[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13139-13141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5297]
[[Page 13139]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2011-N210; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Harney County, OR; Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Draft 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 a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and draft
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Malheur National Wildlife
Refuge (NWR or refuge), located in Harney County, Oregon, for public
review and comment. In the draft CCP and EIS, we describe alternatives,
including our preferred alternative, for managing the refuge for the 15
years following approval of the final CCP.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
May 4, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or requests for copies or more
information by any of the following methods. You may request hard
copies or a CD-ROM of the documents.
Email: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Malheur NWR DCCP/EA''
in the subject line.
Fax: Attn: Tim Bodeen, Project Leader, (541) 493-2405.
U.S. Mail: Tim Bodeen, Project Leader, Malheur National Wildlife
Refuge, 36391 Sodhouse Lane, Princeton, OR 97221.
Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document at http://www.fws.gov/pacific/planning.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call (541) 493-2612 to make an
appointment (necessary for viewing or pickup only) during regular
business hours at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, 36391 Sodhouse
Lane, Princeton, OR 97221.
For more information on locations for viewing the documents, see
``Public Availability of Documents'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Bodeen, Project Leader, Malheur
National Wildlife Refuge, phone (541) 493-2612.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Malheur NWR. We
started this process through a notice in the Federal Register (74 FR
31046; June 29, 2009).
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 18,
1908, by President Theodore Roosevelt as the Lake Malheur Bird
Reservation. The refuge was originally set aside to prevent plume
hunters from decimating colonial nesting bird populations. It protected
unclaimed lands encompassed by Malheur, Mud, and Harney Lakes ``as a
preserve and breeding ground for native birds.'' The refuge was
expanded to include the Blitzen Valley in 1935 and the Double-O Unit in
1941. Refuge purposes include ``* * * a refuge and breeding ground for
migratory birds and other wild life * * *'' and ``* * * for use as an
inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory
birds.''
The refuge consists of over 187,000 acres of open water (marsh,
river, and stream), wetlands, springs, riparian areas, irrigated
meadows and grain fields, and shrub-steppe uplands.
With its abundance of water in an otherwise arid landscape, the
refuge attracts a significant portion of the Pacific Flyway's bird
population during spring migration. The refuge is named under several
flyway and regional bird conservation plans and is designated as an
Important Bird Area. Populations of breeding waterfowl and waterbirds
on Malheur Lake and other refuge wetlands have dropped substantially
compared to historic levels, a decline that is widely attributed to the
high populations of non-native common carp now living in the lake and
adjacent water bodies.
We announce the availability of the Malheur NWR draft CCP/EIS in
accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR
1506.6(b)) requirements. We prepared an environmental analysis of
impacts, which we included in the draft CCP/EIS.
Background
The CCP Process
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 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 compatible
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public,
including opportunities for compatible hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation and photography, environmental education and
interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15
years in accordance with the Refuge Administration Act.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
We are considering three CCP alternatives for managing the refuge.
The draft CCP/EIS provides a full description of each alternative,
summarized below.
Alternative 1 (No Action)
Under Alternative 1, the refuge would continue current practices.
Malheur, Harney, and Mud Lakes would continue to remain largely
unmanaged, allowed to flood and retreat according to annual weather
fluctuations, and subject to degradation caused by large carp
populations. Other lake and wetland habitats in the Blitzen Valley and
Double-O Units would be managed using rotational flooding and
dewatering to enhance productivity for waterfowl and to control carp.
Together with the six dams that assist in water diversions,
existing fish screens and ladders on the Blitzen River would remain in
place. Native fish passage structures, maintenance of existing carp
barriers, and riparian vegetative rehabilitation efforts would
continue. Additional riverine enhancement would consist of isolated,
small-scale, in-stream improvements when resources are available. Much
of the carp control effort would continue to be focused on information
gathering under this Alternative.
Habitat management in meadows, marshes, and uplands would continue
as currently practiced. Current meadow and marsh habitat objectives
address the needs of various waterbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl by
providing conditions necessary for nesting, pairing, and migration.
Flood irrigation with diversions from the river March 1 through July 25
would continue to be practiced on meadow habitats. Plant litter, which
becomes detrimental to some wildlife species needs over time, would
continue to be reduced through the use of prescribed burning, haying on
or after August 10, and rakebunch grazing occurring on or after
September 1. Approximately 40 percent of meadows would continue to be
hayed or grazed annually. The current trend of
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emergent vegetation encroachment into wet meadows would continue due to
the favorable conditions that extended flood irrigation creates for
common and hybrid cattails.
