Notice of Availability of Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Jet, OK, 20133-20134 [E7-7635]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 77 / Monday, April 23, 2007 / Notices A Record of Decision may be signed no sooner than 30 days after publication of this notice (40 CFR 1506.10(b)(2)). ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCP are available on compact disk or in hard copy, and can be obtained by writing: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, John Slown, Division of Planning, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger DiRosa, Refuge Manager, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, 1611 North Second Street, Ajo, Arizona 85321; 520–387–4993 or John Slown (See ADDRESSES), telephone: 505–248– 7458; or e-mail to john_slown@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is located in Pima and Yuma Counties in southwestern Arizona. This 860,010 acre Refuge is comprised of several northwest to southeast trending mountain ranges separated by broad alluvial valleys. Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the Refuge’s habitats support a diversity of desert wildlife. Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge was withdrawn from the public domain by Executive Order 8038 in 1939, and set apart ‘‘* * * for the conservation and development of natural wildlife resources, and for the protection and improvement of public grazing lands and natural forage resources * * * Provided, however, that all the forage resources in excess of that required to maintain a balanced wildlife population within this range or preserve should be available for livestock.’’ When the last grazing leases on the Refuge expired in 1981 the grazing purpose of the Refuge was no longer valid. The Arizona Desert Wilderness Act of 1990 designated 803,418 acres of the Refuge, or approximately 93 percent of the Refuge area, as federal wilderness. 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 of developing CCPs 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 their habitats, the CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:17 Apr 20, 2007 Jkt 211001 including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. These CCPs will be reviewed and updated 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. The availability of Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge’s Draft CCP, WSP and EIS for public review and comment was announced in the Federal Register on March 16, 2005 (70 FR 12895–12896), the comment period closed on August 15, 2005. The Draft CCP, WSP and EIS propose and evaluate five management alternatives for the Refuge. All management alternatives implement recovery actions for the Endangered Sonoran pronghorn. The alternatives differ primarily in the level of active management intervention proposed to support the desert bighorn sheep. The first alternative is ‘‘no action’’ or continuance of current Refuge management. Under this alternative, the Refuge would continue to offer a limited desert bighorn sheep hunt each year in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Refuge staff would continue to maintain and supply supplemental water to existing developed waters in desert bighorn sheep habitat. The second alternative focuses on limiting management interventions within Refuge wilderness. Under this alternative, developed wildlife waters in sheep habitat within the Refuge wilderness would not be maintained or supplied with supplemental water. The desert bighorn sheep hunt would also be discontinued. The third alternative includes limited management intervention in wilderness. Under this alternative, the Refuge would supply supplemental water to developed waters in sheep habitat within Refuge wilderness only during periods of severe drought. The desert bighorn sheep hunt would be continued, but no hunting would be allowed during years of severe drought. The fourth alternative, identified as the Service’s preferred alternative, would allow continued maintenance and water supply to existing developed waters in sheep habitat within Refuge wilderness and would include projects to increase the water collection efficiency of such waters. The Refuge desert bighorn sheep hunt program would continue unchanged under this alternative. The fifth alternative would include the maximum management intervention within Refuge wilderness. Under this PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 20133 alternative all existing developed waters in Refuge wilderness would be maintained and supplied with water, and new developed waters would be created. The desert bighorn sheep hunt program would continue unchanged under this alternative. Dated: August 3, 2006. Larry G. Bell, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register on April 18, 2007. [FR Doc. E7–7643 Filed 4–20–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Jet, OK Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that the Final CCP is available for Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). This 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 describe how the Service intends to manage the Refuge over the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCP are available on compact disk or in hard copy, and can be obtained by writing: Chris Perez, Natural Resource Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Route 2, Box 202A, Alamo, Texas 78516. The CCP may also be available for viewing or downloaded online at: https:// www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/plan/ index.