[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 238 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76998-76999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31231]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2015-N208; FF06R06000-FXRS12610600000-167]
San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, CO;
Availability of Record of Decision for the Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and 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 a record of decision (ROD) for the final comprehensive
conservation plan (CCP) and final environmental impact statement (EIS)
for the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Refuge
Complex).
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the ROD, the final CCP and
final EIS, or other project information by any of the following
methods:
Agency Web site: Download a copy of the documents at http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/refuges/alm_bac_mtv.php
Email: slvrefugesplanning@fws.gov. Include ``Request copy of San
Luis Valley NWR Complex ROD'' in the subject line of the message.
U.S. mail: San Luis Valley NWR Complex, 8249 Emperius Road,
Alamosa, CO 81101.
Local Libraries: The final documents are available for review at
the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Vaughn, Project Leader, at 719-
589-4021 (phone), or Laurie Shannon, Planning Team Leader, 303-236-4317
(phone) or laurie_shannon@fws.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for The San Luis
Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. We started this process
through a notice in the Federal Register (76 FR 14042, March 15, 2011).
Following a lengthy scoping and alternatives development period, we
published a second notice in the Federal Register (79 FR 50937, August
26, 2014), announcing the availability of the draft CCP and draft EIS
and our intention to hold public meetings, and requesting comments. We
then published a third notice in the Federal Register (80 FR 48328,
August 12, 2015), announcing the publication of the final CCP and final
EIS.
The primary planning area for this decision includes Alamosa, Monte
Vista, and Baca National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs), which are located in
Alamosa, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties in the San Luis Valley,
Colorado.
Wildlife habitat on the three national wildlife refuges includes
diverse wetlands and playas, riparian areas, grasslands, and shrublands
that provide important resources for many migratory birds, Rocky
Mountain elk, deer, and a variety of other resident wildlife. About
18,000 to 20,000 greater sandhill cranes migrate through the valley
every spring and fall, where they spend several weeks resting and
foraging for food on and around the Monte Vista NWR. The federally
endangered southwestern willow flycatcher breeds along the Rio Grande
on the Alamosa NWR. Baca NWR has one of two aboriginal (natural)
populations of Rio Grande sucker found in the State.
Visitors take part in a variety of wildlife-dependent recreational
activities on the Refuge Complex. Every year, the Monte Vista Crane
Festival attracts thousands of visitors who come to see sandhill cranes
and waterfowl. The Monte Vista and Alamosa NWRs are also open for
waterfowl and limited small game hunting, wildlife observation,
photography, interpretation, and environmental education. As part of
this CCP and EIS process, we have considered opening the Baca NWR for
similar opportunities.
Over 12,000 years of prehistory and history have been recorded in
the San Luis Valley, and all three national wildlife refuges contain
significant cultural resources.
[[Page 76999]]
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 CCP and final EIS for San Luis Valley NWR Complex. We
completed a thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and
economic considerations associated with our actions. The ROD documents
our selection of alternative B, the preferred alternative.
The CCP will guide us in managing and administering the Refuge
Complex for the next 15 years. Alternative B, as we described in the
final EIS/ROD, is the foundation for 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, 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 Administration Act.
CCP Alternatives and Selected Alternative
Our final CCP and final EIS (80 FR 48328; August 12, 2015)
addressed several issues. To address these, we developed and evaluated
the following alternatives: Alternative A--No Action; Alternative B--
Wildlife Populations, Strategic Habitat Restoration, and Enhanced
Public Uses; Alternative C--Habitat Restoration and Ecological
Processes; and Alternative D--Maximize Public Use Opportunities.
After consideration of the more than 1,000 comments that we
received on the draft CCP and draft EIS, we have selected alternative
B--Wildlife Populations, Strategic Habitat Restoration, and Enhanced
Public Uses. It is the alternative that best meets the purposes of the
refuges, the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and the
vision and management goals set for the Refuge Complex; and it adheres
to Service policies and guidelines. It considers the interests and
perspectives of many agencies, organization, tribes, and the public.
Additionally, it is the environmentally preferred alternative.
Under alternative B and in cooperation with our partners, we will
maintain or restore the composition, structure, and function of the
natural and modified habitats within the Refuge Complex. We will
consider the ecological site characteristics and wildlife species needs
on our Refuge Complex lands by developing sound and sustainable
management strategies that preserve and restore ecological (biological)
integrity, productivity, and biological diversity. We will apply
strategic habitat conservation principles (a structured, science-
driven, and adaptive approach) in determining how to best manage our
lands for native fish, wildlife, and plant species, with a particular
emphasis on migratory birds, waterfowl, and declining species listed
under the Endangered Species Act (listed species). Compatible wildlife-
dependent public uses will be enhanced and expanded to include all
three refuges. We will facilitate the protection, restoration, and
conservation of important water resources through partnerships, public
education, and stewardship.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to any one method in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents at the following locations:
Our Web site: http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/refuges/refugesUpdate/alm_bac_mtv.php
Public libraries:
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Library Address Phone No.
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Alamosa Public Library........ 300 Hunt Avenue, (719) 589-6592
Alamosa, CO 81101.
Carnegie Public Library....... 120 Jefferson Street, (719) 852-3931
Monte Vista, CO
81144.
Baca Grande Library........... 67487 County Road T, (719) 256-4100
Crestone, CO 81131.
Saguache Public Library....... 702 Pitkin Ave., (719) 655-2551
Saguache, CO 81149.
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Dated: December 4, 2015.
Matt Hogan,
Acting Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-31231 Filed 12-10-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P