Notice of Decision and Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties, WI, 46324-46325 [E8-18296]

Download as PDF pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES 46324 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 154 / Friday, August 8, 2008 / Notices not interfere with the primary purpose(s) of the refuge. There are 389 national wildlife refuges where we administer hunting and/or fishing programs. We only collect user information at about 20 percent of these refuges. Information that we plan to collect will help us to: (1) Administer and monitor hunting and fishing programs on refuges. (2) Distribute hunting and fishing permits in a fair and equitable manner to eligible participants. We are proposing nine new application and report forms associated with hunting and fishing on refuges. We may not allow all opportunities on all refuges; therefore, we developed different forms to simplify the process and avoid confusion for applicants. Not all refuges will use each form and some refuges may collect the identical information in a nonform format. We will use the following application forms when we assign areas, dates, and/ or types of hunts via a drawing because of limited resources, high demand, or when a permit is needed to hunt. We will issue application forms for specific periods, usually seasonally or annually. (1) FWS Form 3-2354 (Quota Deer Hunt Application). (2) FWS Form 3-2355 (Waterfowl Lottery Application). (3) FWS Form 3-2356 (Big Game Hunt Application). (4) FWS Form 3-2357 (Migratory Bird Hunt Application). (5) FWS Form 3-2358 (Fishing/ Shrimping/Crabbing Application) We plan to collect information on: (1) Applicant (name, address, phone number) so that we can notify applicants of their selection. (2) User preferences (dates, areas, method) so that we can distribute users equitably. (3) Whether or not the applicant is applying for a special opportunity for disabled or youth hunters. (4) Age of youth hunter(s) so that we can establish eligibility. We will ask users to report on their success after their experience so that we can evaluate hunting/fishing quality and resource impacts. We will use the following activity reports, which we will distribute during appropriate seasons, as determined by State or Federal regulations. (1) FWS Form 3-2359 (Big Game Harvest Report). (2) FWS Form 3-2360 (Fishing Report). (3) FWS Form 3-2361 (Migratory Bird Hunt Report). (4) FWS Form 3-2362 (Upland/Small Game/Furbearer Report). We plan to collect information on: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:25 Aug 07, 2008 Jkt 214001 (1) Names of users so we can differentiate between responses. (2) City and State of residence so that we can better understand if users are local or traveling. (3) Dates, time, and number in party so we can identify use trends to allocate staff and resources. (4) Details of success by species so that we can evaluate quality of experience and resource impacts. Comments: On April 22, 2008, we published a notice in the Federal Register (72 FR 21640) announcing our intent to request that OMB approve this information collection. We solicited public comment for 60 days, ending on June 23, 2008. We did not receive any comments in response to this notice. We again invite comments concerning this information collection on: (1) whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. 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 OMB in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Dated: June 30, 2008 Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service. FR Doc. E8–18339 Filed 8–7–08; 8:45 am BILLING CODE 4310–55–S PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–R–2008–N0186; 30136–1265– 0000–S3] Notice of Decision and Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties, WI Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of decision and availability of the record of decision. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the decision and availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Wisconsin. A thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and economic considerations was completed and presented in the Final CCP/EIS. The Final CCP/EIS was released to the public and a Notice of Availability was published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2008, (73 FR 20329). The ROD documents the selection of Alternative C, the Preferred Alternative in the Final CCP/EIS, as the CCP for Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. The ROD was signed by the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Midwest Region, on June 17, 2008. ADDRESSES: The ROD and Final CCP/EIS may be viewed at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. You may obtain a copy of the ROD at the planning website https://www.fws.gov/ midwest/planning/Trempealeau or by writing to the following address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vickie Hirschboeck, (608) 539–2311 extension 12. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge CCP will provide management guidance for conservation of Refuge resources and public use activities during the next 15 years. Three alternatives and their consequences were described in detail in the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement. Under all alternatives threatened and endangered species will be protected; cultural resources will be protected; the Refuge’s Fire Management Plan will guide prescribed E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1 pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 154 / Friday, August 8, 2008 / Notices fire and wildfire suppression; mosquito control will only be allowed in cases of a documented human health emergency; appropriate control of fish and wildlife disease will be undertaken if warranted, feasible, and effective; an emergency response plan and training will be developed to address possible contaminant spills; regulations regarding harvesting of fruit, nuts, and other plant parts will be clarified; neighboring landowners will be contacted frequently to discuss issues of concern; an easement and rights-of-way management plan will be developed; and general public use regulations will be annually reviewed and updated. Alternative A. No Action. Present management practices would continue under this Alternative. The No Action alternative is a status quo alternative where current conditions and trends continue. The alternative served as the baseline to compare and contrast with the other alternatives. Alternative B. Wildlife and Habitat Focus. Under