Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Charleston County, SC; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment, 69123-69124 [2010-28340]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 10, 2010 / Notices Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77032, 1 p.m. CST. • Thursday, November 18, 2010, Mobile, Alabama, The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel and Spa, 26 North Royal Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602 1 p.m. CST. The BOEMRE will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Federal, State, local government agencies, and other interested parties are requested to send their written comments on the scope of the SEIS, significant issues that should be addressed, and alternatives that should be considered in one of the following ways: 1. Electronically to the BOEMRE email address: sales218&222@boemre.gov. 2. In written form, delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed in an envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on the Sales 218 and 222 SEIS’’ to the Regional Supervisor, Leasing and Environment (MS 5410), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394. Comments should be submitted no later than December 27, 2010. Dated: November 4, 2010. L. Renee Orr, Acting Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. 2010–28355 Filed 11–9–10; 8:45 am] consideration of certain proposed actions, including permanent roadway closures, the re-design of security elements, and the preservation of the historic landscape within President’s Park South, to include the portion of E Street, NW., between 15th Street and 17th Street, in Washington, DC. The scoping process, public comment period, and public meeting referenced in that notice are now cancelled. DATES: Effective November 10, 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of the National Park Service Liaison to the White House, National Park Service, National Capital Region, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20242, Telephone: (202) 619–6344. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The September 22, 2010, Federal Register notice was published in error. The notice will be reissued when the National Park Service and the United States Secret Service are ready to begin preparation of this NEPA Environmental Assessment, conduct scoping, and receive public comments. In that notice they expect to announce when a public scoping meeting will be held. Comments that have been received to date as a result of the September 22, 2010, Federal Register notice of scoping will be incorporated into this subsequent NEPA process. Dated: October 8, 2010. Lisa Mendelson-Ielmini, Acting Regional Director, National Capital Region. [FR Doc. 2010–28428 Filed 11–9–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–54–P BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service National Park Service [Account No. 3950–SZM] [FWS–R4–R–2010–N176; 40136–1265–0000– S3] Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Project Involving the Area in and Around President’s Park South. Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Charleston County, SC; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Withdrawal of Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment. AGENCY: AGENCY: emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES ACTION: The National Park Service and the United States Secret Service are withdrawing the September 22, 2010, Federal Register notice (75 FR 57811) announcing their intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment and to conduct scoping in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 (NEPA), to aid their SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:25 Nov 09, 2010 Jkt 223001 Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. 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 Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69123 You may obtain a copy of the CCP by writing to: Raye Nilius, Refuge Manager, Cape Romain NWR, 5801 Highway 17 North, Awendaw, SC 29429. The CCP may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service’s Web site: https://southeast.fws.gov/planning/ under ‘‘Final Documents.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raye Nilius; telephone: 843/928–3264. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Cape Romain NWR. We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register on January 3, 2007 (72 FR 141). Established in 1932 as a migratory bird refuge, Cape Romain NWR encompasses a 22-mile segment of the southeast Atlantic coast. The refuge contains 66,267 acres and consists of barrier islands, salt marshes, intricate coastal waterways, sandy beaches, fresh and brackish water impoundments, and maritime forests. Points of interest include Bulls Island, Cape Island, and Lighthouse Island. Two lighthouses, though no longer operational, still stand on Lighthouse Island. The refuge’s original objectives were to conserve in public ownership habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and resident species. In recent years, objectives have expanded to include managing endangered species, protecting the 28,000-acre Class 1 Wilderness Area, and conserving the Bulls Island and Cape Island forests and associated diverse plant communities. Currently, the refuge is actively working to aid in the recovery of the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. Recognizing the high migratory bird benefits and recreational opportunities served by the lands and waters of the refuge, Cape Romain NWR was established under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, the Fish and Wildlife Act, and the Refuge Recreation Act, thus outlining the following primary purposes of these lands and waters: • ‘‘For use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds’’ (16 U.S.C. 715d; Migratory Bird Conservation Act); • ‘‘to conserve and protect migratory birds * * * and other species of wildlife that are listed * * * as endangered species or threatened species and to restore or develop adequate wildlife habitat’’ (16 U.S.C. 715i; Migratory Bird Conservation Act); • ‘‘for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources’’ (16 U.S.C. 742f(a)(4)) ‘‘for the benefit of the United States Fish and E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1 69124 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 10, 2010 / Notices Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services. Such acceptance may be subject to the terms of any restrictive or affirmative covenant, or condition of servitude’’ (16 U.S.C. 742f(b)(1); Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956); • ‘‘suitable for (1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development, (2) the protection of natural resources, and (3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species’’ (16 U.S.C. 406k–2 and 16 U.S.C. 406k–4; Refuge Recreation Act, as amended); • ‘‘so as to provide protection of these areas * * * and to ensure * * * the preservation of their wilderness character’’ (Wilderness Act of 1964; Pub. L. 88–577) We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and FONSI for Cape Romain NWR in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 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) for Cape Romain NWR. The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Cape Romain NWR for the next 15 years. The compatibility determinations for hunting, beach use, environmental education and interpretation, surf fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and bicycling are available in the CCP. emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 6668dd–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 in 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:25 Nov 09, 2010 Jkt 223001 every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act. Comments We made copies of the Draft CCP/EA available for a 30-day public review and comment period via a Federal Register notice on April 30, 2010 (75 FR 22838). We received 16 comments on the Draft CCP/EA. Selected Alternative The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing the refuge. After considering the comments we received, and based on the professional judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative C for implementation. Under Alternative C, greater effort will be placed on increasing overall wildlife and habitat quality. Although management of sea turtles, waterfowl, threatened and endangered species, and migratory birds will remain a focus of the refuge, wetland habitat manipulations will also consider the needs of multiple species, such as marsh and wading birds. Maritime forests and fields for neotropical migratory birds will be more actively managed. Landscape-level consideration of habitats will include identifying areas of importance that will become critical to wildlife as sea level rises and reduces habitat currently available. 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 provide additional monitoring and surveying of migratory neotropical and breeding songbirds, secretive marsh birds, and plants. Monitoring efforts will be increased with the assistance of additional staff, trained volunteers, and academic researchers. Wildlife-dependent recreational uses of the refuge will continue. Hunting and fishing will continue to be allowed; however, hunting will be managed with a greater focus on achieving biological needs of the refuge, such as deer population management. Environmental education and interpretation will continue, with additional education and outreach efforts aimed at the importance of climate change, sea level rise, and wilderness. A significantly greater effort will be made with outreach to nearby developing urban communities and a growing human population. Existing environmental education programs, such as the Earth Stewards Program conducted in concert with the SEWEE Association, the refuge friends group, will be expanded to include additional PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 elementary schools, students, and teachers. The refuge staff will be increased with the addition of a wildlife refuge specialist and two biologists to carry out habitat management and monitoring needs. An additional park ranger will be hired to enhance visitor services and environmental education programs. Greater emphasis will be placed on recruiting and training volunteers, and worker/camper opportunities will be expanded to accomplish maintenance programs and other refuge goals and objectives. The biological programs will actively seek funding and researchers to study primarily management-oriented needs. Greater emphasis will be placed on developing and maintaining active partnerships, including seeking grants to assist the refuge in reaching primary objectives. Authority This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105–57. Dated: September 14, 2010. Mark J. Musaus, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2010–28340 Filed 11–9–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY–923–1310–FI; WYW160109] Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease WYW 160109 Wyoming Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Under the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Craig Settle for competitive oil and gas lease WYW160109 for land in Fremont County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Land Management, Julie L. Weaver, Chief, Fluid Minerals Adjudication, at (307) 775–6176. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lessee has agreed to the amended lease terms for rentals and royalties at rates of $10 per acre, or fraction thereof, per year SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69123-69124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28340]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2010-N176; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Charleston County, SC; 
Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant 
Impact for Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

