[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53440-53442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21415]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2014-N116; FXRS12610600000-145-FF06R06000]
National Elk Refuge, Jackson, WY; Comprehensive Conservation Plan
and Environmental Assessment
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
that our draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental
assessment (EA) for the National Elk Refuge is available. This draft
CCP describes how the Service intends to manage this refuge for the
next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
on the draft CCP/EA by October 9, 2014. Submit comments by one of the
methods under ADDRESSES.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
Email: refugeccps@fws.gov. Include ``National Elk Refuge
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
U.S. Mail: Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leader, Suite 300, 134 Union
Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80228.
Document Request: A copy of the CCP/EA may be obtained by writing
to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, 134
Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80228; or by download from
http://
[[Page 53441]]
www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/planning/ccp/wy/ner/ner.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Griffin, 303-236-4378 (phone); or
tonigriffin@fws.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for the National Elk
Refuge. We started this process through a notice in the Federal
Register (75 FR 65370, October 22, 2010). The National Elk Refuge was
established in 1912 as a ``winter game (elk) reserve'' (37 Stat. 293,
16 U.S.C. 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 U.S.C.
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; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
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 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.
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, 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 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.
Public Outreach
We started the CCP process for the National Elk Refuge in October
2010. Throughout the process, we have requested public comments and
considered and incorporated them in the planning process. Public
outreach has included a news release, planning update, and a scoping
meeting. Comments we received cover topics such as habitat management,
threatened and endangered species, and public use. We have considered
and evaluated all of these comments, with many incorporated into the
various alternatives addressed in the draft CCP and the EA.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
Alternative A--Current Management (No Action)
This no-action alternative represents the current management of the
refuge. This alternative provides the baseline against which to compare
the other alternatives. Programs would follow the same direction,
emphasis, and intensity as they do now. The refuge would not expand
current habitat and wildlife practices that benefit bison, elk,
migratory birds, or other wildlife. Public use opportunities would
remain at current levels.
Alternative B
An important aspect of this alternative would be to increase
opportunities for wildlife-dependent public uses such as hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education,
and interpretation programs. This alternative would allow for the most
public use as compared to the other alternatives. The other emphasis of
this alternative would be to meet habitat and wildlife population
objectives through intensive management actions. Because of increased
public opportunities, refuge staff would focus more on intensive
refuge-specific monitoring, rather than ecosystem monitoring, to gauge
the effects of public use on habitat and wildlife.
Alternative C
This alternative would focus on preserving the Great Yellowstone
Ecosystem and supporting natural processes. We would strive to preserve
intact plant communities, maintain long-distance ungulate migrations,
and maintain a full suite of large native carnivores. Public use would
emphasize interpretation, environmental education and outreach which
may occur off-refuge through community programs and classroom settings,
along with the publication and distribution of printed and electronic
materials, over recreational opportunities that are direct experiences
on the refuge. Tools such as webcams may be installed to provide
offsite wildlife viewing opportunities.
Alternative D--Proposed Action
Our proposed action is a blended alternative which incorporates a
combination of elements from alternative B and alternative C. Habitat
and wildlife management would allow for natural processes to promote
natural habitats. Some habitats, such as wetlands, would be intensively
managed to enhance swan habitat and improve forage quantity and quality
for elk and bison. Similar to alternative B, the refuge would increase
opportunities for wildlife-dependent public uses such as hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental
education. Keeping some areas undeveloped and returning some areas to a
natural state, we would increase development in other areas to enhance
visitor services.
Public Meetings
Opportunity for public input will be provided at a public meeting.
The specific date and time for the public meeting is yet to be
determined, but will be announced via local media and a planning
update.
[[Page 53442]]
Next Steps
After the public reviews and provides comments on the draft CCP and
EA, the planning team will present this document along with a summary
of all substantive public comments to the Regional Director. The
Regional Director will consider the environmental effects of each
alternative, along with information gathered during public review, and
will select a preferred alternative for the draft CCP and EA. If the
Regional Director finds that no significant impacts would occur, the
Regional Director's decision will be disclosed in a Finding of No
Significant Impact. If the Regional Director finds a significant impact
would occur, an environmental impact statement will be prepared. If
approved, the action in the preferred alternative will compose the
final CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
All public comment information provided voluntarily by mail, by
phone, or at public meetings (e.g., names, addresses, letters of
comment, input recorded during meetings) becomes part of the official
public record. If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a
private citizen or organization, the Service may provide copies of such
information.
Authority
The environmental review of this project will be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508, 43 CFR part 46); other appropriate
Federal laws and regulations; Executive Order 12996; 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; and Service policies and procedures for
compliance with those laws and regulations.
Dated: August 5, 2014.
Matt Hogan,
Acting, Regional Director, Mountain Prairie Region, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21415 Filed 9-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P