Wapack National Wildlife Refuge, Hillsborough County, NH, 76679-76680 [E8-29436]

Download as PDF pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 17, 2008 / Notices During the CCP planning process for these Refuges many elements were considered, including wildlife management and habitat protection, offRefuge wildlife-dependent educational opportunities, and coordination with Federal agencies and other interested groups. The Draft CCPs and associated Environmental Assessments identified and evaluated four alternatives for managing these Refuges. The Draft CCPs were available for a 45-day public review and comment period. The Service received nine comment communications, which were incorporated into, or responded to in the final CCPs. No substantive changes were required to address public comments. Changes to the Refuges’ management include a modest increase in the frequency of staff visits to monitor seabird abundance and nesting status, conducting seabird nesting restoration, conducting marine exploration and marine ecosystem monitoring, and preserving cultural resource and wilderness resource values at the Refuges. Public access to the Refuges will remain closed, and commercial fishing will continue to be prohibited within the boundaries of these Refuges. The following key actions described in the CCPs will be implemented. • With assistance from partners, we will conduct management activities annually at the Refuges. • We will continue to conserve, manage, and protect native terrestrial and marine communities that are representative of remote tropical Pacific islands. • We will develop baseline data to understand sea turtle and seabird use at these Refuges. • We will take actions to restore breeding populations of the Polynesian storm-petrel to the Refuges by using electronic call devices to attract and establish nesting colonies. • We will conduct management actions in a manner that maintains and preserves the wilderness character of the terrestrial and marine communities at these Refuges. • In coordination with partners, we will use remote surveillance and monitoring techniques to ensure the Refuges’ biological, cultural, and historic resources are preserved. • The Service will develop an offRefuge environmental education and interpretation program for the public to learn about wilderness values, cultural and historic resources, tropical island ecosystems, seabirds, and coral reefs at these and other remote Pacific island refuges. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:58 Dec 16, 2008 Jkt 217001 Dated: August 12, 2008. David J. Wesley, Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon. Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the Federal Register on December 11, 2008. [FR Doc. E8–29721 Filed 12–16–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R5–R–2008–N0190; 50133–1265– WPCP–S3] Wapack National Wildlife Refuge, Hillsborough County, NH AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability: final comprehensive conservation plan and finding of no significant impact for environmental assessment. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA) for Wapack National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In this final CCP, we describe how we will manage the refuge for the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD–ROM. Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at https:// library.fws.gov/ccps/wapack/. E-mail: fw5rw_prnwr@fws.gov. Please include ‘‘Wapack NWR CCP’’ in the subject line of the message. Mail: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950. In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 978–465–5753 to make an appointment during regular business hours at Parker River NWR headquarters. The final document is also available at the library listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Graham Taylor, Refuge Manager, Parker River NWR; phone number 978–465– 5753; e-mail address: fw5rw_prnwr@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Wapack NWR. We started by publishing a notice of intent in the PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76679 Federal Register (72 FR 8197; February 23, 2007). For more about the process, see that notice. We announced the release of the draft CCP/EA to the public and requested their comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register (73 FR 15769; March 25, 2008). Wapack NWR, at 1,625 acres, was established by donation in 1972 as the first national wildlife refuge in New Hampshire. Its purpose is for migratory birds. It is administered by the staff of the Parker River NWR, headquartered in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The refuge encompasses the 2,278-foot North Pack Monadnock Mountain in the towns of Greenfield and Temple, New Hampshire. The terms of the deed of donation require the Service to manage the refuge in a ‘‘wilderness-like’’ setting for wildlife. Specific deed restrictions prohibit motorized vehicles, hunting and fishing, trapping, or cutting trees. Mature northern hardwood-mixed and spruce-fir forest characterizes the refuge. It provides nesting habitat for many migratory songbirds such as the black-capped chickadee, blackburnian warbler, black-throated blue warbler, hermit thrush, myrtle warbler, ovenbird, and red-eyed vireo. The refuge also supports a wide variety of other native wildlife, including deer, bear, coyote, fisher, fox, mink and weasel. Visitors engage in wildlife observation and photography on the refuge. It is especially popular for viewing the fall migration of hawks. A 4-mile segment of the 21-mile Wapack Trail traverses the refuge, and rewards hikers with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. Three other trails also offer quality opportunities for viewing and photographing wildlife. We are announcing our decision and the availability of the FONSI and final CCP for Wapack NWR in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1506.6(b)). We completed a thorough analysis of effects on the human environment, which we included in the draft CCP/EA. The final CCP will guide us in managing and administering Wapack NWR for the next 15 years. Alternative B, which we described in the draft CCP/ EA as the Service-preferred alternative, is the foundation for the final CCP. Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee) (Improvement Act), which amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to E:\FR\FM\17DEN1.SGM 17DEN1 76680 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 17, 2008 / Notices opportunities, visitor and contact information, and regulations. We will allow only compatible activities that are consistent with a ‘‘wilderness-like’’ setting and adhere to other deed restrictions. The new activities we will allow include dogwalking only on leash, recreational berry-picking, and the annual Wapack Trail Run, under the stipulations of our determination of its compatibility. We do not propose to expand the refuge. However, we will offer our support in identifying unprotected lands of high wildlife value to partners engaged in other regional land conservation and protection. We also will offer our technical assistance in managing those lands. CCP Alternatives, Including Alternative B, the Selected Alternative pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge purposes and contributing to the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, in a manner consistent with the sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation science, legal mandates, and our policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation available to the public, including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update each CCP at least every 15 years, in accordance with the Improvement Act. Comments Our draft CCP/EA (73 FR 15769) identified and addressed several issues in its chapter 1, ‘‘The Purpose of and Need for Action.’’ In that document, we developed two alternatives to respond to those issues. Alternative A represented current management. Alternative B was identified as the Service-preferred alternative for several reasons. It included an array of management actions that, in our professional judgment, worked best toward achieving the purpose of the refuge, our vision and goals for those lands, and goals in State and regional conservation plans. In our opinion, alternative B most effectively addressed the key issues. The planning team recommended alternative B to the Regional Director as the better alternative for managing this refuge over the next 15 years. He selected it for the final CCP. Implementing the CCP will improve our knowledge of refuge resources and start the development of a baseline biological database. We plan to inventory populations of plants and wildlife on the refuge in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. That project will also help us identify and monitor threats to the integrity of refuge habitats. Other projects in the CCP will enhance visitor programs by expanding our partnerships with other Federal agencies, State agencies, town departments, local conservation organizations, and individuals. Partners will assist us in maintaining trails, developing and maintaining a new trailhead parking area, and increasing our presence and visibility on the refuge and in the local community. One of our goals is to better communicate refuge We solicited comments on the draft CCP/EA for Wapack NWR from March 25, 2008 to May 1, 2008 (73 FR 15769). We held a public meeting in Peterborough, New Hampshire, on April 17, 2008. We evaluated all comments received during the public comment period, and included our responses to those comments in appendix F of the final CCP. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:58 Dec 16, 2008 Jkt 217001 Selected Alternative The Regional Director selected alternative B for implementation. The following key changes were made between draft and final plans. • We found compatible the annual Wapack Trail Race, with certain stipulations identified in its compatibility determination (refer to CCP appendix A). • The staff of Parker River NWR in Newburyport, Massachusetts, now administers the unstaffed Wapack NWR; it is no longer administered from Great Bay NWR. Public Availability of Documents In addition to the methods in above, you can view or obtain documents at the Peterborough, New Hampshire, Town Library, at 2 Concord Street, Peterborough, New Hampshire, during regular library hours. ADDRESSES Dated: November 19, 2008. Thomas J. Healy, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, MA 01035. [FR Doc. E8–29436 Filed 12–16–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R1–ES–2008–N0288; 10120–1112– 0000–F2] Receipt of Application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit for the Northern Spotted Owl and the Marbled Murrelet AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and receipt of application. SUMMARY: Port Blakely Tree Farms (PBTF) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit (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 (SHA), draft Implementing Agreement (IA), and a draft Environmental Assessment (EA). The proposed term of the Permit and the Agreement is 60 years. The Permit would authorize PBTF to carry out habitat management measures that are likely to benefit the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) and the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), both of which are federally listed as threatened, and would allow PBTF to return their properties to agreed upon baseline conditions at the end of the Permit term. The covered area is approximately 45,306 acres (18,335 hectares) and is located in eastern Lewis and Skamania counties, Washington. In accordance with Service responsibilities pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), this notice also announces the availability for public review of a draft EA developed in conjunction with the proposed SHA. We request comments from the public on the permit application, draft SHA, draft IA, and the draft EA. DATES: To be fully considered, written comments from interested parties must be received on or before January 16, 2009. ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Mark Ostwald, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive, SE., Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503. You may also submit written comments by electronic mail to FW1WWO_SHAPBTF@FWS.GOV. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Ostwald at (360) 753–9564. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\17DEN1.SGM 17DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76679-76680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29436]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R5-R-2008-N0190; 50133-1265-WPCP-S3]


