[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 9 (Thursday, January 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2158-2159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-579]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2009-N241; 12521-1261-0000-N3]
Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Pacific Island
Territory
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement
and announcement of public scoping.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare an environmental impact statement to evaluate eradication of
nonnative rats on Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). We
provide this notice to advise the public and other agencies of our
intent, and obtain public comments, suggestions, and information on the
scope of issues to consider in the EIS.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by March 1, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Additional information about the Refuge is available on the
Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/palmyraatoll/. Send your comments or
requests for information by any of the following methods.
E-mail: [email protected].
Fax: Attn: Beth Flint, (808) 792-9586.
U.S. Mail: Beth Flint, Acting Project Leader, Pacific Reefs
National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 300 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 5-231,
Honolulu, HI 96850.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Flint, Pacific Reefs National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, phone (808) 792-9553.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Refuge Overview
The Refuge is located in the Northern Line Islands, approximately
1,000 miles south of Honolulu, HI, in the Central Pacific Ocean. The
Refuge was established in 2001 to protect, restore, and enhance
migratory birds, coral reefs, and threatened and endangered species in
their natural setting. Palmyra Atoll consists of approximately 54
small, heavily vegetated islets surrounding 3 central lagoons. Habitats
consist of 680 acres of land and 15,512 acres of lagoons and shallow
reefs. The Refuge's boundary extends seaward 12 nautical miles,
encompassing 515,232 acres. Palmyra's terrestrial habitats support one
of the largest remaining tropical coastal strand forests in the U.S.
Pacific Islands. A diverse land crab fauna including the coconut crab,
ecologically intact predator-dominated fish assemblages, and large
seabird populations are important resources of this Refuge. The Refuge
is closed to commercial fishing.
The original configuration of the atoll was significantly modified
by the U.S. Navy during World War II. A network of roadways connecting
the major islets and the construction of a north-south causeway altered
natural water circulation. Introduced rats are severely degrading the
terrestrial ecosystem of this important atoll by limiting the
reproduction, recruitment, and establishment of several native tree
species. Furthermore, the coconut palm, an invasive tree, already
dominates 45 percent of Palmyra's forests. The spread of coconut palm
is likely aided by rat-related recruitment and limitation of other tree
species. Left unchecked, the combined effects of rats and coconut palms
could drastically alter forest structure. Introduced rats on islands
are also known to prey heavily on seabirds, which is likely preventing
six seabird species from successfully nesting on the atoll. The rats
also prey on native land crabs and directly compete with them for
limited food resources. All of these impacts in turn affect the
relationship between land and marine resources, and compromise the
Service's ability to achieve Refuge purposes.
We furnish this notice in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as amended, and its implementing
regulations; the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of
1966 as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act
of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge Administration Act); and
Service policies. The Refuge Administration Act requires all lands
within the National Wildlife Refuge System to be managed in accordance
with achieving the purposes for which a refuge was established. For the
Palmyra Atoll Refuge, the eradication of introduced rats would aid in
achieving the following Refuge purposes.
Perpetuate a functioning atoll ecosystem with natural
diversity and abundance of fauna and flora.
Preserve, restore, and enhance all terrestrial species of
animals and plants that are endangered or threatened with becoming
endangered.
Provide for conservation of migratory bird resources at
the Refuge.
We will prepare an EIS in accordance with NEPA and its implementing
regulations. Public input during the EIS planning process is hereby
solicited.
Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified the following preliminary issues, concerns, and
opportunities we may consider during development of the EIS. We may
identify additional issues during the public comment period. We will
consider public comments during development of the EIS.
What alternatives should be considered with regard to
eradication of rats from Palmyra Refuge?
How can we balance cost, efficacy, risks to nontarget
species, and other variables?
What current or planned island uses including natural
resource management activities, public visitation, and scientific
research at the atoll should we consider in the Draft EIS?
What other island resources, including historic and
cultural artifacts, specific biological resources, and physical
attributes such as water quality and soils, should we consider in the
Draft EIS?
To document the effects and effectiveness of our Refuge
management actions, what monitoring should the proposal include?
We will evaluate a range of alternatives in the EIS, and their
potential effects on the environment and local communities. We estimate
that the draft EIS will be available for public review in October 2010.
We will
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announce opportunities for public input throughout the EIS planning
process.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Dated: December 1, 2009.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2010-579 Filed 1-13-10; 8:45 am]
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