[Federal Register: April 13, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 69)]
[Notices]
[Page 16890-16891]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13ap09-90]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2008-N0344; 60138-1265-6CCP-S3]
Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Sullys Hill National
Game Preserve, Fort Totten, 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 the Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
is available. This Final CCP describes how the Service intends to
manage this 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: Laura King, 406-644-2211, (phone);
406-644-2661 (fax); or laura_king@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sullys Hill National Game Preserve,
established in 1904, is a 1,675-acre National Wildlife Refuge sitting
on the south shores of Devils Lake, about 10 miles south of the city of
Devils Lake, North Dakota. This Refuge supports a unique community of
habitats such as an oak, ash, basswood and aspen woodland, mixed
grassed prairie, and some natural wetlands. These diverse habitats
provide ``edge'' habitat for over 250 species of migratory birds,
plains bison, Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, turkeys, and
prairie dogs.
The Refuge is one of only 19 designated natural areas in North
Dakota, of which only four are National Wildlife Refuges. It is also
one of only four Refuges nationally established for bison conservation.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve has over 60,000 visitors
annually. The Refuge is becoming a progressive regional conservation
learning center, promoting the conservation role of the National
Wildlife Refuge System while educating visitors about the functions and
benefits of prairie wetlands and grasslands. Per its legislative
purpose, there is no hunting permitted on this Refuge.
The draft Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) was made available
to
[[Page 16891]]
the public for review and comment following the announcement in the
Federal Register on June 26, 2008 (73 FR 36350-36352). The draft Plan
and EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing the
Refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative C was selected as the
preferred alternative and will serve as the Final Plan.
The final CCP identifies goals, objectives, and strategies that
describe the future management of Sullys Hill National Game Preserve.
This Plan gives priority to enhancing and restoring native prairie and
promoting forest regeneration. Ungulate populations will be maintained
at lower levels (<=20 bison, <=18 elk, and <=18 white-tailed deer) to
control the overgrazing and overbrowsing that has impacted Refuge
habitats. Management tools, including exclusion fences and other
appropriate methods such as chemical, biological, and mechanical
techniques (including prescribed fire) will be used to restore and
enhance habitat for the benefit of forest interior breeding and
grassland nesting birds. Selected hay land acres would be restored to
native prairie. Fuels treatment (including prescribed fire or other
mechanical means) will be used to reduce hazardous fuels, minimizing
the threat to life and property. Invasive species will be treated and
areas restored. The ungulate herd health program will take a more
active disease surveillance and treatment approach, including timely
introduction of ungulates to maintain genetic health, particularly for
the Refuges plains bison.
There would be an increase in delivery of both on-site and off-site
programming of youth environmental education programs. In cooperation
with local teachers, a formal wetland and grassland conservation
curriculum will be designed for targeted grade levels and meet local
and State standards. Emphasis will be placed on developing education
partnerships with Spirit Lake Nation schools and agencies. The Refuges
limited fishery will be used for educational programs only. Visitor,
facility, and wildlife safety will be improved through regular routine
patrols during peak and off-peak public use. A comprehensive cultural
resource survey of the Refuge will be completed in partnership with
other agencies and organizations. Four full-time staff will be
recruited to expand, develop, and conduct biological, visitor services,
law enforcement, and maintenance programs.
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: December 23, 2008.
Noreen E. Walsh,
Deputy Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the
Federal Register on April 8, 2009.
[FR Doc. E9-8328 Filed 4-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P