[Federal Register: March 4, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 43)]
[Notices]
[Page 11660-11661]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04mr08-88]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Arrowwood National
Wildlife Refuge, ND
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
our Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Plan) and finding of no
significant impact (FONSI) for Arrowwood national wildlife refuge
(Refuge) is available. This Final Plan describes how the Service
intends to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the Plan may be obtained by writing to U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box 25486,
Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225; or by download from
http:// mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Spratt, 303-236-4366 (phone);
303-236-4792 (fax); or Michael_Spratt@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed
Executive Order 7168 on September 4, 1935, ``establishing Arrowwood
Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.'' Now known as Arrowwood National Wildlife
Refuge, the 15,973-acre Refuge is in east-central North Dakota. The
Refuge covers 14 miles of the James River Valley in Foster and Stutsman
counties, approximately 30 miles north of Jamestown. The purposes of
the Refuge are for use by migratory birds with emphasis on waterfowl
and other water birds; the conservation of fish and wildlife resources;
use as an inviolate sanctuary; or for any other management purposes,
for migratory birds; and a Refuge and breeding ground for migratory
birds and other wildlife.
The Refuge lies on the Central Flyway migratory corridor and is an
important stopover for many birds. The prairie grassland and wetland
complex habitats provide nesting and feeding habitat for waterfowl in
the spring and summer. Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl migrate
through the area and use the wetlands in the spring and fall for
feeding and resting. The Refuge contains approximately 6,000 acres of
native prairie; 5,340 acres of seed grasses; 3,850 acres of wetlands;
660 acres of wooded ravines and riparian woodlands; and 125 acres of
planted trees including shelterbelts. It is important to note that
3,430 acres of wetlands are managed impoundments and pools. Public use
and recreation at the Refuge includes the six priority wildlife-
dependent uses: Hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, interpretation, and environmental education.
The draft Plan and environmental assessment (EA) was made available
to the public for review and comment following the announcement in the
Federal Register on March 22, 2007 (72 FR 13508-13509). The draft Plan
and EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing the
Refuge for the next 15 years. Under Alternative A, the No Action
alternative, the Service would manage habitats, wildlife, programs, and
facilities at current levels as time, staff, and funds allow. There
would be an emphasis on waterfowl migration and reproduction habitat.
The Service would not develop any new management, restoration, or
education programs at the Refuge. Target elevations of each wetland
impoundment would be managed independently to achieve optimal habitat
conditions.
Alternative B would maximize the biological potential of the Refuge
for both wetland and upland habitats, and support a well-balanced and
diverse flora and fauna representative of the Prairie Pothole Region. A
scientific-based monitoring program would be developed as part of the
habitat management plan (HMP). Public use opportunities would be
expanded with the construction of additional facilities
[[Page 11661]]
and development of educational programs.
Alternative C, the Proposed Action, would include those features
described in Alternative B, as well as including a plan to improve the
water quality entering the Refuge, and reducing peak flows in the upper
James River watershed during spring runoff and summer rainfall events.
This watershed management component would include working with private
landowners through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for
Fish and Wildlife program and other federal, state, and private
conservation programs. The focus would be to protect and restore
wetlands and grasslands, and reduce the impact on water quality from
cropland and livestock operations. Improving the health of the upper
James River watershed would not only benefit wildlife habitat in the
watershed and at the Refuge, it would also benefit the Jamestown
Reservoir and all downstream users.
The Service is furnishing this notice to advise other agencies and
the public of the availability of the final Plan, to provide
information on the desired conditions for the refuges, and to detail
how the Service 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: February 26, 2008.
Gary G. Mowad,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-4087 Filed 3-3-08; 8:45 am]
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