Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, Stewart County, TN, 55851-55853 [E9-26055]

Download as PDF 55851 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 208 / Thursday, October 29, 2009 / Notices Title of Proposal: Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) Quarterly and Annual Performance Reporting. OMB Approval Number: 2506–0186. Form Numbers: None. Description of the Need for the Information and its Proposed Use: Quarterly and annual reports to monitor grantees and sub-grantees receiving Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Programs as well as to report aggregate data to HUD staff, other Federal agencies, the Congress, the Officer of Management and Budget, and the public. Frequency of Submission: Quarterly, Annually. Number of respondents Annual responses 780 3.07 Reporting Burden .............................................................................. Total Estimated Burden Hours: 261,072. Status: Revision of a currently approved collection. Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as amended. Dated: October 23, 2009. Lillian Deitzer, Departmental Reports Management Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E9–26119 Filed 10–28–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–5281–N–81] Public Housing Reform Act: Changes to Admission and Occupancy Requirements AGENCY: Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described below has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal. The purpose of this information collection is to extend the admission and occupancy requirements put in place by the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA). DATES: Comments Due Date: November 30, 2009. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB approval Number (2577–0230) and should be sent to: HUD Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; fax: 202–395–5806. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lillian Deitzer, Reports Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410; email Lillian Deitzer at Lillian_L._Deitzer@HUD.gov or telephone (202) 402–8048. This is not a toll-free number. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Deitzer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice informs the public that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has submitted to OMB a request for approval of the Information collection described below. This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affecting agencies Hours per response 4,113 1 Total Estimated Burden Hours: 102,825. Status: Extension of a currently approved collection. Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as amended. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Dated: October 22, 2009. Lillian Deitzer, Departmental Reports Management Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E9–26129 Filed 10–28–09; 8:45 am] Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, Stewart County, TN Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–R–2009–N150; 40136–1265–0000– S3] AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. × Hours per response 25 15:20 Oct 28, 2009 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 261,072 = Burden hours 102,825 ACTION: Notice of availability: Final comprehensive conservation plan and finding of no significant impact. SUMMARY: We, the 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 for Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In the final CCP, we describe how we BILLING CODE 4210–67–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 Burden hours concerning the proposed collection of information to: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. This notice also lists the following information: Title of Proposal: Public Housing Reform Act: Changes to Admission and Occupancy Requirements. OMB Approval Number: 2577–0230. Form Numbers: None. Description of the Need for the Information and Its Proposed Use: The purpose of this information collection is to extend the admission and occupancy requirements put in place by the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA). Frequency of Submission: On occasion, Other Per applicant. Annual responses Reporting Burden .............................................................................. = 108.78 Number of respondents dcolon on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES × E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1 55852 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 208 / Thursday, October 29, 2009 / Notices will manage this refuge for the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: A copy of the CCP may be obtained by writing to: Mr. Richard Hines, Refuge Manager, Cross Creeks NWR, 643 Wildlife Road, Dover, TN 37058. The CCP may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service’s Web site: https://southeast.fws.gov/planning/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Dawson; telephone: 601/965– 4903, Extension 20; fax: 601/965–4010. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: dcolon on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Cross Creeks NWR. We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register on January 3, 2007 (72 FR 143). For more about the process, see that notice. Cross Creeks NWR was established on November 9, 1962, when a Memorandum of Agreement between the Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) was signed. The creation of Cross Creeks NWR was mitigation for waterfowl habitat lost due to the flooding of the former Kentucky Woodlands NWR. This flooding occurred as a result of the creation of Lake Barkley Reservoir, a project of the Corps, in 1954. Public Land Order 4560 formally transferred land rights of Cross Creek NWR to the Service. The refuge’s name originates from the intersection of North Cross Creek and South Cross Creek on the refuge. Cross Creeks NWR currently is 8,862 acres in size. The mixture of open water, wetlands, woodlands, croplands, and grasslands creates a mosaic of wildliferich habitats. The refuge provides valuable wintering habitat for migrating waterfowl and bald eagles. It also provides habitat and protection for threatened and endangered species, such as gray bats, Indiana bats, and least terns. Cross Creeks NWR stretches 12 miles on either side of the Lake Barkley Reservoir and the Cumberland River between the cities of Dover and Cumberland, Tennessee. This river creates a north side and a south side of the refuge. The reservoir and refuge are on the middle transition portion of the Cumberland River between Cheatham Dam and Barkley Dam. The Corps operates Lake Barkley ‘‘primarily for flood control, hydropower, and navigation, as well as secondary purposes of recreation, water quality, water supply, and fish and wildlife habitat.’’ Multiple local roads cross the refuge, which receives approximately 45,000 visitors annually. Residents and non- VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:20 Oct 28, 2009 Jkt 220001 residents generate $1.8 million in expenditures annually. Cross Creeks NWR is in the Tennessee-Kentucky portion of the Mississippi Flyway. Peak wintering populations of ducks reached more than 108,000 in the mid-1990s. Recently, duck populations have peaked at 35,000–50,000. Canada geese peak wintering populations reached over 73,000 twice in the early to mid-1990s. However, recent wintering populations are 4,000–5,000, with an average of 15,000 during the period 1997–2003. We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and FONSI for Cross Creeks NWR in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [40 CFR 1506.6(b)] requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, which we included in the draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA). The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Cross Creeks NWR for the next 15 years. Alternative D is the foundation for the CCP. The compatibility determinations for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation, boating, and cooperative farming are also available in the CCP. Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 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 plan 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 every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act. Comments We solicited comments on the Draft CCP/EA for Cross Creeks NWR as announced in the Federal Register on PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 May 1, 2009 (74 FR 20333). Five public comments were received. Selected Alternative After considering the comments we received and based on the professional judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative D to implement the CCP. This alternative is judged to be the most effective management action for meeting the purposes of the refuge by optimizing habitat management and visitor services throughout the refuge. Over the life of the CCP, Alternative D will balance an enhanced wildlife management program, with increased opportunities for public use. Wildlife and habitat management, as well as public use activities, will increase under this alternative. Under this alternative, we will pursue the same five broad refuge goals as each of the other alternatives. We will provide foraging habitats to meet the needs of 33,100 to 44,400 ducks (25 percent more than Alternative A) for 110 days and other habitats that are needed for loafing, roosting, molting, and other needs. We will also provide adequate foraging habitat to meet the needs of 15,400 migratory Canada geese for 90 days, but will evaluate the need for foraging habitat every 5 years and adjust accordingly. We will continue to provide sanctuary, as under Alternative A, backed up by increased enforcement to reduce illegal disturbance and trespass. In addition, we will seek opportunities for limited wildlife observation within the sanctuary. We will provide 20 to 50 properly located and maintained nesting boxes, brood rearing habitat, and feeding areas throughout the refuge. We will determine the status of priority marsh bird species on the refuge. Alternative D also calls for determining the status of shorebirds on the refuge and implementing active shorebird management on at least one impoundment during fall migration. We will develop additional partnerships with other agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public in efforts to inventory shorebirds, colonial nesting waterbirds, and landbirds, and to possibly assist in certain habitat management activities. Under Alternative D, development of a baseline colonial waterbird inventory through systematic surveys will occur. We will develop and implement baseline inventories for non-game mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. We will manage game populations to maximize quality hunting opportunities while maintaining habitat for Federal trust species. We will continue to E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1 dcolon on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 208 / Thursday, October 29, 2009 / Notices protect all Federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act and will use partners and volunteers (when necessary) to determine the distribution and abundance of all listed species. When necessary, control of invasive animal species using approved techniques to help achieve refuge conservation goals and objectives will occur. Alternative D will focus water management within the impoundments on migratory birds for the duration of the CCP. We will accomplish this by providing adequate and reliable flooded habitat throughout the refuge and assuring that water management capability can distribute water in a timely manner. We will make a concerted effort to accommodate sport fishing opportunities where and when circumstances allow. Alternative D calls for expanding efforts to improve the moist-soil management program on at least 300 acres by expanding the invasive plant control program, water management capabilities, and the use of management techniques that set back plant succession. We will also make a concerted effort to accommodate