Great Dismal Swamp and Nansemond National Wildlife Refuges: Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact, 47510-47511 [E6-13553]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 159 / Thursday, August 17, 2006 / Notices
Type of Review: Extension (without
change).
Affected Public: Businesses,
Individuals, Institutions.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
325,000.
Estimated Time per Respondent: 14
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 79,500.
Estimated Total Annualized Cost on
the Public: N/A.
Dated: August 9, 2006.
Tracey Denning,
Agency Clearance Officer, Information
Services Branch.
[FR Doc. E6–13528 Filed 8–16–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111–14–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Great Dismal Swamp and Nansemond
National Wildlife Refuges: Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Finding of No Significant Impact
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) announces that the
final Comprehensive Conservation Plan
(CCP) is available for Great Dismal
Swamp and Nansemond National
Wildlife Refuges (NWR). Prepared in
conformance with the National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act of
1966, as amended by the National
Wildlife System Improvement Act of
1997, and the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, the plan describes
how the Service intends to manage the
refuges over the next 15 years. A
Finding of No Significant Impact was
approved by the Regional Director.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCP is
available on compact diskette or in hard
copy, and may be obtained by writing
Deloras Freeman, Great Dismal Swamp
NWR, 3100 Desert Road, Suffolk,
Virginia 23434, or by e-mail at
deloras_freeman@fws.gov. This
document may also be accessed at the
Web address https://library.fws.gov/
ccps.htm.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deloras Freeman, Refuge Planner at the
above address, by phone at 757–986–
3705, or by e-mail at
deloras_freeman@fws.gov.
The
National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:36 Aug 16, 2006
Jkt 208001
Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C.
668dd et seq.), requires the Service to
develop a CCP for each refuge within
the system. The purpose of 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
science, conservation, legal mandates,
and Service policies. In addition to
outlining broad management direction
on conserving wildlife and habitats, a
CCP identifies wildlife-dependent
recreational opportunities available to
the public, including opportunities for
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation
and photography, and environmental
education and interpretation. The CCP
will be reviewed and updated at least
every 15 years in accordance with the
National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1969, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997, and the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347, as
amended).
Established in 1974, Great Dismal
Swamp NWR encompasses 111,203
acres, the largest intact remnant of a vast
habitat that once covered more than 1
million acres of southeastern Virginia
and northeastern North Carolina.
Nansemond NWR, established
December 12, 1973, is an unstaffed
satellite refuge encompassing 423 acres.
Our Final CCP includes management
direction for each of the refuges, and
details habitat management and public
use programs based on the vision for the
refuge at the time of its establishment in
1974. We have included the restoration
of 8,000 acres of Atlantic white cedar
habitat, the restoration of 10,000 acres of
red-cockaded woodpecker habitat, and
the restoration of a remnant marsh to its
original 250 acres from its present 30
acres. We would establish a neotropical
migratory bird focus area near Jericho
Lane, in which we would focus habitat
management and modeling, population
surveys, and education and
interpretation related to neotropical
migratory bird populations. We will
implement a limited bear hunt. This
hunt will occur on a total of 2 days
during November and December, with a
total maximum of 100 permits issued.
We anticipate a harvest of 11 bears with
a harvest limit target of 20 bears. If 10
or more bears are taken the first day,
various parameters will be evaluated
and the second hunt day may be
cancelled. As with the deer hunt, dogs
will not be allowed as a means to hunt
bears. The bear hunt is currently
authorized in the Code of Federal
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Regulations (50 CFR Part 32), but has
never been implemented.
We have also targeted building
projects, such as the development of an
environmental education site at Jericho
Ditch in Suffolk, Virginia. We will also
develop an exhibit to be situated at the
downtown visitor center that is run by
the City of Suffolk. Additionally, we
propose the conversion of the current
administrative building for a concession
operation that will rent kayaks and
outdoor equipment and run tours of the
swamp, the construction of a new
visitor center and headquarters between
the old and new Route 17 in
Chesapeake, Virginia, and the
construction of new trails, observation
and photography platforms, or towers.