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon M. Brock, Refuge Manager, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Route 1, P.O. Box 76, Jet, Oklahoma 73749: telephone: 580–626–4794; or Chris Perez (See ADDRESSES), telephone: 956–784–7553; e-mail: chris_perez@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River at the Great Salt Plains Lake in north-central Oklahoma. This 32,028 acre refuge is roughly equal parts of upland, open water, and salt flats at the E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM 23APN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 20134 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 77 / Monday, April 23, 2007 / Notices confluence of several streams and rivers making it one of the most important migratory bird stopover, wintering, and nesting habitats in the Central Great Plains region. Three federally listed species use the Refuge on a seasonal basis. Federally endangered whooping cranes use the Refuge as a key migratory stopover and feeding area and the Refuge is designated critical habitat for the crane (43 FR 20938, May 15, 1978). Least terns nest in large numbers every year on the salt flats and threatened bald eagles winter on the Refuge. It was originally established on March 26, 1930 by Executive Order No. 5314 ‘‘* * * as a refuge and breeding grounds for birds.’’ 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 of developing CCPs 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 their habitats, the CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. These CCPs will be reviewed and updated 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. The availability of the Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA) for a 60-day public review and comment period was announced in the Federal Register on November 21, 2005 (70 FR 70089). The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing the Refuge for the next 15 years. Alternative A, the No Action Alternative, would have continued current management of the Refuge. Alterative B, the Preferred Alternative, emphasized an updated and integrated approach to protecting, maintaining, and restoring native habitats for migratory birds, waterfowl, federally listed species, and resident wildlife. The public use program would be improved by providing increased opportunities for VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:17 Apr 20, 2007 Jkt 211001 public uses, environmental education, and interpretation. This alternative also called for expanding partnership opportunities to help accomplish the vision and goals of the Refuge. Alternative C proposed to provide a greater emphasis on expanding public uses such as all types of hunting, hiking, and necessary facilities such as additional roads and trails for optimal access. Based on this assessment and comments received, the Preferred Alternative (Alternative B) was selected for implementation. This alternative was selected because it best meets the purposes and goals of the Refuge, as well as the goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Management of the Refuge for the next 15 years will focus on encouraging ecological integrity, restoring habitats such as native prairie, controlling invasive plant species, protecting federally listed species such as the whooping crane, least tern, and bald eagle, and enhancing habitat for grassland birds, waterfowl, and other resident wildlife. Opportunities for wildlife-dependent activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation will be enhanced. Partnerships with county, State, and Federal agencies, private landowners, and conservation groups will also enable the refuge to achieve its goals and objectives, minimize costs, and bridge relationships with other stakeholder. Dated: August 3, 2006. Larry G. Bell, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register on April 18, 2007. [FR Doc. E7–7635 Filed 4–20–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Reviews of 24 Southwestern Species Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of reviews. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces 5-year reviews of 24 southwestern species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act). The purpose of reviews conducted under this section of the Act is to ensure that the classification of species as threatened or endangered on PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is accurate. The 5year review is an assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. DATES: To allow adequate time to conduct this review, information submitted for our consideration must be received on or before July 23, 2007. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time. ADDRESSES: Information submitted on these species should be sent to the Service at the following addresses. Information received in response to this notice of review will be available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the same addresses. Information regarding the Bee Creek Cave harvestman (reddelli), Bone Cave harvestman (reyesi), Coffin Cave mold beetle, Kretschmarr Cave beetle, Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion, Tooth Cave spider, Devils River minnow, Largefruited sand verbena, and Texas snowbells should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758. The office phone number is 512– 490–0057. Information regarding Attwater’s prairie chicken should be sent to the Refuge Manager, Attention 5-year Review, Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 519, Eagle Lake, Texas 77434. The office phone number is 979–234–3278, and web address is: https:// southwest.fws.gov/refuges/texas/ attwater/. Information regarding the Chiricahua leopard frog, New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake, Gila topminnow, Loach minnow, Spikedace, Arizona cliffrose, Nichol Turk’s head cactus, San Francisco Peaks groundsel, and Sentry milkvetch should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85021. The office phone number is 602–242–0210. Information regarding Walker’s manioc should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year Review, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service c/o TAMU–CC, Ecological Services, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5837, Corpus Christi, TX 78412. The office phone number is 361–994–9005. Information regarding the Ouachita rock-pocketbook clam should be sent to the Field Supervisor, Attention 5-year E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM 23APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 77 (Monday, April 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20133-20134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7635]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
(CCP) for Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Jet, OK