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 Cape Romain 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: Raye Nilius, 
Refuge Manager, Cape Romain NWR, 5801 Highway 17 North, Awendaw, SC 
29429. The CCP may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service's 
Web site: https://southeast.fws.gov/planning/ under ``Final Documents.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raye Nilius; telephone: 843/928-3264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Cape Romain NWR. 
We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register on 
January 3, 2007 (72 FR 141).
    Established in 1932 as a migratory bird refuge, Cape Romain NWR 
encompasses a 22-mile segment of the southeast Atlantic coast. The 
refuge contains 66,267 acres and consists of barrier islands, salt 
marshes, intricate coastal waterways, sandy beaches, fresh and brackish 
water impoundments, and maritime forests. Points of interest include 
Bulls Island, Cape Island, and Lighthouse Island. Two lighthouses, 
though no longer operational, still stand on Lighthouse Island. The 
refuge's original objectives were to conserve in public ownership 
habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and resident species. In recent 
years, objectives have expanded to include managing endangered species, 
protecting the 28,000-acre Class 1 Wilderness Area, and conserving the 
Bulls Island and Cape Island forests and associated diverse plant 
communities. Currently, the refuge is actively working to aid in the 
recovery of the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. Recognizing the high 
migratory bird benefits and recreational opportunities served by the 
lands and waters of the refuge, Cape Romain NWR was established under 
the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, the Fish and Wildlife Act, and the 
Refuge Recreation Act, thus outlining the following primary purposes of 
these lands and waters:
     ``For use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other 
management purpose, for migratory birds'' (16 U.S.C. 715d; Migratory 
Bird Conservation Act);
     ``to conserve and protect migratory birds * * * and other 
species of wildlife that are listed * * * as endangered species or 
threatened species and to restore or develop adequate wildlife 
habitat'' (16 U.S.C. 715i; Migratory Bird Conservation Act);
     ``for the development, advancement, management, 
conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources'' (16 
U.S.C. 742f(a)(4)) ``for the benefit of the United States Fish and