Public uses, including compatible wildlife observation,
photography, interpretation, environmental education, hunting, and
fishing would continue with the current facilities and programs in
place. No new public use facilities would be developed. Areas currently
closed to public access, which include nearly all areas not on the main
roads, would remain closed in order to provide sanctuary.
Cultural resources, specifically archaeological resources, would
continue to be considered during project planning for all refuge
programs. Historic resources would continue to be stabilized and
restored as funding becomes available. Paleontological resources would
continue to be protected; interpretation of archaeological and historic
resources would remain the same.
Alternative 2 (Proposed Action)
Habitat Management: Under Alternative 2, our preferred alternative,
the primary focus and top priority would be to improve the aquatic
health of lakes and wetlands, primarily through aggressive control of
common carp. As turbidity decreases, the submergent vegetation and
associated invertebrate species become more abundant, benefitting a
variety of waterbirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds.
A variety of assessment and control tools may be used with the aid
of partners to strive to meet a reduced carp population objective of
100 pounds per acre in Malheur, Harney, and Mud Lakes.
Under Alternative 2, the refuge would initiate steps toward a
comprehensive riverine/wetland rehabilitation plan. As funding becomes
available, the refuge would complete necessary assessments and pilot
projects. If, during the life of this CCP, our carp threshold objective
of 100 pounds per acre is met and maintained, more staff time and
resources would be directed to river rehabilitation efforts.
Wetlands and terrestrial habitats would be managed for the life
history needs of focal species (identified in the plan), with a strong
emphasis on flexibility. Tools would include, but not be limited to,
late summer haying and autumn/winter rakebunch grazing in order to meet
the foraging needs of early-arriving wildlife species. In the warm
growing season, tools would include highly prescriptive grazing,
mowing, farming, and extended dewatering to reclaim acres lost to
invasive plants, such as common cattail and reed canarygrass, or to
rehabilitate communities that have transitioned beyond desired
conditions.
Public Uses: Viewing overlooks, elevated viewing platforms, and
photography blinds would be upgraded and developed. The refuge would
maintain and replant cottonwood trees and other trees and shrubs at six
historic sites for rare and incidental passerine habitat, an important
part of the viewing experience for advanced birders. Trails would be
added; several trails would be upgraded or built to promote
accessibility. Docent-led tours would occur approximately monthly at
different locations on the refuge, and would include opportunities for
guided kayak and canoe tours on Malheur Lake. A stronger emphasis would
be placed on modern media for interpretation. The George Benson
Memorial Museum would be enhanced, and additional outdoor interpretive
panels would be developed and sited. Special events and public
presentations by staff and volunteers would be expanded. An outdoor
environmental education shelter and learning area at Refuge
Headquarters would be built.
Increased vehicle access would be provided under this Alternative.
Visitors would be permitted to drive year-round to Krumbo Reservoir. Up
to eight outdoor welcome and orientation panels would be provided to
guide visitors. Visitor amenities, such as picnic tables, shelters, and
vault toilets, would be upgraded and provided in new locations. An
enlarged visitor contact station and gift shop at Headquarters and a
seasonal contact station at P Ranch would be built to improve contact
between visitors and refuge staff and volunteers.
The upland game hunt would open the fourth Saturday of October,
approximately 3 weeks earlier than the current program. The northern
part of Malheur Lake and the Buena Vista hunt unit would remain open
under existing regulations. New waterfowl hunt areas would be provided
(approximately doubling or tripling the existing hunt area) by opening
a portion of the south-central area of Malheur Lake, adding a new boat
launch at headquarters, and by opening the Buena Vista Unit to
waterfowl hunting. The season for the new waterfowl hunt units would
extend from the fourth Saturday of October to the end of the State
waterfowl season. The existing youth hunt would be promoted, and
improvements would be made to the Saddle Butte access. In partnership
with potential users, the refuge would also support adding accessible
facilities for disabled waterfowl hunters in the Buena Vista hunt unit.
Existing fishing opportunities at Krumbo Reservoir, along the upper
Blitzen River, the southern portion of East Canal, and Mud and Bridge
Creeks would continue, and the expanded vehicle access mentioned above
would provide greater accessibility to fishing sites. In addition, the
refuge would create a new pedestrian crossing at Bridge Creek and a new
late summer bank fishing opportunity on the Blitzen River from Sodhouse
Lane to the bridge on the Boat Landing Road. Orientation and
information would be added to fishing areas. At Krumbo Reservoir,
stocking of triploid rainbow trout would continue, and a genetic
introgression study on redband trout conducted.
