[Federal Register: May 21, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 98)]
[Notices]
[Page 28642-28643]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21my10-109]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R2-R-2009-N274]
[22570-1261-0000-K2]
Limiting Mountain Lion Predation on Desert Bighorn Sheep on Kofa
National Wildlife Refuge, Yuma and La Paz Counties, AZ
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the final environmental assessment
and a finding of no significant impact.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce
availability of our finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the
environmental assessment (EA) for limiting mountain lion (Puma
concolor) predation on desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana)
on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in southwest Arizona. In
the final EA and FONSI, we describe how we will manage mountain lion
predation to help achieve bighorn sheep population objectives on the
Refuge.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the FONSI and final EA by
the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM by U.S.
mail from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 9300 East 28th Street, Yuma,
AZ 85365; via facsimile at 928-783-8611; or electronically to
KofaLionComments@fws.gov. You may also download a copy of the documents
at: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mitch Ellis, 928-783-7861 (phone);
928-783-8611 (fax); or Mitch_Ellis@fws.gov (e-mail). If you use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we announce our decision and the availability of
the FONSI and final EA. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on
the human environment, which we include in the final EA that
accompanies the FONSI. We solicited comments on a draft EA from August
4, 2009, to October 2, 2009, through a notice of availability in the
Federal Register (74 FR 38667; August 4, 2009). We received 220
responses during the comment period, from 7 government agencies, 19
nongovernmental organizations, and 194 individuals. During preparation
of the final EA, we considered all of the comments provided. Appendix C
of the final EA contains a more detailed description of the substantive
comments received and how we incorporated changes to the draft EA in
response to comments we received.
Background
The Refuge contains a major portion of the largest contiguous
habitat for desert bighorn sheep in southwestern Arizona and
historically has been home to a population averaging 760 bighorns. The
Refuge has served as the primary source of bighorn sheep for
translocations to reestablish and supplement extirpated or declining
populations throughout southern Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and
Colorado. Population estimates from systematic aerial surveys indicate
that a 50-percent decline in the Refuge sheep population occurred
between the years 2000 and 2006.
In response to this decline, the Refuge and the Arizona Game and
Fish Department (AGFD) have conducted an analysis of its probable
causes and are currently implementing a strategic management program
intended to lead to the recovery of this important wildlife resource.
Several studies and monitoring projects have been initiated or
enhanced. Some of the more important aspects of this broad program
include more frequent bighorn population surveys, monitoring and
maintaining water availability, assessing body condition and disease in
the bighorn population, monitoring disturbance attributable to human
recreation, and monitoring the extent of predation and its impacts on
the population. Many of the elements in this management program have
been addressed through prior planning documents and require little
additional review. Others, such as the proposed lethal control of
mountain lions, have not been previously addressed and therefore
require analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,
as amended (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as well as public review.
Final Environmental Assessment--Selected Alternative
The final EA identifies and evaluates three alternatives for
managing mountain lion predation on desert bighorn sheep on the Refuge.
After a thorough analysis, we have selected Alternative B for
implementation. Under this alternative, we will allow the removal of
specific, individually identified offending mountain lions, through
translocation or lethal removal, from the Refuge under certain
circumstances, in order to recover and maintain an optimal population
of desert bighorn sheep. This program has several components. We will
trap mountain lions and fit them with tracking devices to monitor their
activities. When the Refuge bighorn sheep population estimate is below
600 animals, active mountain lion control will occur. Active mountain
lion control is the removal (through lethal means or translocation) of
each individual mountain lion found to kill two or more bighorn sheep
within a 6-month period. The Service, or its agents, will carry out the
lethal removal or translocation. However, when the Refuge bighorn sheep
population estimate is between 600 and 800 animals, active mountain
lion control may or may not be
[[Page 28643]]
employed based on the totality of the circumstances at the time. In
order to meet the bighorn sheep population objectives while minimizing
the necessary impacts to mountain lions, we desire some flexibility. We
will base decisions regarding whether active mountain lion control is
necessary on an adaptive management approach and on the following
factors: The current sheep population estimate; the current sheep
population trend; bighorn sheep lamb survival and recruitment; the
estimate of the number of mountain lions currently using the Refuge and
their predation rate on bighorn sheep; current and forecasted habitat
conditions; available funding and manpower; and criticality of bighorn
translocation needs. When the Refuge bighorn sheep population estimate
is at or above 800 animals, active mountain lion control will not
occur, although mountain lions on the Refuge will continue to be
captured and fitted with tracking devices to aid in continuing
research.
Additional Refuge Information
Additional information on the history of the Refuge and its
purpose, goals, objectives, and management strategies can be found in
the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge & Wilderness and New Water Mountains
Wilderness Interagency Management Plan and Environmental Assessment:
EA-AZ-055-95-1 05, October 1997. Pertinent information can also be
found in the April 2007 report titled Investigative Report and
Recommendations for the Kofa Bighorn Sheep Herd, prepared jointly by
the Service and the AGFD. Both documents, along with other detailed
information, are available at the following web site: http://
www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa.
Authorities
Environmental review of this project has been conducted in
accordance with the requirements of NEPA, NEPA Regulations (40 CFR
parts 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations,
Executive Order 12996, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with
those laws and regulations.
Dated: December 18, 2009
Benjamin N. Tuggle,
Regional Director, Region 2.
[FR Doc. 2010-12247 Filed 5-20-10; 8:45 am]
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