed species, shore birds,
migrating and nesting waterfowl, neotropical migrants, including birds
of management concern and resident wildlife. Environmental education
and partnerships will result in improved wildlife-dependent
recreational opportunities. Cultural and historical resources as well
as federally listed species will be protected.
The preferred alternative for Lamesteer NWR would take the refuge
out of the Refuge System and relinquish the easement to the current
landowner. The Service's easement requirements would no longer exist,
and we would divest our interest in the refuge. This would be carried
out within 15 years.
Through the CCP process, we evaluated the level of national trust
resource values represented by Lamesteer NWR to determine if those
values and associated risks were sufficient to justify continuation of
the easement. Trust resources are resources that through law or
administrative act are held in trust for the people by the government.
We determined that Lamesteer NWR possesses no trust resource values and
minimal habitat value for wildlife. We have no management authority on
the uplands surrounding the easement, and public access is by
permission of the landowner. Further, the dam structure is in need of
substantial repairs to meet the State of Montana and regional dam
safety standards. We determined that Lamesteer NWR does not meet the
goals of the Refuge System or the legislative purpose of the refuge.
We are furnishing this notice to advise other agencies and the
public of the availability of the final CCP, provide information about
the desired conditions for the Medicine Lake NWR Complex, and offer
details on how we will implement management strategies. Based on the
review and evaluation of the information contained in the EA, the
Regional Director has determined that implementation of the Final Plan
does not constitute a major Federal action that would significantly
affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of
Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act. Therefore,
an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared.
Dated: October 2, 2007.
Gary Mowad,
Acting Deputy Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the
Federal Register on February 14, 2008.
[FR Doc. E8-3079 Filed 2-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P