Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges and the Louisiana Wetlands Management District, 15186-15188 [E8-5717]

Download as PDF mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 15186 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 56 / Friday, March 21, 2008 / Notices 990.185(a) states that the contract period shall not exceed 12 years. Granted By: Orlando J. Cabrera, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. Date Granted: November 13, 2007. Reason Waived: The LCHA advised that it is undertaking a self-developed energy project, acting as an Energy Services company, and hired a qualified third party consultant to provide energy management expertise. LCHA anticipated that recommendations arising from its energy audit would incorporate a selection of energy conservation measures whose life cycle expectations and costs would exceed the 12-year regulatory limitation in 24 CFR 990.185(a). The LCHA anticipated that the selection of retrofits would be capable of generating adequate savings to amortize the resulting debt within the approved period of the energy performance contract. Based upon the anticipated savings and benefits to NHA and its residents, the waiver granted the LCHA the 12-year payback period to allow up to a 20-year payback period, contingent on HUD’s provisions to LCHA. HUD’s provisions include additional information and technical activity requirements unique to the characteristics of the project and the PHA. The purpose of the provisions is to ensure success, minimizing risk to projected savings (used to amortize the loan) and to HUD. The PHA must comply with all of HUD’s provisions for the waiver to be effective. The HUD provisions include, but are not limited to information requirements necessary for the local field office to monitor savings over the life of the loan, and procurement requirement to ensure fair and open competition. The HUD provisions are also a direct response to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) concern related to the higher risk levels associated with a 20-year versus the previous limit of 12 years. HUD, through these provisions, provides individual assessments and requirements of each project and waiver requesting an extension to 20-contract years to minimize risk and ensure that approval of the waiver is in the best interest of the PHA, HUD and the public. Contact: Nicole Faison, Director, Office of Public Housing Programs, Office of Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Room 4226, Washington, DC 20410– 5000, telephone (202) 708–0744. [FR Doc. E8–5799 Filed 3–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:33 Mar 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Central Utah Project Completion Act Department of the Interior, Office of the Assistant Secretary—Water and Science (Interior). ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Implementation of a Conjunctive Use Water Efficiency project in Eastern Juab County, Utah AGENCY: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Department of the Interior, Central Utah Project Completion Act Office, and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, as Joint Leads, will prepare an Environmental Assessment of the impacts associated with implementation of a Conjunctive Use Water Efficiency project in East Juab County, Utah. This project anticipates the rehabilitation of several existing wells, as well as the potential development of additional groundwater wells, in order to more efficiently utilize existing ground-water supplies in conjunction with existing surface water supplies. The project further anticipates implementation of additional centralized or distributed booster pump capability, extension of associated distribution system pipelines and overhead power lines, and development and implementation of a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Also anticipated is the construction of a bypass pipeline along a segment of existing irrigation canal to reduce loss of water during the late irrigation season period of water shortage and perforated infiltration pipelines to recharge water to the groundwater basin at other times. DATES: Date and location for public scoping will be announced locally. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bonneville Unit of the Central Utah Project was authorized to develop central Utah’s water resources. Both the 1987 Final Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Municipal and Industrial System, Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project (FEIS) and the 2004 Supplement to the 1988 Definite Plan Report for the Bonneville Unit (DPR) anticipated additional water development in East Juab County. Under the authority of Section 202 of the Central Utah Project Completion Act (P.L. 102–575), the Secretary of the Interior oversees Bonneville Unit water development, and specifically has authority to provide cost share associated with Conjunctive Use investigations and projects. PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Information, Comments, and Inquiries: Additional information on matters related to this notice can be obtained from: Mr. Lee G. Baxter, 302 East 1860 South, Provo, Utah 84606, (801) 379–1174, lbaxter@uc.usbr.gov. Dated: March 17, 2008. Reed R. Murray, Program Director, Department of the Interior. [FR Doc. E8–5740 Filed 3–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–RK–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–R–2008-N0065; 40136–1265– 0000–S3] Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges and the Louisiana Wetlands Management District Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges and the Louisiana Wetlands Management District. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges and the Louisiana Wetlands Management District in Morehouse, Union, Richland, East Carroll, West Carroll, Natchitoches, and Grant Parishes, Louisiana, is available for distribution. This Draft CCP/EA was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The Draft CCP/EA describes the Service’s proposal for management of these refuges and the wetlands management district over the next 15 years. DATES: Written comments must be received at the postal address listed below no later than April 21, 2008. ADDRESSES: To provide written comments or to obtain a copy of the Draft CCP/EA please write to: Ms. Tina Chouinard, Refuge Planner, North Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 11372 Highway 143, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241; Telephone: 318/305–0643. The Draft CCP/EA may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service’s Internet Web Site: https:// southeast.fws.gov.planning. E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 56 / Friday, March 21, 2008 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Tina Chouinard, Refuge Planner, at Telephone: 318/305–0643; E-mail: Tina_Chouinard@fws.gov. