[Federal Register: October 20, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 201)]
[Notices]
[Page 53755-53757]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20oc09-71]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2009-N118; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Ke[amacr]lia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and Kakahai`a National
Wildlife Refuge, Maui County, HI
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and National Environmental Policy Act document and announcement of
public open house meetings.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the Ke[amacr]lia
Pond and Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). We will also
prepare an evaluation under the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) to analyze the potential environmental effects of various CCP
alternatives. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy
to advise the public, other Federal and State agencies, and Native
Hawaiian organizations of our intentions and to obtain suggestions and
information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning
process. We are also announcing two public open
[[Page 53756]]
house meetings; see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for details.
DATES: Please provide written comments on the scope of the CCP by
November 19, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods:
E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Maui NWRC Scoping
Comments'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Glynnis Nakai, (808) 875-2945.
U.S. Mail: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, Maui National Wildlife
Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 1042, K[imacr]hei, HI 96753.
Additional information about the CCP planning process is available on
the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/kealiapond and http://www.fws.gov/
kakahaia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, (808)
875-1582, or Glynnis_Nakai@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 1977, requires us to develop
a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose of 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 (NWRS), 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.
The Service will prepare a CCP/NEPA document in compliance with
NEPA of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA regulations (40
CFR parts 1500-1508); other applicable Federal laws and regulations;
and our policies and procedures for compliance with those laws and
regulations.
Each unit of the NWRS is established for specific purposes. These
purposes guide development and prioritization of management goals and
objectives within the NWRS mission and determine how the public can use
each refuge. The planning process is a way for us and the public to
evaluate management goals and objectives for the best possible
conservation of important wildlife habitat, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities that are compatible with
the refuges' establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
We will conduct a planning process that provides opportunities for
the public, Federal and local government agencies, Native Hawaiian
organizations, and others to participate in issue scoping and public
comment. We request input for issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions
for the future management of Ke[amacr]lia Pond and Kakahai`a NWRs.
We will also give the public an opportunity to provide input at
open houses to identify issues and concerns. All information provided
voluntarily by mail, phone, or at public meetings becomes part of our
official public record. We will handle requests for comments received
in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA, and Service
and Departmental policies and procedures.
The Refuges
Ke[amacr]lia Pond and Kakahai`a NWRs are part of the Maui National
Wildlife Refuge Complex. Located along the southern shore of Maui,
Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR was established in 1992 for the purpose of
providing habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, specifically the
ae'o or Hawaiian stilt, and 'alae ke'oke'o or Hawaiian coot.
Ke[amacr]lia Pond is one of the largest natural wetlands remaining
in the Hawaiian Islands. The 691-acre Refuge is administered under a
perpetual conservation easement from Alexander and Baldwin, Inc.
Habitats found on the Refuge include open water, fresh to brackish
water marsh, mudflat, grassland, upland shrub, and coastal beach
strand.
Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR contains one of the largest concentrations of
wetland birds in Hawai'i and is an important breeding, feeding, and
resting area for the Hawaiian stilt and Hawaiian coot. In addition,
Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR provides a strategic landfall for migratory birds
coming from Alaska, Siberia, and Asia, including koloa mapu or Northern
pintail, koloa moha or Northern shoveler, lesser scaup, kolea or
Pacific golden-plover, and 'akekeke or ruddy turnstone. A total of 110
bird species have been documented on the Refuge. The majority of the
Refuge is closed to general public access; however, trails, overlooks,
and educational programs provide the public with opportunities to view
and appreciate some of Hawai'i's endangered and migratory wildlife.
Kakahai`a NWR is located on the southeastern coast of Moloka'i. It
was established to protect and provide habitat for endangered species.
Habitats found on this Refuge include open water, freshwater marsh,
mudflat, grassland, and shrubland. An inland Hawaiian fishpond is also
located on the Refuge. The Refuge provides important breeding, feeding,
and resting areas for endangered waterbirds, a variety of migratory
waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wetland birds. Some of the more common
migrants are koloa mapu or Northern pintail, and kolea or Pacific
golden-plover. Kakahai`a NWR is closed to the general public; however,
volunteers occasionally conduct wetland education programs.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
to be addressed in the CCP. Additional issues may be identified through
public scoping.
During the CCP planning process, the Service will analyze methods
for enhancing the wildlife and habitat resources, visitor services,
protection of cultural and historic resources, and facilities
maintenance of the Ke[amacr]lia Pond and Kakahai`a NWRs while providing
quality opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation.
Public Meetings
Public open house meetings will be held at the following locations
to provide information on the CCP and receive public comments.
Opportunities for additional public input will be announced throughout
the planning process.
[[Page 53757]]
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Date Time Location
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Wednesday, November 4, 2009... 6:30-8:30 p.m.... Mitchel Pauole
Center, Conference
Room, 90 Ainoa
Street, Kaunakakai,
Moloka'i, HI 96748.
Thursday, November 5, 2009.... 6:30-8:30 p.m.... Kihei Community
Center, Main Hall,
303 East Lipoa
Street, Kihei, Maui,
HI 96753.
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Public Availability of Comments
All comments--including your personal identifying information--may
be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Dated: October 13, 2009.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E9-25139 Filed 10-19-09; 8:45 am]
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