The CCP proposes to enhance
environmental education and outreach,
and to establish hunter safety and youth
hunting programs.
• The Service solicited comments on
the draft CCP/EA for Great Dismal
Swamp and Nansemond NWRs from
March 13 to April 24, 2006 (March 13,
2006, 71 FR 12709). We developed a list
of substantive comments that required
responses. Editorial suggestions and
notes of concurrence with or opposition
to certain proposals were noted and
included in the decision making
process, but did not receive formal
responses. The Final CCP includes
responses to all substantive comments.
Based upon comments that we
received, we have chosen management
alternative B, with the following
modifications:
• Land Protection: A number of
comments expressed support for
protection of the Great Dismal Swamp
ecosystem, including surrounding
lands. Additionally, a comment voiced
concern that the wording of Goal 3 did
not adequately reflect the refuge
purpose as stated in the Dismal Swamp
Act. The refuge addressed these
comments with the following actions:
(1) Addition of the following strategy
to Goal 3: ‘‘Develop sound working
relationships with adjoining
landowners, nearby neighboring
landowners, and other key landowners
within the ecosystem to protect the
integrity of the refuge boundary and
further the protection of the ecosystem.’’
The refuge will take advantage of
partnership opportunities around the
refuge.
(2) Goal 3 was broadened to better
reflect the intent of the enabling
legislation and reworded as: ‘‘Provide
protection and restoration of those areas
within Great Dismal Swamp ecosystem
that are remnants of the Great Dismal
Swamp and/or are restorable to Great
Dismal Swamp habitat while providing
E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM
17AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 159 / Thursday, August 17, 2006 / Notices
support to the protection and restoration
of all its components and adjacent
habitats that directly affect the vitality
and viability of the ecosystem.’’
• Wildlife Observation: A suggestion
was made to develop a through-swamp
canoe/kayak trail. This suggestion was
adopted. A through-swamp canoe/kayak
trail will be developed in Washington
Ditch from the existing parking area to
Lake Drummond and then via the
Feeder Ditch to the Dismal Swamp
Canal, and a partnership will be sought
to oversee maintenance of the trail.
• Road Improvements: A number of
comments about the amount of road
paving that was proposed were
received. The refuge decided to reduce
the amount of paving. The proposed
auto tour route and the access to Lake
Drummond will remain as gravel roads.
Paving will only occur on highest use
access roads at Washington Ditch and
Jericho Ditch.
Dated: July 26, 2006.
Michael G. Thabault,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Hadley, Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. E6–13553 Filed 8–16–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Rachel Carson National Wildlife
Refuge
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: draft
comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of the Rachel Carson
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
(CCP) and Environmental Assessment
(EA). It describes how we intend to
manage Rachel Carson NWR during the
next 15 years. We prepared this Draft
CCP/EA in conformance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and the National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act, as
amended.
The Draft CCP/EA is available for
public review and comment. We must
receive your comments on or before
September 18, 2006. During the 30-day
comment period, we plan to host public
meetings in the local area. We will post
the details of each meeting at least 2
weeks in advance to our project mailing
list in local papers, at the refuge, and at
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
DATES:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:36 Aug 16, 2006
Jkt 208001
our Web site, https://www.fws.gov/
northeast/rachelcarsonrefuge/.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain copies of
the draft CCP/EA on compact disk or in
print by writing to Carl Melberg, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast
Regional Office, 300 Westgate Center
Drive, Hadley, Massachusetts 01035–
9589, or e-mailing
northeastplanning@fws.gov. You may
also view the draft on the Web at
https://library.fws.gov/ccps.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl
Melberg, 413–253–8521.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 et seq.), requires the Service to
develop a CCP for each refuge. The
purpose of developing a CCP is to
provide refuge managers with a 15-year
strategy for achieving refuge purposes
and contributing to the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System
(NWRS), in conformance with the sound
principles of fish and wildlife science,
natural resources conservation, legal
mandates, and Service policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and
habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography,
and environmental interpretation and
education. The Service will review and
update each CCP at least once every 15
years, in accordance with the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997 and the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321–4370d) (NEPA).
