Protection Island and San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuges, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Island, and Whatcom Counties, WA; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Wilderness Stewardship Plan, and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment, 19781-19783 [2011-8418]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 68 / Friday, April 8, 2011 / Notices Street, SW., Room 7262, Washington, DC 20410; telephone (202) 708–1234; TTY number for the hearing- and speech-impaired (202) 708–2565 (these telephone numbers are not toll-free), or call the toll-free Title V information line at 800–927–7588. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the December 12, 1988 court order in National Coalition for the Homeless v. Veterans Administration, No. 88–2503–OG (D.D.C.), HUD publishes a Notice, on a weekly basis, identifying unutilized, underutilized, excess and surplus Federal buildings and real property that HUD has reviewed for suitability for use to assist the homeless. Today’s Notice is for the purpose of announcing that no additional properties have been determined suitable or unsuitable this week. Dated: March 31, 2011. Mark R. Johnston, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs. [FR Doc. 2011–8098 Filed 4–7–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R1–R–2010–N222; 10137–1265–0000 S3] Protection Island and San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuges, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Island, and Whatcom Counties, WA; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Wilderness Stewardship Plan, and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: We, the U.S. 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 (EA) for Protection Island and San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). In this final CCP, we describe how we will manage these refuges for the next 15 years. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA by any of the following methods. You may request a CD–ROM or an electronic copy. Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the documents at https://pacific.fws.gov/ planning. ADDRESSES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:41 Apr 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 E-mail: FW1Planning@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Protection Island and San Juan Islands NWRs final CCP’’ in the subject line of the message. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Maritime NWRC, 715 Holgerson Road, Sequim, WA 98382. In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 360–457–8451 to make an appointment during regular business hours at 715 Holgerson Road, Sequim, WA. Local Library or Libraries: The documents are also available for review at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Ryan, Project Leader, 360–457– 8451, kevin_ryan@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Protection Island and San Juan Islands NWRs. We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register (72 FR 45444; August 14, 2007). We released the draft CCP and the EA to the public, announcing and requesting comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register (75 FR 51098; August 18, 2010). Protection Island NWR is located in the Strait of Juan de Fuca near the entrance to Discovery Bay in Jefferson County, Washington. It includes 659 acres of land and tideland. Protection Island NWR was established to provide habitat for a diversity of birds, with particular emphasis on nesting bald eagles and seabirds, as well as to protect the hauling-out area for marine mammals. It has one of the largest colonies of rhinoceros auklets in North America. The Refuge also provides opportunities for scientific research and wildlife-oriented education and interpretation. Most of the San Juan Islands NWR consists of rocks, reefs, and islands scattered throughout the San Juan Archipelago. Two islands, Smith and Minor, are located south of the archipelago within the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Refuge consists of approximately 449 acres in San Juan, Skagit, Island, and Whatcom Counties, Washington. Most (353 acres) of San Juan Islands NWR is designated wilderness known as the San Juan Islands Wilderness Area. San Juan Islands NWR was established to facilitate management of migratory birds, including serving as a breeding ground and winter sanctuary for native birds. It was also intended to be a refuge for other wildlife. This refuge is particularly important to breeding black oystercatchers, cormorants, and harbor seals. PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19781 We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the final CCP for Protection Island and San Juan Islands NWRs in accordance with 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 EA that accompanied the draft CCP. The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Protection Island and San Juan Islands Refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative B, as we described in the final CCP, is the foundation for the CCP, with slight modifications. Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee) (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to develop a CCP for each 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. