[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36143-36145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15356]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R5-R-2010-N244; BAC-4311-K9-S3]
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Kent County, DE;
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 associated
environmental assessment (EA) for Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
(BHNWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our 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
September 1, 2011. Submit comments by one of the methods listed 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 on the
planning process by any of the following methods.
E-mail: northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include ``Bombay Hook NWR'' in
the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Thomas Bonetti, 413-253-8468.
U.S. Mail: Thomas Bonetti, Refuge Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at the above address, or at Bombay Hook National
Wildlife Refuge, 2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE 19977. Please
call 302-653-9345 for directions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Stroeh, Project Leader, Bombay
Hook National Wildlife Refuge, 2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE
19977; 302-653-9345 (phone); 302-653-0684 (fax); FW5_BHNWR@fws.gov (e-
mail) or Web site: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/bombayhook/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate the process for developing a CCP for
BHNWR, located in Kent County, Delaware. 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 (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation, legal
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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 NWRS 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 NWRS
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 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 NWRS.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, local government 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 BHNWR.
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.
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Under Executive Order (EO) 7643, dated June 22, 1937, BHNWR was
established ``* * * as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds
and other wildlife. * * *'' Two other authorities supported additional
land protection: the Migratory Bird Conservation Act ``* * * for use as
an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for
migratory birds'' (16 U.S.C. 715d) and the General Services
Administration. Transfer Authority for ``* * * carrying out the
national migratory bird management program'' (16 U.S.C. 667b).
The refuge currently encompasses 16,251 acres, located in Kent
County, Delaware. Comprised of 80 percent tidal salt marsh, it also
includes 1,100 acres of impounded freshwater pools, brushy and timbered
swamps, and timbered and grassy upland. The refuge's location along the
Atlantic Flyway makes it a vital resting and feeding spot for a large
number and diversity of birds.
Popular attractions within the refuge include a wide array of
habitats for wildlife observation and photography, the 12-mile auto
tour route, and five nature trails, including Bear Swamp Boardwalk and
Trails that are handicap accessible. The refuge also provides other
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities such as hunting deer,
turkey, small game, and waterfowl, and has an established environmental
education program. The historic circa-1753 Allee House is located on
the refuge and requires restoration before it can be re-opened to the
public.
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 these issues
below. During public scoping, we may identify additional issues.
Climate Change and Interior Marsh Loss
A growing body of evidence indicates that accelerating climate
change, associated with increasing global temperatures, is affecting
water, land, and wildlife resources. Along the Delaware Bay, rising sea
levels have begun to affect fish and wildlife habitats, including those
used by waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds on our national
wildlife refuges. Interior marsh loss is occurring at a rate of
approximately 58 acres per year at the refuge, and this important
habitat is primarily converting to open water. Successful conservation
strategies will require an understanding of climate change and the
ability to predict how those changes will affect fish and wildlife at
multiple scales.
Mosquito Control
Balancing the needs of wildlife and people is becoming more
difficult as residential developments encroach upon wild areas and more
visitors participate in wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities
on the refuge. Providing quality habitat in sufficient quantities for
an increasing number of species and individuals is challenging to
wildlife managers and biologists. Mosquitoes are a part of the natural
environment and a food source for a variety of wildlife. More
importantly, insecticides, in particular adulticides that are used to
control mosquitoes, kill non-target insects that are utilized by fish,
amphibians, and migratory birds as important food sources. BHNWR will
continue to work with the State's Mosquito Control Section related to
mosquito control on the refuge while striving to protect the biological
integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the refuge.
Allee House
The Allee House at BHNWR stands today, as it did in the 18th
century, overlooking the fields and marshes of Kent County. The
original restoration of the Allee House was completed in 1966, and in
1971, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The
Allee House is in need of major repairs, and is closed to visitors
until further notice. A Comprehensive Condition Assessment and
Preventive Maintenance Plan were completed in 2010. The work required
to properly protect and restore the house to historical standards is
extensive and costly and is estimated at a cost of $1,000,000.
Farming
Cooperative farming has been utilized on the refuge since its
establishment. Farming is still considered a viable wildlife management
tool, but the role of the farming program has changed over the years.
BHNWR suspended the cooperative farming program in January 2010 because
the NEPA documentation was not completed. Subsequently, a complaint was
filed in Federal court in March 2010 to cease cooperative farming on
the refuge. We will evaluate the farming program and its support of our
conservation priorities in the CCP process.
Hunting
On the Delmarva Peninsula, hunting is a traditional outdoor pastime
that is deeply rooted in American and Delaware heritage. Opportunities
for public hunting are decreasing with increasing private land
development. Refuge lands thus become increasingly important in the
region as a place to engage in this activity. Hunting will continue to
be an integral component of the public use program at the refuge. The
Service Manual (605 FW 2) states that hunting programs must provide
quality experiences for the public, be compatible with the mission of
the NWRS and the purposes of the refuge, and, to the extent
practicable, be consistent with State fish and wildlife laws and
regulations. In scoping for the CCP, we invite suggestions on how to
improve the current hunting program.
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Public Meetings
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public
meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the refuge manager or
planning team leader (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). We will
also announce public meetings in the local news media. 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
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: May 19, 2011.
Wendi Weber,
Acting Regional Director, Region 5, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge,
Hadley, MA 01035.
[FR Doc. 2011-15356 Filed 6-20-11; 8:45 am]
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