This Draft CCP/EA identifies goals,
long-range objectives, and strategies for
achieving the purposes for which this
refuge was established. The document
poses three management alternatives:
Alternative A (Current Management):
This alternative is the no action
alternative required by NEPA.
Alternative A defines our current
management activities, including those
planned, funded, or under way, and
serves as the baseline against which to
compare the other two action
alternatives. It would maintain our
present levels of approved refuge
staffing and the biological and visitor
programs now in place. Three new
facilities are incorporated in this
alternative to support current and
approved management, staffing, and
administrative obligations. The refuge
would continue to acquire the 3,833
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
47511
acres remaining within its current
approved boundary.
Alternative B (the Service-preferred
alternative): This alternative represents
the combination of actions that we
believe will most effectively achieve the
purposes and goals of the refuge and
address the major issues. It builds on
the programs identified under current
management. Funding and staffing
would need to increase to adequately
support the program expansions we
propose. We propose to expand the
refuge by 5,558 acres beyond its current
approved boundary of 9,126 acres. We
would add acreage to Brave Boat
Harbor, Upper Wells, Spurwink,
Biddeford, Mousam River, Little River,
and Moody Divisions, and we would
establish a new York River Division,
encompassing the largest undeveloped
salt marsh south of Portland. Alternative
B also includes removing 101 parcels
totaling 164 acres from the current
approved boundary that are no longer
suitable for Service acquisition. The
refuge would continue to acquire the
3,833 acres remaining within its current
approved boundary. This proposal
increases the protection and
management of migratory wildlife,
endangered and threatened species, and
other species of concern by protecting
additional aquatic and upland habitat. It
includes expanded management and
additional public use opportunities for
wildlife-dependent recreation such as
hunting and fishing, as well as wildlife
observation, photography, and
interpretation. A new administrative
complex, including office space,
maintenance facilities, and visitor
contact station, will be built. This
alternative includes combining the
Moody, Lower Wells, Upper Wells, and
Mousam River Divisions into one, the
Wells Bay Division. This alternative will
also increase the number and quality of
wildlife-dependent recreational
opportunities, and allow us to use
Rachel Carson NWR’s proximity to
Portland and urban communities to
better promote NWRS principles and
improve public support for national
wildlife refuges.
Alternative C is the same as
alternative B, however, it proposes to
expand the refuge by 11,397 acres
beyond the current approved boundary.
That 11,397-acre expansion includes the
5,558 acres in Alternative B. It would
add acreage to Brave Boat Harbor, Upper
Wells, Spurwink, Biddeford, and Moody
Divisions, and would establish a new
York River Division, encompassing the
largest undeveloped salt marsh south of
Portland. This alternative will also
increase the number and quality of
wildlife-dependent recreational
E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM
17AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 159 (Thursday, August 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47510-47511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13553]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Great Dismal Swamp and Nansemond National Wildlife Refuges: Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that
the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) is available for Great
Dismal Swamp and Nansemond National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). Prepared in
conformance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act
of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife System Improvement Act of
1997, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the plan
describes how the Service intends to manage the refuges over the next
15 years. A Finding of No Significant Impact was approved by the
Regional Director.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCP is available on compact diskette or in
hard copy, and may be obtained by writing Deloras Freeman, Great Dismal
Swamp NWR, 3100 Desert Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23434, or by e-mail at
deloras_freeman@fws.gov. This document may also be accessed at the Web
address https://library.fws.gov/ccps.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deloras Freeman, Refuge Planner at the
above address, by phone at 757-986-3705, or by e-mail at deloras_
freeman@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 et seq.), requires the
Service to develop a CCP for each refuge within the system. The purpose
of 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 science, conservation, legal mandates,
and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and habitats, a CCP identifies
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public,
including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. The CCP
will be reviewed and updated at least every 15 years in accordance with
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1969, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997,
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347,
as amended).
