[Federal Register: January 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 4)]
[Notices]
[Page 1228-1229]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ja08-45]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, Vieques, PR
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: Record of decision.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the decision and
availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Vieques National
Wildlife Refuge Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). We completed a thorough analysis
of the environmental, social, and economic considerations and presented
it in the Final CCP/EIS. The availability of the Final CCP/EIS was
announced in the Federal Register on August 22, 2007. The ROD documents
our decision to adopt and implement Alternative C.
DATES: The Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast
Region, signed the ROD on October 24, 2007.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the ROD may be obtained from Mr. Matthew Connolly,
Refuge Manager, Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, Vieques Office Park,
Road 200, KM 0.04, Vieques, PR 00765, or you may call Mr. Connolly at
787/741-2138. The Final CCP/EIS and a copy of the ROD are available for
viewing and downloading at the Service's Web site: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Matthew Connolly, Refuge Manager,
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, at the address in the ADDRESSES
section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we complete the CCP process for Vieques National
Wildlife Refuge, begun as announced in the Federal Register on
September 3, 2003 (68 FR 52418). We released the Draft CCP/EIS to the
public for a 60-day review and comment period on February 28, 2007 (72
FR 9018). We announced the availability of the Final CCP/EIS on August
22, 2007 (72 FR 47063).
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge was created from former Navy
managed lands by congressional actions in 2001 and 2003. It consists of
approximately 17,771 acres--3,100 acres on western Vieques and 14,671
acres on eastern Vieques. The transferred lands are to be managed in
accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act
(as amended).
The refuge lands were historically used for agricultural purposes
and more recently for military training activities. As a result, the
wildlife habitats and communities are significantly altered and non-
native invasive species are common along with remnants of native
habitats. As a result of the military training, portions of the refuge
contain unexploded ordnance and other contaminants. These areas have
been classified as a ``superfund site'' under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Cleanup of these portions of the refuge is being conducted by the Navy
in accordance with CERCLA. In addition, a Federal Facilities Agreement
between the Navy, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife
Service, and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will help to guide the cleanup
process.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40
CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements, this notice announces our decision and the
availability of the ROD for the Final CCP/EIS. We completed a thorough
analysis of the environmental, social, and economic considerations,
which we included in the Final CCP/EIS. The ROD documents our selection
of Alternative C, the preferred alternative.
The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Vieques
National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. Alternative C is the
foundation for the CCP.
Background
The CCP Process
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 in
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 to
conserve wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-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 and NEPA.
CCP Alternatives and Selected Alternative
Our Draft CCP and NEPA document addressed several priority issues
raised by us, other governmental partners, and the public. To address
these priority issues, we developed and evaluated three alternatives
during the planning process. Alternative A would have provided for a
continuation of the existing level of management. Alternative B would
have focused on
[[Page 1229]]
wildlife and habitat management but maintained the existing visitor
programs and public uses. After considering the comments we received,
we have chosen Alternative C. This alternative will direct the refuge
toward a realistic and achievable level of both habitat management and
public use, and will provide a management program to address the needs
of the resources and, where appropriate and compatible with the refuge
purposes, the needs of the community. This alternative will provide for
increases in management efforts to restore the refuge habitats without
diminishing the wildlife values associated with the current conditions.
There will also be a focus on management activities to benefit
threatened and endangered species. This alternative will best achieve
the purposes and goals of the refuge, as well as the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System. Included in the Final CCP/EIS are the
goals, objectives, and strategies under each alternative, mitigation
measures incorporated in each alternative, and a listing of the
approved compatibility determinations.
Alternative C incorporates several components addressing a variety
of needs, including providing emergency access to the area of Puerto
Ferro during hurricane watches and warnings; continuing to work with
the Navy, Environmental Protection Agency, Puerto Rico Environmental
Quality Board, and the community to ensure that cleanup of contaminants
and unexploded ordnance from former military activities is completed;
developing fire suppression capabilities and agreements to ensure that
refuge resources and the adjacent communities are protected; managing
the former ``Live Impact Area'' as a wilderness in accordance with the
legislation that established the refuge; seeking agreements with
Commonwealth agencies and non-governmental organizations to ensure
conservation of historic and archaeological sites; and removing unused
former Navy structures to provide a refuge atmosphere.
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
Dated: December 3, 2007.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-5 Filed 1-4-08; 8:45 am]
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