[Federal Register: February 10, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 27)]
[Notices]
[Page 6694-6696]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10fe10-98]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2009-N0112; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge and Julia Butler Hansen
Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: draft comprehensive conservation plan
and draft environmental impact statement; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our draft comprehensive conservation plan and draft
environmental impact statement (CCP/DEIS) for the Lewis and Clark
National Wildlife Refuge and Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the
Columbian White-tailed Deer (refuge or, collectively, refuges) for
public review and comment. The CCP/DEIS describes our proposal for
managing the refuges for the next 15 years. Both refuges are managed as
part of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex located in Ilwaco,
WA.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
March 29, 2010.
ADDRESSES: More information on the refuges is available on the Internet
at http://www.fws.gov/willapa. You may submit comments, request a copy
of the CCP or EIS, or request more information by either of the
following methods:
E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Lewis and Clark
CCP'' and/or ``Julia Butler Hansen CCP'' in the subject line of the
message.
U.S. Mail: Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader, Willapa National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, Washington 98624.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader, (360)
484-3482.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The CCP Process
The CCP/DEIS was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge
System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) as amended
(Refuge Administration Act); the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (NEPA); and the Service's Wilderness
Stewardship Policy (610 FW 3). The Refuge Administration Act requires
us to
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develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose of
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers a 15-year plan for
achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of
fish and wildlife conservation, management, legal mandates, and our
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction for
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and
environmental education and interpretation. As part of a single
planning process, the CCP/DEIS covers both refuges. At the conclusion
of the planning process, the final documentation will be separated into
two individual CCPs, one for each refuge. We will review and update the
CCPs at least every 15 years in accordance with the Refuge
Administration Act.
Public Outreach
We started the public scoping phase of the CCP planning process by
publishing a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register on September 21,
2006 (71 FR 55214), announcing our intention to complete a CCP/EIS for
the refuges and inviting public comments. A list of public involvement
efforts we have completed to date follows.
In September 2006, we distributed Planning Update 1 to our
project mailing list and public outlets located near one or both
refuges. In it, we announced the initiation of the planning process,
invited the public to a series of open house meetings, provided
background information on the refuges, and requested public comments on
refuge management activities.
Between October 17 and 24, 2006, we held four public open
house meetings in communities near the refuges to meet the public and
obtain comments on refuge management issues. The meetings were
announced though local media via press releases, Web sites, and in
Planning Update 1.
In February 2007, we distributed Planning Update 2, which
included a summary of the public meetings and the public comments we
obtained at the meetings and through other means, a planning schedule,
and draft vision statements for the refuges.
Overview of the Refuges
The Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer
was established in 1971, specifically to protect and manage habitat for
the endangered Columbian white-tailed deer. The refuge contains over
6,000 acres of pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots,
marshes, and sloughs along the Columbia River, in southwestern
Washington and northwestern Oregon. The refuge's Mainland Unit, Hunting
Islands, and Price Island are located in Washington. The refuge's
Tenasillahe Island, Crims Island, Wallace Island, and Westport Unit are
located in Oregon. The refuge habitat protected for the Columbian
white-tailed deer also benefits a large variety of wintering birds; a
small herd of Roosevelt elk; river otters; painted turtles, red-legged
frogs, and other reptiles and amphibians; and several pairs of nesting
bald eagles and ospreys. Staff members for both refuges are located on
the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer in
Wahkiakum County, near the town of Cathlamet, Washington.
The Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge was established in
1972 to preserve the vital fish and wildlife habitat of the Columbia
River estuary. Riverine islands contain habitats ranging from tidal
sand flats and marshes to forested swamps and upland pastures. This
combination supports large numbers of migratory birds, including
waterfowl, waterbirds, shorebirds, and a variety of raptors and
songbirds. The refuge's islands are accessible only by boat and include
approximately 18 named islands and a number of unnamed islands and
marshes stretching over 25 miles of the Columbia River.
