Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Adams and Grant Counties, WA, 25576-25577 [E9-12390]
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25576
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 101 / Thursday, May 28, 2009 / Notices
Number of annual
respondents
Activity
Number of annual
responses
Completion time
per response
Annual burden
hours
50 CFR 100.19 - Special Actions Request .............................
50 CFR 100.20 - Requests for Reconsideration .....................
50 CFR 100.25-27 - Traditional/Cultural/Educational Permits
and Reports.
50 CFR 100.25-27 -Fishwheel, Fyke Net, and Under Ice Permits and Reports.
25
3
20
25
3
20
30 minutes .......
4 hours ............
30 minutes .......
13
12
10
8
8
15 minutes .......
2
Totals ................................................................................
6,307
6,307
.....................
1,622
III. Request for Comments
We invite comments concerning this
IC 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. We will include and/or
summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this IC. 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 comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Dated: May 20, 2009
Hope Grey,
Information Collection Clearance Officer,
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E9–12399 Filed 5–27–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–S
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R1–R–2009–N0050; 1265–0000–
10137–S3]
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge,
Adams and Grant Counties, WA
AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a
comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment;
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:11 May 27, 2009
Jkt 217001
announcement of a public open house
meeting; request for comments.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation
plan (CCP) for the Columbia National
Wildlife Refuge (refuge) located in
Adams and Grant Counties,
Washington. We will also prepare an
environmental assessment (EA) to
evaluate the potential effects of various
CCP alternatives. This notice also
announces a public open house
meeting; see SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for the details. We issue
this notice in compliance with our CCP
policy to advise the public and other
agencies of our intentions and to obtain
suggestions and information on the
scope of issues we will consider during
the CCP planning process.
DATES: Please provide written comments
by July 13, 2009. A public open house
meeting will be held on June 16, 2009.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for
details.
ADDRESSES: Additional information
concerning the refuge and the CCP is
available on the Internet at https://
www.fws.gov/mcriver/. Send your
comments or requests for more
information to us as follows:
• Mail: Columbia National Wildlife
Refuge Comments, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 64 Maple Street,
Burbank, WA 99323.
• Fax: (509) 488–0705.
• E-mail: mcriver@fws.gov. Include
‘‘Columbia NWR CCP Scoping
Comments’’ in the subject line of the
message. If you would like to be added
to the refuge’s CCP mailing list, please
include your mailing address and
specify whether you want to receive a
hard copy or CD–ROM of the draft and
final plans.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Randy Hill, Columbia National Wildlife
Refuge, telephone (509) 488–2668.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
National Wildlife Refuge System
(Refuge System) Administration Act of
1966, as amended by the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee),
PO 00000
Frm 00098
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
requires us to develop a CCP for each
national wildlife refuge and to update it
every 15 years. The purpose of
developing a CCP is to provide refuge
managers a 15-year strategy for
achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the
Refuge System consistent with sound
principles of fish and wildlife
management, conservation, legal
mandates, and our policies. In addition
to outlining broad management
direction for conserving refuge wildlife
and habitats, we also identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public that are
compatible with the refuge’s
establishing purposes and the mission
of the Refuge System. These
opportunities include hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography,
environmental education and
interpretation.
We will prepare an EA in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA Regulations
(40 CFR parts 1500–1508); other
appropriate Federal laws and
regulations; and our policies and
procedures for compliance with those
laws and regulations.
Each unit of the Refuge System is
established to fulfill specific purposes.
We use these purposes to develop and
prioritize management goals and
objectives within the Refuge System
mission and to guide which public uses
will occur on a refuge.
Public Involvement
As part of the CCP planning process,
we will provide opportunities for the
public, refuge neighbors, interested
individuals and organizations, Tribes,
elected officials, and local, State, and
Federal government and nongovernment
stakeholders and partners to participate
in our planning process. At this time,
we are requesting input in the form of
issues, concerns, ideas and suggestions
for the future management of the
Columbia Refuge.
E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM
28MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 101 / Thursday, May 28, 2009 / Notices
Information About CCPs
During the CCP planning process, we
will consider many elements of refuge
management, including wildlife,
habitat, and visitor services
management. Public input during the
planning process is essential. The CCP
will describe the refuge purposes and
desired conditions for the refuge and the
long-term conservation goals, objectives
and strategies for fulfilling refuge
purposes and achieving desired
conditions.