sport fishing opportunities where and when circumstances allow. Increasing the acreage of other habitats, such as mudflats, native submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation, flooded woodlands, beaver ponds, and open water that provides food resources, as well as habitats for loafing, resting, roosting, and molting, will occur under Alternative D. We will develop and begin to implement a Forest Management Plan to benefit nesting and migratory birds. For the duration of the CCP, we will explore possibilities of managing for scrubshrub habitat to benefit certain birds in suitable locations on the refuge. We will explore the potential benefits of planting and managing native warm season grasses on formerly farmed fields (up to 75 percent of existing cultivated acreage). Over the lifetime of the CCP, we will gradually phase out cooperative farming in favor of force-account or contract farming of wheat, corn, milo, and millet on 600 acres to meet wildlife foraging objectives. We will control invasive species through active methods of removal. These methods will work towards reducing the infestation and eliminating populations whenever feasible. We will also extend control efforts to include Eurasian water milfoil and develop partnerships with other agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the public in these control efforts. VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:20 Oct 28, 2009 Jkt 220001 Within 5 years, we will draft, approve, and begin to implement a new Visitor Services Plan, using the current format as a guide. We will provide quality fishing and compatible waterrelated recreation programs on 3,260 acres of the refuge by furnishing adequate launching facilities, bank fishing areas, and, based on availability of funding, at least one ADA-compliant pier to accommodate anglers of all abilities. We will develop and begin to implement a Cultural Resources Management Plan. Throughout the life of the CCP, we will manage game populations to maximize quality hunting opportunities while maintaining habitat for Federal trust species. We will continue to provide environmental education services to the public, including visits to schools, environmental education workshops, and onsite and offsite environmental education programs. However, we will also expand the refuge’s role as an outdoor classroom both for students and the general public for Stewart and surrounding counties. We will continue to offer opportunities for wildlife observation and photography throughout the refuge, accessible along the refuge road system from March 16 to November 14, but with the addition of a wildlife observation deck next to the visitor center. Within 5 years, we will explore the feasibility of building a wildlife observation tower near Pool 1. Also within 5 years, we will increase the number of wayside signs and add wildlife signs along the Woodpecker Interpretive Trail, as well as develop an interpretive kiosk at Elk Reservoir. We will maintain the staff of nine fulltime employees, including the refuge manager, park ranger, office assistant, maintenance mechanic, assistant refuge manager, one forester to serve all Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers refuges, one biologist, one law enforcement officer, and one equipment operator. We will replace the now separate visitor center and headquarters with one common building. We will maintain the existing equipment fleet, replacing obsolete equipment as needed. We will add three portable toilets along the road system. Finally, we will install three pumps and will add farm and fire management equipment, such as corn planter, all-terrain vehicles, and pumper truck. Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105–57. PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55853 Dated: August 6, 2009. Michael L. Piccirilli, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. E9–26055 Filed 10–28–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLOR–936000–L14300000–ET0000; HAG– 09–0200; WAOR–7964] Notice of Proposed Withdrawal Extension and Opportunity for Public Meeting; Washington AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The United States Forest Service has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposing to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6833 for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 6833 withdrew approximately 142.90 acres of National Forest System land from all mining activities in order to protect the unique natural and ecological research values at the Wolf Creek Research Natural Area. The withdrawal created by PLO No. 6833 will expire on March 20, 2011, unless extended. This notice gives the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting. DATES: Comments and requests for a public meeting must be received by January 27, 2010. ADDRESSES: Comments and meeting requests should be sent to the Oregon/ Washington State Director, BLM, P.O. Box 2965, Portland, Oregon 97208– 2965. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory B. Graham, OkanoganWenatchee National Forest, (509)–664– 9262, or Charles R. Roy, BLM Oregon/ Washington State Office, (503)–808– 6189. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Forest Service has filed an application requesting that the Secretary of the Interior extend PLO No. 6833 (56 FR 11940 (1991)), which withdrew certain lands in Okanogan County, Washington from all mining activities, for an additional 20 years, subject to valid existing rights. The area described contains approximately 142.90 acres in Okanogan County. PLO No. 6833 is incorporated herein by reference. The purpose of the proposed withdrawal extension is to continue the protection of the unique natural and E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 208 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55851-55853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26055]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2009-N150; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, Stewart County, TN

