Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge, Accomack County, Virginia; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, 27906-27907 [2014-10799]

Download as PDF 27906 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 94 / Thursday, May 15, 2014 / Notices Authority We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) Dated: May 1, 2014. Benjamin N. Tuggle, Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2014–11184 Filed 5–14–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R5–R–2013–N267; BAC–4311–K9–S3] Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge, Accomack County, Virginia; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. Notice of availability; request for comments. ACTION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental impact statement (EIS) for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Wallops Island NWR for public review and comment. In this single draft CCP/EIS, we describe how we propose to manage both the staffed 14,032-acre Chincoteague NWR and the unstaffed 373-acre Wallops Island NWR over the next 15 years. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by July 14, 2014. We will hold a public meeting and an open house-style meeting during the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft plan. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper articles, internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of opportunities for input. ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any one of the following methods: • Email: northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Chincoteague Draft CCP/EIS’’ in the subject line of the message. • Fax: Attention: Thomas Bonetti, Refuge Planner, 413–253–8468. • U.S. Mail: Attention: Thomas Bonetti, Refuge Planner, USFWS, Northeast Regional Office, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035. • In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during regular business hours at the refuge headquarters, 8231 TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:18 May 14, 2014 Jkt 232001 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336. You will find the draft CCP/EIS, as well as information about the planning process and a summary of the CCP, on the planning Web site: https:// www.fws.gov/northeast/planning/ Chincoteague/ccphome.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Bonetti, Planning Team Leader, 413–253–8307. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Chincoteague NWR and Wallops Island NWR, which we began by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 57056) on September 17, 2010. For more about the initial process and the history of this refuge, see that notice. Background 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) (Administration Act), 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 strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act. Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for each refuge within the NWRS mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with each refuge’s establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS. PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Additional Information The draft CCP/EIS, which includes detailed information about the planning process, refuge, issues, and management alternatives considered and proposed, may be found at https://www.fws.gov/ northeast/planning/Chincoteague/ ccphome.html. There are three alternative refuge management options considered in the EIS. The Service’s preferred alternative is reflected in the draft CCP/EIS. The alternatives analyzed in detail include: • Alternative A: Current Management (No Action): Alternative A is the status quo and current management alternative as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. This alternative, referred to as our ‘‘No Action’’ alternative, continues current management strategies as established by the Chincoteague NWR Master Plan approved in 1992, and serves as a baseline for comparing alternatives B and C. • Alternative B would continue established habitat and wildlife management strategies but focus them in light of the new goals and vision established by the CCP. This alternative balances habitat management, public use and access, and administration of the refuge. Alternative B is our preferred alternative. • Alternative C would direct staffing and funding towards maximizing habitat and wildlife management strategies. As a result of prioritizing habitat and wildlife management, public use activities and access may be reduced. Public Involvement We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public meeting. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments anytime during the comment period. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email 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. E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1 27907 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 94 / Thursday, May 15, 2014 / Notices Dated: April 4, 2014. Deborah Rocque, Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region. [FR Doc. 2014–10799 Filed 5–14–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–FHC–2014–N090; FXFR1334088TWG0W4–123–FF08EACT00] Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group; Public Meeting and Teleconference Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a public meeting and teleconference of the Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG). The TAMWG is a Federal advisory committee that affords stakeholders the opportunity to give policy, management, and technical input concerning Trinity River (California) restoration efforts to the Trinity Management Council (TMC). The TMC interprets and recommends policy, coordinates and reviews management actions, and provides organizational budget oversight. SUMMARY: Public meeting, and Teleconference: TAMWG will meet from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, June 9, 2014, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Deadlines: For deadlines and directions on registering to listen to the meeting by phone, and submitting written material, please see ‘‘Public Input’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: The in-person meeting will be held at the Weaverville Victorian Inn, 2051 Main Street, Weaverville, CA 96093. You may participate in person or by teleconference. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth W. Hadley, Redding Electric Utility, 777 Cypress Avenue, Redding, CA 96001; telephone: 530–339–7327; email: ehadley@reupower.com. Individuals with a disability may request an accommodation by sending an email to the point of contact, and those accommodations will be provided. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., we announce that the Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG) will hold a meeting. DATES: Background The TAMWG affords stakeholders the opportunity to give policy, management, and technical input concerning Trinity River (California) restoration efforts to the Trinity Management Council (TMC). The TMC interprets and recommends policy, coordinates and reviews management actions, and provides organizational budget oversight. Meeting Agenda • Designated Federal Officer (DFO) updates, • TMC Chair report, • Executive Director’s report, • Trinity River Restoration Program workgroups update, • Discussion of FY 15 Budget, • Discussion on Follow-up from May 15 Joint TMC/TAMWG Meeting, • Discussion on Vision of a Restored River to Help Guide Restoration, • Decision Support System presentation, • Phase 1 Review presentation, • Riparian Work presentation, • Climate Change and Water Management in the Tributaries presentation, • Settlement Agreement of Trinity River Fish Hatchery presentation, • Trinity Watershed Projects presentation, • Bay Delta Conservation Plan presentation, and • Public Comment. The final agenda will be posted on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/arcata. Public Input You must contact Elizabeth Hadley (FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) no later than If you wish to Listen to the teleconference meeting via telephone or Internet ..................................................................................... Submit written information or questions for the TAMWG to consider during the teleconference ................................. TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Submitting Written Information or Questions Interested members of the public may submit relevant information or questions for the TAMWG to consider during the meeting. Written statements must be received by the date listed in ‘‘Public Input,’’ so that the information may be available to the TAMWG for their consideration prior to this teleconference. Written statements must be supplied to Elizabeth Hadley in one of the following formats: One hard copy with original signature or one electronic copy with digital signature copy via email (acceptable file formats are Adobe Acrobat PDF, MS Word, PowerPoint, or rich text file). Registered speakers who wish to expand on their oral statements, or those who wished to speak but could not be accommodated on the agenda, VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:18 May 14, 2014 Jkt 232001 June 2, 2014. June 2, 2014. may submit written statements to Elizabeth Hadley up to 7 days after the meeting. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Meeting Minutes [GX14EE000101000] Summary minutes of the meeting will be maintained by Elizabeth Hadley (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). The minutes will be available for public inspection within 90 days after the meeting, and will be posted on the TAMWG Web site at https:// www.fws.gov/arcata. Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments Dated: May 8, 2014. Vina N. Frye, Fish Biologist, Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, Arcata, California. [FR Doc. 2014–11185 Filed 5–14–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of a new information collection, ISO Geospatial Metadata Editors Registry. AGENCY: We (the U.S. Geological Survey) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 94 (Thursday, May 15, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27906-27907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10799]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R5-R-2013-N267; BAC-4311-K9-S3]


Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Wallops Island National 
Wildlife Refuge, Accomack County, Virginia; Draft Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for Chincoteague National Wildlife 
Refuge (NWR) and Wallops Island NWR for public review and comment. In 
this single draft CCP/EIS, we describe how we propose to manage both 
the staffed 14,032-acre Chincoteague NWR and the unstaffed 373-acre 
Wallops Island NWR over the next 15 years.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by July 14, 2014. We will hold a public meeting and an open house-style 
meeting during the comment period to receive comments and provide 
information on the draft plan. In addition, we will use special 
mailings, newspaper articles, internet postings, and other media 
announcements to inform people of opportunities for input.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
one of the following methods:
     Email: northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include ``Chincoteague 
Draft CCP/EIS'' in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: Attention: Thomas Bonetti, Refuge Planner, 413-253-
8468.
     U.S. Mail: Attention: Thomas Bonetti, Refuge Planner, 
USFWS, Northeast Regional Office, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 
01035.
     In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during 
regular business hours at the refuge headquarters, 8231 Beach Road, 
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336.
    You will find the draft CCP/EIS, as well as information about the 
planning process and a summary of the CCP, on the planning Web site: 
https://www.fws.gov/northeast/planning/Chincoteague/ccphome.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Bonetti, Planning Team Leader, 
413-253-8307.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Chincoteague NWR 
and Wallops Island NWR, which we began by publishing a notice of intent 
in the Federal Register (75 FR 57056) on September 17, 2010. For more 
about the initial process and the history of this refuge, see that 
notice.

Background

    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) (Administration Act), 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 strategy for achieving 
refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish 
and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service 
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on 
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including 
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and 
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will 
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with 
the Administration Act.
    Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use 
these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the 
management goals and objectives for each refuge within the NWRS 
mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. The 
planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management 
goals and objectives that will ensure the best possible approach to 
wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for 
wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with 
each refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.

Additional Information

    The draft CCP/EIS, which includes detailed information about the 
planning process, refuge, issues, and management alternatives 
considered and proposed, may be found at https://www.fws.gov/northeast/planning/Chincoteague/ccphome.html. There are three alternative refuge 
management options considered in the EIS. The Service's preferred 
alternative is reflected in the draft CCP/EIS.
    The alternatives analyzed in detail include:
     Alternative A: Current Management (No Action): Alternative 
A is the status quo and current management alternative as required by 
the National Environmental Policy Act. This alternative, referred to as 
our ``No Action'' alternative, continues current management strategies 
as established by the Chincoteague NWR Master Plan approved in 1992, 
and serves as a baseline for comparing alternatives B and C.
     Alternative B would continue established habitat and 
wildlife management strategies but focus them in light of the new goals 
and vision established by the CCP. This alternative balances habitat 
management, public use and access, and administration of the refuge. 
Alternative B is our preferred alternative.
     Alternative C would direct staffing and funding towards 
maximizing habitat and wildlife management strategies. As a result of 
prioritizing habitat and wildlife management, public use activities and 
access may be reduced.

Public Involvement

    We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public 
meeting. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site 
listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments 
anytime during the comment period.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email 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.


[[Page 27907]]


    Dated: April 4, 2014.
Deborah Rocque,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-10799 Filed 5-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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