[Federal Register: September 10, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 176)]
[Notices]
[Page 52670-52671]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10se08-56]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2008-N00160; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges,
Morehouse, Union, Richland, East Carroll, West Carroll, Natchitoches,
and Grant Parishes, LA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: final comprehensive conservation plan
and finding of no significant impact.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for Upper Ouachita and Handy
Brake National Wildlife Refuges. In the final CCP, we describe how we
will manage these refuges for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the CCP may be obtained by writing to: North
Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 11372 Highway 143,
Farmerville, LA 71241. The CCP may also be accessed and downloaded from
the Service's Web site: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Chandler; Telephone: 318-
726-4222; Fax: 318-726-4667; e-mail: george_chandler@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Upper Ouachita
and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges. We started this process
through a notice in the Federal Register on July 13, 2005 (70 FR
40396).
The Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges,
including 44 Farm Service Agency (FSA) lands, ranging in size from 3
acres to 1,000 acres, are units of the North Louisiana National
Wildlife Refuge Complex. Upper Ouachita Refuge is in northeastern
Louisiana. The northern boundary lies on the Louisiana-Arkansas state
line. The refuge borders both sides of the Ouachita River, running
north-south for 13.7 miles, extending 3.3 miles to the east and 16
miles to the west. The southernmost point on the refuge is
approximately 20 miles north of Monroe, Louisiana. The current
acquisition area encompasses 61,633 acres of which 42,594 acres have
been purchased with 26,304 acres in Union Parish and 16,290 acres in
Morehouse Parish.
Upper Ouachita Refuge was established in November 1978. The
federally legislated purposes are ``for use as an inviolate sanctuary,
or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds'' (Migratory
Bird Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 715d); and for ``* * * the
conservation of the wetlands of the nation in order to maintain the
public benefits they provide and to help fulfill international
obligations contained in various migratory bird treaties and
conventions * * *'' (16 U.S.C. 3901(b)).
Upper Ouachita Refuge consists of 4,540 acres of pine and pine/
hardwood forests, 19,767 acres of bottomland hardwood forests, 9,236
acres of reforested bottomlands, 2,000 acres of scrub/shrub, 1,182
acres of moist-soil plantings, 2,541 acres of agricultural fields, 418
acres of fallow agricultural fields, and 2,910 acres of open water.
The USDA Farm Service Agency units were established in 1990, in
response to growing Fish and Wildlife Service land-based
responsibilities off of traditional refuges. The Wetlands Office is
responsible for the administration of wetland easements and fee title
land transfers from the Farm Service Agency for conservation purposes
(Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 2002) and for
the benefit of endangered species, resident and migratory waterfowl,
neotropical migratory birds, and other wildlife. The units also include
the first fee title tract transfer from the Farm Service Agency to the
Service, with the establishment of Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge
in 1988. The units consist of 36 Farm Service Agency easements, 7 fee
title tracts, and 1 lease, all concentrated in northeastern Louisiana
and encompassing 6 parishes. These units are spread across north
Louisiana, ranging in size from 3 acres to 1,000 acres.
Handy Brake Refuge is primarily a permanent wetland of excellent
habitat for wintering waterfowl, wading birds, and many other wetland-
dependent species. A free lease of 35 acres of International Paper
Company land provides an upland area overlooking the wetland. An
observation deck in the upland area provides wildlife viewing
opportunities into the wetlands. Habitat management within these units
focuses primarily on reforestation of marginal agricultural areas and
development and maintenance of moist-soil units. These varied habitats
provide for a diverse array of wildlife. There is no hunting or fishing
permitted throughout these units.
We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and
FONSI for Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR
1506.6(b)) requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on
the human environment, which we included in the draft comprehensive
conservation plan and environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA). The CCP
will guide us in managing and administering Upper Ouachita and Handy
Brake Refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative B is the foundation
for the CCP.
The compatibility determinations for (1) wildlife observation and
photography; (2) environmental education and interpretation; (3)
fishing; and (4) cooperative farming are also available within the CCP.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, 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. In addition to outlining broad management direction on
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
[[Page 52671]]
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Improvement Act.
Comments
Approximately 100 copies of the Draft CCP/EA were made available
for a 30-day public review period as announced in the Federal Register
on March 21, 2008 (73 FR 15186). No comments on the Draft CCP/EA were
received. The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three alternatives
for managing the refuge over the next 15 years.
Selected Alternative
After considering the comments we received and based on the
professional judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative B
for implementation.
Biological potential of historical habitats will be restored and
enhanced, with most management actions emphasizing natural ecological
processes to foster habitat functions and wildlife populations. The
biological program will be enhanced with inventorying and monitoring so
that adaptive management can be implemented not only for migratory
birds, but for other species of wildlife as well. A close evaluation of
migratory bird use and nesting success on the refuge will be evaluated
using granting opportunities and partnerships. To determine how forest
management is affecting wildlife, partnerships will be developed to
establish scientifically valid protocols and to collaboratively work on
research projects. Upland forest management will focus on restoring the
biological integrity of a mixed hardwood/pine forest by promoting
upland hardwood species and reducing pine basal area. The Red-cockaded
Woodpecker Habitat Unit will be managed using a more historic fire
regime while providing red-cockaded woodpecker habitat as required in
the recovery guidelines. Bottomland hardwood forest management will be
developed on an inventory defining current condition that could be
conducted in a logical and feasible manner. Bottoms will have
management increased to open canopy cover and increase understory
vegetation. Water control structures and pumping capability will be
improved to enhance moist-soil and cropland management for the benefit
of wintering waterfowl. Invasive species will be mapped and protocols
for control established with the addition of a forester. Partnerships
will continue to be fostered for several biological programs, hunting
regulations, law enforcement issues, and research projects.
Public use will be similar to current management with a few
improvements based on additional resources. Deer hunting will be
allowed while monitoring the availability, diversity, and deer use of
understory woody and herbaceous plants. This will allow refuge
personnel to better understand the pressure being exerted on the
habitat, enabling better habitat and harvest recommendations. On Upper
Ouachita Refuge, youth turkey hunting will be allowed. Fishing events
and boat launch facilities will be improved. Environmental education,
wildlife observation, and wildlife photography will be accommodated at
present levels, with minimal disturbance to wildlife and habitat. An
enhanced nature trail, interpretive panels, and ``check-out kits'' for
teachers will be developed. Law enforcement will be increased to gain
better compliance with refuge regulations. Staffing will increase by
four positions (e.g., biological technician, forestry technician,
maintenance worker, and law enforcement officer). This will enable the
refuges to increase biological inventorying and monitoring, enhance
forest management, increase invasives control, enhance the public use
program, and provide safe and compatible wildlife-dependent recreation.
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
Dated: July 2, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-20978 Filed 9-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P