Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee NWRs, Lee County, FL; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment, 16636-16637 [2011-6939]

Download as PDF 16636 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2011 / Notices 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: March 16, 2011. Ren Lohoefener, Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 2011–6907 Filed 3–23–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–R–2010–N240; 40136–1265–0000– S3] Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee NWRs, Lee County, FL; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: 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 Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee NWRs. In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage these refuges for the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the CCP by writing via U.S. mail to: Mr. Paul Tritaik, Project Leader, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957. Alternatively, you may request a copy by sending email to: DingDarling@fws.gov. The CCP may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service’s Web site: https:// www.fws.gov/southeast/planning/under ‘‘Final Documents.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Tritaik, at 239/472–1100 (telephone) or DingDarling@fws.gov (email); or Ms. Cheri M. Ehrhardt, at 321– 861–2368 (telephone) or DingDarlingCCP@fws.gov (e-mail). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee NWRs. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Mar 23, 2011 Jkt 223001 We started this process through notices in the Federal Register on June 27, 2007 (72 FR 35254) and April 2, 2008 (73 FR 17991). The four refuges currently total about 1,201 acres: Pine Island NWR is 602.24 acres, Matlacha Pass NWR is 538.25 acres, Island Bay NWR is 20.24 acres, and Caloosahatchee NWR is 40 acres. As part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States, these four closed refuges provide for native wildlife and habitat diversity through a mix of habitats, including mangrove islands and shorelines, saltwater marshes and ponds, tidal flats, and upland hardwood forests. They also provide protection for 13 Federal-listed and 25 State-listed species, as well as for wading birds, waterbirds, raptors and birds of prey, neotropical migratory birds, shorebirds, and seabirds. We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and FONSI for Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee NWRs 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 Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee NWRs for the next 15 years. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 May 21, 2010 (75 FR 28643). We received comments from the general public, an organization, and governmental agencies, including State and local agencies and a national estuary program. Comments were also submitted through the State Clearinghouse for State agencies. Selected Alternative After considering the comments we received, we have selected Alternative C for implementation. The primary focus under Alternative C is migratory birds. Implementing Alternative C is expected to result in increased protection for breeding, nesting, resting, roosting, foraging, and migrating birds on these four refuges. Increased information on a variety of species, suites of species, and habitats will enhance decision-making for these refuges. Further benefits will be realized from increased control of exotic, invasive, and nuisance species. We will coordinate with the partners to address concerns related to the impacts from water quality, quantity, and timing of flows and from climate change and sea level rise. Resource protection will be enhanced, including through increased information about cultural resources on the refuges, resolved boundary issues, additional special designations, improved management of the Island Bay Wilderness Area, improved coordination with the partners to increase awareness and understanding of area residents and area visitors of these closed refuges, and minimized impacts from adjacent uses. To achieve this, we will work with governmental and non-governmental partners, area communities, the ‘‘Ding’’ Darling Wildlife Society, and local businesses, and we will pursue the addition of refuge-specific staff to address management concerns. Alternative C is considered to be the most effective for meeting the purposes of the refuges and addressing the priority issues facing each refuge, including increasing and changing human population, development of the landscape, recreational uses and demands, and associated impacts; issues and impacts associated with water quality, water quantity, and timing of flows; invasion and spread of exotic, invasive, and nuisance species; climate change impacts; need for long-term protection of important resources; declines in and threats to rare, threatened, and endangered species; insufficient baseline wildlife and habitat E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2011 / Notices data and lack of a comprehensive habitat management plan; and lack of resources to address refuge needs. Authority This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105–57. Dated: November 22, 2010. Mark J. Musaus, Acting Regional Director. Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the Federal Register on March 21, 2011. [FR Doc. 2011–6939 Filed 3–23–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–R–2010–N241; 40136–1265–0000– S3] J.N. ‘‘Ding’’ Darling NWR, Lee County, FL; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: 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 J.N. ‘‘Ding’’ Darling 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 via U.S. mail to: Mr. Paul Tritaik, Project Leader, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957, or DingDarling@fws.gov (e-mail). The CCP may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service’s Web site: https:// www.fws.gov/southeast/planning/under ‘‘Final Documents.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Tritaik, at 239/472–1100 (telephone) or DingDarling@fws.gov (email); or Ms. Cheri M. Ehrhardt, at 321/ 861–2368 (telephone) or DingDarling@fws.gov (e-mail). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for J.N. ‘‘Ding’’ Darling NWR. We started this process through notices in the Federal Register on June 27, 2007 (72 FR 35254) and April 2, 2008 (73 FR 17991). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Mar 23, 2011 Jkt 223001 The 6,406-acre refuge supports hundreds of species of wildlife and plants, providing protection for 14 Federal-listed and 49 State-listed species, migratory birds, and native wildlife and habitat diversity through a mix of habitats, including tropical hardwood forests, beaches, mangrove swamps, mixed wetland shrubs, salt marshes, open waters and seagrass beds, and lakes and canals. The refuge holds several special designations, including Wilderness Area, Research Natural Area, Marine Protected Area, Florida Important Bird Area, and Outstanding Florida Water. Annual visitation to the refuge exceeds 700,000. We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and FONSI for J.N. ‘‘Ding’’ Darling 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 J.N. ‘‘Ding’’ Darling NWR for the next 15 years. The following compatibility determinations are available in the CCP: (1) Wildlife observation and photography— including walking, hiking, motorized and non-motorized boating, and motorized and non-motorized trail use; (2) environmental education and interpretation—including walking, hiking, motorized and non-motorized boating, and motorized and nonmotorized trail use; (3) fishing— including motorized and non-motorized boating and non-motorized trail use; (4) research; (5) commercial services; (6) commercial photography; (7) mosquito control; and (8) commercial bait fishing—including phasing out this use within the 15-year life of 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 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16637 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 made copies of the Draft CCP/EA available for a 30-day public review and comment period via a Federal Register notice on May 17, 2010 (75 FR 27576). We received comments from local citizens, a local business, organizations, and State and local governmental agencies. Comments were also submitted through the State Clearinghouse for State agencies. Selected Alternative After considering the comments we received, we have selected Alternative C for implementation. The primary focus under Alternative C is migratory birds. Implementing Alternative C is expected to result in increased protection for breeding, nesting, resting, roosting, foraging, and migrating birds on the refuge. Increased information on a variety of species, suites of species, and habitats will enhance decision-making for the refuge. Further benefits will be realized from increased control of exotic, invasive, and nuisance species. We will coordinate with the partners to address concerns related to the impacts from water quality, quantity, and timing of flows and from climate change and sea level rise. Resource protection will be enhanced, including through increased information about cultural resources on the refuge, increased protection of cultural resources, additional special designations, improved management of the J.N. ‘‘Ding’’ Darling Wilderness Area, improved coordination with the partners to increase ethical outdoor behavior, enhanced visitor services programs, and addition of visitor facilities. To achieve this, we will work with governmental and non-governmental partners, area communities, the ‘‘Ding’’ Darling Wildlife Society, and local businesses, and we will pursue the addition of staff to address management concerns. Alternative C is considered to be the most effective for meeting the purposes of the refuge and addressing the priority issues facing the refuge, including increasing and changing human population, development of the landscape, recreational uses and demands, and associated impacts; issues and impacts associated with water E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16636-16637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6939]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2010-N240; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee NWRs, 
Lee County, FL; 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 Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and 
Caloosahatchee NWRs. In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage 
these refuges for the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the CCP by writing via U.S. mail 
to: Mr. Paul Tritaik, Project Leader, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 
33957. Alternatively, you may request a copy by sending e-mail to: 
DingDarling@fws.gov. The CCP may also be accessed and downloaded from 
the Service's Web site: https://www.fws.gov/southeast/planning/under 
``Final Documents.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Tritaik, at 239/472-1100 
(telephone) or DingDarling@fws.gov (e-mail); or Ms. Cheri M. Ehrhardt, 
at 321-861-2368 (telephone) or DingDarlingCCP@fws.gov (e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Pine Island, 
Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee NWRs. We started this 
process through notices in the Federal Register on June 27, 2007 (72 FR 
35254) and April 2, 2008 (73 FR 17991).
    The four refuges currently total about 1,201 acres: Pine Island NWR 
is 602.24 acres, Matlacha Pass NWR is 538.25 acres, Island Bay NWR is 
20.24 acres, and Caloosahatchee NWR is 40 acres. As part of the largest 
undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States, these four closed 
refuges provide for native wildlife and habitat diversity through a mix 
of habitats, including mangrove islands and shorelines, saltwater 
marshes and ponds, tidal flats, and upland hardwood forests. They also 
provide protection for 13 Federal-listed and 25 State-listed species, 
as well as for wading birds, waterbirds, raptors and birds of prey, 
neotropical migratory birds, shorebirds, and seabirds.
    We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and 
FONSI for Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee 
NWRs 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 Pine Island, 
Matlacha Pass, Island Bay, and Caloosahatchee NWRs for the next 15 
years.