Draft Alternatives We Are Considering
We drafted two alternatives for managing the Lewis and Clark
Refuge, and three alternatives for managing the Julia Butler Hansen
Refuge. Draft compatibility determinations for public uses are also
available as an appendix to the CCP/DEIS. Brief descriptions of the
alternatives follow.
Lewis and Clark Refuge Alternative 1
This alternative assumes no change from the current refuge
management programs. Habitat management would consist of monitoring
refuge islands and treating invasive plant infestations as funding
allows. Refuge staff members would continue to protect and maintain
wintering and foraging habitat for migratory waterfowl, and nesting and
roosting habitat for bald eagles. Existing public uses, including
hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation and photography, would
continue at current levels.
Lewis and Clark Refuge Alternative 2
Under Alternative 2 (the preferred alternative), current wildlife
and habitat management would be maintained. Key refuge enhancements
would include establishing or expanding partnerships for managing
invasive species, recruiting graduate students to conduct needed
wildlife and habitat research, and meeting with the Oregon Department
of State Lands to discuss options for managing State lands within the
approved refuge acquisition boundary. The refuge would work to expand
opportunities for public uses, particularly wildlife observation and
photography. Refuge lands that meet the basic criteria for wilderness
would be the subject of additional studies for a potential wilderness
recommendation. Refuge staff would also work with partners to ensure
dredge-spoil islands provide benefits for wildlife.
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 1
Under Alternative 1, no changes to the current refuge management
programs would occur. We would continue to maintain and protect
habitats, establish early successional riparian forest habitat,
maintain predator management January through April, and continue
wildlife-dependent public use programs.
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 2
Under Alternative 2 (the preferred alternative), the refuge would
make certain changes, including closing a small section of Steamboat
Slough to waterfowl hunting to improve public safety. Refuge lands that
meet the basic criteria for wilderness would be the subject of
additional studies for a potential wilderness recommendation. To
achieve the recovery goals for the Columbia white-tailed deer, predator
management would take place on an as-needed basis year-round under this
alternative. We would expand the Columbia white-tailed deer population
by establishing an experimental population upriver. The wildlife-
dependent public use programs would include developing two trails,
opening Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl hunting, and improving
print and interpretive media.
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 3
To achieve recovery goals for the Columbian white-tailed deer, we
would conduct predator management January through August. In addition,
refuge lands that meet the basic criteria for wilderness would be the
subject of additional studies for a potential wilderness
recommendation. The wildlife-dependent public use programs
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would include developing a bicycle and hiking trail, opening Crims and
Price Islands to waterfowl hunting, closing a small section of
Steamboat Slough to waterfowl hunting to improve public safety,
installing new interpretive exhibit panels, and developing curriculum
for the refuge study sites.
Public Availability of Documents
We encourage you to stay involved in the CCP planning process by
reviewing and commenting on the proposals we have developed in the CCP/
DEIS. Copies of the CCP/DEIS on CD-ROM are available by request from
Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, WA 98624; phone (360) 484-3482. The Draft
CCP/EIS will also be available for viewing and downloading on the
Internet at http://www.fws.gov/lc and http://www.fws.gov/jbh. Printed
copies of the CCP/DEIS may be reviewed at the Julia Butler Hansen
Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer, 46 Steamboat Slough Road,
Cathlamet, WA 98612; Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex (address
above); and at the following libraries.
Blanch Bradley Library, 100 Main Street, Cathlamet, WA
98612.
Astoria Public Library, 450 10th Street, Astoria, OR
97103.
Clatskanie Library District, 11 Lillich Street,
Clatskanie, OR 97016.
Ilwaco Timberline Regional Library, 158 1st Avenue,
Ilwaco, WA 98624.
Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview,
WA 98632.
Next Steps
After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and
address them in the form of a final CCP/EIS.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--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: January 15, 2010.
David J. Wesley,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2010-1292 Filed 2-9-10; 8:45 am]
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