Refuge Overview
Columbia Refuge was established ‘‘as
a refuge and breeding ground for
migratory birds and other wildlife,’’ and
‘‘for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for
any other management purpose, for
migratory birds.’’ It fills an important
role in the management of mallard,
northern pintail, and lesser Canada
goose populations during migration and
wintering periods, and is the primary
migratory stopover area for the Pacific
Coast population of the lesser sandhill
crane. The refuge covers almost 30,000
acres in the arid Columbia Basin of
south-central Washington State
straddling Crab Creek, between Potholes
Reservoir and the Columbia River in
both Grant and Adams Counties. The
refuge is divided into six management
units primarily arranged according to
land type. Most of the refuge is within
the Drumheller Channels National
Natural Landmark. It is also located
along the Pacific Flyway and has
become a particularly important stopover and wintering ground for migratory
birds and waterfowl. In addition,
cackling geese, sandhill cranes, and
neotropical birds consume the refuge’s
grain crops. Birds of prey, such as redtailed hawks, hunt for rodents and other
small mammals living in the refuge’s
agricultural fields.
Various visitor services and activities
take place on the refuge, including
hiking, boating, fishing, hunting,
wildlife observation and photography,
nature and cultural resources
interpretation, and environmental
education.
• How can we protect refuge habitats
from invasive species, wildfire risks,
over-grazing, vandalism, and other
disturbances and threats, and restore
habitat values?
• Which compatible wildlifedependent recreation opportunities on
the refuge should be expanded,
developed, or modified?
• What are the refuge’s land
acquisition priorities within its
approved boundary, and should
boundary expansion be considered?
• How can we meet refuge staffing
needs?
Public Open House Meeting
A public open house meeting will be
held on June 16, 2009, from 5:30 p.m.
to 8 p.m. in the City of Othello’s
Municipal Building (City Hall), City
Council Chambers, 500 East Main
Street, Othello, WA 99344, to provide
information on the CCP and receive
public comments. Opportunities for
public input will be announced
throughout the CCP planning process.
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 comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
All comments and materials we
receive from individuals on our NEPA
documents become part of the official
public record. We will handle requests
for such comments in accordance with
the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA,
and Department of the Interior and
Service policies and procedures.
Dated: May 19, 2009.
Don Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland,
Oregon.
[FR Doc. E9–12390 Filed 5–27–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Preliminary Issues and Concerns
We have identified the following
preliminary issues, concerns, and
opportunities that we may address in
the CCP. We may identify additional
issues during public scoping.
• How can we best protect and restore
populations of priority species on the
refuge?
• How can we best achieve optimal
habitat conditions on the refuge for
priority species?
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:11 May 27, 2009
Jkt 217001
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R4–R–2009–N0075; 40136–1265–
0000–S3]
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge,
Terrebonne Parish, LA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
PO 00000
Frm 00099
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
25577
ACTION: Notice of availability: draft
comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment; request for
comments.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft comprehensive
conservation plan and environmental
assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR) for public review and comment.
In this Draft CCP/EA, we describe the
alternative we propose to use to manage
this refuge for the 15 years following
approval of the final CCP.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we
must receive your written comments by
June 29, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send comments, questions,
and requests for information to: Mr.
Paul Yakupzack, Refuge Manager,
Mandalay NWR, 3599 Bayou Black
Drive, Houma, LA 70360. The Draft
CCP/EA is available on compact disk or
in hard copy. The Draft CCP/EA may
also be accessed and downloaded from
the Service’s Internet Site: https://
southeast.fws.gov/planning/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Paul Yakupzack; telephone: 985/853–
1078; fax: 985/853–1079; e-mail:
paul_yakupzack@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP
process for Mandalay NWR. We started
this process through a notice in the
Federal Register on March 19, 2007 (72
FR 12811).
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee) (Improvement Act),
which amended 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
provide refuge managers with a 15-year
strategy for achieving refuge purposes
and contributing toward the mission of
the National Wildlife Refuge System,
consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation,
legal mandates, and our policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and
their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and environmental
education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least
E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM
28MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 101 (Thursday, May 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25576-25577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12390]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2009-N0050; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Adams and Grant Counties, WA
AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; announcement of a public open house
meeting; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the Columbia
National Wildlife Refuge (refuge) located in Adams and Grant Counties,
Washington. We will also prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to
evaluate the potential effects of various CCP alternatives. This notice
also announces a public open house meeting; see SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for the details. We issue this notice in compliance with
our CCP policy to advise the public and other agencies of our
intentions and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of
issues we will consider during the CCP planning process.