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

    We made copies of the Draft CCP/EA available for a 30-day public 
review and comment period via a Federal Register notice on May 21, 2010 
(75 FR 28643). We received comments from the general public, an 
organization, and governmental agencies, including State and local 
agencies and a national estuary program. Comments were also submitted 
through the State Clearinghouse for State agencies.

Selected Alternative

    After considering the comments we received, we have selected 
Alternative C for implementation. The primary focus under Alternative C 
is migratory birds. Implementing Alternative C is expected to result in 
increased protection for breeding, nesting, resting, roosting, 
foraging, and migrating birds on these four refuges. Increased 
information on a variety of species, suites of species, and habitats 
will enhance decision-making for these refuges. Further benefits will 
be realized from increased control of exotic, invasive, and nuisance 
species. We will coordinate with the partners to address concerns 
related to the impacts from water quality, quantity, and timing of 
flows and from climate change and sea level rise. Resource protection 
will be enhanced, including through increased information about 
cultural resources on the refuges, resolved boundary issues, additional 
special designations, improved management of the Island Bay Wilderness 
Area, improved coordination with the partners to increase awareness and 
understanding of area residents and area visitors of these closed 
refuges, and minimized impacts from adjacent uses. To achieve this, we 
will work with governmental and non-governmental partners, area 
communities, the ``Ding'' Darling Wildlife Society, and local 
businesses, and we will pursue the addition of refuge-specific staff to 
address management concerns.
    Alternative C is considered to be the most effective for meeting 
the purposes of the refuges and addressing the priority issues facing 
each refuge, including increasing and changing human population, 
development of the landscape, recreational uses and demands, and 
associated impacts; issues and impacts associated with water quality, 
water quantity, and timing of flows; invasion and spread of exotic, 
invasive, and nuisance species; climate change impacts; need for long-
term protection of important resources; declines in and threats to 
rare, threatened, and endangered species; insufficient baseline 
wildlife and habitat

[[Page 16637]]

data and lack of a comprehensive habitat management plan; and lack of 
resources to address refuge needs.

Authority

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

    Dated: November 22, 2010.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on March 21, 2011.
[FR Doc. 2011-6939 Filed 3-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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