[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 42 (Thursday, March 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9924-9925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-4513]
[[Page 9924]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-6-R209-N182; 60138-1265-6CCP-S3]
Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Red Rock Lakes
National Wildlife Refuge, MT
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce
that our final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Plan) and finding of no
significant impact (FONSI) for the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife
Refuge is available. This final Plan describes how the Service intends
to manage this refuge for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the Plan may be obtained by writing to U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box 25486,
Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225; or by download from
http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura King, 406-644-2211, ext. 210
(phone); 406-644-2661 (fax); or [email protected] (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is located 28 miles
east of Monida in Beaverhead County in southwestern Montana. This
48,955-acre refuge sits at 6,670 feet above sea level and lies east of
the Continental Divide near the uppermost reach of the Missouri
drainage.
The refuge was established in 1935 by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt. Historically, management focused on protecting and enhancing
the trumpeter swan population at the refuge. In the 1930s, the refuge
was their last known breeding location. The refuge played an important
role in their recovery and today continues to provide protected nesting
and resting areas for these magnificent birds.
The refuge has one of the most naturally diverse areas in the
National Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge boasts the largest wetland
complex within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, as well as expansive
tracts of grassland and sagebrush-steppe habitats and a small amount of
mid-elevation forested areas. These habitats support over 200 species
of birds, including peregrine falcons, bald eagles, short-eared owls,
sandhill cranes, sage grouse, trumpeter swans and numerous other
species of waterfowl and waterbirds. Common mammalian species include
Shiras moose, Rocky Mountain elk, mule and white-tailed deer, badger,
coyote, and red fox. In addition, wolves and grizzly bears have been
documented using the refuge. There is also a remnant population of
native adfluvial Arctic grayling that occurs on the refuge.
A full-time staff of five employees and various summer temporaries
manage and study the refuge habitats and maintain visitor facilities.
Domestic livestock grazing and prescribed fire are the primary
management tools used to maintain and enhance upland habitats.
Currently, four grazing cooperators are using refuge lands. Water level
manipulation occurs in some areas of the refuge to improve wetland
habitats.
Approximately 12,000 people visit the refuge annually. Two refuge
roads and three county roads that pass through the refuge account for
the majority of visitor use. The refuge is open to limited fishing,
with the majority of fishing occurring on Red Rock. In addition, the
refuge is open to limited hunting of ducks, geese, coots, and moose.
Elk, pronghorn, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer are also hunted
on certain areas of the refuge according to State regulations and
seasons.
The draft Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) was made available
to the public for review and comment following the announcement in the
Federal Register on September 26, 2008 (73 FR 55864-55865). The public
was given 60 days to comment. Over 100 individuals and groups provided
comments and appropriate changes were made to the final Plan based on
substantive comments. The draft Plan and Environmental Assessment
identified and evaluated four alternatives for managing the refuge for
the next 15 years. Alternative B (the proposed action submitted by the
planning team) was selected by the Region 6 Regional Director as the
preferred alternative and will serve as the final Plan.
The final Plan identifies goals, objectives, and strategies that
describe the future management of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife
Refuge. Alternative B, the preferred alternative, acknowledges the
importance of naturally functioning ecological communities on the
refuge. However, changes to the landscape (e.g., human alterations to
the landscape, past refuge management creating wetlands, and species in
peril requiring special management actions) prevent managing the refuge
solely as a naturally functioning ecological community. Because some of
these changes are significant, some refuge habitats will require
``hands on'' management actions during the life of this Plan, while
others will be restored. Refuge habitats will continue to be managed
utilizing water control structures, prescriptive cattle grazing, and
prescribed fire. The structures that created Culver and MacDonald Ponds
will be removed to restore 1.7 miles of native streams to provide
habitat for spawning native adfluvial Arctic grayling, migratory birds,
and native ungulates. The refuge will do this systematically over the
life of the Plan, conducting numerous studies to determine the effects
and best methods of restoration, including any effects on downstream
users. Mechanical, biological, and chemical treatments will be used to
control invasive species. Monitoring and documenting the response to
management actions will be greatly expanded. Additional habitat and
wildlife objectives will be clearly stated in step down management
plans to be completed as this Plan is implemented. Visitor services
programs will be maintained and expanded including hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and
interpretation. Hunting of big game and waterfowl will continue. Big
game hunting boundaries will be modified or expanded to address
confusing boundaries and impacts to refuge habitats, while providing
additional quality hunting opportunities. Actions will be taken to
ensure that current and expanded hunting opportunities are carefully
planned. The refuges' environmental education program will be modestly
expanded, given the refuges' remote location. Interpretation programs
will also be enhanced to better educate and orient visitors while
maintaining the wilderness characteristics of the refuge. Fishing will
be expanded and visitors will be encouraged to keep non-native fish
species (according to State regulations) that impact native adfluvial
Arctic grayling. Some refuge trails will provide interpretation and be
identified on a new visitor services map. Idlewild Road will remain
open, but no new roads or trails will be added. An interpreted auto
tour route will be created along roads currently open to the public.
Interpretation will occur through a brochure and limited signage. Both
refuge campgrounds will be maintained to support wildlife dependent
compatible recreation on this remote refuge and enhanced to provide
access to disabled visitors. Campground users will be charged a small
fee to provide funds needed to maintain the campground facilities.
Seven full-time
[[Page 9925]]
and one permanent seasonal staff will be assigned to the refuge. Due to
the lack of housing around this remote refuge, up to four residences
will be constructed for this added staff.
The Service is furnishing this notice to advise other agencies and
the public of the availability of the final Plan, to provide
information on the desired conditions for the refuge, and to detail how
the Service will implement management strategies. Based on the review
and evaluation of the information contained in the EA, the Regional
Director has determined that implementation of the Final Plan does not
constitute a major federal action that would significantly affect the
quality of the human environment within the meaning of Section
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act. Therefore, an
Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared.
Dated: February 23, 2010.
Hugh Morrison,
Regional Director, Region 6, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-4513 Filed 3-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P