Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Souris River Basin National Wildlife Refuges, North Dakota, 69703-69704 [E7-23867]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 236 / Monday, December 10, 2007 / Notices Dated: November 29, 2007. Walter Harris, Acting Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E7–23846 Filed 12–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P Privacy Act of 1974; Amendment to Existing System of Records, Debt Collection Asset Management System; Correction Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD. AGENCY: Notice of an amendment to existing System of Records; correction. ACTION: SUMMARY: On November 13, 2007, HUD published notice of its intent to amend an existing Privacy Act System of Records (System of Records), the Debt Collection Asset Management System (DCAMS). HUD inadvertently stated in the ‘‘action line’’ that it would be amending two Systems of Records. This statement was made in error and this notice corrects that error. The Departmental Privacy Act Officer, 451 Seventh St., SW., Room 4156, Washington, DC 20410, telephone number (202) 619–9057. (This is not a toll-free number.) A telecommunication device for hearing- and speech-impaired individuals (TTY) is available at (800) 877–8339 (Federal Information Relay Service). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: On November 13, 2007, HUD issued public notice of its intent to amend an existing Privacy Act Systems of Records, the Debt Collection Asset Management System. Subsequent to publication of this notice HUD discovered that the ‘‘subject line’’ of this notice inadvertently stated incorrect information. This notice corrects that information. In the Federal Register on November 13, 2007, in FR Doc. E7–22077, on page 63919, the third column, this notice corrects the ‘‘Action’’ caption to read: Amendment to an Existing Privacy Act System of Records, Debt Collection Management System (DCAMS). rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: November 29, 2007. Walter Harris, Acting Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E7–23833 Filed 12–7–07; 8:45 am] 15:35 Dec 07, 2007 Jkt 214001 Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Souris River Basin National Wildlife Refuges, North Dakota Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. [Docket No. FR–5130–C–14] VerDate Aug<31>2005 Fish and Wildlife Service AGENCY: DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Souris River basin national wildlife refuges (Refuges) is available. This final CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to manage the refuges for the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: Please provide written comments to Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leader, Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225, 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>. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Griffin, 303–236–4378 (phone); 303– 236–4792 (fax); or toni_griffin@fws.gov (e-mail). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Souris River Basin is home to three national wildlife refuges, known collectively as the ‘‘Souris River basin refuges:’’ • Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge, along 28 miles of the Des Lacs River. • J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, along 50 miles of the Souris River. • Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, along 35 miles of the upper Souris River. The Souris River basin 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 Souris River basin 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 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69703 designated as a regional shorebird site in the ‘‘Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.’’ Lake Darling at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge is designated 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. The draft CCP/EA was made available to the public for a 30-day review and comment period following the announcement in the Federal Register on February 2, 2007 (72 FR 5080–5081). The draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated four alternatives for managing the refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative A, the No Action alternative, reflects the current management of the Souris River basin 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 (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 CCP. This alternative will prioritize habitats with high probability of restoration for management. Other habitats may only be partially restored or minimally managed. Research and monitoring will increase and scientific knowledge required to restore upland and wetland plant and animal communities will be shared (with the public and other resource managers). Some visitor services are expected to decrease as some staff and funding shifts to habitat restoration. Environmental education will 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 E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 69704 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 236 / Monday, December 10, 2007 / Notices 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 Service is furnishing this notice to advise other agencies and the public of the availability of the final CCP, to provide information on the desired conditions for the refuges, and to detail how the Service will implement management strategies. Based on the review and evaluation of the information contained in the EA, the Regional Director has determined that implementation of the final CCP does not constitute a major Federal action that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared. Future site-specific proposals discussed in the final CCP will be addressed in separate planning efforts with full public involvement. Dated: September 12, 2007. Gary G. Mowad, Acting Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado. [FR Doc. E7–23867 Filed 12–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for Residential Construction in Charlotte County, FL Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of an incidental take permit (ITP) and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Bertha Pauwels and Anna Angellotti (applicants) request an ITP pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:35 Dec 07, 2007 Jkt 214001 amended (Act). The applicants anticipate taking about 0.46 acre of Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) (scrub-jay) foraging and sheltering habitat incidental to lot preparation for the construction of a multiple-family residence and supporting infrastructure in Charlotte County, Florida (project). The applicants’ HCP describes the mitigation and minimization measures proposed to address the effects of the project on the scrub-jay. DATES: We must receive your written comments on the ITP application and HCP on or before January 9, 2008. ADDRESSES: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for information on how to submit your comments on the ITP application and HCP. You may obtain a copy of the ITP application and HCP by writing the South Florida Ecological Services Office, Attn: Permit number TE169281– 0, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1339 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960–3559. In addition, we will make the ITP application and HCP available for public inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Trish Adams, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, South Florida Ecological Services Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone: (772) 562–3909, ext. 232. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If you wish to comment on the ITP application and HCP, you may submit comments by any one of the following methods. Please reference permit number TE169281–0 in such comments. 1. Mail or hand-deliver comments to our South Florida Ecological Services Office address (see ADDRESSES). 2. E-mail comments to trish_adams@fws.gov. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your e-mail message, contact us directly at the telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be aware that your entire comment-including your personal identifying information-may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Multiple-family residential construction for the applicants’ HCP will take place within Section 09, Township 40, Range 23, Punta Gorda, PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Charlotte County, Florida, at 26471 Explorer Road. This lot is within scrubjay-occupied habitat. The lot encompasses about 0.46 acre, and the footprint of the multiple-family residence, infrastructure, and landscaping preclude retention of scrubjay habitat on this lot. In order to minimize take on site, the applicants propose to mitigate for the loss of 0.46 acre of scrub-jay habitat by contributing a total of $25,599 to the Florida Scrubjay Conservation Fund administered by The Nature Conservancy. Funds in this account are earmarked for use in the conservation and recovery of scrub-jays and may include habitat acquisition, restoration, and/or management. We have determined that the applicants’ proposal, including the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, will have a minor or negligible effect on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, the ITP is a ‘‘loweffect’’ project and qualifies as a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as provided by the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 2 Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6 Appendix 1). Low-effect HCPs are those involving (1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate species and their habitats and (2) minor or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources. Based on our review of public comments that we receive in response to this notice, we may revise this preliminary determination. We will evaluate the HCP and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). If we determine that the application meets the requirements, we will issue the ITP for incidental take of the scrub-jay. We will also evaluate whether issuance of the section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP complies with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 consultation. We will use the results of this consultation, in combination with the above findings, in the final analysis to determine whether or not to issue the ITP. Authority: We provide this notice pursuant to Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: November 6, 2007. Paul Souza, Field Supervisor, South Florida Ecological Services Office. [FR Doc. E7–23876 Filed 12–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 236 (Monday, December 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69703-69704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23867]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Souris River Basin 
National Wildlife Refuges, North Dakota