Wapack National Wildlife Refuge, Hillsborough County, NH

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability: final comprehensive conservation plan 
and finding of no significant impact for environmental assessment.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and 
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental 
assessment (EA) for Wapack National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In this 
final CCP, we describe how we will manage the refuge for the next 15 
years.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI by 
any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM. 
Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at https://
library.fws.gov/ccps/wapack/.
    E-mail: fw5rw_prnwr@fws.gov. Please include ``Wapack NWR CCP'' in 
the subject line of the message.
    Mail: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, 6 Plum Island 
Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 978-465-5753 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at Parker River NWR 
headquarters. The final document is also available at the library 
listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Graham Taylor, Refuge Manager, Parker 
River NWR; phone number 978-465-5753; e-mail address: fw5rw_
prnwr@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Wapack NWR. We 
started by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (72 FR 
8197; February 23, 2007). For more about the process, see that notice. 
We announced the release of the draft CCP/EA to the public and 
requested their comments in a notice of availability in the Federal 
Register (73 FR 15769; March 25, 2008).
    Wapack NWR, at 1,625 acres, was established by donation in 1972 as 
the first national wildlife refuge in New Hampshire. Its purpose is for 
migratory birds. It is administered by the staff of the Parker River 
NWR, headquartered in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The refuge 
encompasses the 2,278-foot North Pack Monadnock Mountain in the towns 
of Greenfield and Temple, New Hampshire. The terms of the deed of 
donation require the Service to manage the refuge in a ``wilderness-
like'' setting for wildlife. Specific deed restrictions prohibit 
motorized vehicles, hunting and fishing, trapping, or cutting trees.
    Mature northern hardwood-mixed and spruce-fir forest characterizes 
the refuge. It provides nesting habitat for many migratory songbirds 
such as the black-capped chickadee, blackburnian warbler, black-
throated blue warbler, hermit thrush, myrtle warbler, ovenbird, and 
red-eyed vireo. The refuge also supports a wide variety of other native 
wildlife, including deer, bear, coyote, fisher, fox, mink and weasel.
    Visitors engage in wildlife observation and photography on the 
refuge. It is especially popular for viewing the fall migration of 
hawks. A 4-mile segment of the 21-mile Wapack Trail traverses the 
refuge, and rewards hikers with a beautiful view of the surrounding 
mountains. Three other trails also offer quality opportunities for 
viewing and photographing wildlife.
    We are announcing our decision and the availability of the FONSI 
and final CCP for Wapack NWR in accordance with the requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1506.6(b)). We completed a 
thorough analysis of effects on the human environment, which we 
included in the draft CCP/EA.
    The final CCP will guide us in managing and administering Wapack 
NWR for the next 15 years. Alternative B, which we described in the 
draft CCP/EA as the Service-preferred alternative, is the foundation 
for the final CCP.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amends the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us to 
develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for 
developing a CCP is to

[[Page 76680]]

provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge 
purposes and contributing to the mission of the National Wildlife 
Refuge System, in a manner consistent with the sound principles of fish 
and wildlife management, conservation science, legal mandates, and our 
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on 
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify opportunities for 
wildlife-dependent recreation available to the public, including 
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update 
each CCP at least every 15 years, in accordance with the Improvement 
Act.

CCP Alternatives, Including Alternative B, the Selected Alternative

    Our draft CCP/EA (73 FR 15769) identified and addressed several 
issues in its chapter 1, ``The Purpose of and Need for Action.'' In 
that document, we developed two alternatives to respond to those 
issues. Alternative A represented current management. Alternative B was 
identified as the Service-preferred alternative for several reasons. It 
included an array of management actions that, in our professional 
judgment, worked best toward achieving the purpose of the refuge, our 
vision and goals for those lands, and goals in State and regional 
conservation plans. In our opinion, alternative B most effectively 
addressed the key issues.
    The planning team recommended alternative B to the Regional 
Director as the better alternative for managing this refuge over the 
next 15 years. He selected it for the final CCP.
    Implementing the CCP will improve our knowledge of refuge resources 
and start the development of a baseline biological database. We plan to 
inventory populations of plants and wildlife on the refuge in 
partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. That project will also help 
us identify and monitor threats to the integrity of refuge habitats.
    Other projects in the CCP will enhance visitor programs by 
expanding our partnerships with other Federal agencies, State agencies, 
town departments, local conservation organizations, and individuals. 
Partners will assist us in maintaining trails, developing and 
maintaining a new trailhead parking area, and increasing our presence 
and visibility on the refuge and in the local community. One of our 
goals is to better communicate refuge opportunities, visitor and 
contact information, and regulations.
    We will allow only compatible activities that are consistent with a 
``wilderness-like'' setting and adhere to other deed restrictions. The 
new activities we will allow include dog-walking only on leash, 
recreational berry-picking, and the annual Wapack Trail Run, under the 
stipulations of our determination of its compatibility.
    We do not propose to expand the refuge. However, we will offer our 
support in identifying unprotected lands of high wildlife value to 
partners engaged in other regional land conservation and protection. We 
also will offer our technical assistance in managing those lands.

Comments

    We solicited comments on the draft CCP/EA for Wapack NWR from March 
25, 2008 to May 1, 2008 (73 FR 15769). We held a public meeting in 
Peterborough, New Hampshire, on April 17, 2008. We evaluated all 
comments received during the public comment period, and included our 
responses to those comments in appendix F of the final CCP.

Selected Alternative

    The Regional Director selected alternative B for implementation. 
The following key changes were made between draft and final plans.
     We found compatible the annual Wapack Trail Race, with 
certain stipulations identified in its compatibility determination 
(refer to CCP appendix A).
     The staff of Parker River NWR in Newburyport, 
Massachusetts, now administers the unstaffed Wapack NWR; it is no 
longer administered from Great Bay NWR.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES above, you can view or 
obtain documents at the Peterborough, New Hampshire, Town Library, at 2 
Concord Street, Peterborough, New Hampshire, during regular library 
hours.

    Dated: November 19, 2008.
Thomas J. Healy,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, MA 
01035.
[FR Doc. E8-29436 Filed 12-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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