Souris River Basin National Wildlife Refuges, North Dakota, 5080-5081 [E7-1712]
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5080
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 22 / Friday, February 2, 2007 / Notices
accommodate WGFD vaccination of elk
and bison for brucellosis on the refuge
as long as it was logistically feasible and
safe for wildlife.
8. Public education component.
Alternative 4 would include the
initiation of a public education effort to
build understanding of natural elk and
bison behavior, ecology, distribution,
disease implications, and effects to
other species.
All substantive issues raised in the
comments were addressed in the final
Plan/EIS. Responses to comments are
included as a companion document to
the final Plan/EIS. Public comments and
hearing testimony are also available for
review at the National Elk Refuge
Headquarters, 675 East Broadway,
Jackson, Wyoming 83001, during
normal business hours. All information
provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or
at public meetings becomes part of the
official public record (i.e., names,
addresses, letters of comment, input
recorded during meetings). If requested
under the Freedom of Information Act
by a private citizen or organization, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may
provide copies of such information.
The environmental review of this
project will be conducted in accordance
with the requirements of the NEPA Act
of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); Council on Environmental Quality
NEPA Regulations); other appropriate
Federal laws and regulations; Executive
Order 12996; the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service policies and procedures for
compliance with those laws and
regulations.
Document Review
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Final Plan/EIS
A copy of the final Plan/EIS may be
obtained by writing to: Jackson Bison
and Elk Management Planning Office,
P.O. Box 510, Jackson, Wyoming 83001;
by telephone: 307–733–9212; by e-mail:
bisonelk_planning@fws.gov; or by
download from the project Web site:
https://bisonandelkplan.fws.gov.
The final Plan/EIS will be available
for reading at the following main branch
libraries: State of Wyoming: Albany
County—Laramie; Fremont County—
Dubois, Lander, and Riverton; Laramie
County—Cheyenne; Lincoln County—
Afton; Park County—Cody; Natrona
County—Casper; Sheridan County—
Sheridan; Sublette County—Pinedale
and Big Piney; Sweetwater County—
Rock Springs; and Teton County—
Jackson and Alta. State of Idaho: Idaho
Falls, Rexburg, Swan Valley and Victor.
State of Montana: Bozeman, Livingston,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:13 Feb 01, 2007
Jkt 211001
Missoula, and Ennis. State of Colorado:
Denver and Fort Collins. It will also be
available at the following colleges and
universities: State of Wyoming: Casper
College Library, Casper; Central
Wyoming College Library, Riverton;
University of Wyoming Library,
Laramie; Northwest College Library,
Powell; Sheridan College Library,
Sheridan; and Western Wyoming
College Library, Rock Springs. State of
Montana: Montana State University
Library, Bozeman; and the University of
Montana Library, Missoula. State of
Idaho: Albertsons Library, Boise State
University, Boise; University of Idaho
Library, Moscow. State of Colorado:
Colorado State University Library, Fort
Collins.
Dated: November 9, 2006.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 6, Denver,
Colorado.
[FR Doc. E7–1605 Filed 2–1–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Souris River Basin National Wildlife
Refuges, North Dakota
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) announces that the
draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan
(CCP) and Environmental Assessment
(EA) for the Souris River Basin National
Wildlife Refuges (Refuges) is available.
This draft CCP/EA describes how the
Service intends to manage these Refuges
for the next 15 years. We request public
comment.
DATES: We must receive written
comments on the draft CCP/EA by
March 19, 2007. Submit comments by
one of the methods under ADDRESSES.
ADDRESSES: Please provide written
comments to Toni Griffin, Planning
Team Leader, Division of Refuge
Planning, Branch of Comprehensive
Conservation Planning, MountainPrairie Region, P.O. Box 25486, Denver
Federal Center, Denver, Colorado
80225–0486, or electronically to
toni_griffin@fws.gov. A copy of the CCP
may be obtained by writing to U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge
Planning, 134 Union Boulevard, Suite
300, Lakewood, Colorado 80228; or by
download from https://mountainprairie.fws.gov/planning.
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Toni
Griffin, 303–236–4378 (phone); 303–
236–4792 (fax); toni_griffin@fws.gov
(e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Souris River Basin is home to three
national wildlife refuges: The Des Lacs
National Wildlife Refuge, located along
28 miles of the Des Lacs River; the J.
Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge,
located along 50 miles of the Souris
River; and the Upper Souris National
Wildlife Refuge, located along 35 miles
of the upper Souris River. The Refuges
are collectively known as the Souris
River Basin National Wildlife Refuges.
The Refuges were established by
Executive Order in 1935. The purpose of
each Refuge is for a ‘‘refuge and
breeding ground for migratory birds and
other wildlife.’’
The Refuges are located in a critical
area of the Central Flyway, providing
nesting and breeding habitat for
migrating and nesting waterfowl. The J.
Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge,
in particular, has developed into one of
the most important duck production
areas in the United States.
The American Bird Conservancy
recognizes all three Refuges as ‘‘Globally
Important Bird Areas.’’ In addition, J.
Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge is
designated as a regional shorebird site
in the ‘‘Western Hemisphere Shorebird
Reserve Network.’’ Lake Darling, located
on Upper Souris National Wildlife
Refuge, is designated as a critical habitat
for the federally threatened piping
plover.
Representing a comprehensive
collection of all North Dakota plant
communities, these Refuges could
contain the only remaining
representatives of drift plain prairie,
considered a threatened resource.
This draft CCP/EA identifies and
evaluates four alternatives for managing
the Refuges for the next 15 years.
Alternative A, the No Action alternative,
reflects the current management of the
Refuges. It provides the baseline against
which to compare the other alternatives.
Refuge habitats would continue to be
managed on an opportunistic schedule
that may maintain—or most likely
would result in further decline in—the
diversity of vegetation and wildlife
species. Des Lacs National Wildlife
Refuge and J. Clark Salyer National
Wildlife Refuge would continue to
perform only limited research and
would monitor only long-term
vegetation change. Upper Souris
National Wildlife Refuge would
continue to perform no scientific
research or monitoring. Outreach,
partnerships, and priority public uses
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM
02FEN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 22 / Friday, February 2, 2007 / Notices
(fishing, hunting, wildlife observation,
wildlife photography, environmental
education, and interpretation) would
continue at present levels.
Alternative B is the Service’s
proposed action and basis for the draft
CCP. This alternative would prioritize
habitats with high probability of
restoration for management. Other
habitats may only be partially restored
or minimally managed. Research and
monitoring would increase, and
scientific knowledge required to restore
upland and wetland plant and animal
communities would be shared (with the
public and other resource managers).
Some visitor services would be expected
to decrease as some staff and funding
shift to habitat restoration.
Environmental education would
increase.
In Alternative C, waterfowl habitat
management and waterfowl production
would be emphasized over other refuge
programs. Research and monitoring
would focus on actions that enhance
waterfowl habitat, increase waterfowl
nest densities, and increase nest and
brood survival. Visitor service programs
that use or enhance waterfowl-related
activities, such as hunting, wildlife
viewing, or environmental education,
would be emphasized over other
activities.
Management under Alternative D
would restore, to the fullest extent,
ecological processes, vegetation
communities, and wildlife characteristic
of the presettlement period. Research
and monitoring efforts would focus on
strategies that enhance native plant and
animal communities. Public uses that
are compatible with or that support
restoration efforts would be
emphasized. Interpretation and
environmental education would be
expanded, with an emphasis on natural
plant and animal communities,
ecological processes, and restoration.
The proposed action (Alternative B)
was selected because it best meets the
purpose and goals of the Refuges, as
well as the goals of the National
Wildlife Refuge System. The proposed
action will also benefit federally listed
species, shore birds, migrating and
nesting waterfowl, and neotropical
migrants. Environmental education and
partnerships will result in improved
wildlife-dependent recreational
opportunities. Cultural and historical
resources as well as federally listed
species will be protected.
Opportunity for public input will be
provided at a public meeting to be
scheduled soon. The specific date and
time for the public meeting is yet to be
determined, but will be announced via
local media and a newsletter. All
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:13 Feb 01, 2007
Jkt 211001
information provided voluntarily by
mail, by phone, or at public meetings
(e.g., names, addresses, letters of
comment, input recorded during
meetings) becomes part of the official
public record. If requested under the
Freedom of Information Act by a private
citizen or organization, the Service may
provide copies of such information. The
environmental review of this project
will be conducted in accordance with
the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts
1500–1508); other appropriate Federal
laws and regulations; Executive Order
12996; the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997; and
Service policies and procedures for
compliance with those laws and
regulations.
