Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Sullys Hill National Game Preserve, Fort Totten, ND, 16890-16891 [E9-8328]
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16890
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 69 / Monday, April 13, 2009 / Notices
Decision for the project. A report, jointly
prepared by the National Park Service
and the Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation, the cooperating agency on
the EIS), will be forwarded to Congress
through the Department of the Interior.
That Report to Congress will present the
Resource Protection Study’s findings,
and will recommend the
implementation of the Preferred
Alternative (Proposed Action) contained
in the FEIS issued on October 3, 2008.
Congress will then decide what action
to take, if any. As soon as practicable
following such congressional action, the
National Park Service will begin to
implement those actions.
law, the revised MOA, and other
applicable laws and regulations. NPS
would be authorized to work in
partnership with private landowners
within a Conservation Opportunity Area
of 24,300 acres outside the NRA
boundary, to implement a variety of
tools, including acquiring interests in
land from willing landowners, such as
fee simple acquisition and conservation
easements, which would promote the
long-term conservation of resources. A
permanent NPS presence would be
assured under this alternative, which is
also the environmentally preferred
alternative.
Alternatives Receiving Detailed Impact
Assessment
Other Alternatives Considered
Alternative 1: No Action (Continuation
of Existing Conditions)
Under Alternative 1, the No Action
Alternative, NPS would continue to
manage the natural, cultural, and
recreational resources of Curecanti
National Recreation Area (NRA), and
associated facilities, pursuant to
Reclamation law, NPS law, the 1965
Memorandum of Agreement between
NPS and Reclamation (1965 MOA), and
other applicable laws and regulations.
Reclamation would continue to manage
the three dams and reservoirs, power
plants, access roads, and other related
facilities, to meet the purposes of the
Colorado River Storage Project Act
(CRSP); would continue to manage the
East Portal area to meet the purposes of
the Uncompahgre Project; and would
continue to have unrestricted access to
their lands and land interests, water and
water interests, and facilities; pursuant
to Reclamation law, the 1965 MOA, and
other applicable laws and regulations.
There would be no significant change in
the NRA boundary. A permanent NPS
presence would not be assured under
this alternative.
Alternative 2: Proposed Action
Under Alternative 2, the Proposed
Action, or Preferred Alternative, NPS
would manage the same natural,
cultural, and recreational resources and
facilities as Alternative 1, pursuant to
Reclamation law, NPS law, including
new legislation establishing the NRA
with 10,040 acres of additional agreedupon neighboring agency lands, a
revised MOA with Reclamation, and
other applicable laws and regulations.
Reclamation would manage their same
facilities and areas of responsibility as
Alternative 1, and would have
unrestricted access to their lands and
land interests, water and water interests,
and facilities, pursuant to Reclamation
VerDate Nov<24>2008
18:51 Apr 10, 2009
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Four other alternatives pertaining to
the proposed boundary, and various
scenarios for different agencies to
manage the NRA were considered. They
were all eliminated from detailed
impact assessment for reasons stated in
the FEIS.
The Record of Decision includes a
description of the background of the
project, a statement of the decision
made, synopses of other alternatives
considered, the basis for the decision, a
finding of no impairment of park
resources and values, a description of
the environmentally preferable
alternative, and an overview of public
involvement in the decision-making
process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Connie Rudd, Superintendent,
Curecanti National Recreation Area, 102
Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230; Tel:
(970) 641–2337 ext. 220; E-mail:
connie_rudd@nps.gov.
Copies of
the Record of Decision may be obtained
from the contact listed above or online
at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/cure.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: December 9, 2008.
Michael D. Snyder,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region,
National Park Service.
Editorial Note: This document was
received in the Office of the Federal Register
on April 7, 2009.
