[Federal Register: April 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 73)]
[Notices]
[Page 19212-19213]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17ap07-69]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for
the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Horse and Burro Management Program
and Announcement of a Public Meeting
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability and announcement of a public meeting.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a draft
environmental assessment (EA) for an interim Sheldon National Wildlife
Refuge (Refuge) Horse and Burro Management Program (Program) is
available for review and comment. The EA provides a consolidated and
updated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluation of the
Sheldon Refuge Program. The EA analyzes the environmental effects of
various alternatives for managing the Refuge's horses and burros until
a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Refuge is completed.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 17, 2007 (see addresses). A
public meeting will be held on May 8, 2007 in Lakeview, Oregon (details
of the meeting will be posted on Internet).
ADDRESSES: Address comments on the draft EA by e-mail to
Sheldon-Hart@fws.gov or in writing to: Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, P.O.
Box 111, Lakeview, OR 97630. The EA will be available on the Internet
at http://www.fws.gov/pacific/news/2006/Sheldon_Horse_EA_draft.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Steblein, Project Leader, Sheldon
National Wildlife Refuge, at e-mail Sheldon-Hart@fws.gov, fax (541)
947-4414, or phone (541) 947-3315.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Sheldon Refuge encompasses approximately 572,900 acres of
semiarid desert in the northwestern corner of Nevada, and approximately
630 acres across the State line, in Oregon.
The Sheldon Refuge was established in the 1930's for the
conservation of antelope (American pronghorn), migratory birds, and
other species of wildlife. By law, the Service must manage its refuges
to achieve the purpose(s) of the refuge and accomplish the mission of
the National Wildlife Refuge System, which focuses on the conservation,
management, and, where appropriate, restoration of native fish,
wildlife, plants, and their habitats. The terrain of Sheldon Refuge is
characterized by flat, open expanses of sagebrush lands, narrow canyons
that empty into rolling valleys, and broad rimrock tables that end
abruptly in vertical cliffs. Surface water supplies are severely
limited. Annual precipitation averages less than 13 inches in the
western portions of the Refuge, and decreases to 6 inches in the
easterly parts. With elevations averaging approximately 6,000 feet, the
area has been appropriately labeled high-desert country.
Alternatives
The draft EA for Sheldon Refuge's Horse and Burro Management
Program identifies and describes four
[[Page 19213]]
alternatives. Program objectives for all of the alternatives are based
on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Renewable Natural Resources
Management Plan (Management Plan) and associated NEPA document
published in 1980, and include: (1) Maintaining a manageable feral
horse and burro population (75 to 125 horses, 30 to 60 burros) in
balance with other wildlife species for the enjoyment of Refuge
visitors; (2) stopping range deterioration and improving wildlife
habitat and watershed conditions, and reducing impacts on existing
water resources; (3) ensuring that the Refuge range provides ample
forage for all wildlife populations endemic to the area; and (4)
reducing the spread of feral horses and burros into key wildlife areas.
Alternative B, the Status Quo Alternative, is the Service's preferred
alternative. The alternatives are briefly discussed below.
Alternative A, No Agency Action on Horse and Burro Management.
Under Alternative A, the Refuge would discontinue the ongoing program
of horse and burro population management. Program objectives from the
1980 Management Plan would not be met. Program elements such as
gathering, providing interim care for and adoptions of the Refuge's
horses and burros would no longer be conducted. Without any control,
horse and burro populations on the Refuge could double approximately
every four years, severely impacting Refuge lands, water sources,
wildlife habitats and associated fish, wildlife and plant populations,
and posing a safety risk along major public roads. Implementation of
this alternative would likely prevent the Refuge from being managed to
achieve the purposes for which it was established. The environmental
effects of this alternative contrast with those of the three action-
based alternatives; B, C, and D.
Alternative B, Status Quo. Under Alternative B, the Refuge's
current horse and burro management program would continue until a CCP
has been completed for the Refuge. Implementing this alternative would
include minor improvements to the program through an adaptive
management process. This alternative would place horses and burros up
for adoption through several private adoption agents. Agents are
screened and certified based on adequate facilities, appropriate
knowledge on horse care and handling, successful record of prior horse
adoptions, and interviews with character witnesses and a veterinarian.
The adoption agents would screen potential homes for the horses and
burros, care for them in the intervening time, and coordinate
transportation. The horses and burros would be shipped to the agents
from the Refuge and then transported to their adopted homes. Refuge
staff would use three methods to gather horses and burros: (1) Corrals
set with bait (such as hay) to draw in burros; (2) horseback riders to
herd horses into corrals; and (3) helicopters to herd horses into
corrals. Management of horses and burros consumes staff time and
funding, detracting from the Refuge's ability to conduct other programs
necessary to achieve Refuge purposes as well as Refuge management
objectives associated with native wildlife species and wildlife
dependant public use. However, implementation of Alternative B would
best accomplish current management objectives for horse and burro
management and would be the most cost effective program.
Alternative C, Adoption of Horses and Burros through Individuals.
Under Alternative C, Refuge staff would: screen individuals and
organizations for suitability for potential adoption of gathered horses
and burros; care for them until they are picked up by the adopter;
coordinate brand inspections; secure health certificates; and
facilitate transportation. Other aspects of the program would be the
same as under Alternative B. Refuge staff would use three methods to
gather horses and burros: (1) Corrals set with bait to draw in burros;
(2) horseback riders to herd horses into corrals; and (3) helicopters
to herd horses into corrals. Implementing this Alternative would
require allocation of more staff time and resources which would detract
from other Refuge programs, such as facility maintenance, working and
meeting with the public, wildlife monitoring and studies, range and
fire management, and law enforcement.
Alternative D, Conduct Horse and Burro Gathering by Bait and
Horseback Techniques Only. Under Alternative D, using wranglers on
horseback only to gather horses and burros is proposed, rather than
using both helicopters and horseback. In addition, burros would be
drawn into corrals with bait. An adoption agent would screen and select
the adopters to ensure good homes, and care for the horses and burros
in the intervening time. This Alternative, using bait and horseback
gathering only, would be less efficient and less effective than using
both helicopters and horseback riders. This approach would delay
completion of the gather and achievement of other Refuge conservation
objectives. Selection of this alternative would allow impacts from
horse and burro populations to continue for longer periods, and reduce
funds available for other Refuge management and operations.
Public Comments
Public comments are requested on the draft Environmental Assessment
for the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Horse and Burro Management
Program and its evaluation of the environmental effects of the four
alternatives. Comments on the draft EA will be analyzed and addressed
in final documents. All comments received from individuals become part
of the official public record available for public review. Requests for
copies of comments will be handled in accordance with the
Administrative Procedure Act, Freedom of Information Act, NEPA
regulations, and Service and Department of the Interior policies and
procedures.
Dated: April 11, 2007.
Don Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E7-7243 Filed 4-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P