Established in 1974, Great Dismal Swamp NWR encompasses 111,203
acres, the largest intact remnant of a vast habitat that once covered
more than 1 million acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern
North Carolina. Nansemond NWR, established December 12, 1973, is an
unstaffed satellite refuge encompassing 423 acres.
Our Final CCP includes management direction for each of the
refuges, and details habitat management and public use programs based
on the vision for the refuge at the time of its establishment in 1974.
We have included the restoration of 8,000 acres of Atlantic white cedar
habitat, the restoration of 10,000 acres of red-cockaded woodpecker
habitat, and the restoration of a remnant marsh to its original 250
acres from its present 30 acres. We would establish a neotropical
migratory bird focus area near Jericho Lane, in which we would focus
habitat management and modeling, population surveys, and education and
interpretation related to neotropical migratory bird populations. We
will implement a limited bear hunt. This hunt will occur on a total of
2 days during November and December, with a total maximum of 100
permits issued. We anticipate a harvest of 11 bears with a harvest
limit target of 20 bears. If 10 or more bears are taken the first day,
various parameters will be evaluated and the second hunt day may be
cancelled. As with the deer hunt, dogs will not be allowed as a means
to hunt bears. The bear hunt is currently authorized in the Code of
Federal Regulations (50 CFR Part 32), but has never been implemented.
We have also targeted building projects, such as the development of
an environmental education site at Jericho Ditch in Suffolk, Virginia.
We will also develop an exhibit to be situated at the downtown visitor
center that is run by the City of Suffolk. Additionally, we propose the
conversion of the current administrative building for a concession
operation that will rent kayaks and outdoor equipment and run tours of
the swamp, the construction of a new visitor center and headquarters
between the old and new Route 17 in Chesapeake, Virginia, and the
construction of new trails, observation and photography platforms, or
towers. The CCP proposes to enhance environmental education and
outreach, and to establish hunter safety and youth hunting programs.
The Service solicited comments on the draft CCP/EA for
Great Dismal Swamp and Nansemond NWRs from March 13 to April 24, 2006
(March 13, 2006, 71 FR 12709). We developed a list of substantive
comments that required responses. Editorial suggestions and notes of
concurrence with or opposition to certain proposals were noted and
included in the decision making process, but did not receive formal
responses. The Final CCP includes responses to all substantive
comments.
Based upon comments that we received, we have chosen management
alternative B, with the following modifications:
Land Protection: A number of comments expressed support
for protection of the Great Dismal Swamp ecosystem, including
surrounding lands. Additionally, a comment voiced concern that the
wording of Goal 3 did not adequately reflect the refuge purpose as
stated in the Dismal Swamp Act. The refuge addressed these comments
with the following actions:
(1) Addition of the following strategy to Goal 3: ``Develop sound
working relationships with adjoining landowners, nearby neighboring
landowners, and other key landowners within the ecosystem to protect
the integrity of the refuge boundary and further the protection of the
ecosystem.'' The refuge will take advantage of partnership
opportunities around the refuge.
(2) Goal 3 was broadened to better reflect the intent of the
enabling legislation and reworded as: ``Provide protection and
restoration of those areas within Great Dismal Swamp ecosystem that are
remnants of the Great Dismal Swamp and/or are restorable to Great
Dismal Swamp habitat while providing
[[Page 47511]]
support to the protection and restoration of all its components and
adjacent habitats that directly affect the vitality and viability of
the ecosystem.''
Wildlife Observation: A suggestion was made to develop a
through-swamp canoe/kayak trail. This suggestion was adopted. A
through-swamp canoe/kayak trail will be developed in Washington Ditch
from the existing parking area to Lake Drummond and then via the Feeder
Ditch to the Dismal Swamp Canal, and a partnership will be sought to
oversee maintenance of the trail.
Road Improvements: A number of comments about the amount
of road paving that was proposed were received. The refuge decided to
reduce the amount of paving. The proposed auto tour route and the
access to Lake Drummond will remain as gravel roads. Paving will only
occur on highest use access roads at Washington Ditch and Jericho
Ditch.
Dated: July 26, 2006.
Michael G. Thabault,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley,
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. E6-13553 Filed 8-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