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, 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 comments to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Background: The Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges and the Louisiana Wetlands Management District are units of the North Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Upper Ouachita Refuge is in northeastern Louisiana. The northern boundary lies on the Louisiana-Arkansas State line. The refuge borders both sides of the Ouachita River, running north-south for 13.7 miles and extending 3.3 miles to the east and 16 miles to the west. The southernmost point on the refuge is approximately 20 miles north of Monroe, Louisiana. The current acquisition area encompasses 61,633 acres of which 42,594 acres have been purchased, with 26,304 acres in Union Parish and 16,290 acres in Morehouse Parish. Upper Ouachita Refuge was established in November 1978. The federally legislated purposes are ‘‘for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds’’ (Migratory Bird Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 715d); and for ‘‘* * * the conservation of the wetlands of the nation in order to maintain the public benefits they provide and to help fulfill international obligations contained in various migratory bird treaties and conventions * * *’’ (16 U.S.C. 3901 (b)). The refuge consists of 4,540 acres of pine and pine/ hardwood mix, 19,767 acres of bottomland hardwood forests, 9,236 acres of reforested bottomlands, 2,000 acres of scrub/shrub, 1,182 acres of moist-soil plantings, 2,541 acres of agricultural fields, 682 acres of fallow agricultural fields, and 2,910 acres of open water. The Louisiana Wetlands Management District was established in 1990, in response to growing Fish and Wildlife Service land-based responsibilities off of traditional refuges. The Wetlands Office is responsible for the administration of VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:33 Mar 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 wetland easements and fee title land transfers from the USDA Farm Service Agency ‘‘* * * for conservation purposes * * *.’’ (Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 2002). The wetlands management district includes the first fee title tract transfer from the USDA Farm Service Agency to the Fish and Wildlife Service with the establishment of Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge in 1988. The wetlands management district includes 36 USDA Farm Service Agency easements, 7 fee title tracts, and 1 lease that are concentrated in northeastern Louisiana and encompass 6 parishes. The wetlands management district is spread across north Louisiana in 44 units, ranging in size from 3 acres to 1,000 acres. Handy Brake Refuge is primarily a permanent wetland of excellent habitat for wintering waterfowl, wading birds, and many other wetland-dependent species. A free lease of 35 acres of International Paper Company land provides an upland area overlooking the wetland. An observation deck in the upland area provides wildlife viewing opportunities into the wetlands. Habitat management within the wetlands management district focuses primarily on reforestation of marginal agricultural areas and development and maintenance of moist-soil units. These varied habitats provide for a diverse array of wildlife. There is no hunting or fishing permitted throughout the wetlands management district. Significant issues addressed in this Draft CCP/EA include: management of white-tailed deer, invasive species, waterfowl, bottomland hardwood forest, and red-cockaded woodpecker, refuge access, land acquisition, visitor services (e.g., hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation), watershed protection, and cultural resource protection. The Service developed three alternatives for management of the refuge (Alternatives A, B, and C), with Alternative B as the Service’s proposed alternative. Alternative A (Current Management) Current management and public use would continue under this alternative. Refuge management programs would continue to be developed and implemented with limited baseline biological information and limited monitoring, for mainly migratory waterfowl. Wildlife surveys would still be completed for presence and absence of species and to alert refuge staff to large-scale changes in population trends. Cooperation with partners for monitoring waterfowl, eagle, fish, and PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15187 deer herd health surveys would continue. Upland forest management would continue focusing on redcockaded woodpecker guidelines for minimizing hardwoods and maintaining a grassy understory in a portion of the mixed pine and upland forests. Bottomland hardwood forest management would continue at current rate of thinning to maintain a closed canopy forest and retain as much water tupelo and bald cypress as possible. The open fields would continue with manipulating water levels for moist-soil and cooperative cropland management. Management of invasive species would continue with opportunistic treatment and mapping. Partnerships would continue with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for several biological programs, hunting regulations, and law enforcement issues. A Partners program would still work with interested parties to develop projects for carbon sequestration and invasive species. Hunting and fishing would continue to be the priority focus of public use on Upper Ouachita Refuge, with no expansion of current opportunities. Current restrictions or prohibitions would remain. Environmental education, wildlife observation, and wildlife photography would be accommodated at present levels, with a few interpretive sites added. Staffing would remain at current level with no new positions added, but current vacancies would be advertised and filled. Alternative B (Proposed Action) The biological potential of historical habitats would be restored and enhanced. Most management actions would emphasize natural ecological processes to foster habitat functions and wildlife populations. The biological program would be enhanced with inventories and monitoring so that adaptive management could be implemented primarily for migratory birds, but for other species of wildlife as well. A close evaluation of migratory bird use and nesting success on the refuge would be evaluated with granting opportunities and partnerships. Partnerships would be developed to establish scientifically, valid protocols and collaboratively work on research projects associated with information needed to manage the habitats and wildlife, or in other words how forest management is affecting wildlife. Upland forest management would focus on restoring the biological integrity of a mixed hardwood/pine forest by promoting upland hardwood species and reducing pine basal area. The red- E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1 15188 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 56 / Friday, March 21, 2008 / Notices mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES cockaded woodpecker habitat unit would be managed using a more historic fire regime