[Federal Register: August 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 159)]
[Notices]
[Page 47510-47511]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17au06-70]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Great Dismal Swamp and Nansemond National Wildlife Refuges: Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that
the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) is available for Great
Dismal Swamp and Nansemond National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). Prepared in
conformance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act
of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife System Improvement Act of
1997, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the plan
describes how the Service intends to manage the refuges over the next
15 years. A Finding of No Significant Impact was approved by the
Regional Director.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCP is available on compact diskette or in
hard copy, and may be obtained by writing Deloras Freeman, Great Dismal
Swamp NWR, 3100 Desert Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23434, or by e-mail at
deloras_freeman@fws.gov. This document may also be accessed at the Web
address http://library.fws.gov/ccps.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deloras Freeman, Refuge Planner at the
above address, by phone at 757-986-3705, or by e-mail at
deloras_freeman@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 et seq.), requires the
Service to develop a CCP for each refuge within the system. The purpose
of developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year
strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the
mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound
principles of fish and wildlife science, conservation, legal mandates,
and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and habitats, a CCP identifies
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public,
including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. The CCP
will be reviewed and updated at least every 15 years in accordance with
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1969, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997,
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347,
as amended).
Established in 1974, Great Dismal Swamp NWR encompasses 111,203
acres, the largest intact remnant of a vast habitat that once covered
more than 1 million acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern
North Carolina. Nansemond NWR, established December 12, 1973, is an
unstaffed satellite refuge encompassing 423 acres.
Our Final CCP includes management direction for each of the
refuges, and details habitat management and public use programs based
on the vision for the refuge at the time of its establishment in 1974.
We have included the restoration of 8,000 acres of Atlantic white cedar
habitat, the restoration of 10,000 acres of red-cockaded woodpecker
habitat, and the restoration of a remnant marsh to its original 250
acres from its present 30 acres. We would establish a neotropical
migratory bird focus area near Jericho Lane, in which we would focus
habitat management and modeling, population surveys, and education and
interpretation related to neotropical migratory bird populations. We
will implement a limited bear hunt. This hunt will occur on a total of
2 days during November and December, with a total maximum of 100
permits issued. We anticipate a harvest of 11 bears with a harvest
limit target of 20 bears. If 10 or more bears are taken the first day,
various parameters will be evaluated and the second hunt day may be
cancelled. As with the deer hunt, dogs will not be allowed as a means
to hunt bears. The bear hunt is currently authorized in the Code of
Federal Regulations (50 CFR Part 32), but has never been implemented.
We have also targeted building projects, such as the development of
an environmental education site at Jericho Ditch in Suffolk, Virginia.
We will also develop an exhibit to be situated at the downtown visitor
center that is run by the City of Suffolk. Additionally, we propose the
conversion of the current administrative building for a concession
operation that will rent kayaks and outdoor equipment and run tours of
the swamp, the construction of a new visitor center and headquarters
between the old and new Route 17 in Chesapeake, Virginia, and the
construction of new trails, observation and photography platforms, or
towers. The CCP proposes to enhance environmental education and
outreach, and to establish hunter safety and youth hunting programs.
The Service solicited comments on the draft CCP/EA for
Great Dismal Swamp and Nansemond NWRs from March 13 to April 24, 2006
(March 13, 2006, 71 FR 12709). We developed a list of substantive
comments that required responses. Editorial suggestions and notes of
concurrence with or opposition to certain proposals were noted and
included in the decision making process, but did not receive formal
responses. The Final CCP includes responses to all substantive
comments.
Based upon comments that we received, we have chosen management
alternative B, with the following modifications:
Land Protection: A number of comments expressed support
for protection of the Great Dismal Swamp ecosystem, including
surrounding lands. Additionally, a comment voiced concern that the
wording of Goal 3 did not adequately reflect the refuge purpose as
stated in the Dismal Swamp Act. The refuge addressed these comments
with the following actions:
(1) Addition of the following strategy to Goal 3: ``Develop sound
working relationships with adjoining landowners, nearby neighboring
landowners, and other key landowners within the ecosystem to protect
the integrity of the refuge boundary and further the protection of the
ecosystem.'' The refuge will take advantage of partnership
opportunities around the refuge.
(2) Goal 3 was broadened to better reflect the intent of the
enabling legislation and reworded as: ``Provide protection and
restoration of those areas within Great Dismal Swamp ecosystem that are
remnants of the Great Dismal Swamp and/or are restorable to Great
Dismal Swamp habitat while providing
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support to the protection and restoration of all its components and
adjacent habitats that directly affect the vitality and viability of
the ecosystem.''
Wildlife Observation: A suggestion was made to develop a
through-swamp canoe/kayak trail. This suggestion was adopted. A
through-swamp canoe/kayak trail will be developed in Washington Ditch
from the existing parking area to Lake Drummond and then via the Feeder
Ditch to the Dismal Swamp Canal, and a partnership will be sought to
oversee maintenance of the trail.
Road Improvements: A number of comments about the amount
of road paving that was proposed were received. The refuge decided to
reduce the amount of paving. The proposed auto tour route and the
access to Lake Drummond will remain as gravel roads. Paving will only
occur on highest use access roads at Washington Ditch and Jericho
Ditch.
Dated: July 26, 2006.
Michael G. Thabault,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley,
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. E6-13553 Filed 8-16-06; 8:45 am]
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