Laramie Plains National Wildlife Refuges, Wyoming, 42103-42104 [E7-14892]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 147 / Wednesday, August 1, 2007 / Notices 451 Seventh Street, SW., Room 4178, Washington, DC 20410; and, (ii) In relation to appeals of initial denials, HUD, Departmental Privacy Appeals Officer, Office of General Counsel, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410. RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES: The original information was transferred from the A43C System; new records are established using the legal instruments (i.e., mortgage, deed, subordinate mortgage, etc.) received from the mortgagees. EXEMPTIONS FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT: None. [FR Doc. E7–14813 Filed 7–31–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Laramie Plains National Wildlife Refuges, Wyoming Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability; Request for Comments. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, We) announces that the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Laramie Plains national wildlife refuges is available. The Laramie Plains national wildlife refuges include Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Hutton Lake NWR, and Mortenson Lake NWR. This draft CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to manage these refuges for the next 15 years. We request public comment. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments on the draft CCP/EA by August 31, 2007. 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; via facsimile at 303–236– 4792; or electronically to toni_griffin@fws.gov. A copy of the CCP/ EA 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. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:12 Jul 31, 2007 Jkt 211001 Toni Griffin, 303–236–4378 or John Esperance, 303–236–4369. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Laramie Plains national wildlife refuges include Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Hutton Lake NWR, and Mortenson Lake NWR and are managed by Service staff headquartered at the Arapaho NWR near Walden, Colorado. All three refuges are located within 15 miles of the town of Laramie, Wyoming. The town of Laramie, Wyoming is positioned in a high plains basin ecosystem known as the Laramie Plains basin. Shallow depressions of the basin, within the relatively flat topography of the region, support wetland complexes that are unique to the area. These wetland complexes provide resting, nesting, and breeding areas for migratory birds in the semi-arid environment. Bamforth NWR was established on January 29, 1932, by Executive Order 9321. Consisting of 1,166 acres, the refuge is located approximately 6 miles northwest of Laramie, Wyoming. The purpose of the refuge is to provide ‘‘a refuge and breeding ground for birds and wild animals.’’ The refuge is closed to public use. Hutton Lake NWR was established on January 28, 1932, by Executive Order 5782. Consisting of 1,928 acres, the refuge is located approximately 10 miles southwest of Laramie, Wyoming. The purpose of the refuge is to provide ‘‘a refuge and breeding ground for birds and wild animals.’’ Current public use opportunities at the refuge include wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education, and interpretation. Mortenson Lake NWR was established in 1993 under the Endangered Species Act, to protect the Wyoming toad’s last known population. The Wyoming toad was listed as an endangered species in 1984. The population at Mortenson Lake was found in 1987. The purpose of the refuge is ‘‘to conserve fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered or threatened species.’’ The refuge is closed to public use to prevent potential adverse impacts to the Wyoming toad. This draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three 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 a minimal basis and opportunistic schedule that may maintain, or most likely would result in decline in, the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42103 diversity of vegetation and water quality and quantity in the wetlands. The Service would not develop any new management, research, restoration, education, or visitor services programs at the refuges. Refuge staff would continue to perform only limited research and no monitoring of refuge wildlife and habitats would occur. Public uses such as wildlife observation and wildlife photography would continue at present levels. Other priority public uses such as environmental education and interpretation would only be available on an informal basis. No new funding or staffing levels would occur and programs would continue to follow the same direction, emphasis, and intensity as they do at present. Alternative B is the Service’s proposed action and basis for the draft CCP. Management activities under alternative B would be increased. Upland habitats would be evaluated and managed for the benefit of migratory bird species. Monitoring and management of invasive species on the refuges would be increased. With additional staffing, the Service would collect in-depth baseline data for wildlife and habitats. Efforts would be increased in the operations and maintenance of natural resources on the refuges and to maintain and develop partnerships that promote wildlife and habitat research and management. An emphasis on adaptive management, including monitoring the effects of habitat management practices and use of the research results to direct ongoing management, would be a priority. Under alternative C, refuge staff would rely on partnerships to achieve refuge goals and objectives. Refuge management activities would be increased and enhanced through the use of partnerships. Refuge staff would strive to accomplish refuge work through partnerships with others. An emphasis on adaptive management, including monitoring the effects of habitat management practices and use of the research results to direct ongoing management, would be a priority. The proposed action (Alternative B) was selected because it best meets the purposes and goals of the refuges, as well as the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The proposed action will also benefit federally listed species, shore birds, migrating and nesting waterfowl, neotropical migrants and resident wildlife. Environmental education and partnerships will result in improved wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities. Cultural and historical E:\FR\FM\01AUN1.SGM 01AUN1 42104 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 147 / Wednesday, August 1, 2007 / Notices 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 planning update. 