[Federal Register: September 21, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 183)]
[Notices]
[Page 55214-55215]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21se06-64]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact
Statement for the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-
Tailed Deer and the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent and announcement of four public open house
meetings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), will be
developing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the
Columbian White-tailed Deer and the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife
Refuge (Refuges). We also announce four public open house meetings. We
furnish this notice in order to advise other agencies and the public of
our intentions and obtain public comments, suggestions, and information
on the scope of issues to include in the Refuges' CCP/EIS.
DATES: Please provide written comments on the scope of the CCP by
November 6, 2006. Four public open house meetings will be held to begin
the CCP planning process; see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates,
times, and locations.
ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and requests for further
information to: Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader, Willapa National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, Illwaco, WA, 98624-9707. Comments
may be faxed to (360) 484-3109, or sent via electronic mail to
FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Additional information about the Refuges
is available on the Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/willapa/WillapaNWR/.
Addresses for the public meetings are listed under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader,
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, phone (360) 484-3482.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Refuges are comprised of several islands
located in the lower Columbia River, in Wahkiakum County, Washington,
and Clatsop and Columbia Counties, Oregon. The Julia Butler Hansen
Refuge was established in 1971 to protect and manage habitat for the
endangered Columbian white-tailed deer. The Refuge encompasses more
than 6,000 acres of fields, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots,
marshes, sloughs, and islands along the lower Columbia River, and
supports approximately 300 Columbian white-tailed deer. The Lewis and
Clark Refuge was established in 1972. The approved Refuge boundary
includes 33,500 acres of islands, bars, mud flats, and tidal marshes.
The Refuge contains the largest marsh in western Oregon, which provides
habitat for wintering and migratory waterfowl, rearing and migratory
salmon, and bald eagles.
We furnish this notice in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as amended, and its implementing
regulations; the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Act); and Service policies.
The Act requires all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge
System to be managed in accordance with an approved CCP. A CCP is a 15-
year plan for managing a refuge. Refuge goals and objectives are
identified in a CCP, as well as strategies for achieving the purposes
for which a refuge was established. During the CCP planning process, we
will consider many elements, including wildlife and habitat management
and public use opportunities. Public input during the planning process
is essential. The CCP for the Julia Butler Hansen and Lewis and Clark
Refuges will describe desired conditions for the Refuges, along with
how we will implement management strategies over a 15-year time period
to achieve those conditions. We will prepare an EIS in accordance with
NEPA and its implementing regulations. Until the CCP is completed, the
Refuges' management will continue to be guided by their official
purposes; Federal legislation regarding management of National Wildlife
Refuges; and other legal, regulatory, and policy guidance.
Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified the following preliminary issues, concerns, and
opportunities for the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge, and may address these
issues in the CCP. We may identify additional issues during the public
comment period. We will consider public comments during development of
the goals, management strategies, and alternatives for the draft CCP/
EIS.
Wildlife and Habitat Management: What actions should we take to
sustain and restore priority species and habitats? Coyotes prey upon
Columbian white-tailed deer fawns. Are the methods for coyote removal
appropriate to maintain recovery of this endangered deer? How will the
Refuge enhance native fish populations? How will the Refuge respond to
concerns about West Nile virus and avian influenza virus?
Wilderness Study: Should specific areas of the Refuge, if
appropriate and eligible, be designated as wilderness?
Management of Public Access and Use (including Commercial Guiding):
What types of recreational opportunities should be provided? Are
existing public use opportunities adequate and appropriate?
Education and Outreach: Should existing programs be expanded, to
better engage and educate the public about Refuge wildlife and habitat
management activities?
We have identified the following preliminary issues, concerns, and
opportunities for the Lewis and Clark Refuge, and may address these
issues in the CCP. We may identify additional issues during the public
comment period. We will consider public comments during development of
the goals, management strategies, and alternatives for the draft CCP/
EIS.
Dredged materials management: What actions should be taken to
improve and maximize wildlife benefits in dredge-spoil areas of the
Refuge?
Colonial Nesting Bird Management: How should the Refuge manage and
increase colonial nesting bird populations while limiting their impacts
on anadromous fish?
Oregon Department of State Lands Management Agreement: Should the
Refuge consider developing an agreement with the State to modify
management of State lands within the Refuge boundary?
Commercial Guiding: Is commercial guiding for recreational
activities compatible with the purposes of the Refuge?
Camping on Refuge Lands: Is camping appropriate and compatible with
the Refuge's purposes and is there demand for this activity?
Wilderness Study: Should specific areas of the Refuge, if
appropriate and eligible, be designated as Wilderness?
We will evaluate a range of alternatives, and their potential
effects on the environment and local
[[Page 55215]]
communities, in the EIS. We estimate that the draft CCP/EIS will be
available for public review in February 2008. We will announce
opportunities for public input throughout the CCP/EIS planning process.
Public comments we receive become part of the official public
record. We will handle requests for comments in accordance with the
Freedom of Information Act, NEPA, and Service and Department of the
Interior policies and procedures.
Public Meetings
We will hold four public open house meetings to facilitate public
involvement in the CCP planning process. The meetings are scheduled as
follows.
1. October 17, 2006, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Cowlitz Public Utility
District (PUD), 961 12th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632.
2. October 19, 2006, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Astoria Public Library, Flag
Room, 450 10th Street, Astoria, OR 97103.
3. October 23, 2006, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., River Street Meeting Room,
25 River Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612.
4. October 24, 2006, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Clatskanie City Hall,
95 N. Nehalem, Clatskanie, OR 97016.
Dated: September 13, 2006.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 06-7881 Filed 9-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P