The Service would pursue a land exchange with BLM to help
consolidate land management between the agencies for areas within and
immediately adjacent to the Malheur Refuge. The refuge would continue
to rely heavily on volunteers, with an emphasis on increasing
recruitment and retention.
Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management: These programs
would be strengthened by the development, in cooperation with partners,
of step-down management plans for historic, archaeological, and
paleontological resources. Interpretation of historic sites would be
expanded. Opportunities for Native Americans to collect plant materials
for traditional uses would be expanded. Monitoring and inventory of
archaeological resources would increase.
Sustainable Practices: The refuge would seek to become energy
independent and carbon neutral, and would continue to emphasize
partnerships to maximize adaptive management.
Inventory and Monitoring: Step-down inventory and monitoring plans
would be developed, emphasizing focal species and national monitoring
efforts. A geodatabase would be created to track data collected under
these plans.
Alternative 3
Habitat Management: Alternative 3 would enact nearly all of the
same habitat management practices as Alternative 2. The primary
difference is that the refuge would place a co-equal emphasis on both
aquatic health (carp control) and completing a comprehensive riverine/
wetland rehabilitation plan. The intended eventual outcomes of the
riverine plan and implementation actions would be enhanced habitat for
native fishes, enhanced water quality within the river,
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greater floodplain connectivity, and improved extent and quality of
riparian habitat. A detailed assessment of the geomorphology, ecology,
hydrology, and management function of the Blitzen River would occur for
the first 7 years. The next 5 years would be used for implementing and
monitoring pilot projects to gain a better understanding of system
response to enhancement activities. Using results from the pilot
projects, a comprehensive plan would be crafted to guide river
rehabilitation efforts. Because the river effort would proceed slowly
and would likely not be fully implemented until the end of the 15-year
timeframe, no discernible difference would exist between Alternatives 2
and 3 with regard to the management of other wetland and terrestrial
habitats within the Blitzen Valley and Double-O Units.
Public Uses: Management under Alternative 3 for compatible wildlife
viewing, photography, and welcome and orientation would be similar to
Alternative 2, but there would be less emphasis on developed facilities
and more emphasis on self-guided and off-trail experiences.
The Blitzen Valley auto tour route (Center Patrol Road) would be
seasonally closed to vehicle access (August 15 to the fourth Friday of
October in the Buena Vista unit, and August 15 to March 1 in the P
Ranch unit) and would be redesigned into two or three year-round
shorter auto tour routes. Walk-in free-roam access along the closed
portions of the Center Patrol Road and dike tops in both units would be
allowed during the periods listed above to provide opportunities for
self-guided and off-trail experiences. Vehicle access to Krumbo
Reservoir would be seasonal; walk-in access would be allowed November 1
to the fourth Friday of April. Year-round vehicle access would be
allowed on the Boat Landing Road near Refuge Headquarters to the
Malheur Lake elevated viewing platform. Spur and loop trails of one
mile or more and a number of specific viewing facilities such as
overlooks and platforms would be added with limited investment.
Existing trails would be upgraded to promote accessibility.
The historic Audubon photography blind at Refuge Headquarters
Display Pond would be restored. In free-roam areas, temporary
photography blinds would be permitted. The refuge would maintain and
replant trees and shrubs at four historic sites to provide habitat used
by rare and incidental passerines.
The upland game and the waterfowl hunts would be managed as under
Alternative 2, except a Buena Vista waterfowl hunt would not be
permitted. However, a youth hunt opportunity on the State-designated
weekend would be explored for the Double-O unit.
Fishing opportunities and management would be the same as
Alternative 2, but less vehicle access to fishing areas compared to
Alternative 2 may limit the number of people engaging in this use.
Environmental education, interpretation (including docent-led
tours), volunteer programs, potential land exchange with BLM, cultural
and paleontological management, energy independence, and inventory and
monitoring would be managed the same as under Alternative 2.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to the information in ADDRESSES, printed copies of the
document will be available for review at the following libraries:
Harney County Library, 80 West ``D'' Street, Burns, OR
97720.
Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR 97701.
Next Steps
After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and
address them in the final CCP/EIS. A record of decision will follow the
final CCP/EIS.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may become publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your identifying information from
public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Dated: Nov 8, 2011.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2012-5297 Filed 3-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P