DATES: Please provide written comments by July 13, 2009. A public open
house meeting will be held on June 16, 2009. See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for details.
ADDRESSES: Additional information concerning the refuge and the CCP is
available on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/mcriver/. Send your
comments or requests for more information to us as follows:
Mail: Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Comments, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 64 Maple Street, Burbank, WA 99323.
Fax: (509) 488-0705.
E-mail: mcriver@fws.gov. Include ``Columbia NWR CCP
Scoping Comments'' in the subject line of the message. If you would
like to be added to the refuge's CCP mailing list, please include your
mailing address and specify whether you want to receive a hard copy or
CD-ROM of the draft and final plans.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randy Hill, Columbia National Wildlife
Refuge, telephone (509) 488-2668.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge
System) Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), requires
us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge and to update it
every 15 years. The purpose of developing a CCP is to provide refuge
managers a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the Refuge System consistent with
sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal
mandates, and our policies. In addition to outlining broad management
direction for conserving refuge wildlife and habitats, we also identify
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public
that are compatible with the refuge's establishing purposes and the
mission of the Refuge System. These opportunities include hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education
and interpretation.
We will prepare an EA in accordance with the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws
and regulations; and our policies and procedures for compliance with
those laws and regulations.
Each unit of the Refuge System is established to fulfill specific
purposes. We use these purposes to develop and prioritize management
goals and objectives within the Refuge System mission and to guide
which public uses will occur on a refuge.
Public Involvement
As part of the CCP planning process, we will provide opportunities
for the public, refuge neighbors, interested individuals and
organizations, Tribes, elected officials, and local, State, and Federal
government and nongovernment stakeholders and partners to participate
in our planning process. At this time, we are requesting input in the
form of issues, concerns, ideas and suggestions for the future
management of the Columbia Refuge.
[[Page 25577]]
Information About CCPs
During the CCP planning process, we will consider many elements of
refuge management, including wildlife, habitat, and visitor services
management. Public input during the planning process is essential. The
CCP will describe the refuge purposes and desired conditions for the
refuge and the long-term conservation goals, objectives and strategies
for fulfilling refuge purposes and achieving desired conditions.
Refuge Overview
Columbia Refuge was established ``as a refuge and breeding ground
for migratory birds and other wildlife,'' and ``for use as an inviolate
sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.''
It fills an important role in the management of mallard, northern
pintail, and lesser Canada goose populations during migration and
wintering periods, and is the primary migratory stopover area for the
Pacific Coast population of the lesser sandhill crane. The refuge
covers almost 30,000 acres in the arid Columbia Basin of south-central
Washington State straddling Crab Creek, between Potholes Reservoir and
the Columbia River in both Grant and Adams Counties. The refuge is
divided into six management units primarily arranged according to land
type. Most of the refuge is within the Drumheller Channels National
Natural Landmark. It is also located along the Pacific Flyway and has
become a particularly important stop-over and wintering ground for
migratory birds and waterfowl. In addition, cackling geese, sandhill
cranes, and neotropical birds consume the refuge's grain crops. Birds
of prey, such as red-tailed hawks, hunt for rodents and other small
mammals living in the refuge's agricultural fields.
Various visitor services and activities take place on the refuge,
including hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, wildlife observation and
photography, nature and cultural resources interpretation, and
environmental education.
Preliminary Issues and Concerns
We have identified the following preliminary issues, concerns, and
opportunities that we may address in the CCP. We may identify
additional issues during public scoping.
How can we best protect and restore populations of
priority species on the refuge?
How can we best achieve optimal habitat conditions on the
refuge for priority species?
How can we protect refuge habitats from invasive species,
wildfire risks, over-grazing, vandalism, and other disturbances and
threats, and restore habitat values?
Which compatible wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities on the refuge should be expanded, developed, or modified?
What are the refuge's land acquisition priorities within
its approved boundary, and should boundary expansion be considered?
How can we meet refuge staffing needs?
Public Open House Meeting
A public open house meeting will be held on June 16, 2009, from
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the City of Othello's Municipal Building (City
Hall), City Council Chambers, 500 East Main Street, Othello, WA 99344,
to provide information on the CCP and receive public comments.
Opportunities for public input will be announced throughout the CCP
planning process.
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 comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
All comments and materials we receive from individuals on our NEPA
documents become part of the official public record. We will handle
requests for such comments in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act, NEPA, and Department of the Interior and Service
policies and procedures.
Dated: May 19, 2009.
Don Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E9-12390 Filed 5-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