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: June 20, 2007. James J. Slack, Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado. [FR Doc. E7–14892 Filed 7–31–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Alere Riverside Avenue Development, City of Rialto, San Bernardino County, CA Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and receipt of application. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that Alere Property Group (Applicant) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. We are considering issuing a 5-year permit to the Applicant that would authorize take of the federally endangered Delhi Sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis; ‘‘DSF’’). The proposed permit would authorize the take of individual DSF. The permit is needed by the Applicant because take of DSF could occur during the proposed construction of a commercial development and habitat restoration and VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:12 Jul 31, 2007 Jkt 211001 management on an 18.42-acre site in the City of Rialto, San Bernardino County, California. The permit application includes the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan) and associated Implementing Agreement that describe the proposed action and the measures that the Applicant will undertake to mitigate take of the DSF. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 1, 2007. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mr. Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad, California 92011. You also may send comments by facsimile to (760) 918–0638. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Karen Goebel, Assistant Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES) or call (760) 431–9440. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Availability of Documents You may obtain copies of these documents for review by contacting the above office. Documents also will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address and at the San Bernardino County Libraries. Addresses for the San Bernardino County Libraries are: (1) 10145 Orchard Street, Bloomington, CA 92316; (2) 251 West First Street, Rialto, CA 92376; (3) 16860 Valencia Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335; and, (4) 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, CA 92313. Background Section 9 of the Act and Federal regulations prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of fish and wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. Take of federally listed fish and wildlife is defined under the Act to include ‘‘harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.’’ The Service may, under limited circumstances, issue permits to authorize incidental take (i.e., take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity). Regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species are found in 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22. The Applicant is proposing development of commercial facilities on 12.88 acres of an 18.42-acre site in the City of Rialto, San Bernardino County, California. The site is located southwest of the intersection of Riverside and Jurupa Avenues in the City of Rialto, County of San Bernardino, California. The proposed project site is bordered by PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 existing commercial facilities to the west and east, 6 acres of open space to the south and approximately 10 acres of open space to the north. Based on focused surveys, the entire site is considered occupied by the DSF. The Service has determined that the proposed development would result in incidental take of the DSF. No other federally listed species are known to occupy the site. To minimize and mitigate take of DSF on the project site, the Applicant proposes to set aside 5.54-acres of the 18.42 acres site as a permanent conservation area. The onsite conservation area would be restored and managed by the Riverside Land Conservancy, a non-profit land trust. In addition to the onsite DSF conservation area, the Applicant proposes to purchase credits towards conservation in-perpetuity of 4 acres of occupied DSF habitat at the Colton Dunes Conservation Bank in the City of Colton, San Bernardino County, California. The conservation bank collects fees that fund a management endowment to ensure the permanent management and monitoring of sensitive species and habitats, including the DSF. The Service’s Environmental Assessment considers the environmental consequences of four alternatives, including: (1) The Proposed Project Alternative, which consists of issuance of the incidental take permit and implementation of the Plan; (2) the Alternative Site Design or Corridor Alternative, which consists of an alternate configuration of DSF conservation on the project site and offsite conservation; (3) the Rialto HCP Alternative, which anticipates inclusion of the project in a proposed conservation effort throughout the City of Rialto; and (4) the No Action Alternative, which would result in no impacts to DSF and no conservation. National Environmental Policy Act Proposed permit issuance triggers the need for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Accordingly, a draft NEPA document has been prepared. The Service is the Lead Agency responsible for compliance under NEPA. As NEPA lead agency, the Service is providing notice of the availability of the Environmental Assessment for public review. Public Review The Service invites the public to review the Plan, Implementing Agreement and Environmental Assessment during a 60-day public comment period (see DATES). Before including your address, phone number, E:\FR\FM\01AUN1.SGM 01AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42103-42104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14892]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Laramie Plains National Wildlife Refuges, Wyoming

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability; Request for Comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, We) announces 
that the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the Laramie Plains national wildlife refuges is 
available. The Laramie Plains national wildlife refuges include 
Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Hutton Lake NWR, and Mortenson 
Lake NWR. This draft CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to manage 
these refuges for the next 15 years. We request public comment.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
on the draft CCP/EA by August 31, 2007.

