Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Mingo, Pilot Knob, and Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs), Wayne and Stoddard Counties, MO, 30441-30442 [E6-8119]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Notices
during normal business hours (8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.) at the Service’s Austin office.
Written data or comments concerning
the application and draft EA/HCP
should be submitted to the Supervisor,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711
Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas
78758. Please refer to permit number
TE–125388–0 when submitting
comments. All comments received,
including names and addresses, will
become a part of the official
administrative record and may be made
available to the public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Scott Rowin at U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Austin office, 10711 Burnet
Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758
(512) 490–0057 or by e-mail,
Scott_Rowin@fws.gov.
The
Applicant has applied to the Service for
a section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take
permit for a period of five years in order
to authorize incidental take of the
golden-cheeked warbler and blackcapped vireo.
Section 9 of the Act prohibits the
‘‘taking’’ of endangered species such as
the Houston toad. However, the Service,
under limited circumstances, may issue
permits to take endangered wildlife
species incidental to, and not the
purpose of, otherwise lawful activities.
We provide this notice under section
10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
and its implementing regulations (50
CFR 17.22), and the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
4371 et seq.) and its implementing
regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
As identified in the draft EA/HCP,
two alternate alignments (A and B) exist
along Sevenmile Mountain for a
distance of approximately two miles. It
is unknown at this time which
alignment will be selected for the
transmission line. However, the
Applicant requests the issuance of the
permit to authorize incidental take of
the endangered golden-cheeked warbler
and black-capped vireo for either
alignment. Regardless of which
alignment is selected, the level of
mitigation proposed in this permit is
based on the maximum acreage of
impacts that would result from the
installation of the proposed
transmission line. The proposed
transmission line would be installed in
response to increased demands for such
services resulting from a growing
population within the Applicant’s
service area.
The addition of this transmission line
would provide the capacity and
flexibility needed to continue to provide
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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reliable service to the Killeen—
Copperas Cove loads.
The action authorized under this
permit, if issued, would include the
installation of a 138 kV transmission
line for a distance of approximately 16
miles between the existing TXU Electric
Delivery Copperas Cove Substation and
the Brazos Electric Power Cooperative
Ding Dong Substation. The proposed
right-of-way width of the Proposed
Alternative would vary between 16 feet
and 70 feet. The proposed area to be
permitted encompasses 1,365 acres and
would encompass all areas of direct and
indirect impact.
The alternative was selected by the
Applicant and the Service as the
preferred action as it would allow the
development of the project while the
HCP would minimize and offset the
potential impact to the golden-cheeked
warbler and black-capped vireo by
providing for offsite conservation
measures, which would be utilized to
better manage the recovery of the
species.
Applicant: TXU Electric Delivery has
developed an HCP which has been
included as part of the preferred
alternative that would substantially
avoid impacts to the golden-cheeked
warbler and black-capped vireo. Impacts
that cannot be avoided would be
minimized and mitigated to the
maximum extent practicable. Mitigation
efforts under the proposed HCP would
include, contributing $1,690,000 to
establish a non-wasting endowment for
the golden-cheeked warbler and blackcapped vireo management on the 4,500acre Parrie Haynes Ranch (Ranch).
Based on negotiations between TXU
Electric Delivery, the Service, Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD),
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation,
and the Parrie Haynes Trust/Texas
Youth Commission (landowner), which
were initiated on November 15, 2005,
this funding will be used for the
establishment of the Ranch as an
endangered species management site as
mitigation for the affected goldencheeked warbler and black-capped vireo
habitat. Even though no endangered
species management currently occurs on
the Ranch, golden-cheeked warblers and
black-capped vireos currently utilize
significant amounts of habitat within
the property, thus providing an ideal
location for mitigation and enhanced
species management. Additionally, the
property is located adjacent to Fort
Hood, creating an even larger block of
actively managed habitat for both
species.
The mitigation funding proposal
consists of the creation of a non-wasting
endowment fund to be maintained by
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30441
the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Foundation, a non-profit organization.
As determined by Texas Parks and
Wildlife Foundation, to maintain the
endowment and management of the site
in perpetuity, approximately three to
four percent of the interest will be rolled
back into the account each year for
inflation. The remaining interest will be
used for endangered species restoration/
enhancement activities and to fund a
TPWD Wildlife Biologist/Technician
position for endangered species
management of the site. Once the
endowment is established, TPWD will
be responsible for on-going operations,
management, and reporting.
