Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Lima, MT, 55864-55865 [E8-22697]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 188 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55864-55865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22697]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R6-R-2008-N0187; 60138-1261-0000-S3]


Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Red Rock Lakes National 
Wildlife Refuge, Lima, MT

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce that 
our Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is 
available. This Draft CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to 
manage this Refuge for the next 15 years.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
on the draft CCP/EA by October 27, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Please provide written comments to Laura King, Planning Team 
Leader, Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, 9756 143\1/2\ Avenue, SE., 
Cayuga, North Dakota 58013; via facsimile at 701-724-3683; or 
electronically to redrocks@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: Laura King, 701-724-3596 (phone); 701-
724-3683 (fax); or laura_king@fws.gov (e-mail) or John Esperance, 303-
236-4369 (phone); 303-236-4792 (fax); or john_esperance@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge 
is located 28 miles east of Monida in Beaverhead County in southwestern 
Montana. This 47,756-acre Refuge sits at 6,670 feet above sea level and 
lies east of the Continental Divide near the uppermost reach of the 
Missouri drainage. The Refuge was established in 1935 by President 
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Historically, management focused on protecting 
and enhancing the trumpeter swan population at the Refuge. In the 
1930s, the Refuge was their last known breeding location. Today, swans 
can still breed in the valley, but the intensive management of swan 
populations (through feeding and raising young) has been altered in 
favor of allowing the swans to thrive under mostly natural conditions.
    The Refuge has one of the most naturally diverse areas in the 
National Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge boasts the largest wetland 
complex within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, as well as expansive 
tracts of grassland and sagebrush-steppe habitats and a small amount of 
mid-elevation forested areas. These habitats support over 200 species 
of birds, including peregrine falcons, bald eagles, short-eared owls, 
sandhill cranes, sage grouse, and numerous species of waterfowl and 
waterbirds. Common mammalian species include Shiras moose, Rocky 
Mountain elk, mule and white-tailed deer, badger, coyote, and red fox. 
In addition, wolves and grizzly bears have been documented using the 
Refuge in recent years. There is also a remnant population of native 
adfluvial Arctic grayling that occurs on the Refuge.
    A full-time staff of five employees and various summer temporaries 
manage and study the Refuge habitats and maintain visitor facilities. 
Domestic livestock grazing and prescribed fire are the primary 
management tools used to maintain and enhance upland habitats. 
Currently, four grazing cooperators are using Refuge lands. Water level 
manipulation occurs in some areas of the Refuge to improve wetland 
habitats.
    Approximately 12,000 people visit the Refuge annually. Two Refuge 
roads and three county roads that pass through the Refuge account for 
the majority of visitor use. The Refuge is open to limited fishing with 
the majority of fishing occurring on Red Rock Creek. In addition, the 
Refuge is open to limited hunting of ducks, geese, coots, and moose. 
Elk, pronghorn, moose, mule deer and white-tailed deer are also hunted 
on certain areas of the Refuge according to State regulations and 
seasons. This draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates four alternatives 
for managing the Refuge for the next 15 years.
    Under Alternative A, funding staff levels and management activities 
at the Refuge would not change. Refuge habitats would continue to be 
managed utilizing water control structures, cattle grazing, prescribed 
fire, and various methods to control invasive species. There would be 
limited monitoring of habitat and wildlife response. The Refuge would 
continue to divert water from streams and impound water using all 
Service installed dikes, diversions, and structures. Wildlife dependent 
compatible priority uses, for example, hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation, wildlife photography, and interpretation, would continue 
to occur at current levels. Hunting for big game and waterfowl would 
continue to be permitted on the Refuge. There would continue to be 
minimal outreach and education programs due to the poor county access 
roads and remote location. There would be minimal resources to 
adequately update signs, informational kiosks, and brochures as well as 
improve hiking trails, access roads, and campgrounds. There would be 
five full-time staff assigned to the Refuge.
    Alternative B, the Proposed Action, acknowledges the importance of 
naturally functioning ecological communities on the Refuge. However, 
changes to the landscape (e.g., human alterations to the landscape, 
past refuge management creating wetlands and species in peril requiring 
special management actions) prevent managing the Refuge solely as a 
naturally functioning ecological community. Because some of these 
changes are significant, some Refuge habitats would require ``hands 
on'' management actions during the life of this plan, while others 
would be restored. Refuge habitats would continue to be managed 
utilizing water control structures, cattle grazing, prescribed fire, 
and various methods to control invasive species. The Refuge would 
determine their level of participation in State initiatives to 
reintroduce bison should they become designated as wildlife in Montana. 
Monitoring and documenting the response to management actions would be 
greatly expanded. Habitat and wildlife objectives would be clearly 
stated in step-down management plans. Visitor services programs would 
be maintained and expanded including hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and interpretation programs while 
maintaining the wilderness characteristics of the Refuge. Boundaries 
for big game hunting would be adjusted to reduce confusion, provide 
additional opportunities, and reduce illegal road hunting. Fishing 
would be expanded and following State regulations, visitors would be 
encouraged to keep nonnative fish species that impact native adfluvial 
Arctic grayling. Some Refuge roads and trails would provide 
interpretation and be identified on a new visitor services map. 
Idlewild Road would be closed to reduce maintenance costs and 
fragmentations of wildlife habitats. Both Refuge campgrounds would be 
maintained to support wildlife dependent compatible recreation on this 
remote Refuge.
    Alternative C acknowledges the importance of a naturally 
functioning ecosystem. Management action emphasis would be placed on 
allowing wetland and riparian habitats to