Dated: October 3, 2006.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 6, Denver,
CO.
Editorial Note: This document was
received at the Office of the Federal Register
on January 30, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7–1712 Filed 2–1–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[MT–029–1310–DS 050E]
Notice of Availability of the Draft
Supplement to the Statewide Oil and
Gas Final Environmental Impact
Statement and Amendment of the
Powder River and Billings Resource
Management Plans (RMPs), Montana
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: By Order of the U.S. District
Court for the District of Montana,
pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 and the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321), as amended, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
prepared a Draft Supplement to the
Statewide Oil and Gas Final
Environmental Impact Statement and
will amend the Powder River and
Billings RMPs (Draft SEIS/Amendment).
DATES: The 90-day public comment
period will begin the date the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
publishes their Notice of Availability in
the Federal Register. Tentative public
meetings to gather comments on the
draft will be held in Montana at the
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
5081
following locations: Billings, March 26,
2007; Hardin, March 27, 2007; Lame
Deer, March 28, 2007; Broadus, March
29, 2007; and Miles City, March 30,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by any of the following methods (your
name and mailing address must be
submitted as part of your comments):
• Web Site: https://www.blm.gov/eis/
mt/milescity_seis/.
• Fax: (406) 233–2921.
• Mail: CBNG Draft SEIS Comments,
Bureau of Land Management, P.O. Box
219, Miles City, Montana 59301 or
deliver to 111 Garryowen Road, Miles
City, Montana.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Bloom, Project Manager, BLM,
(406) 233–2852.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Powder River and Billings RMP areas
comprise 1,506,011 acres of BLM
managed surface and 5,009,784 acres of
BLM managed mineral estate. There are
3,185,016 acres of BLM managed oil and
gas. The Powder River RMP area
includes Powder River and Treasure
Counties; and portions of Big Horn,
Carter, Custer, and Rosebud Counties.
The Billings RMP area includes Carbon,
Golden Valley, Musselshell, Stillwater,
Sweet Grass, Wheatland, and
Yellowstone Counties and the
remaining portion of Big Horn County.
This Draft SEIS is supplementing the
2003 Statewide Oil and Gas Final
Environmental Impact Statement and
Amendment of the Powder River and
Billings RMPs (Statewide Document).
The Notice of Availability was
published in the Federal Register on
January 17, 2003, and the Record of
Decision was approved on April 30,
2003. Several lawsuits were filed against
the BLM decision immediately
following the publication of the Record
of Decision. Two of the lawsuits
resulted in an April 5, 2005, ruling by
the U.S. District Court ordering the BLM
to prepare a Supplemental EIS to
consider a phased development
alternative for coal bed natural gas
(CBNG) production in the Billings and
Powder River RMP areas of Montana.
Topics addressed in the Draft SEIS/
Amendment include those provided or
recommended by the U.S. District Court:
Phased CBNG development; the
inclusion of the proposed Tongue River
Railroad in the cumulative impact
analysis; and a discussion on how
private water well mitigation
agreements help alleviate the impacts of
methane migration and groundwater
drawdown. The BLM published the
Notice of Intent to plan for the SEIS/
Amendment in the Federal Register on
E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM
02FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 22 (Friday, February 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5080-5081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1712]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Souris River Basin National Wildlife Refuges, North Dakota
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that
the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the Souris River Basin National Wildlife Refuges
(Refuges) is available. This draft CCP/EA describes how the Service
intends to manage these Refuges for the next 15 years. We request
public comment.
DATES: We must receive written comments on the draft CCP/EA by March
19, 2007. Submit comments by one of the methods under ADDRESSES.
