[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49516-49517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19803]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2010-N111; 1265-0000-10137]
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge and the Julia Butler
Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: final comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of the final comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental impact statement (final CCP/EIS) for the Lewis and Clark
National Wildlife Refuge and the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the
Columbian White-tailed Deer (refuge or collectively, refuges). These
refuges are located in Wahkiakum County, Washington, and Clatsop and
Columbia Counties, Oregon. In the final CCP/EIS, we describe how we
propose to manage these refuges for the next 15 years.
DATES: We will sign a record of decision no sooner than 30 days after
publication of this notice.
ADDRESSES: You may view or request copies of the final CCP/EIS by any
of the following methods. You may request a printed copy or CD-ROM.
Agency Web Sites: Download a copy of the document at http://www.fws.gov/lc/ or http://www.fws.gov/jbh/.
E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Lewis and Clark and Julia
Butler Hansen Final CCP/EIS'' in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101,
Ilwaco, WA 98624.
Fax: (360) 484-3109.
In person viewing: Copies of the final CCP/EIS may be viewed at the
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, WA
98624; and the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-
tailed Deer, 46 Steamboat Slough Road, Cathlamet, WA 98612.
Local Libraries: The final documents are available for review at
the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Stenvall, (360) 484-3482.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we announce the availability of the final CCP/EIS
for the refuges. We started this process through a notice in the
Federal Register (71 FR 55214; September 21, 2006). We released the
draft CCP/EIS to the public, announcing and requesting comments in a
notice of availability in the Federal Register (75 FR 6694; February
10, 2010).
The Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge was established in
1972 to preserve vital fish and wildlife habitat of the Columbia River
estuary. The refuge's riverine islands encompass a variety of habitat
types, from tidal sand flats and marshes to forested swamps. This
combination of habitats supports large numbers of waterfowl, gulls,
terns, wading birds, shorebirds, and a variety of raptors and
songbirds. The Lewis and Clark Refuge islands are only accessible by
boat and include 18 named islands, a number of unnamed islands, and
marshes stretching over 25 miles of the Columbia River.
The Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer
was established in 1971 to protect and manage the endangered Columbian
white-tailed deer. The refuge contains over 6,000 acres of pastures,
forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes, and sloughs along the
Columbia River.
The final CCP/EIS was completed in accordance with National
Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) and National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee)
requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human
environment, which we included in the final EIS for the CCP. The CCP
will guide us in managing and administering the refuges for the next 15
years.
We analyzed two alternatives for future management of the Lewis and
Clark National Wildlife Refuge and three alternatives for future
management of the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-
tailed Deer. Alternative 2 is our preferred alternative for both
refuges, and is the foundation for the CCP. We addressed public
comments on the draft CCP/EIS in the final CCP/EIS.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 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 for
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography,
[[Page 49517]]
and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and
update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Refuge
Administration Act.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
Lewis and Clark Refuge Alternative 1
No changes to the current refuge management programs would occur
under Alternative 1. Habitat management would consist of monitoring
refuge islands and treating invasive plant infestations as funding
allows. Refuge staff members would continue to protect and maintain
wintering and foraging habitat for migratory waterfowl, and nesting and
roosting habitat for bald eagles. Existing public uses, including
hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation and photography, would
continue at current levels.
Lewis and Clark Refuge Alternative 2
Under Alternative 2 (the preferred alternative), current wildlife
and habitat management would be maintained. Key refuge enhancements
would include establishing or expanding partnerships for managing
invasive species, recruiting graduate students to conduct wildlife and
habitat research, and exploring options for managing Oregon Department
of State Lands property within the approved refuge boundary. The refuge
would also expand opportunities for wildlife observation and
photography, study potential wilderness lands, and work with partners
to ensure that dredge-spoil islands provide benefits for wildlife.
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 1
Under Alternative 1, no changes to the current refuge management
programs would occur at Julia Butler Hansen Refuge. We would continue
to maintain and protect habitats, establish early successional riparian
forest habitat, maintain predator management January through April, and
continue wildlife-dependent public use programs.
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 2
Refuge management changes under Alternative 2 (the preferred
alternative) would include opening Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl
hunting, closing portions of refuge lands along the lower Elochoman
River to waterfowl hunting for public safety purposes, studying
potential wilderness lands, developing two trails, and improving
interpretive media. To achieve the recovery goals for the Columbian
white-tailed deer, predator management would take place on an as-needed
basis year-round under this alternative. We would also expand the
Columbian white-tailed deer population by establishing an experimental
population upriver.
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 3
Refuge management changes under Alternative 3 would include opening
Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl hunting, closing portions of
refuge lands along the lower Elochoman River to waterfowl hunting for
public safety purposes, studying potential wilderness lands, developing
a bicycling and hiking trail, installing interpretive panels, and
developing curriculum for refuge study sites. To achieve the recovery
goals for the Columbian white-tailed deer, predator management would
take place January through August under this alternative.
Comments
We solicited comments on the Draft CCP/EIS from February 10, 2010,
to April 12, 2010. Public comments were considered and addressed in the
final CCP/EIS, resulting in only minor changes to the final document.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view documents at
the following libraries:
Blanch Bradley Library, 100 Main Street, Cathlamet, WA
98612.
Astoria Public Library, 450 10th Street, Astoria, OR
97103.
Clatskanie Library District, 11 Lillich Street,
Clatskanie, OR 97016.
Ilwaco Timberline Regional Library, 158 1st Ave. Ilwaco,
WA 98624.
Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview,
WA 98632.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd.,
Vancouver WA 98663.
Dated: June 10, 2010.
Carolyn A. Bohan,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2010-19803 Filed 8-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P