while providing redcockaded woodpecker habitat as required in the recovery guidelines. An historic fire regime would ultimately benefit red-cockaded woodpeckers by creating a more herbaceous understory. A forest inventory defining current conditions would be conducted to implement bottomland hardwood forest management. Bottomlands would have management increased to open the canopy cover and increase understory vegetation. Water control structures and pumping capability would be improved to enhance moist-soil and cropland management for the benefit of wintering waterfowl. Invasive species would be mapped and protocols for control established with the addition of a forester. Partnerships would continue to be fostered for several biological programs, hunting regulations, law enforcement issues, and research projects. Public use would be similar to current management with a few improvements. Deer harvests would rely on monitoring results of the availability, diversity, and deer use of understory woody and herbaceous plants and deer herd health checks. This would allow the refuge to better understand the pressure being exerted on the habitat, and therefore make better habitat and harvest recommendations. On Upper Ouachita Refuge, youth turkey hunting would be allowed, and fishing events and boat launch facilities would be improved. Environmental education, wildlife observation, and wildlife photography would be accommodated at present levels with minimal disturbance to wildlife and habitat with an enhanced interpretive nature trail, interpretive panels, and ‘‘check-out kits’’ for teachers developed. Law enforcement would be increased to gain better compliance with refuge regulations. Staffing would increase with four positions (e.g., biological technician, forestry technician, one maintenance worker, and one law enforcement) to increase biological inventory and monitoring, enhance forest management, increase control of invasive species, enhance public use program, and provide safe and compatible wildlife-dependent recreation. Alternative C (Minimize Management and Public Use) This alternative would reduce the habitat and wildlife management and public use programs. Biological information would continue to be enhanced but management programs VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:33 Mar 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 would be implemented less frequently, yet the refuge would still strive to accomplish the objectives. Extensive baseline inventory and monitoring programs would be conducted with several partners to provide a solid foundation of current conditions of refuge habitat and wildlife, while monitoring for changes in trends. Additional research projects would be implemented in the alternative by gaining granting opportunities and partnerships with other agencies and universities. Upland forest management would focus on red-cockaded woodpecker guidelines for minimizing hardwoods and maintaining a grassy understory in the entire mixed pine and upland forests, resulting in an intensive prescribed burning program which would include monitoring forest conditions. Bottomland hardwood forest management would be developed, using an intensive inventory to define current conditions and to monitor natural successional changes. Management in the bottoms would be limited to promote natural succession, as defined in a revised habitat management plan. The open field would be allowed to go through natural succession to a bottomland hardwood forest and the moist-soil units would not be maintained. Management of invasive species would become a priority to establish baseline information on location, density, and protocols for control. Partnerships would continue to be fostered for several biological programs, hunting regulations, law enforcement issues, and research projects. Public use would be limited, with custodial-level maintenance. Public use would be monitored more closely for impacts to wildlife, and with negative impacts, new restrictions or closures would result. Deer hunting would be allowed when data demonstrated the population was exceeding the habitat carrying capacity, indicating that a reduction was necessary. Monitoring of the deer population and associated habitat conditions would be implemented. Several species, such as quail, woodcock, feral hog, and coyote, would no longer be hunted. Fishing would continue as under the current management alternative, but the open field would be closed to fishing during the wintering period and would be monitored for future impacts. Environmental education, wildlife observation, and wildlife photography would be accommodated at present levels but access limited to July–October and February–April to minimize disturbance to migratory birds. Staffing PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 would increase with four positions (e.g., biologist, forestry technician, and two maintenance workers) to handle the increase in biological inventory and monitoring, invasive species control, and a fire program associated with implementing the red-cockaded woodpecker guidelines. Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105–57. Dated: October 29, 2007. Cynthia K. Dohner, Acting Regional Director. Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register on March 18, 2008. [FR Doc. E8–5717 Filed 3–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–ES–2008–N0041; 30120–1122– 0000 F2] Notice: Receipt of application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit; Request for Comments Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and receipt of application. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The DuPage County Forest Preserve District (District) (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The permit application includes a draft Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) between the Applicant and the Service for the Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana). Section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations prohibit the take of animal species listed as endangered or threatened. The definition of take under the Act includes the following activities: to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect listed animal species, or attempt to engage in such conduct (16 U.S.C. 1538). Section 10 of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1539, establishes a program whereby persons seeking to pursue activities that otherwise could give rise to liability for unlawful ‘‘take’’ of federally protected species may receive a permit, which protects them from such liability. The Hine’s emerald dragonfly (HED) was listed as endangered by the Service in E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 56 (Friday, March 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15186-15188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5717]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0065; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges and the 
Louisiana Wetlands Management District

