[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50441-50442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20088]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R3-R-2013-N075; FXRS1265030000-134-FF03R06000]
Iowa Wetland Management District, 35 Counties in North-Central
and Northwest Iowa; Environmental Assessment and Draft Comprehensive
Conservation Plan
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) and draft
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the Iowa Wetland Management
District (district, WMD) for public review and comment. In this EA/
draft CCP we describe how we propose to manage the district for the
next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by September 18, 2013. We will hold open house-style meetings during
the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the
EA and draft CCP. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper
articles, internet postings, and other media announcements to inform
people of opportunities for input.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
one of the following methods:
Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ``Iowa WMD EA/Draft
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, 515-928-2230.
U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager Tim Miller, Iowa
Wetland Management District, 1710 360th Street, Titonka, IA 50480.
In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during
regular business hours at the above address.
You will find the EA and Draft CCP with an executive summary, as
well as information about the planning process, on the planning Web
site: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/iowawetlands/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Miller, 515-928-2523.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP planning process for the Iowa
Wetland Management District, which we began by publishing a notice of
intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010. For
more about the initial process and the history of the district, see
that notice.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), requires us to develop a
CCP for each national wildlife refuge (including wetland management
districts). The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide the district
manager with a 15-year strategy for achieving district purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System
(NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife
management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service 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 unit within the NWRS mission,
and to determine how the public can use each unit. 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 unit's
establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
Additional Information
The EA/draft CCP, which includes detailed information about the
planning process, district, issues, and management alternatives
considered and proposed, may be found at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/iowawetlands/index.html. There are four alternative management
options considered in the EA. The Service's preferred alternative is
reflected in the draft CCP. The following regulation would be
implemented on the Service's fee title property within the district
under any alternative: ``You may only use or possess approved nontoxic
shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting
wild turkey.''
The alternatives analyzed in detail include:
Alternative A, Current Management (No Action): This no-
action alternative reflects the current management of the Iowa WMD. It
provides the baseline against which to compare other alternatives.
Alternative B, Breeding Waterfowl: This alternative
focuses on managing for breeding waterfowl by restoring cropland to
perennial grassland in the uplands and restoring semi- or less
permanent pothole wetlands in the lowlands. Food plots would be
eliminated from the district, because they are not essential for
breeding waterfowl survival. Environmental education, interpretation,
and outreach would remain at current levels, with more emphasis on
distributing a consistent message for the entire district. Public use
opportunities would remain limited to hunting, fishing, and trapping.
Alternative C, Migrating Waterfowl: This alternative
focuses on managing for migrating waterfowl by restoring cropland to
perennial grassland in the uplands. Restoration in the lowlands would
focus on semi- or less permanent pothole wetlands important to the
restoration of semi-permanent to shallow lakes. This strategy would
provide good water quality to support native vegetation and
invertebrates as high-quality food for migrating waterfowl. Some food
plots would remain within the district as an additional food source.
Environmental education, interpretation, and outreach would remain at
current levels, with more emphasis on distributing a consistent message
for the entire district. Public use facilities (kiosks, etc.) would be
provided at key locations, and other recreational opportunities would
be provided, in addition to hunting, fishing, and trapping.
Alternative D, Breeding Waterfowl (Preferred Alternative):
This alternative has components from all other alternatives. As in
Alternative B, it focuses on managing for breeding
[[Page 50442]]
waterfowl. Restoring cropland to perennial grassland would be the
dominant activity in the uplands, while a variety of pothole wetlands
would be the focus for restoration in the lowlands, especially those
important to restoration of semi-permanent to shallow lakes. A
diversity of wetland types would provide for a greater diversity of
wildlife, in particular, grassland and other wetland birds. As in
Alternative C, public use opportunities, in addition to hunting,
fishing, and trapping, as well as some additional public use facilities
(kiosks, etc.), would be provided, and some food plots would remain.
Once again, environmental education, interpretation, and outreach would
remain at current levels, with more emphasis on distributing a
consistent message for the entire district.
Public Involvement
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public
meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site
listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments
anytime during the comment period.
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 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.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-20088 Filed 8-16-13; 8:45 am]
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