Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, Terrebonne Parish, LA, 66673-66674 [E9-29866]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 240 / Wednesday, December 16, 2009 / Notices NWR for the next 15 years. Alternative C is the foundation for the CCP. The compatibility determinations for upland game hunting, fishing/boating, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation, bicycling, research, exotic and nuisance wildlife control, forest management—commercial timber harvest, 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. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Comments Approximately 120 copies of the Draft CCP/EA were made available for a 30day public review period as announced in the Federal Register May 4, 2009 (74 FR 20495). Written comments were received from local citizens and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Selected Alternative After considering the comments we received, we have selected Alternative C for implementation. Our primary focus under Alternative C will be to increase overall wildlife and habitat diversity. Although waterfowl will remain a focus of management, wetland habitat manipulations will also consider the needs of multiple species, such as marsh and wading birds. We will more actively manage upland forests and fields for neotropical migratory birds. Landscape level consideration of habitat management will include a diversity of open fields, upland and wetland forests, and additional wetlands. Upland loblolly pine plantations (e.g., relic VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:18 Dec 15, 2009 Jkt 220001 industrial forests) will be heavily thinned to encourage multi-strata vegetation composition and hardwood interspersion. More xeric loblolly pine plantations will be converted to longleaf pine savannas and subjected to frequent growing season prescribed fires to favor warm season grasses and forbs and the potential reintroduction of red-cockaded woodpeckers in the ACE Basin Project Area. Multiple species consideration will include species and habitats identified by the South Atlantic Migratory Bird Initiative and the State’s Strategic Conservation Plan. This alternative will expand our monitoring of migratory neotropical and breeding songbirds and other resident species. Monitoring efforts will be increased with the assistance of additional staff, trained volunteers, and academic researchers. Greater effort will be made to recruit academic researchers to the refuge to study and monitor refuge resources. Hunting and fishing will continue to be allowed on the refuge. However, hunting will be managed with a greater focus on achieving biological needs of the refuge, such as deer population management and feral hog elimination. Education and interpretation will continue, but with additional education and outreach efforts aimed at the importance of landscape ecology and diversity. A much broader effort will be made with outreach to nearby developing urban communities and a growing human population. The refuge will be staffed the same as the 2008 staffing model to enhance all refuge services and management programs. We will place greater emphasis on recruiting and training volunteers, and expanding workercamper opportunities to facilitate maintenance programs and other refuge goals and objectives. We will actively seek funding for research needs. We will place greater emphasis on developing and maintaining active partnerships, including seeking grants to assist the refuge in reaching primary objectives. Alternative C is considered to be the most effective for meeting the purposes of the refuge by conserving, restoring, and managing the refuge’s habitats and wildlife, while optimizing wildlifedependent public uses. Alternative C will best achieve national, ecosystem, and refuge-specific goals and objectives and it positively addresses significant issues and concerns expressed by the public. 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 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66673 Dated: September 30, 2009. Jacquelyn B. Parrish, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. E9–29869 Filed 12–15–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–R–2009–N172; 40136–1265–0000– S3] Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, Terrebonne Parish, LA 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 Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the CCP by writing to: Mr. Paul Yakupzack, Refuge Manager, Mandalay NWR, 3599 Bayou Black Drive, Houma, LA 70360. You may also access and download the document from the Service’s Web 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 finalize the CCP process for Mandalay NWR. We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register on March 19, 2007 (72 FR 12811). For more about the process, see that notice. . Mandalay NWR, approximately 5 miles west of Houma, Louisiana, was established on May 2, 1996, with the purchase of 4,416 acres under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The refuge, predominately freshwater marsh and cypress-tupelo swamp, provides excellent habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and neotropical migratory songbirds. We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and FONSI for Mandalay NWR in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1 66674 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 240 / Wednesday, December 16, 2009 / Notices (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 Mandalay NWR for the next 15 years. The compatibility determinations for boating, recreational fishing, recreational hunting, wildlife observation/photography, control of mammals (nutria) and alligators, and environmental education/interpretation are 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 every15 years in accordance with the Administration Act. Comments Approximately 100 copies of the Draft CCP/EA were made available for a 30day public review period as announced in the Federal Register on May 28, 2009 (74 FR 25577). We received 11 comments from local citizens, the Safari Club, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. Selected Alternative After considering the comments we received, and based on the professional judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative B to implement the CCP. The primary focus of the CCP is to optimize migratory bird and resident wildlife habitats. We consider Alternative B to be the most effective for meeting the purposes of the refuge by maintaining and enhancing a diversity of habitats for a variety of fish and wildlife species, enhancing resident wildlife populations, restoring wetlands, and providing opportunities for a variety of compatible wildlifedependent recreation, education, and interpretive activities. Authority This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105–57. Dated: August 24, 2009. Patrick Leonard, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. E9–29866 Filed 12–15–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R9-IA-2009-N258] [96300-1671-0000-P5] ACTION: Notice of issuance of permits. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have issued the following permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species and/ or marine mammals. ADDRESSES: Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written request for a copy of such documents to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 212, Arlington, Virginia 22203; fax 703-358-2281. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Division of Management Authority, telephone 703-358-2104. Notice is hereby given that on the dates below, as authorized by the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and/ or the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Service issued the requested permits subject to certain conditions set forth therein. For each permit for an endangered species, the Service found that (1) the application was filed in good faith, (2) the granted permit would not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species, and (3) the granted permit would be consistent with the purposes and policy set forth in Section 2 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.Endangered Species SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Issuance of Permits AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ENDANGERED SPECIES srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Permit number 179638 206026 207047 213672 216076 216464 216468 218607 219116 220562 220718 221391 221404 222050 222864 .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... VerDate Nov<24>2008 Receipt of application Federal Register notice Applicant Samuel K. Wasser/University of Washington ........................ Earl E. Wismer ....................................................................... Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project ....................... James L. Scull, Jr. .................................................................. William R. Morgan, III ............................................................. Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project ....................... Donald E. Coon ...................................................................... Philadelphia Zoo ..................................................................... Jon L. Blocker ........................................................................ Richard R. Arend .................................................................... James R. Boyd ....................................................................... Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission ................. Ralph D. Miller ........................................................................ Mark Peterson ........................................................................ Joe B. Tinney ......................................................................... 16:18 Dec 15, 2009 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 74 Sfmt 4703 FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR Permit issuance date 41454; August 17, 2009 ........... 37241; July 28, 2009 ................ 28523; June 16, 2009 ............... 32192; July 7, 2009 .................. 32192; July 7, 2009 .................. 37240; July 28, 2009 ................ 32192; July 7, 2009 .................. 37240; July 28, 2009 ................ 37240; July 28, 2009 ................ 49017; September 25, 2009 ..... 40230; August 11, 2009 ........... 46222; September 8, 2009 ....... 221404; September 8, 2009 ..... 46222; September 8, 2009 ....... 49017; September 25, 2009 ..... October 9, 2009 November 5, 2009 November 6, 2009 August 28, 2009 August 28, 2009 November 6, 2009 August 28, 2009 November 4, 2009 August 28, 2009 October 26, 2009 October 16, 2009 November 5, 2009 October 15, 2009 October 15, 2009 November 2, 2009 E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66673-66674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29866]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2009-N172; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, Terrebonne Parish, LA