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function naturally through the restoration of created and modified 
wetlands. Refuge habitats would continue to be managed utilizing the 
remaining water control structures, cattle grazing, prescribed fire, 
and various methods to control invasive species. The Refuge would 
determine their level of participation in State initiatives to 
reintroduce bison should they become designated as wildlife in Montana. 
Monitoring and documenting wildlife and habitat responses to management 
actions would be greatly expanded. Habitat and wildlife objectives 
would be clearly stated in step-down management plans. Visitor services 
programs would be improved and expanded, particularly environmental 
education and interpretation programs, while maintaining the wilderness 
characteristics of the Refuge. Boundaries for big game hunting would be 
adjusted to reduce confusion, provide additional opportunities, and 
reduce illegal road hunting. Some Refuge trails would provide 
interpretation and be identified on a new visitor services map. 
Idlewild Road would be closed to reduce maintenance costs and 
fragmentations of wildlife habitats. Fishing would be expanded and 
following State regulations, visitors would be encouraged to keep 
nonnative fish species that impact native adfluvial Arctic grayling. 
Only one Refuge campground would be maintained to support wildlife 
dependent compatible recreation on this remote Refuge.
    Alternative D further acknowledges the importance of a naturally 
functioning ecosystem. Management action emphasis would be placed on 
the restoration of all natural processes including the restoration of 
all wetland and riparian habitats. The Refuge would participate in 
State initiatives to reintroduce bison should they become designated as 
wildlife in Montana. Monitoring of habitat and wildlife response to 
management actions would be greatly expanded. Habitat and wildlife 
objectives would be clearly stated in step-down management plans. The 
Refuge will place emphasis on creating a wilderness setting in all 
areas away from the Refuge headquarters. Visitor services programs 
would be maintained or expanded while promoting a wilderness experience 
with little or no signage and interpretation. Moose hunting would be 
eliminated. Boundaries for big game hunting areas would be adjusted to 
reduce confusion, provide additional opportunities, and reduce illegal 
road hunting. Fishing would be expanded and following State 
regulations, visitors would be encouraged to keep nonnative fish 
species that have impacted native adfluvial Arctic grayling. Idlewild 
Road, the associate boat ramp, and the north entrance spur roads would 
be closed to public vehicle access to reduce maintenance costs. Both 
Refuge campgrounds would be closed.
    All public comment information provided voluntarily by mail, by 
phone, or at 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: July 21, 2008.
Sharon R. Rose,
Acting Regional Director.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on September 23, 2008.
 [FR Doc. E8-22697 Filed 9-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P