ADDRESSES: Please provide written comments to Toni Griffin, Planning
Team Leader, Division of Refuge Planning, Branch of Comprehensive
Conservation Planning, Mountain-Prairie Region, P.O. Box 25486, Denver
Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225-0486, or electronically to
toni_griffin@fws.gov. A copy of the CCP may be obtained by writing to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, 134 Union
Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, Colorado 80228; or by download from
https://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Griffin, 303-236-4378 (phone);
303-236-4792 (fax); toni_griffin@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Souris River Basin is home to three
national wildlife refuges: The Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge,
located along 28 miles of the Des Lacs River; the J. Clark Salyer
National Wildlife Refuge, located along 50 miles of the Souris River;
and the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, located along 35 miles
of the upper Souris River. The Refuges are collectively known as the
Souris River Basin National Wildlife Refuges.
The Refuges were established by Executive Order in 1935. The
purpose of each Refuge is for a ``refuge and breeding ground for
migratory birds and other wildlife.''
The Refuges are located in a critical area of the Central Flyway,
providing nesting and breeding habitat for migrating and nesting
waterfowl. The J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, in particular,
has developed into one of the most important duck production areas in
the United States.
The American Bird Conservancy recognizes all three Refuges as
``Globally Important Bird Areas.'' In addition, J. Clark Salyer
National Wildlife Refuge is designated as a regional shorebird site in
the ``Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.'' Lake Darling,
located on Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, is designated as a
critical habitat for the federally threatened piping plover.
Representing a comprehensive collection of all North Dakota plant
communities, these Refuges could contain the only remaining
representatives of drift plain prairie, considered a threatened
resource.
This draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates four alternatives for
managing the Refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative A, the No
Action alternative, reflects the current management of the Refuges. It
provides the baseline against which to compare the other alternatives.
Refuge habitats would continue to be managed on an opportunistic
schedule that may maintain--or most likely would result in further
decline in--the diversity of vegetation and wildlife species. Des Lacs
National Wildlife Refuge and J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
would continue to perform only limited research and would monitor only
long-term vegetation change. Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge
would continue to perform no scientific research or monitoring.
Outreach, partnerships, and priority public uses
[[Page 5081]]
(fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, wildlife photography,
environmental education, and interpretation) would continue at present
levels.
Alternative B is the Service's proposed action and basis for the
draft CCP. This alternative would prioritize habitats with high
probability of restoration for management. Other habitats may only be
partially restored or minimally managed. Research and monitoring would
increase, and scientific knowledge required to restore upland and
wetland plant and animal communities would be shared (with the public
and other resource managers). Some visitor services would be expected
to decrease as some staff and funding shift to habitat restoration.
Environmental education would increase.
In Alternative C, waterfowl habitat management and waterfowl
production would be emphasized over other refuge programs. Research and
monitoring would focus on actions that enhance waterfowl habitat,
increase waterfowl nest densities, and increase nest and brood
survival. Visitor service programs that use or enhance waterfowl-
related activities, such as hunting, wildlife viewing, or environmental
education, would be emphasized over other activities.
Management under Alternative D would restore, to the fullest
extent, ecological processes, vegetation communities, and wildlife
characteristic of the presettlement period. Research and monitoring
efforts would focus on strategies that enhance native plant and animal
communities. Public uses that are compatible with or that support
restoration efforts would be emphasized. Interpretation and
environmental education would be expanded, with an emphasis on natural
plant and animal communities, ecological processes, and restoration.
The proposed action (Alternative B) was selected because it best
meets the purpose and goals of the Refuges, as well as the goals of the
National Wildlife Refuge System. The proposed action will also benefit
federally listed species, shore birds, migrating and nesting waterfowl,
and neotropical migrants. Environmental education and partnerships will
result in improved wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities.
Cultural and historical resources as well as federally listed species
will be protected.
Opportunity for public input will be provided at a public meeting
to be scheduled soon. The specific date and time for the public meeting
is yet to be determined, but will be announced via local media and a
newsletter. All information provided voluntarily by mail, by phone, or
at public meetings (e.g., names, addresses, letters of comment, input
recorded during meetings) becomes part of the official public record.
If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen
or organization, the Service may provide copies of such information.
The environmental review of this project will be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws
and regulations; Executive Order 12996; the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997; and Service policies and procedures for
compliance with those laws and regulations.
Dated: October 3, 2006.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 6, Denver, CO.
Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the
Federal Register on January 30, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7-1712 Filed 2-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P