[[Page 69124]]

Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and services. Such 
acceptance may be subject to the terms of any restrictive or 
affirmative covenant, or condition of servitude'' (16 U.S.C. 
742f(b)(1); Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956);
     ``suitable for (1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented 
recreational development, (2) the protection of natural resources, and 
(3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species'' (16 
U.S.C. 406k-2 and 16 U.S.C. 406k-4; Refuge Recreation Act, as amended);
     ``so as to provide protection of these areas * * * and to 
ensure * * * the preservation of their wilderness character'' 
(Wilderness Act of 1964; Pub. L. 88-577)
    We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and 
FONSI for Cape Romain NWR in accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 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) for Cape Romain NWR. 
The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Cape Romain NWR for 
the next 15 years.
    The compatibility determinations for hunting, beach use, 
environmental education and interpretation, surf fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and bicycling are available in the CCP.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 6668dd-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 in 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 made copies of the Draft CCP/EA available for a 30-day public 
review and comment period via a Federal Register notice on April 30, 
2010 (75 FR 22838). We received 16 comments on the Draft CCP/EA.

Selected Alternative

    The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for 
managing the refuge. After considering the comments we received, and 
based on the professional judgment of the planning team, we selected 
Alternative C for implementation.
    Under Alternative C, greater effort will be placed on increasing 
overall wildlife and habitat quality. Although management of sea 
turtles, waterfowl, threatened and endangered species, and migratory 
birds will remain a focus of the refuge, wetland habitat manipulations 
will also consider the needs of multiple species, such as marsh and 
wading birds. Maritime forests and fields for neotropical migratory 
birds will be more actively managed. Landscape-level consideration of 
habitats will include identifying areas of importance that will become 
critical to wildlife as sea level rises and reduces habitat currently 
available. 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 provide additional monitoring and surveying 
of migratory neotropical and breeding songbirds, secretive marsh birds, 
and plants. Monitoring efforts will be increased with the assistance of 
additional staff, trained volunteers, and academic researchers.
    Wildlife-dependent recreational uses of the refuge will continue. 
Hunting and fishing will continue to be allowed; however, hunting will 
be managed with a greater focus on achieving biological needs of the 
refuge, such as deer population management. Environmental education and 
interpretation will continue, with additional education and outreach 
efforts aimed at the importance of climate change, sea level rise, and 
wilderness. A significantly greater effort will be made with outreach 
to nearby developing urban communities and a growing human population. 
Existing environmental education programs, such as the Earth Stewards 
Program conducted in concert with the SEWEE Association, the refuge 
friends group, will be expanded to include additional elementary 
schools, students, and teachers.
    The refuge staff will be increased with the addition of a wildlife 
refuge specialist and two biologists to carry out habitat management 
and monitoring needs. An additional park ranger will be hired to 
enhance visitor services and environmental education programs. Greater 
emphasis will be placed on recruiting and training volunteers, and 
worker/camper opportunities will be expanded to accomplish maintenance 
programs and other refuge goals and objectives. The biological programs 
will actively seek funding and researchers to study primarily 
management-oriented needs.
    Greater emphasis will be placed on developing and maintaining 
active partnerships, including seeking grants to assist the refuge in 
reaching primary objectives.

Authority

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

    Dated: September 14, 2010.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2010-28340 Filed 11-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.