[FR Doc. E9–8202 Filed 4–10–09; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R6–R–2008–N0344; 60138–1265–
6CCP–S3]
Final Comprehensive Conservation
Plan for Sullys Hill National Game
Preserve, Fort Totten, ND
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce
that our Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan (Plan) and Finding of
No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve is
available. This Final CCP describes how
the Service intends to manage this
refuge for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the Plan may be
obtained by writing to U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge
Planning, P.O. Box 25486, Denver
Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225;
or by download from https://mountainprairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura King, 406–644–2211, (phone);
406–644–2661 (fax); or
laura_king@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sullys Hill
National Game Preserve, established in
1904, is a 1,675-acre National Wildlife
Refuge sitting on the south shores of
Devils Lake, about 10 miles south of the
city of Devils Lake, North Dakota. This
Refuge supports a unique community of
habitats such as an oak, ash, basswood
and aspen woodland, mixed grassed
prairie, and some natural wetlands.
These diverse habitats provide ‘‘edge’’
habitat for over 250 species of migratory
birds, plains bison, Rocky Mountain elk,
white-tailed deer, turkeys, and prairie
dogs.
The Refuge is one of only 19
designated natural areas in North
Dakota, of which only four are National
Wildlife Refuges. It is also one of only
four Refuges nationally established for
bison conservation.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
has over 60,000 visitors annually. The
Refuge is becoming a progressive
regional conservation learning center,
promoting the conservation role of the
National Wildlife Refuge System while
educating visitors about the functions
and benefits of prairie wetlands and
grasslands. Per its legislative purpose,
there is no hunting permitted on this
Refuge.
The draft Plan and Environmental
Assessment (EA) was made available to
E:\FR\FM\13APN1.SGM
13APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 69 / Monday, April 13, 2009 / Notices
the public for review and comment
following the announcement in the
Federal Register on June 26, 2008 (73
FR 36350–36352). The draft Plan and
EA identified and evaluated three
alternatives for managing the Refuges
for the next 15 years. Alternative C was
selected as the preferred alternative and
will serve as the Final Plan.
The final CCP identifies goals,
objectives, and strategies that describe
the future management of Sullys Hill
National Game Preserve. This Plan gives
priority to enhancing and restoring
native prairie and promoting forest
regeneration. Ungulate populations will
be maintained at lower levels (≤20
bison, ≤18 elk, and ≤18 white-tailed
deer) to control the overgrazing and
overbrowsing that has impacted Refuge
habitats. Management tools, including
exclusion fences and other appropriate
methods such as chemical, biological,
and mechanical techniques (including
prescribed fire) will be used to restore
and enhance habitat for the benefit of
forest interior breeding and grassland
nesting birds. Selected hay land acres
would be restored to native prairie.
Fuels treatment (including prescribed
fire or other mechanical means) will be
used to reduce hazardous fuels,
minimizing the threat to life and
property. Invasive species will be
treated and areas restored. The ungulate
herd health program will take a more
active disease surveillance and
treatment approach, including timely
introduction of ungulates to maintain
genetic health, particularly for the
Refuges plains bison.
There would be an increase in
delivery of both on-site and off-site
programming of youth environmental
education programs. In cooperation
with local teachers, a formal wetland
and grassland conservation curriculum
will be designed for targeted grade
levels and meet local and State
standards. Emphasis will be placed on
developing education partnerships with
Spirit Lake Nation schools and agencies.
The Refuges limited fishery will be used
for educational programs only. Visitor,
facility, and wildlife safety will be
improved through regular routine
patrols during peak and off-peak public
use. A comprehensive cultural resource
survey of the Refuge will be completed
in partnership with other agencies and
organizations. Four full-time staff will
be recruited to expand, develop, and
conduct biological, visitor services, law
enforcement, and maintenance
programs.
The Service is furnishing this Notice
to advise other agencies and the public
of the availability of the Final Plan, to
provide information on the desired
VerDate Nov<24>2008
18:51 Apr 10, 2009
Jkt 217001
conditions for the Refuges, and to detail
how the Service will implement
management strategies. Based on the
review and evaluation of the
information contained in the EA, the
Regional Director has determined that
implementation of the Final Plan does
not constitute a major Federal action
that would significantly affect the
quality of the human environment
within the meaning of Section 102(2)(c)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act. Therefore, an Environmental
Impact Statement will not be prepared.