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability: Final comprehensive conservation plan 
and finding of no significant impact.

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

SUMMARY: We, the 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 for Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In the 
final CCP, we describe how we

[[Page 55852]]

will manage this refuge for the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the CCP may be obtained by writing to: Mr. Richard 
Hines, Refuge Manager, Cross Creeks NWR, 643 Wildlife Road, Dover, TN 
37058. The CCP may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service's 
Web site: https://southeast.fws.gov/planning/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Dawson; telephone: 601/965-
4903, Extension 20; fax: 601/965-4010.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Cross Creeks NWR. 
We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register on 
January 3, 2007 (72 FR 143). For more about the process, see that 
notice.
    Cross Creeks NWR was established on November 9, 1962, when a 
Memorandum of Agreement between the Service and the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers (Corps) was signed. The creation of Cross Creeks NWR was 
mitigation for waterfowl habitat lost due to the flooding of the former 
Kentucky Woodlands NWR. This flooding occurred as a result of the 
creation of Lake Barkley Reservoir, a project of the Corps, in 1954. 
Public Land Order 4560 formally transferred land rights of Cross Creek 
NWR to the Service.
    The refuge's name originates from the intersection of North Cross 
Creek and South Cross Creek on the refuge. Cross Creeks NWR currently 
is 8,862 acres in size. The mixture of open water, wetlands, woodlands, 
croplands, and grasslands creates a mosaic of wildlife-rich habitats. 
The refuge provides valuable wintering habitat for migrating waterfowl 
and bald eagles. It also provides habitat and protection for threatened 
and endangered species, such as gray bats, Indiana bats, and least 
terns.
    Cross Creeks NWR stretches 12 miles on either side of the Lake 
Barkley Reservoir and the Cumberland River between the cities of Dover 
and Cumberland, Tennessee. This river creates a north side and a south 
side of the refuge. The reservoir and refuge are on the middle 
transition portion of the Cumberland River between Cheatham Dam and 
Barkley Dam. The Corps operates Lake Barkley ``primarily for flood 
control, hydropower, and navigation, as well as secondary purposes of 
recreation, water quality, water supply, and fish and wildlife 
habitat.''
    Multiple local roads cross the refuge, which receives approximately 
45,000 visitors annually. Residents and non-residents generate $1.8 
million in expenditures annually.
    Cross Creeks NWR is in the Tennessee-Kentucky portion of the 
Mississippi Flyway. Peak wintering populations of ducks reached more 
than 108,000 in the mid-1990s. Recently, duck populations have peaked 
at 35,000-50,000. Canada geese peak wintering populations reached over 
73,000 twice in the early to mid-1990s. However, recent wintering 
populations are 4,000-5,000, with an average of 15,000 during the 
period 1997-2003.
    We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and 
FONSI for Cross Creeks NWR in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [40 CFR 1506.6(b)] requirements. We 
completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, 
which we included in the draft comprehensive conservation plan and 
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA). The CCP will guide us in 
managing and administering Cross Creeks NWR for the next 15 years. 
Alternative D is the foundation for the CCP.
    The compatibility determinations for hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, environmental education and 
interpretation, boating, and cooperative farming are also available in 
the CCP.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 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 plan 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 wildlife-dependent 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 every 15 years in accordance with the Administration 
Act.

Comments

    We solicited comments on the Draft CCP/EA for Cross Creeks NWR as 
announced in the Federal Register on May 1, 2009 (74 FR 20333). Five 
public comments were received.

Selected Alternative

    After considering the comments we received and based on the 
professional judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative D 
to implement the CCP. This alternative is judged to be the most 
effective management action for meeting the purposes of the refuge by 
optimizing habitat management and visitor services throughout the 
refuge. Over the life of the CCP, Alternative D will balance an 
enhanced wildlife management program, with increased opportunities for 
public use. Wildlife and habitat management, as well as public use 
activities, will increase under this alternative. Under this 
alternative, we will pursue the same five broad refuge goals as each of 
the other alternatives.
    We will provide foraging habitats to meet the needs of 33,100 to 
44,400 ducks (25 percent more than Alternative A) for 110 days and 
other habitats that are needed for loafing, roosting, molting, and 
other needs. We will also provide adequate foraging habitat to meet the 
needs of 15,400 migratory Canada geese for 90 days, but will evaluate 
the need for foraging habitat every 5 years and adjust accordingly. We 
will continue to provide sanctuary, as under Alternative A, backed up 
by increased enforcement to reduce illegal disturbance and trespass. In 
addition, we will seek opportunities for limited wildlife observation 
within the sanctuary. We will provide 20 to 50 properly located and 
maintained nesting boxes, brood rearing habitat, and feeding areas 
throughout the refuge.
    We will determine the status of priority marsh bird species on the 
refuge. Alternative D also calls for determining the status of 
shorebirds on the refuge and implementing active shorebird management 
on at least one impoundment during fall migration. We will develop 
additional partnerships with other agencies, non-governmental 
organizations, and the public in efforts to inventory shorebirds, 
colonial nesting waterbirds, and landbirds, and to possibly assist in 
certain habitat management activities. Under Alternative D, development 
of a baseline colonial waterbird inventory through systematic surveys 
will occur. We will develop and implement baseline inventories for non-
game mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
    We will manage game populations to maximize quality hunting 
opportunities while maintaining habitat for Federal trust species. We 
will continue to