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation 
Plan and Environmental Assessment for Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake 
National Wildlife Refuges and the Louisiana Wetlands Management 
District.

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

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Draft 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft 
CCP/EA) for Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuges 
and the Louisiana Wetlands Management District in Morehouse, Union, 
Richland, East Carroll, West Carroll, Natchitoches, and Grant Parishes, 
Louisiana, is available for distribution. This Draft CCP/EA was 
prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement 
Act of 1997, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The 
Draft CCP/EA describes the Service's proposal for management of these 
refuges and the wetlands management district over the next 15 years.

DATES: Written comments must be received at the postal address listed 
below no later than April 21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: To provide written comments or to obtain a copy of the Draft 
CCP/EA please write to: Ms. Tina Chouinard, Refuge Planner, North 
Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 11372 Highway 143, 
Farmerville, Louisiana 71241; Telephone: 318/305-0643. The Draft CCP/EA 
may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service's Internet Web 
Site: https://southeast.fws.gov.planning.

[[Page 15187]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Tina Chouinard, Refuge Planner, at 
Telephone: 318/305-0643; E-mail: Tina_Chouinard@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, 
phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, 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 comments to 
withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Background: The Upper Ouachita and Handy Brake National Wildlife 
Refuges and the Louisiana Wetlands Management District are units of the 
North Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Upper Ouachita Refuge 
is in northeastern Louisiana. The northern boundary lies on the 
Louisiana-Arkansas State line. The refuge borders both sides of the 
Ouachita River, running north-south for 13.7 miles and extending 3.3 
miles to the east and 16 miles to the west. The southernmost point on 
the refuge is approximately 20 miles north of Monroe, Louisiana. The 
current acquisition area encompasses 61,633 acres of which 42,594 acres 
have been purchased, with 26,304 acres in Union Parish and 16,290 acres 
in Morehouse Parish.
    Upper Ouachita Refuge was established in November 1978. The 
federally legislated purposes are ``for use as an inviolate sanctuary, 
or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds'' (Migratory 
Bird Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 715d); and for ``* * * the 
conservation of the wetlands of the nation in order to maintain the 
public benefits they provide and to help fulfill international 
obligations contained in various migratory bird treaties and 
conventions * * *'' (16 U.S.C. 3901 (b)). The refuge consists of 4,540 
acres of pine and pine/hardwood mix, 19,767 acres of bottomland 
hardwood forests, 9,236 acres of reforested bottomlands, 2,000 acres of 
scrub/shrub, 1,182 acres of moist-soil plantings, 2,541 acres of 
agricultural fields, 682 acres of fallow agricultural fields, and 2,910 
acres of open water.
    The Louisiana Wetlands Management District was established in 1990, 
in response to growing Fish and Wildlife Service land-based 
responsibilities off of traditional refuges. The Wetlands Office is 
responsible for the administration of wetland easements and fee title 
land transfers from the USDA Farm Service Agency ``* * * for 
conservation purposes * * *.'' (Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act, 7 U.S.C. 2002). The wetlands management district includes the 
first fee title tract transfer from the USDA Farm Service Agency to the 
Fish and Wildlife Service with the establishment of Handy Brake 
National Wildlife Refuge in 1988. The wetlands management district 
includes 36 USDA Farm Service Agency easements, 7 fee title tracts, and 
1 lease that are concentrated in northeastern Louisiana and encompass 6 