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) and Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the Souris River basin national wildlife refuges 
(Refuges) is available. This final CCP/EA describes how the Service 
intends to manage the refuges for the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: Please provide written comments to Toni Griffin, Planning 
Team Leader, Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box 25486, Denver 
Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225, 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); or toni_griffin@fws.gov (e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Souris River Basin is home to three 
national wildlife refuges, known collectively as the ``Souris River 
basin refuges:''
     Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge, along 28 miles of the 
Des Lacs River.
     J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, along 50 miles 
of the Souris River.
     Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, along 35 miles of 
the upper Souris River.
    The Souris River basin 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 Souris River basin 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 at 
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge is designated 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.
    The draft CCP/EA was made available to the public for a 30-day 
review and comment period following the announcement in the Federal 
Register on February 2, 2007 (72 FR 5080-5081). The draft CCP/EA 
identified and evaluated four alternatives for managing the refuges for 
the next 15 years.
    Alternative A, the No Action alternative, reflects the current 
management of the Souris River basin 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 (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 
CCP. This alternative will prioritize habitats with high probability of 
restoration for management. Other habitats may only be partially 
restored or minimally managed. Research and monitoring will increase 
and scientific knowledge required to restore upland and wetland plant 
and animal communities will be shared (with the public and other 
resource managers). Some visitor services are expected to decrease as 
some staff and funding shifts to habitat restoration. Environmental 
education will 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

[[Page 69704]]

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 Service is furnishing this notice to advise other agencies and 
the public of the availability of the final CCP, to provide information 
on the desired conditions for the refuges, and to detail how the 
Service will implement management strategies. Based on the review and 
evaluation of the information contained in the EA, the Regional 
Director has determined that implementation of the final CCP does not 
constitute a major Federal action that would significantly affect the 
quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act. Therefore, an 
Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared. Future site-
specific proposals discussed in the final CCP will be addressed in 
separate planning efforts with full public involvement.

    Dated: September 12, 2007.
Gary G. Mowad,
Acting Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
 [FR Doc. E7-23867 Filed 12-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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