[Federal Register: September 17, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 180)]
[Notices]
[Page 57053-57055]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17se10-122]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2010-N146; 1265-0000-10137 S3]
Camas National Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson County, ID;
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for Camas National
Wildlife Refuge (refuge) in Hamer, ID. We will also prepare an
environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate the
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potential effects of various CCP alternatives. We are providing this
notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise the public, Federal
and State agencies, and Tribes of our intentions, and to obtain
suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider during
the CCP planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
October 18, 2010. We will announce opportunities for public input in
local news media throughout the CCP planning process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods:
E-mail: brian_wehausen@fws.gov. Include ``Camas CCP/EA'' in the
subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Brian Wehausen, (208) 662-5525.
U.S. Mail: Camas National Wildlife Refuge, 2150 East 2350 North,
Hamer, ID 83425.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at 370 Webster St., Montpelier, ID
83254.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Wehausen, (208) 662-5423.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
the Camas Refuge. This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1)
Advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our
intention to conduct detailed planning on this refuge and (2) obtain
suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the
environmental document and during development of the CCP.
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 1997, requires us to develop
a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for 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, 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 and photography, and
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System was established
for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for
developing and prioritizing the management of goals and objectives for
each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to
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
that will insure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and
habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent
recreational opportunities that are compatible with each refuge's
establishing purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge
System.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public.
At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas,
and suggestions for the future management of Camas Refuge.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project and
develop an EA in accordance with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate
Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and procedures for
compliance with those laws and regulations.
Camas National Wildlife Refuge
The Camas Refuge was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
in 1937 for the purpose of serving as a refuge and breeding ground for
migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge is located 36 miles
north of Idaho Falls, near the community of Hamer, Idaho. The refuge
lies in the upper Snake River plain at approximately 4,800 feet in
elevation.
The refuge was historically comprised of a diverse mosaic of
wetland and wet meadow habitats, surrounded by an expansive sea of
sagebrush, termed the ``high desert.'' The wetlands and wet meadows
were once fed by surface water from the perennial flow of Camas Creek,
and natural artesian wells which discharged groundwater and continually
flooded the wetlands during the drier summer and fall months.
The upper Snake River climate and soils are favorable to
agricultural uses, principally ranching and farming. In the late 1800s,
large livestock and ranching operations were established in the area.
The grazing lands were later divided into smaller units, and crops were
cultivated for livestock feed. Agriculture further developed in the
area to support the thousands of people working in mines. By the time
mining diminished, railroads had begun connecting farmers and ranchers
to markets far beyond rural southeast Idaho.
About half of the refuge's 10,578 acres are lakes, ponds, and
marshlands, with the remainder consisting of grass/sagebrush uplands
and meadows. There are 292 known species of wildlife that utilize the
refuge during various periods of the year. Approximately 100 species of
migratory birds nest at the refuge, and it is especially important to
migrating land birds. A large number of songbirds use the refuge's
cottonwood groves, which are also a significant winter roost site for
bald eagles. Greater sandhill cranes gather on the refuge prior to fall
migration. Sage grouse use the refuge during brood rearing. During
migration, which peaks during March and April, and again in October, up
to 50,000 ducks, 3,000 geese, and several hundred tundra and trumpeter
swans may be present on the refuge. The refuge also hosts elk, white-
tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, and moose.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
that we may address in the CCP. We have briefly summarized the issues
below. During public scoping, we may identify additional issues.
Are the refuge's water quantity management and groundwater
pumping capabilities adequate for maintaining nesting and migratory
waterbird habitats?
Are we protecting the refuge's water rights adequately,
and how can we improve water quality for fish and wildlife?
What actions should we take to minimize disturbance to
waterbirds nesting and migrating on the refuge, as well as other
wildlife?
How the refuge can meet increasing demands for
recreational opportunities and conduct quality visitor services
programs in a manner that protects wildlife from disturbances?
What is the refuge's role in managing the established
nonnative
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cottonwood gallery forest for migratory landbirds?
What are our options for preventing the introduction and
dispersal of invasive plants and animals?
What is the refuge's role in supporting native fish and
restoring riparian habitat in Camas Creek?
How can we maintain, manage, and restore the refuge's
sagebrush, wet meadow, and upland habitats to support the long-term
viability of native wildlife populations, and maximize habitat values
for key wildlife species?
How can the refuge adaptively manage habitat in response
to climate change issues?
How can we protect the refuge's cultural and historical
resources?
What is the most appropriate refuge land management
strategy for providing contiguous and quality habitats for focal
wildlife resources?
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: August 5, 2010.
Theresa E. Rabot,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2010-23243 Filed 9-16-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P