The mitigation proposal will enable
the Service and TPWD to actively
manage significantly more goldencheeked warbler and black-capped vireo
habitat as opposed to acquiring habitat
elsewhere. The proposal will assist the
Service and TPWD in developing sound
land management plans and practices,
including but not limited to, assessing
habitat conditions, developing land and
wildlife/endangered species
management plans, endangered species
monitoring, vegetation management/
manipulation, cowbird management,
livestock management, exotic species
control, public education, and fencing
and other access provisions.
Richard McDonald,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2,
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E6–8118 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Draft Comprehensive Conservation
Plan and Environmental Assessment
for Mingo, Pilot Knob, and Ozark
Cavefish National Wildlife Refuges
(NWRs), Wayne and Stoddard
Counties, MO
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service announces that the Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
(CCP) and Environmental Assessment
(EA) is available for Mingo, Pilot Knob,
and Ozark Cavefish NWRs, Missouri.
The CCP was prepared pursuant to
the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997, and the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969. Goals and objectives in the CCP
E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM
26MYN1
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30442
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Notices
describe how the agency intends to
manage the refuge over the next 15
years.
DATES: Comments on the Draft CCP/EA
must be received on or before July 10,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft CCP are
available on compact disk or hard copy;
you may obtain a copy by writing to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division
of Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry
Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal
Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111
or you may access and download a copy
via the planning Web site at https://
www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/mingo/
index.html.
All comments should be addressed to
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge,
Attention: CCP Comment, 24279 State
Highway 51, Puxico, MO 63960, or
direct e-mail to r3planning@fws.gov.
Comments may also be submitted
through the Service’s regional Web site
at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/
planning/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathleen Burchett at (573) 222–3589.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Established in 1944 under authority of
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the
21,592-acre Mingo NWR serves as a
resting and wintering area for migratory
waterfowl. A shallow basin, the Refuge
lies in an abandoned channel of the
Mississippi River bordered on the west
by the Ozark Plateau and on the east by
Crowley’s Ridge. The Refuge contains
approximately 15,000 acres of
bottomland hardwood forest, 5,000
acres of marsh and water, 1,100 acres of
cropland and moist soil units, and
nearly 500 acres of grassy openings.
During fall and spring migration, the
Refuge wetlands support thousands of
waterfowl.
The EA evaluates four different
approaches, or alternatives, to the future
management of Mingo NWR, and two
alternatives for Pilot Knob and Ozark
Cavefish NWRs. The plan also identifies
wildlife-dependent recreational
opportunities available to the public.
The preferred alternative for Mingo
includes increased opportunities for
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation
and photography, environmental
education and interpretation. It would
continue with improvements to the
drainage system, slightly increase the
amount of bottomland forest, and
maintain a variety of open habitats.
The preferred alternative for Pilot
Knob includes increased community
outreach to improve communication
with local residents, guided public
access to the summit of Pilot Knob, and
increased law enforcement.
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The preferred alternative for Ozark
Cavefish includes opening the Refuge to
compatible wildlife dependent public
uses, working with surrounding land
owners to improve water quality, and
developing a formal agreement with the
Missouri Department of Conservation
for the cooperative management of this
remote site and their adjacent property.
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 et seq.), requires the
Service 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,
consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation,
legal mandates, and Service policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction for conserving wildlife and
their habitats, the CCP identifies
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 these CCPs at least
every 15 years in accordance with the
National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997, and the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370d).
Dated: April 5, 2006.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Fort Snelling, Minnesota.
[FR Doc. E6–8119 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Record of Decision for the Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement for
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge
in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of record
of decision.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service announces the decision and
availability of the Record of Decision
(ROD) for the Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan (CCP) and
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for Driftless Area National Wildlife
Refuge (NWR) in accordance with 40
CFR 1506.6(b). A thorough analysis of
the environmental, social, and economic
considerations was completed and
included in the Final CCP/EIS. The
Final CCP/EIS was released to the
public and a Notice of Availability was
published in the Federal Register, 71 FR
5874, February 3, 2006. The ROD
documents the selection of Alternative
C, the Preferred Alternative in the Final
CCP/EIS. The ROD was signed by the
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Midwest Region, on
April 18, 2006.
