[Federal Register: October 26, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 207)]
[Notices]
[Page 62605-62606]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26oc06-57]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan for
Cape Meares, Oregon Islands and Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife
Refuges
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent and announcement of five public open house
meetings.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) intends to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan
(CCP) for the Cape Meares, Oregon Islands and Three Arch Rocks National
Wildlife Refuges (Refuges); and announces five public open house
meetings. The Refuges are located in Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane,
Coos and Curry Counties in Oregon. We are furnishing this notice to
advise the public and other agencies of our intentions and obtain
public comments, suggestions, and information on the scope of issues to
include in the CCP.
DATES: Please provide written comments on the scope of the CCP by
December 11, 2006. Five 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 Project Leader, Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, 2127 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365. Comments may
be faxed to the Refuge Complex office at (541) 867-4551, or e-mailed to
FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Additional information concerning the
Refuges is available on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/.
Addresses for the public meeting locations are listed
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader, Oregon
Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, phone (541) 867-4550.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (Refuge Administration Act), as amended (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), requires all lands within the National Wildlife
Refuge System to be managed in accordance with an approved CCP. A CCP
guides a refuge's management decisions, and identifies long-range
refuge goals, objectives, and strategies for achieving the purposes for
which the refuge was established. During the CCP planning process many
elements will be considered, including wildlife and habitat protection
and management, and public use opportunities. Public input during the
planning process is essential. The CCP for the Cape Meares, Oregon
Islands, and Three Arch Rocks Refuges will describe the purposes and
desired conditions for the Refuges and the long-term conservation
goals, objectives, and strategies for fulfilling the purposes and
achieving those conditions. The Service will prepare an environmental
document for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and NEPA's implementing procedures.
Background
Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Oregon coast
between Tillamook Bay and Netarts Bay, and was established in 1938
through the acquisition of excess lands from the U.S. Coast Guard. The
Refuge is comprised of two units separated by Cape Meares State Scenic
Viewpoint, which is managed by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
(OPRD). Cape Meares Refuge includes vertical coastal cliffs, rock
outcroppings, and rolling headlands, with an old-growth forest
dominated by Sitka spruce and western hemlock. A smaller section of
old-growth blowdown forest in early seral stage is also present within
the Refuge boundary adjacent to a clearcut. Management programs at the
Cape Meares Refuge are primarily focused on preserving the old growth
forest, maintaining the integrity of a Research Natural Area,
protecting seabird nesting colonies and a peregrine falcon eyrie, and
providing opportunities for the public to learn about wildlife
resources
[[Page 62606]]
through wildlife viewing and interpretation on adjacent OPRD lands.
Public use on the Cape Meares Refuge is managed cooperatively by the
OPRD and the Service through a Memorandum of Agreement.
The Oregon Islands Refuge is located along 320 miles of the Oregon
coast, and includes 1,853 rocks, islands and reefs, and two headlands
(Coquille Point in Coos County, and Crook Point in Curry County). In
1970, 1978 and 1996, the rocks, islands and reefs within the Refuge
were designated wilderness, with the exception of Tillamook Rock. The
rocks, reefs and islands of Oregon Islands Refuge and wilderness lands
were acquired to serve as a refuge and breeding ground for birds and
marine mammals. The Coquille Point headland was acquired in 1991 to:
Provide a buffer zone between the Refuge's offshore islands and
mainland development; protect a bluff zone for the wildlife species
that are dependent on it; and provide one of the best opportunities
along the Oregon coast for wildlife observation. The Crook Point
headland was acquired in 2000 to provide permanent protection to one of
the few remaining undisturbed headlands on the Oregon coast, resulting
in increased protection for major near shore seabird breeding colonies
and pinniped pupping and haulout sites within the Oregon Islands
Refuge. A relatively undisturbed intertidal zone, unique geological
formations, rare plants, and cultural resource sites on the mainland
are also protected within the Refuge.
The Three Arch Rocks Refuge is located a half-mile west of the town
of Oceanside, and is comprised of nine rocks and islands encompassing
15 acres of seabird and marine mammal habitat. The Refuge was
established in 1907 and was accorded Wilderness status in 1970. The
Refuge is closed to public use to protect seabirds, marine mammals, and
their habitats from human disturbance. A seasonal closure of the waters
within 500 feet of the Refuge is enforced yearly from May 1 through
September 15. Interpretation, wildlife photography, and wildlife
observation are all existing public uses of Three Arch Rocks Refuge,
which occur offsite at both Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint and from
Oceanside Beach State Recreation Area.
Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
Preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities that have been
identified and may be addressed in the CCP, are briefly summarized
below. Additional issues will be identified during public scoping.
During the CCP planning process, the Service will analyze methods
for protecting the resources of the Cape Meares Refuge in the long
term, while continuing to provide quality opportunities for wildlife-
dependent recreation in partnership with OPRD, volunteers, and a
Friends group.
At the Oregon Islands and Three Arch Rocks Refuges, the Service
will identify and consider a wide range of techniques and partnerships
in the CCP, for protection of the sensitive and irreplaceable wildlife,
habitat, and cultural resources contained within these Refuges.
Opportunities for the public to enjoy the Refuges will be examined. The
Service will also evaluate the extensive inventory, monitoring, and
research needs of these Refuges, within the context of Refuge needs and
priorities, and in the wider context of regional, national, and
international conservation priorities, and will analyze and determine
methods for prioritizing and accomplishing these needs.
Public Meetings
Five public open house meetings will be held in November 2006. The
public open house meetings will be held on weeknights between 6:30 p.m.
and 8:30 p.m. Addresses and dates for the public meetings follow.
1. November 1, 2006, Newport High School, Boone Center Room, 322 NE
Eads St., Newport, OR 97365.
2. November 6, 2006, Oceanside Community Center, 1550 Pacific St.,
Oceanside, OR 97134.
3. November 8, 2006, Cannon Beach Elementary School, 268 Beaver,
Cannon Beach, OR 97110.
4. November 14, 2006, Brookings High School Auditorium, 564 Fern
St., Brookings, OR 97415.
5. November 15, 2006, Bandon High School Cafeteria, 550 Ninth
Street, SW., Bandon, OR 97411.
Opportunities for public input will be announced throughout the CCP
planning process. All comments received from individuals become part of
the official public record. Requests for such comments will be handled
in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA, and Service
and Departmental policies and procedures.
Dated: September 25, 2006.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E6-17940 Filed 10-25-06; 8:45 am]
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