this alternative there would be minimal disturbance to wildlife from public use and increased level of effort on fish and wildlife habitat management. Habitat management would be a high priority. Invasive species control in the forested habitats would allow restoration of prairie and oak savanna. Prescribed fire and mowing would be used to manage 11 prairie units totaling 585 acres. Pine plantations would be eliminated. Additional dikes and water control structures would be placed within existing impoundments. The deer hunt and furbearer management would continue as in the past. Public use opportunities would be reduced. Environmental education programs would be limited to those that explain Refuge regulations. No waterfowl hunting would be allowed. To reduce disturbance to migrating birds, all pools would be closed to water craft during fall migration (from September 15 through November 15). The Refuge would maintain its present entrance road, which is open to all traffic except for an average of 6 weeks each year when the road is flooded. The Refuge office would remain as is, but the 70year-old shop would be replaced. The staff would include the addition of a permanent full-time biologist and a private lands biologist and a seasonal biological technician and tractor operator. Alternative C. Integrated Public Use and Wildlife and Habitat Focus (Preferred Alternative). The Service has selected Alternative C, the Preferred Alternative, as the CCP for the Refuge. Implementation of the CCP will occur VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:25 Aug 07, 2008 Jkt 214001 over the next 15 years and will depend on future staffing levels and funding. Under this alternative the focus will be on returning upland areas to preEuropean settlement habitats, increasing flexibility in wetland management within impoundments, and increasing public use opportunities. Prairie and oak savanna restoration will be a high priority. Increased efforts to control invasive species will be made using biological, mechanical, and chemical methods. Prescribed fire and mowing will be used to manage 11 prairie units totaling 435 acres. Half of the trees in the pine plantations will be removed through selective thinning. Additional dikes and water control structures will be placed within existing impoundments. The deer hunt and furbearer management will continue as in the past. Public use opportunities will be expanded. Environmental education programs will be promoted at local schools and to community groups and the general public. Waterfowl hunting opportunities will be expanded by opening the area west of the Canadian National Railroad dike to a limited hunt. Ski trails will be maintained when conditions permit. Options to alleviate flooding of the entrance road to provide year-round access to the Refuge will be explored. Use of volunteers will be expanded in all programs. A Trempealeau NWR Friends Group will be started. A multipurpose Room will be added to the office/visitor contact station to accommodate larger groups and provide a place for orientation. The staff will include the addition of three seasonal positions, including a biological technician, a tractor operator, and a park ranger. Law enforcement duties will be covered by a new position shared with the Winona District. A private lands biologist will also be shared with the Winona District. Basis for the Decision Alternative C is the most environmentally preferable alternative. Chapter 1 of the Final EIS identified three broad needs: (1) Contribute to the Refuge System mission; (2) fulfill the purposes of the Refuge; and (3) achieve Refuge goals. Alternative C meets these needs through the most balanced and integrated approach compared to the other alternatives. The rationale for choosing the selected alternative as the best alternative for the Comprehensive Conservation Plan is based on the impact of this alternative on the issues and concerns that surfaced during the planning process. The environmental impacts of the alternatives were analyzed as to how they will impact: (1) PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46325 Landscape; (2) wildlife and habitat; (3) public use; (4) neighboring landowners and community; and (5) administration and operations. Alternative C has longterm benefits to the natural and human environment. Alternative C will increase water quality and more effectively control invasive plants. This alternative will ensure abundant opportunity for all current recreational uses (e.g., hunting, fishing, observation and photography, interpretation and environmental education). It will have a positive economic impact and will increase the capacity of the Refuge to meet its purposes and mission of the Refuge System. Alternative C is also expected to lead to improved communication and problem solving with neighboring land owners. Dated: July 22, 2008. Charles M. Wooley, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Snelling, Minnesota. [FR Doc. E8–18296 Filed 8–7–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs Jicarilla Apache Nation Liquor Ordinance Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice publishes the Jicarilla Apache Nation Amended Liquor Ordinance. The amended Ordinance regulates and controls the possession, sale, and consumption of liquor within the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The Nation is located on trust land and this amended Ordinance allows for the possession and sale of alcoholic beverages within the exterior boundaries of the Jicarilla Indian Reservation. This amended Ordinance will increase the ability of the tribal government to control the distribution and possession of liquor within their Reservation and at the same time will provide an important source of revenue and strengthening of the tribal government and the delivery of tribal services. DATES: Effective Date: This Act is effective as of September 8, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Iris A. Drew, Tribal Government Services Officer, Southwest Regional Office, 1001 Indian School Road, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104; Telephone (505) 563– 3530; Fax (505) 563–3060; or Elizabeth Colliflower, Office of Tribal Services, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 4513– E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 154 (Friday, August 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46324-46325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18296]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2008-N0186; 30136-1265-0000-S3]


