[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77247-77249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31811]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2010-N243; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge and Julia Butler Hansen
Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer, Wahkiakum County, WA, and
Clatsop and Columbia Counties, OR; Record of Decision for Final
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of the record of decision (ROD) for the final
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Lewis and Clark National
Wildlife Refuge and Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-
tailed Deer (Refuges). We completed a thorough analysis of the
environmental, social, and economic considerations and presented it in
our final EIS, which we released to the public on August 13, 2010.
DATES: The Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, signed the ROD on September 23, 2010. We can
implement the CCP immediately.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and ROD by
any of the following methods:
Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at http://www.fws.gov/pacific/planning/.
Email: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Lewis and Clark and
Julia Butler Hansen ROD'' in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101,
Ilwaco, WA 98624.
Fax: (360) 484-3109.
In person viewing: Copies of the final CCP/EIS may be viewed at the
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, WA
98624; and the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian
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White-tailed Deer, 46 Steamboat Slough Road, Cathlamet, WA 98612.
Local Libraries: The final documents are also available for review
at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Stenvall, (360) 484-3482.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
This notice completes the CCP process for the Refuges. We started
the process in a Federal Register notice (71 FR 55214; September 21,
2006). We released the draft CCP/EIS to the public, announcing and
requesting comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register
(75 FR 6694; February 10, 2010). We announced the availability of the
final CCP/EIS in the Federal Register (75 FR 49516) on August 13, 2010.
The Lewis and Clark Refuge was established in 1972 to preserve
vital fish and wildlife habitat of the Columbia River estuary. The
Refuge's islands in the Columbia River encompass a variety of habitat
types, from tidal sand flats and marshes to forested swamps. This
combination of habitats supports large numbers of waterfowl, gulls,
terns, wading birds, shorebirds, and a variety of raptors and
songbirds. The Lewis and Clark Refuge's islands are accessible by boat,
and include 18 named islands, a number of unnamed islands, and marshes
stretching over 25 miles of the Columbia River.
The Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer
was established in 1971 to protect and manage the endangered Columbian
white-tailed deer (CWT deer). The Refuge contains over 6,000 acres of
pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes, and sloughs
along the Columbia River.
In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR
1506.6(b)) requirements, this notice announces the availability of the
ROD for the final EIS and CCP for the Refuges. We completed a thorough
analysis of the environmental, social, and economic considerations,
which we included in the final CCP/EIS. We included two alternatives
for the Lewis and Clark Refuge and three alternatives for the Julia
Butler Hansen Refuge. For Lewis and Clark Refuge, Alternative 1 was the
no-action alternative and Alternative 2 was the preferred alternative.
For Julia Butler Hansen Refuge, Alternative 1 was our no-action
alternative, Alternative 2 was our preferred alternative, and
Alternative 3 was similar to Alternative 2 except that the timeframe
for predator management would have been limited to January through
August. For both Refuges, we selected Alternative 2, our preferred
alternative, for implementation. The ROD documents our selections.
The CCP will guide us in managing and administering the Refuges for
the next 15 years. For each of the two refuges, the selected
alternative, as we described in the final EIS and ROD, is the
foundation for the CCP.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to
develop a CCP for each 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. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Refuge Administration Act.
CCP Alternatives and Selected Alternatives
We identified several issues in our draft CCP/EIS. To address
these, we developed and evaluated management alternatives for the
Refuges as required under the Council on Environmental Quality's
regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508). A summary of each alternative follows.
Lewis and Clark Refuge Alternative 1
No changes to the Refuge's current management programs would occur
under Alternative 1. 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. Hunting, fishing, 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 and improved. Key Refuge
enhancements would include establishing or expanding partnerships for
managing invasive species, recruiting graduate students to conduct
wildlife and habitat research, and exploring options for managing
Oregon Department of State Lands property within the approved Refuge
boundary. The Refuge would also expand opportunities for wildlife
observation and photography, evaluate the Refuge's Wilderness Study
Area (WSA) for a wilderness designation proposal, and work with
partners to ensure that 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 at Julia Butler Hansen Refuge. We would continue
to maintain and protect habitats, establish early successional riparian
forest habitat, maintain predator management January through April, and
continue public use programs.
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 2
Refuge management changes under Alternative 2 (the preferred
alternative) would include opening Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl
hunting, closing portions of Refuge lands along the lower Elochoman
River to waterfowl hunting for public safety purposes, evaluating the
Refuge's WSA for a wilderness designation proposal, developing two
trails, and improving interpretive media. To achieve CWT deer recovery
goals, predator management would take place as needed, year round, and
we would expand the CWT deer population by establishing an experimental
population upriver.
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 3
Refuge management changes under Alternative 3 would include opening
Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl hunting, closing portions of
Refuge lands along the lower Elochoman River to waterfowl hunting for
public safety purposes, studying potential wilderness lands, developing
a bicycling and hiking trail, installing interpretive panels, and
developing curriculum for Refuge study sites. To achieve CWT deer
recovery goals, predator management would take place January through
August under this alternative.
After considering the comments we received, we have selected
Alternative 2 for each Refuge. Alternative 2 was selected for
implementation for the Lewis and Clark Refuge because it will best
achieve Refuge purposes and fulfill the Service's mission. It is
consistent with the principles of sound wildlife management, and will
facilitate priority public uses that are compatible with the purposes
of the Refuge. This alternative is based on a land management approach
that protects natural
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resources, habitats, and landscapes, while allowing for recreational
public uses. This management approach will be effective for protecting
Refuge resources, improving public information, working with our
partners, and providing research opportunities on the Refuge for
graduate students. Studying the Refuge islands' 6,745-acre WSA will
enable us to assess a proposal for possible wilderness designation.
Alternative 2 was selected for implementation for the Julia Butler
Hansen Refuge because it will best achieve the Refuge purposes and
fulfill the Service's mission. It is consistent with the principles of
sound wildlife management, and will facilitate priority public uses
that are compatible with the purposes of the Refuge. We will
incorporate several new components to current management by addressing
a variety of resource needs, while improving CWT deer protection with a
focus on recovery. Recovery measures include an opportunity for an
experimental CWT deer population upriver, expanded habitat restoration,
and increased predator control, as needed, year-round. Other actions
include conducting research for management purposes and improving
priority public use opportunities. The combination of these components
will contribute to achieving the Refuge's vision, purposes, and goals.
Implementing this alternative will provide an achievable balance of
opportunities for priority public uses (hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation and photography, and environmental education and
interpretation), while providing sufficient protection and sanctuary
areas for endangered CWT deer, other wildlife, and their habitats.
Studying the 1,344-acre WSA for Wallace and Hunting Islands will enable
us to assess a proposal for wilderness designation.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view our CCP 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 Ave., Ilwaco,
WA 98624.
Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview,
WA 98632.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd.,
Vancouver, WA 98663.
Dated: November 30, 2011.
Richard Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2011-31811 Filed 12-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P