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that 
the Final CCP is available for Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge 
(Refuge). This 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 
describe how the Service intends to manage the Refuge over the next 15 
years.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCP are available on compact disk or in hard 
copy, and can be obtained by writing: Chris Perez, Natural Resource 
Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Route 2, Box 202A, Alamo, 
Texas 78516. The CCP may also be available for viewing or downloaded 
online at: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/plan/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon M. Brock, Refuge Manager, Salt 
Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Route 1, P.O. Box 76, Jet, Oklahoma 
73749: telephone: 580-626-4794; or Chris Perez (See ADDRESSES), 
telephone: 956-784-7553; e-mail: chris_perez@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is 
located on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River at the Great Salt Plains 
Lake in north-central Oklahoma. This 32,028 acre refuge is roughly 
equal parts of upland, open water, and salt flats at the

[[Page 20134]]

confluence of several streams and rivers making it one of the most 
important migratory bird stopover, wintering, and nesting habitats in 
the Central Great Plains region. Three federally listed species use the 
Refuge on a seasonal basis. Federally endangered whooping cranes use 
the Refuge as a key migratory stopover and feeding area and the Refuge 
is designated critical habitat for the crane (43 FR 20938, May 15, 
1978). Least terns nest in large numbers every year on the salt flats 
and threatened bald eagles winter on the Refuge. It was originally 
established on March 26, 1930 by Executive Order No. 5314 ``* * * as a 
refuge and breeding grounds for birds.''
    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 of developing CCPs 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 their habitats, the CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational 
opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for 
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. These CCPs will be reviewed 
and updated 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.
    The availability of the Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for a 60-day public review and comment period was announced in the 
Federal Register on November 21, 2005 (70 FR 70089). The Draft CCP/EA 
identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing the Refuge for 
the next 15 years. Alternative A, the No Action Alternative, would have 
continued current management of the Refuge. Alterative B, the Preferred 
Alternative, emphasized an updated and integrated approach to 
protecting, maintaining, and restoring native habitats for migratory 
birds, waterfowl, federally listed species, and resident wildlife. The 
public use program would be improved by providing increased 
opportunities for public uses, environmental education, and 
interpretation. This alternative also called for expanding partnership 
opportunities to help accomplish the vision and goals of the Refuge. 
Alternative C proposed to provide a greater emphasis on expanding 
public uses such as all types of hunting, hiking, and necessary 
facilities such as additional roads and trails for optimal access. 
Based on this assessment and comments received, the Preferred 
Alternative (Alternative B) was selected for implementation. This 
alternative was selected because it best meets the purposes and goals 
of the Refuge, as well as the goals of the National Wildlife Refuge 
System. Management of the Refuge for the next 15 years will focus on 
encouraging ecological integrity, restoring habitats such as native 
prairie, controlling invasive plant species, protecting federally 
listed species such as the whooping crane, least tern, and bald eagle, 
and enhancing habitat for grassland birds, waterfowl, and other 
resident wildlife. Opportunities for wildlife-dependent activities such 
as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental 
education, and interpretation will be enhanced. Partnerships with 
county, State, and Federal agencies, private landowners, and 
conservation groups will also enable the refuge to achieve its goals 
and objectives, minimize costs, and bridge relationships with other 
stakeholder.

    Dated: August 3, 2006.
Larry G. Bell,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, 
New Mexico.

     This document was received at the Office of the Federal 
Register on April 18, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7-7635 Filed 4-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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