Dated: December 23, 2008.
Noreen E. Walsh,
Deputy Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was
received in the Office of the Federal Register
on April 8, 2009.
[FR Doc. E9–8328 Filed 4–10–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLUT–92000–09–L13200000–EL0000–24–
1A00, UTU–84102]
Notice of the Availability of the Greens
Hollow, Federal Coal Lease Application
Environmental Assessment and Notice
of Public Hearing
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) will hold a public
meeting on the proposed sale, adequacy
of the Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS), Fair Market Value determination
and Maximum Economic Recovery
consideration for coal lease application
UTU–84102. The BLM is in the process
of completing the EIS that will address
the environmental impacts of mining
this tract. The lands included in the
delineated Federal coal lease tract
(‘‘Greens Hollow’’) are located in
Sanpete and Sevier counties. The public
is invited to the meeting to make public
and/or written comments on the
environmental implications of leasing
the proposed tract, and also to submit
comments on the Fair Market Value and
the Maximum Economic Recovery of the
tract.
DATES: The meeting will be held May 6,
2009 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of
North Sevier High School, 350 West 400
North, Salina, Utah.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Written comments on the Fair Market
Value and Maximum Economic
Recovery must be received by May 5,
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16891
2009 and should be addressed to Stan
Perkes, 801–539–4036, Bureau of Land
Management, Utah State Office,
Division of Lands and Minerals, P.O.
Box 45155, Salt Lake City, Utah 84145
or e-mail to Stan_Perkes@blm.gov.
Information on the Decision Notice/
Finding of No Significant Impact can be
obtained by contacting Mr. Steve Rigby,
435–636–3604. Written comments
concerning the environmental impact
statement must be submitted by close of
business on May 18, 2009 to the Price
Field Office, 125 South 600 West, Price,
Utah 84501.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lands
included in the delineated Federal coal
lease tract (‘‘Greens Hollow’’) are
located in Sanpete and Sevier Counties,
Utah approximately ten and one-half air
miles west of Emery Utah on MantiLaSal and Fishlake National Forestadministered surface with federallyadministered minerals and are
described as follows:
T. 20 S., R. 4 E., SLM, Sevier County, Utah
Sec. 36, lot 4, E1⁄2NE1⁄4, NE1⁄4SE1⁄4;
T. 21 S., R. 4 E., SLM, Sevier County, Utah
Sec. 1, all;
Sec. 2, SE1⁄4;
Sec. 11, E1⁄2, E1⁄2W1⁄2;
Sec. 12, NE1⁄4, W1⁄2, W1⁄2SE1⁄4;
Sec. 13, W1⁄2NE1⁄4, NW1⁄4;
Sec. 14, NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4;
T. 20 S., R. 5 E., SLM, Sanpete and Sevier
Counties, Utah
Sec. 19, lots 5–8, E1⁄2SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4;
Sec. 20, S1⁄2;
Sec. 21, W1⁄2SW1⁄4;
Sec. 28, W1⁄2;
Sec. 29, all;
Sec. 30, all;
Sec. 31, all;
Sec. 32, N1⁄2, N1⁄2S1⁄2;
Sec. 33, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4;
T. 21 S., R. 5 E., SLM, Sevier County, Utah
Sec. 6, all.
Approximately 6,175.39 acres.
Ark Land Company submitted the
application for the coal lease. The
company plans to mine the coal as an
extension from their existing SUFCO
Mine, if the lease is obtained. The
Greens Hollow coal tract has two
minable coal beds; the Upper Hiawatha
and the Lower Hiawatha seam beds. The
minable portions of the coal beds in this
area are around eleven feet in thickness.
The tract contains approximately
109,700,000 tons of coal reserve base of
high-volatile C bituminous coal. The
coal quality in the Upper Hiawatha coal
bed on an ‘‘as received basis’’ is as
follows: 11,565 Btu/lb., 7.46 percent
moisture, 9.81 percent ash, 36.55
percent volatile matter, 46.1 percent
fixed carbon and 0.55 percent sulfur.
