[Federal Register: October 22, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 204)]
[Notices]
[Page 65370-65371]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc10-100]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2010-N152; 60138-1265-6CCP-S3]
National Elk Refuge, Jackson, WY; 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) and environmental
assessment (EA) for the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming. We
provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other
Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions,
and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to
consider in the planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
November 22, 2010. Submit comments by one of the methods under
ADDRESSES. We will announce opportunities for public input in local
news media throughout the CCP process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
E-mail: nationalelkrefuge@fws.gov. Include ``National Elk Refuge
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leader, 303-236-4792.
U.S. Mail: Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leader, Division of Refuge
Planning, 134 Union Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80228.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at the above address, or at the National Elk Refuge
office located at 675 E. Broadway, Jackson, WY 83001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Griffin, 303-236-4378 (phone); or
David C. Lucas, Chief, Division of Planning, P.O. Box 25486, Denver
Federal Center, Denver, CO 80228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, WY. 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) to 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 as
amended (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act) 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, where appropriate,
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 goals and objectives for
each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System, 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 ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and
habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation
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 the National Elk 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.
National Elk Refuge
The National Elk Refuge was established in 1912 as a ``winter game
(elk) reserve'' (37 Stat. 293, 16 USC 673), and the following year
Congress designated the area as ``a winter elk refuge'' (37 Stat. 847).
In 1921 all lands included in the refuge, or that might be added in the
future, were reserved and set apart as ``refuges and breeding grounds
for birds'' [Executive Order (EO) 3596], which was affirmed in 1922 (EO
3741). In 1927 the refuge was expanded to provide ``for the grazing of,
and as a refuge for, American elk and other big game animals'' (44
Stat. 1246, 16 USC 673a). These purposes apply to all or most of the
lands now within the refuge. Several parcels have been added to the
refuge specifically for the conservation of fish and wildlife (Fish and
Wildlife Act of 1956), the development of wildlife-oriented
recreational opportunities (Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, 16 U.S.C.
460k-l), the protection of natural resources, and the conservation of
threatened and endangered species (Endangered Species Act of 1973).
The refuge is located in Teton County, Wyoming. A wide variety of
habitats are found on the National Elk Refuge, including grassy
meadows, marshes, timbered areas, sagebrush, and rocky outcroppings.
Between November and May, the wildlife concentrations and diversity
provide spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities.
The refuge's nearly 25,000 acres provide a winter home for one of
the largest wintering concentrations of elk. In addition to the large
elk herds, a free-roaming bison herd winters at the refuge.
A variety of waterfowl, including trumpeter swans, can be seen on
nearly
[[Page 65371]]
1,600 acres of open water and marshlands. At least 47 mammal species
and nearly 175 species of birds have been observed on the refuge. Some
notable species include moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, gray wolves,
mountain lions, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
The CCP will not address bison and elk management on the refuge.
This is because a Bison and Elk Management Plan completed in 2007
provides goals, objectives, and strategies for managing bison and elk
on the National Elk Refuge and in Grand Teton National Park for the
next 15 years. The CCP will address all other aspects of refuge
management, including migratory birds, threatened and endangered
species, visitor use, and cultural resources. We have identified
preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities that we may address in
the CCP. During public scoping, we may identify additional issues.
We request input as to which issues affecting refuge management or
public use should be addressed during the planning process. We are
especially interested in receiving public input in the following areas:
(a) What suggestions do you have for managing migratory birds on
the refuge?
(b) What concerns do you have regarding visitor services and public
use on the refuge?
(c) What changes, if any, would you like to see in the management
of this refuge?
We provide the above questions for your optional use. We have no
requirement that you provide information; however, any comments the
planning team receives will be used as part of the planning process.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting. You can obtain the schedule from the planning team leader or
project leader (see ADDRESSES). We will announce opportunities for
public input in local news media throughout the CCP process. You may
also send comments anytime during the planning process by mail, e-mail,
or fax (see ADDRESSES). There will be additional opportunities to
provide public input once we have prepared a draft CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
Any comments we receive will become part of the administrative
record and may be available to the public. Before submitting comments
that include your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information, you should be aware that your entire
comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made
publicly available at any time. While you may 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 6, 2010.
Noreen E. Walsh,
Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2010-26699 Filed 10-21-10; 8:45 am]
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