Notice of Decision and Availability of the Record of Decision for 
the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact 
Statement for Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Buffalo and 
Trempealeau Counties, WI

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of decision and availability of the record of decision.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the decision and 
availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in 
Wisconsin. A thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and 
economic considerations was completed and presented in the Final CCP/
EIS. The Final CCP/EIS was released to the public and a Notice of 
Availability was published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2008, 
(73 FR 20329). The ROD documents the selection of Alternative C, the 
Preferred Alternative in the Final CCP/EIS, as the CCP for Trempealeau 
National Wildlife Refuge. The ROD was signed by the Regional Director, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Midwest Region, on June 17, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The ROD and Final CCP/EIS may be viewed at Trempealeau 
National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. You may obtain a copy of the ROD 
at the planning website https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Trempealeau 
or by writing to the following address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Division of Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal 
Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vickie Hirschboeck, (608) 539-2311 
extension 12.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge CCP 
will provide management guidance for conservation of Refuge resources 
and public use activities during the next 15 years. Three alternatives 
and their consequences were described in detail in the Draft and Final 
Environmental Impact Statement. Under all alternatives threatened and 
endangered species will be protected; cultural resources will be 
protected; the Refuge's Fire Management Plan will guide prescribed

[[Page 46325]]

fire and wildfire suppression; mosquito control will only be allowed in 
cases of a documented human health emergency; appropriate control of 
fish and wildlife disease will be undertaken if warranted, feasible, 
and effective; an emergency response plan and training will be 
developed to address possible contaminant spills; regulations regarding 
harvesting of fruit, nuts, and other plant parts will be clarified; 
neighboring landowners will be contacted frequently to discuss issues 
of concern; an easement and rights-of-way management plan will be 
developed; and general public use regulations will be annually reviewed 
and updated.
    Alternative A. No Action. Present management practices would 
continue under this Alternative. The No Action alternative is a status 
quo alternative where current conditions and trends continue. The 
alternative served as the baseline to compare and contrast with the 
other alternatives.
    Alternative B. Wildlife and Habitat Focus. Under this alternative 
there would be minimal disturbance to wildlife from public use and 
increased level of effort on fish and wildlife habitat management. 
Habitat management would be a high priority. Invasive species control 
in the forested habitats would allow restoration of prairie and oak 
savanna. Prescribed fire and mowing would be used to manage 11 prairie 
units totaling 585 acres. Pine plantations would be eliminated. 
Additional dikes and water control structures would be placed within 
existing impoundments. The deer hunt and furbearer management would 
continue as in the past. Public use opportunities would be reduced. 
Environmental education programs would be limited to those that explain 
Refuge regulations. No waterfowl hunting would be allowed. To reduce 
disturbance to migrating birds, all pools would be closed to water 
craft during fall migration (from September 15 through November 15). 
The Refuge would maintain its present entrance road, which is open to 