The coal quality in the Lower Hiawatha
coal bed on an ‘‘as received basis’’ is as
follows: 11,538 Btu/lb., 7.21 percent
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 69 (Monday, April 13, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16890-16891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8328]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2008-N0344; 60138-1265-6CCP-S3]
Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Sullys Hill National
Game Preserve, Fort Totten, ND
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce
that our Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Plan) and Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
is available. This Final CCP describes how the Service intends to
manage this refuge for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the Plan may be obtained by writing to U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box 25486,
Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225; or by download from
https://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura King, 406-644-2211, (phone);
406-644-2661 (fax); or laura_king@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sullys Hill National Game Preserve,
established in 1904, is a 1,675-acre National Wildlife Refuge sitting
on the south shores of Devils Lake, about 10 miles south of the city of
Devils Lake, North Dakota. This Refuge supports a unique community of
habitats such as an oak, ash, basswood and aspen woodland, mixed
grassed prairie, and some natural wetlands. These diverse habitats
provide ``edge'' habitat for over 250 species of migratory birds,
plains bison, Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, turkeys, and
prairie dogs.
The Refuge is one of only 19 designated natural areas in North
Dakota, of which only four are National Wildlife Refuges. It is also
one of only four Refuges nationally established for bison conservation.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve has over 60,000 visitors
annually. The Refuge is becoming a progressive regional conservation
learning center, promoting the conservation role of the National
Wildlife Refuge System while educating visitors about the functions and
benefits of prairie wetlands and grasslands. Per its legislative
purpose, there is no hunting permitted on this Refuge.
The draft Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) was made available
to
[[Page 16891]]
the public for review and comment following the announcement in the
Federal Register on June 26, 2008 (73 FR 36350-36352). The draft Plan
and EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing the
Refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative C was selected as the
preferred alternative and will serve as the Final Plan.
The final CCP identifies goals, objectives, and strategies that
describe the future management of Sullys Hill National Game Preserve.
This Plan gives priority to enhancing and restoring native prairie and
promoting forest regeneration. Ungulate populations will be maintained
at lower levels (<=20 bison, <=18 elk, and <=18 white-tailed deer) to
control the overgrazing and overbrowsing that has impacted Refuge
habitats. Management tools, including exclusion fences and other
appropriate methods such as chemical, biological, and mechanical
techniques (including prescribed fire) will be used to restore and
enhance habitat for the benefit of forest interior breeding and
grassland nesting birds. Selected hay land acres would be restored to
native prairie. Fuels treatment (including prescribed fire or other
mechanical means) will be used to reduce hazardous fuels, minimizing
the threat to life and property. Invasive species will be treated and
areas restored. The ungulate herd health program will take a more
active disease surveillance and treatment approach, including timely
introduction of ungulates to maintain genetic health, particularly for
the Refuges plains bison.
There would be an increase in delivery of both on-site and off-site
programming of youth environmental education programs. In cooperation
with local teachers, a formal wetland and grassland conservation
curriculum will be designed for targeted grade levels and meet local
and State standards. Emphasis will be placed on developing education
partnerships with Spirit Lake Nation schools and agencies. The Refuges
limited fishery will be used for educational programs only. Visitor,
facility, and wildlife safety will be improved through regular routine
patrols during peak and off-peak public use. A comprehensive cultural
resource survey of the Refuge will be completed in partnership with
other agencies and organizations. Four full-time staff will be
recruited to expand, develop, and conduct biological, visitor services,
law enforcement, and maintenance programs.
The Service is furnishing this Notice to advise other agencies and
the public of the availability of the Final Plan, to provide
information on the desired conditions for the Refuges, and to detail
how the Service will implement management strategies. Based on the
review and evaluation of the information contained in the EA, the
Regional Director has determined that implementation of the Final Plan
does not constitute a major Federal action that would significantly
affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of
Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act. Therefore,
an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared.
Dated: December 23, 2008.
Noreen E. Walsh,
Deputy Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the
Federal Register on April 8, 2009.
[FR Doc. E9-8328 Filed 4-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