ADDRESSES: The ROD and Final CCP/EIS
may be viewed at Driftless Area
National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters.
You may obtain a copy of the ROD at
the planning Web site at https://
www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/
DriftlessArea or by writing to the
following address: U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of
Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry
Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal
Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cathy Henry at (563) 873–3423.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CCP/
EIS for the Driftless Area National
Wildlife Refuge will provide
management guidance for conservation
of Refuge resources and public use
activities during the next 15 years.
Three alternatives and their
consequences were described in detail
in the Draft and Final Environmental
Impact Statement. Under all alternatives
recovery plans for the Iowa Pleistocene
snail and the Northern monkshood
would be updated, cultural resources
would be protected, and the Refuge’s
Fire Management Plan would guide
prescribed fire and wildfire
suppression.
Alternative A—No Action. Present
management practices would continue
under this Alternative. The No Action
alternative is a status quo alternative
where current conditions and trends
continue. The alternative served as the
baseline to compare and contrast with
the other alternatives.
Acquisition efforts would not occur
under this alternative because there
would be no approved expanded
acquisition boundary.
Alternative B—Habitat Protection
Emphasis. Under this alternative the
primary focus of Refuge activities would
be on the permanent protection of
endangered species habitat through land
acquisition and minimal physical
disturbance of endangered species
habitat. The expanded acquisition area
E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30441-30442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8119]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental
Assessment for Mingo, Pilot Knob, and Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife
Refuges (NWRs), Wayne and Stoddard Counties, MO
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces that the Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA)
is available for Mingo, Pilot Knob, and Ozark Cavefish NWRs, Missouri.
The CCP was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge
System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969. Goals and objectives in the CCP
[[Page 30442]]
describe how the agency intends to manage the refuge over the next 15
years.
DATES: Comments on the Draft CCP/EA must be received on or before July
10, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft CCP are available on compact disk or
hard copy; you may obtain a copy by writing to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Division of Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry Whipple
Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111 or
you may access and download a copy via the planning Web site at https://
www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/mingo/.
All comments should be addressed to Mingo National Wildlife Refuge,
Attention: CCP Comment, 24279 State Highway 51, Puxico, MO 63960, or
direct e-mail to r3planning@fws.gov. Comments may also be submitted
through the Service's regional Web site at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/
planning/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Burchett at (573) 222-3589.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Established in 1944 under authority of the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the 21,592-acre Mingo NWR serves as a
resting and wintering area for migratory waterfowl. A shallow basin,
the Refuge lies in an abandoned channel of the Mississippi River
bordered on the west by the Ozark Plateau and on the east by Crowley's
Ridge. The Refuge contains approximately 15,000 acres of bottomland
hardwood forest, 5,000 acres of marsh and water, 1,100 acres of
cropland and moist soil units, and nearly 500 acres of grassy openings.
During fall and spring migration, the Refuge wetlands support thousands
of waterfowl.
The EA evaluates four different approaches, or alternatives, to the
future management of Mingo NWR, and two alternatives for Pilot Knob and
Ozark Cavefish NWRs. The plan also identifies wildlife-dependent
recreational opportunities available to the public.
The preferred alternative for Mingo includes increased
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, environmental education and interpretation. It would
continue with improvements to the drainage system, slightly increase
the amount of bottomland forest, and maintain a variety of open
habitats.
The preferred alternative for Pilot Knob includes increased
community outreach to improve communication with local residents,
guided public access to the summit of Pilot Knob, and increased law
enforcement.
The preferred alternative for Ozark Cavefish includes opening the
Refuge to compatible wildlife dependent public uses, working with
surrounding land owners to improve water quality, and developing a
formal agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation for the
cooperative management of this remote site and their adjacent property.
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 et seq.), requires the Service 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, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife
management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In
addition to outlining broad management direction for conserving
wildlife and their habitats, the CCP identifies 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 these CCPs at least every 15 years in accordance with
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997,
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4370d).
Dated: April 5, 2006.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort
Snelling, Minnesota.
[FR Doc. E6-8119 Filed 5-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