all traffic except for an average of 6 weeks each year when the road is 
flooded. The Refuge office would remain as is, but the 70-year-old shop 
would be replaced. The staff would include the addition of a permanent 
full-time biologist and a private lands biologist and a seasonal 
biological technician and tractor operator.
    Alternative C. Integrated Public Use and Wildlife and Habitat Focus 
(Preferred Alternative). The Service has selected Alternative C, the 
Preferred Alternative, as the CCP for the Refuge. Implementation of the 
CCP will occur over the next 15 years and will depend on future 
staffing levels and funding.
    Under this alternative the focus will be on returning upland areas 
to pre-European settlement habitats, increasing flexibility in wetland 
management within impoundments, and increasing public use 
opportunities. Prairie and oak savanna restoration will be a high 
priority. Increased efforts to control invasive species will be made 
using biological, mechanical, and chemical methods. Prescribed fire and 
mowing will be used to manage 11 prairie units totaling 435 acres. Half 
of the trees in the pine plantations will be removed through selective 
thinning. Additional dikes and water control structures will be placed 
within existing impoundments. The deer hunt and furbearer management 
will continue as in the past. Public use opportunities will be 
expanded. Environmental education programs will be promoted at local 
schools and to community groups and the general public. Waterfowl 
hunting opportunities will be expanded by opening the area west of the 
Canadian National Railroad dike to a limited hunt. Ski trails will be 
maintained when conditions permit. Options to alleviate flooding of the 
entrance road to provide year-round access to the Refuge will be 
explored. Use of volunteers will be expanded in all programs. A 
Trempealeau NWR Friends Group will be started. A multi-purpose Room 
will be added to the office/visitor contact station to accommodate 
larger groups and provide a place for orientation. The staff will 
include the addition of three seasonal positions, including a 
biological technician, a tractor operator, and a park ranger. Law 
enforcement duties will be covered by a new position shared with the 
Winona District. A private lands biologist will also be shared with the 
Winona District.

Basis for the Decision

    Alternative C is the most environmentally preferable alternative. 
Chapter 1 of the Final EIS identified three broad needs: (1) Contribute 
to the Refuge System mission; (2) fulfill the purposes of the Refuge; 
and (3) achieve Refuge goals. Alternative C meets these needs through 
the most balanced and integrated approach compared to the other 
alternatives. The rationale for choosing the selected alternative as 
the best alternative for the Comprehensive Conservation Plan is based 
on the impact of this alternative on the issues and concerns that 
surfaced during the planning process. The environmental impacts of the 
alternatives were analyzed as to how they will impact: (1) Landscape; 
(2) wildlife and habitat; (3) public use; (4) neighboring landowners 
and community; and (5) administration and operations. Alternative C has 
long-term benefits to the natural and human environment. Alternative C 
will increase water quality and more effectively control invasive 
plants. This alternative will ensure abundant opportunity for all 
current recreational uses (e.g., hunting, fishing, observation and 
photography, interpretation and environmental education). It will have 
a positive economic impact and will increase the capacity of the Refuge 
to meet its purposes and mission of the Refuge System. Alternative C is 
also expected to lead to improved communication and problem solving 
with neighboring land owners.

    Dated: July 22, 2008.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota.
[FR Doc. E8-18296 Filed 8-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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