parishes. The wetlands management district is spread across north 
Louisiana in 44 units, ranging in size from 3 acres to 1,000 acres.
    Handy Brake Refuge is primarily a permanent wetland of excellent 
habitat for wintering waterfowl, wading birds, and many other wetland-
dependent species. A free lease of 35 acres of International Paper 
Company land provides an upland area overlooking the wetland. An 
observation deck in the upland area provides wildlife viewing 
opportunities into the wetlands. Habitat management within the wetlands 
management district focuses primarily on reforestation of marginal 
agricultural areas and development and maintenance of moist-soil units. 
These varied habitats provide for a diverse array of wildlife. There is 
no hunting or fishing permitted throughout the wetlands management 
district.
    Significant issues addressed in this Draft CCP/EA include: 
management of white-tailed deer, invasive species, waterfowl, 
bottomland hardwood forest, and red-cockaded woodpecker, refuge access, 
land acquisition, visitor services (e.g., hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation), watershed protection, and cultural resource 
protection. The Service developed three alternatives for management of 
the refuge (Alternatives A, B, and C), with Alternative B as the 
Service's proposed alternative.

Alternative A (Current Management)

    Current management and public use would continue under this 
alternative. Refuge management programs would continue to be developed 
and implemented with limited baseline biological information and 
limited monitoring, for mainly migratory waterfowl. Wildlife surveys 
would still be completed for presence and absence of species and to 
alert refuge staff to large-scale changes in population trends. 
Cooperation with partners for monitoring waterfowl, eagle, fish, and 
deer herd health surveys would continue. Upland forest management would 
continue focusing on red-cockaded woodpecker guidelines for minimizing 
hardwoods and maintaining a grassy understory in a portion of the mixed 
pine and upland forests. Bottomland hardwood forest management would 
continue at current rate of thinning to maintain a closed canopy forest 
and retain as much water tupelo and bald cypress as possible. The open 
fields would continue with manipulating water levels for moist-soil and 
cooperative cropland management. Management of invasive species would 
continue with opportunistic treatment and mapping. Partnerships would 
continue with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for 
several biological programs, hunting regulations, and law enforcement 
issues. A Partners program would still work with interested parties to 
develop projects for carbon sequestration and invasive species.
    Hunting and fishing would continue to be the priority focus of 
public use on Upper Ouachita Refuge, with no expansion of current 
opportunities. Current restrictions or prohibitions would remain. 
Environmental education, wildlife observation, and wildlife photography 
would be accommodated at present levels, with a few interpretive sites 
added. Staffing would remain at current level with no new positions 
added, but current vacancies would be advertised and filled.

Alternative B (Proposed Action)

    The biological potential of historical habitats would be restored 
and enhanced. Most management actions would emphasize natural 
ecological processes to foster habitat functions and wildlife 
populations. The biological program would be enhanced with inventories 
and monitoring so that adaptive management could be implemented 
primarily for migratory birds, but for other species of wildlife as 
well. A close evaluation of migratory bird use and nesting success on 
the refuge would be evaluated with granting opportunities and 
partnerships. Partnerships would be developed to establish 
scientifically, valid protocols and collaboratively work on research 
projects associated with information needed to manage the habitats and 
wildlife, or in other words how forest management is affecting 
wildlife. Upland forest management would focus on restoring the 
biological integrity of a mixed hardwood/pine forest by promoting 
upland hardwood species and reducing pine basal area. The red-