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; via facsimile at 303-236-
4792; or electronically to toni_griffin@fws.gov. A copy of the CCP/EA 
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 or John 
Esperance, 303-236-4369.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Laramie Plains national wildlife refuges 
include Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Hutton Lake NWR, and 
Mortenson Lake NWR and are managed by Service staff headquartered at 
the Arapaho NWR near Walden, Colorado. All three refuges are located 
within 15 miles of the town of Laramie, Wyoming.
    The town of Laramie, Wyoming is positioned in a high plains basin 
ecosystem known as the Laramie Plains basin. Shallow depressions of the 
basin, within the relatively flat topography of the region, support 
wetland complexes that are unique to the area. These wetland complexes 
provide resting, nesting, and breeding areas for migratory birds in the 
semi-arid environment.
    Bamforth NWR was established on January 29, 1932, by Executive 
Order 9321. Consisting of 1,166 acres, the refuge is located 
approximately 6 miles northwest of Laramie, Wyoming. The purpose of the 
refuge is to provide ``a refuge and breeding ground for birds and wild 
animals.'' The refuge is closed to public use.
    Hutton Lake NWR was established on January 28, 1932, by Executive 
Order 5782. Consisting of 1,928 acres, the refuge is located 
approximately 10 miles southwest of Laramie, Wyoming. The purpose of 
the refuge is to provide ``a refuge and breeding ground for birds and 
wild animals.'' Current public use opportunities at the refuge include 
wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education, 
and interpretation.
    Mortenson Lake NWR was established in 1993 under the Endangered 
Species Act, to protect the Wyoming toad's last known population. The 
Wyoming toad was listed as an endangered species in 1984. The 
population at Mortenson Lake was found in 1987. The purpose of the 
refuge is ``to conserve fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered 
or threatened species.'' The refuge is closed to public use to prevent 
potential adverse impacts to the Wyoming toad.
    This draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three 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 a minimal basis and 
opportunistic schedule that may maintain, or most likely would result 
in decline in, the diversity of vegetation and water quality and 
quantity in the wetlands. The Service would not develop any new 
management, research, restoration, education, or visitor services 
programs at the refuges. Refuge staff would continue to perform only 
limited research and no monitoring of refuge wildlife and habitats 
would occur. Public uses such as wildlife observation and wildlife 
photography would continue at present levels. Other priority public 
uses such as environmental education and interpretation would only be 
available on an informal basis. No new funding or staffing levels would 
occur and programs would continue to follow the same direction, 
emphasis, and intensity as they do at present.
    Alternative B is the Service's proposed action and basis for the 
draft CCP. Management activities under alternative B would be 
increased. Upland habitats would be evaluated and managed for the 
benefit of migratory bird species. Monitoring and management of 
invasive species on the refuges would be increased. With additional 
staffing, the Service would collect in-depth baseline data for wildlife 
and habitats. Efforts would be increased in the operations and 
maintenance of natural resources on the refuges and to maintain and 
develop partnerships that promote wildlife and habitat research and 
management. An emphasis on adaptive management, including monitoring 
the effects of habitat management practices and use of the research 
results to direct ongoing management, would be a priority.
    Under alternative C, refuge staff would rely on partnerships to 
achieve refuge goals and objectives. Refuge management activities would 
be increased and enhanced through the use of partnerships. Refuge staff 
would strive to accomplish refuge work through partnerships with 
others. An emphasis on adaptive management, including monitoring the 
effects of habitat management practices and use of the research results 
to direct ongoing management, would be a priority.
    The proposed action (Alternative B) was selected because it best 
meets the purposes and goals of the refuges, as well as the mission and 
goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The proposed action will 
also benefit federally listed species, shore birds, migrating and 
nesting waterfowl, neotropical migrants and resident wildlife. 
Environmental education and partnerships will result in improved 
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities. Cultural and historical

[[Page 42104]]

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 
planning update. 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: June 20, 2007.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. E7-14892 Filed 7-31-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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