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 Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In the final 
CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the CCP by writing to: Mr. Paul 
Yakupzack, Refuge Manager, Mandalay NWR, 3599 Bayou Black Drive, Houma, 
LA 70360. You may also access and download the document from the 
Service's Web 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 finalize the CCP process for Mandalay NWR. We 
started this process through a notice in the Federal Register on March 
19, 2007 (72 FR 12811). For more about the process, see that notice. .
    Mandalay NWR, approximately 5 miles west of Houma, Louisiana, was 
established on May 2, 1996, with the purchase of 4,416 acres under the 
authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929 and the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973. The refuge, predominately freshwater 
marsh and cypress-tupelo swamp, provides excellent habitat for 
waterfowl, wading birds, and neotropical migratory songbirds.
    We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and 
FONSI for Mandalay NWR in accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act

[[Page 66674]]

(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 
Mandalay NWR for the next 15 years.
    The compatibility determinations for boating, recreational fishing, 
recreational hunting, wildlife observation/photography, control of 
mammals (nutria) and alligators, and environmental education/
interpretation are 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 every15 years in accordance with the Administration 
Act.

Comments

    Approximately 100 copies of the Draft CCP/EA were made available 
for a 30-day public review period as announced in the Federal Register 
on May 28, 2009 (74 FR 25577). We received 11 comments from local 
citizens, the Safari Club, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 
Fisheries, and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

Selected Alternative

    After considering the comments we received, and based on the 
professional judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative B 
to implement the CCP. The primary focus of the CCP is to optimize 
migratory bird and resident wildlife habitats. We consider Alternative 
B to be the most effective for meeting the purposes of the refuge by 
maintaining and enhancing a diversity of habitats for a variety of fish 
and wildlife species, enhancing resident wildlife populations, 
restoring wetlands, and providing opportunities for a variety of 
compatible wildlife-dependent recreation, education, and interpretive 
activities.

Authority

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

    Dated: August 24, 2009.
Patrick Leonard,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E9-29866 Filed 12-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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