[[Page 15188]]

cockaded woodpecker habitat unit would be managed using a more historic 
fire regime while providing red-cockaded woodpecker habitat as required 
in the recovery guidelines. An historic fire regime would ultimately 
benefit red-cockaded woodpeckers by creating a more herbaceous 
understory. A forest inventory defining current conditions would be 
conducted to implement bottomland hardwood forest management. 
Bottomlands would have management increased to open the canopy cover 
and increase understory vegetation. Water control structures and 
pumping capability would be improved to enhance moist-soil and cropland 
management for the benefit of wintering waterfowl. Invasive species 
would be mapped and protocols for control established with the addition 
of a forester. Partnerships would continue to be fostered for several 
biological programs, hunting regulations, law enforcement issues, and 
research projects.
    Public use would be similar to current management with a few 
improvements. Deer harvests would rely on monitoring results of the 
availability, diversity, and deer use of understory woody and 
herbaceous plants and deer herd health checks. This would allow the 
refuge to better understand the pressure being exerted on the habitat, 
and therefore make better habitat and harvest recommendations. On Upper 
Ouachita Refuge, youth turkey hunting would be allowed, and fishing 
events and boat launch facilities would be improved. Environmental 
education, wildlife observation, and wildlife photography would be 
accommodated at present levels with minimal disturbance to wildlife and 
habitat with an enhanced interpretive nature trail, interpretive 
panels, and ``check-out kits'' for teachers developed. Law enforcement 
would be increased to gain better compliance with refuge regulations. 
Staffing would increase with four positions (e.g., biological 
technician, forestry technician, one maintenance worker, and one law 
enforcement) to increase biological inventory and monitoring, enhance 
forest management, increase control of invasive species, enhance public 
use program, and provide safe and compatible wildlife-dependent 
recreation.

Alternative C (Minimize Management and Public Use)

    This alternative would reduce the habitat and wildlife management 
and public use programs. Biological information would continue to be 
enhanced but management programs would be implemented less frequently, 
yet the refuge would still strive to accomplish the objectives. 
Extensive baseline inventory and monitoring programs would be conducted 
with several partners to provide a solid foundation of current 
conditions of refuge habitat and wildlife, while monitoring for changes 
in trends. Additional research projects would be implemented in the 
alternative by gaining granting opportunities and partnerships with 
other agencies and universities. Upland forest management would focus 
on red-cockaded woodpecker guidelines for minimizing hardwoods and 
maintaining a grassy understory in the entire mixed pine and upland 
forests, resulting in an intensive prescribed burning program which 
would include monitoring forest conditions. Bottomland hardwood forest 
management would be developed, using an intensive inventory to define 
current conditions and to monitor natural successional changes. 
Management in the bottoms would be limited to promote natural 
succession, as defined in a revised habitat management plan. The open 
field would be allowed to go through natural succession to a bottomland 
hardwood forest and the moist-soil units would not be maintained. 
Management of invasive species would become a priority to establish 
baseline information on location, density, and protocols for control. 
Partnerships would continue to be fostered for several biological 
programs, hunting regulations, law enforcement issues, and research 
projects.
    Public use would be limited, with custodial-level maintenance. 
Public use would be monitored more closely for impacts to wildlife, and 
with negative impacts, new restrictions or closures would result. Deer 
hunting would be allowed when data demonstrated the population was 
exceeding the habitat carrying capacity, indicating that a reduction 
was necessary. Monitoring of the deer population and associated habitat 
conditions would be implemented. Several species, such as quail, 
woodcock, feral hog, and coyote, would no longer be hunted. Fishing 
would continue as under the current management alternative, but the 
open field would be closed to fishing during the wintering period and 
would be monitored for future impacts. Environmental education, 
wildlife observation, and wildlife photography would be accommodated at 
present levels but access limited to July-October and February-April to 
minimize disturbance to migratory birds. Staffing would increase with 
four positions (e.g., biologist, forestry technician, and two 
maintenance workers) to handle the increase in biological inventory and 
monitoring, invasive species control, and a fire program associated 
with implementing the red-cockaded woodpecker guidelines.

    Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 
105-57.

    Dated: October 29, 2007.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.

    Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the 
Federal Register on March 18, 2008.
[FR Doc. E8-5717 Filed 3-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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