[[Page 55853]]

protect all Federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act 
and will use partners and volunteers (when necessary) to determine the 
distribution and abundance of all listed species. When necessary, 
control of invasive animal species using approved techniques to help 
achieve refuge conservation goals and objectives will occur.
    Alternative D will focus water management within the impoundments 
on migratory birds for the duration of the CCP. We will accomplish this 
by providing adequate and reliable flooded habitat throughout the 
refuge and assuring that water management capability can distribute 
water in a timely manner. We will make a concerted effort to 
accommodate sport fishing opportunities where and when circumstances 
allow.
    Alternative D calls for expanding efforts to improve the moist-soil 
management program on at least 300 acres by expanding the invasive 
plant control program, water management capabilities, and the use of 
management techniques that set back plant succession. We will also make 
a concerted effort to accommodate sport fishing opportunities where and 
when circumstances allow. Increasing the acreage of other habitats, 
such as mudflats, native submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation, 
flooded woodlands, beaver ponds, and open water that provides food 
resources, as well as habitats for loafing, resting, roosting, and 
molting, will occur under Alternative D.
    We will develop and begin to implement a Forest Management Plan to 
benefit nesting and migratory birds. For the duration of the CCP, we 
will explore possibilities of managing for scrub-shrub habitat to 
benefit certain birds in suitable locations on the refuge. We will 
explore the potential benefits of planting and managing native warm 
season grasses on formerly farmed fields (up to 75 percent of existing 
cultivated acreage). Over the lifetime of the CCP, we will gradually 
phase out cooperative farming in favor of force-account or contract 
farming of wheat, corn, milo, and millet on 600 acres to meet wildlife 
foraging objectives.
    We will control invasive species through active methods of removal. 
These methods will work towards reducing the infestation and 
eliminating populations whenever feasible. We will also extend control 
efforts to include Eurasian water milfoil and develop partnerships with 
other agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public in these 
control efforts.
    Within 5 years, we will draft, approve, and begin to implement a 
new Visitor Services Plan, using the current format as a guide. We will 
provide quality fishing and compatible water-related recreation 
programs on 3,260 acres of the refuge by furnishing adequate launching 
facilities, bank fishing areas, and, based on availability of funding, 
at least one ADA-compliant pier to accommodate anglers of all 
abilities. We will develop and begin to implement a Cultural Resources 
Management Plan.
    Throughout the life of the CCP, we will manage game populations to 
maximize quality hunting opportunities while maintaining habitat for 
Federal trust species. We will continue to provide environmental 
education services to the public, including visits to schools, 
environmental education workshops, and onsite and offsite environmental 
education programs. However, we will also expand the refuge's role as 
an outdoor classroom both for students and the general public for 
Stewart and surrounding counties.
    We will continue to offer opportunities for wildlife observation 
and photography throughout the refuge, accessible along the refuge road 
system from March 16 to November 14, but with the addition of a 
wildlife observation deck next to the visitor center. Within 5 years, 
we will explore the feasibility of building a wildlife observation 
tower near Pool 1. Also within 5 years, we will increase the number of 
wayside signs and add wildlife signs along the Woodpecker Interpretive 
Trail, as well as develop an interpretive kiosk at Elk Reservoir.
    We will maintain the staff of nine fulltime employees, including 
the refuge manager, park ranger, office assistant, maintenance 
mechanic, assistant refuge manager, one forester to serve all Tennessee 
and Cumberland Rivers refuges, one biologist, one law enforcement 
officer, and one equipment operator. We will replace the now separate 
visitor center and headquarters with one common building. We will 
maintain the existing equipment fleet, replacing obsolete equipment as 
needed. We will add three portable toilets along the road system. 
Finally, we will install three pumps and will add farm and fire 
management equipment, such as corn planter, all-terrain vehicles, and 
pumper truck.

    Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 
105-57.

    Dated: August 6, 2009.
Michael L. Piccirilli,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E9-26055 Filed 10-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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