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Refuge Administration Act. CCP Alternatives, Including Selected Alternative Our draft CCP and our EA (75 FR 51098) addressed several issues. To address these, we developed and evaluated the following alternatives: Alternative A: Current Management Under Alternative A, the refuges would continue with current management, which focuses on stewardship, including removing unnecessary roads and human structures; allowing natural processes to occur with minimal human intervention; monitoring wildlife species; and working with partners to reduce the risk of oil spills, clean up marine debris, and educate boaters to minimize human-caused wildlife disturbance. Recreational activities would continue as they have in the past and be facilitated through a State Parks partnership. Alternative B: Preferred Alternative This Alternative would continue many of the activities in Alternative A, but would also include a greater number of active habitat management projects, such as removal of deer from Protection Island to enhance seabird nesting E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1 19782 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 68 / Friday, April 8, 2011 / Notices habitat and forest habitat; carrying out of restoration projects on the spits, grasslands, and forests to increase native plant diversity; and facilitation of research studies that answer refuge management questions. Public use changes include enforcing no-pets regulations on all San Juan Islands Refuge lands, and closing some areas on Turn Island, including all of the rocky shoreline to the east and the southeast ‘‘pocket’’ beach, as well as some of the Island’s interior. Overnight camping on Turn and Matia Islands would be limited to visitors arriving by humanpowered craft, and a camping reservation system would be initiated. There would be more emphasis on enhancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of the refuges’ natural, cultural, and wilderness resources through both on- and off-refuge interpretation and education programs. There would be fewer large signs but more medium-sized signs installed on San Juan Islands Refuge units to discourage close approach or trespassing on closed islands. Regulatory signs on both refuges would be updated with improved wording and sizing to enhance their effectiveness. There would also be more emphasis on working with existing partners and developing new partnerships to accomplish objectives. and mostly smaller signs would be used in Alternative C to identify closed refuge islands and reduce humancaused wildlife disturbance. Alternative C Selected Alternative After considering the comments we received, we have selected Alternative B for implementation. Under Alternative B, the Service and partners will: • Protect, maintain, and where feasible, restore habitats—including shoreline, sandy bluffs, grasslands and balds, forests and woodlands, and wetlands—for priority species, This Alternative is very similar to Alternative B. However, under Alternative C there would be fewer acres of native habitat restoration, as well as fewer research studies and surveys. Camping would continue, but with fewer campsites on Matia Island. Turn Island would be limited to day-use only. Compared to Alternative B, fewer Comments We requested comments on the draft CCP and the EA for Protection Island and San Juan Islands NWRs from August 13, 2010, to September 17, 2010 (75 FR 51098). We sent notification to over 700 individuals and organizations on our mailing list for this CCP, provided the draft CCP and EA on the Regional Web site, and provided a press release to local media. We received over 40 letters and e-mails from the public. Based on a thorough evaluation of the public comments we received, we slightly modified the CCP/EA. Changes include modifications to several CCP strategies, including: • We will begin coordination with Treaty Tribes regarding step-down planning for deer removal on Protection Island; • We will perform additional monitoring of visitors’ use before deciding whether to initiate a new camping reservation system; • We added several potential partners to Appendix G; and • We updated Appendix E, the Integrated Pest Management Program, with information from a new Service policy (569 FW 1). including seabirds, shorebirds, bald eagles, marine mammals, and endemic plants. • Minimize human-caused wildlife disturbance on and near closed refuge islands, rocks, and shorelines. • Manage invasive species and Stateand county-listed noxious weeds. • Survey and protect paleontological and cultural resources. • Increase inventory and monitoring efforts. • Encourage and facilitate research that addresses refuge management questions. • Design and implement a site plan for refuge administration and research facilities on Protection Island in order to reduce the human ‘‘footprint,’’ improve refuge management capability, improve research coordination, and reduce liquid fuel consumption by expanding solar power capabilities. • Reduce the number of campsites on Turn Island and limit camping on both Turn and Matia Islands to visitors arriving by human-powered boats. • Enhance and increase on- and offrefuge environmental education and interpretation, as well as wildlife observation and photography opportunities. • Increase outreach to boaters, schoolchildren, local residents, and tourists. • Use signs and other management techniques efficiently and effectively on wilderness rocks and islands to assist in maintaining their wildlife and intrinsic values while minimizing impacts to wilderness character. Public Availability of Documents In addition to the methods in you can view documents at the following libraries: ADDRESSES, srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Library Address Anacortes Public Library ....................................... Bellingham Public Library ..................................... Clinton Public Library ............................................ Coupeville Public Library ...................................... Evergreen State College Library .......................... Island Public Library ............................................. Jefferson County Central Library .......................... Lopez Island Public Library .................................. North Olympic Public Library ................................ Oak Harbor Public Library .................................... Orcas Island Public Library ................................... Peninsula College Library ..................................... San Juan Islands Library ...................................... Shaw Island Library .............................................. University of Puget Sound Library ........................ University of Washington Library .......................... Waldron Island Library .......................................... Washington State Library ..................................... Washington State University Library .................... Western Washington University ............................ 1220 10th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221 ..................................................... 210 Central Avenue CS–9710, Bellingham, WA 98227 .............................. 4781 Deer Lake Road, Clinton, WA 98236 ................................................. 788 NW. Alexander, Coupeville, WA 98239 ............................................... 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW., Olympia, WA 98505 .................................. 2144 S. Nugent Road, Lummi Island, WA 98262 ....................................... P.O. Box 990, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 ..................................................... 2225 Fisherman Bay Rd., Lopez Island, WA 98261 ................................... 630 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim, WA 98382 ................................................... 1000 SE. Regatta Dr., Oak Harbor, WA 98377 .......................................... 500 Rose St., Eastsound, WA 98245 .......................................................... 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, WA 98362 .................................... 1010 Guard St., Friday Harbor, WA 98250 ................................................. P.O. Box 844, Shaw Island, WA 98286 ...................................................... 1500 N. Warner St. Campus, Mail Box 1021 Tacoma, WA 98416 ............ Box 3529000, Seattle, WA 98195 ............................................................... Waldron Island, WA ..................................................................................... P.O. Box 424, Olympia, WA 98504 ............................................................. Owen Science Library, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 516 High St., Bellingham, WA 98225 .......................................................... VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:41 Apr 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM Phone No. 08APN1 360–293–1910 360–778–7323 360–341–4280 360–678–4911 360–867–6250 360–758–7145 360–385–6544 360–468–2265 360–683–1161 360–675–5115 360–376–4985 360–417–6280 360–378–2798 N/A 253–879–3669 206–543–0242 360–588–3383 360–704–5250 509–335–6691 360–650–3050 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 68 / Friday, April 8, 2011 / Notices Dated: December 21, 2010. Richard R. Hannan, Acting Regional Director, Portland, Oregon. Dated: March 29, 2011. Kevin T. Gallagher, Associate Director for Core Science Systems. [FR Doc. 2011–8418 Filed 4–7–11; 8:45 am] [FR Doc. 2011–8400 Filed 4–7–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P BILLING CODE 4311–AM–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Geological Survey Bureau of Indian Affairs National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) and National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP) Advisory Committee Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Pueblo of Jemez 70.277-Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer and ˜ Casino Project, Dona Ana County, NM AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Interior. ACTION: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as lead agency, in cooperation with the Pueblo of Jemez, intends to file a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the proposed approval of a 70.277 acre fee-to-trust transfer and ˜ casino project to be located within Dona Ana County, New Mexico. Details on the proposed action, location, and areas of environmental concern addressed in the DEIS are provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. This notice also announces a public hearing to receive comments on the DEIS. DATES: Written comments on the DEIS must arrive by May 23, 2011. The public hearing on the DEIS will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the last public comment is received. ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand-carry written comments to William Walker, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southwest Regional Office, 1001 Indian School Road, NW., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104. The public hearing will be held at the Loma Linda Elementary School, 1451 Donaldson Avenue, Anthony, New Mexico 88021. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for locations where the DEIS is available for review and for directions on submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Priscilla Wade (505) 563–3417. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Pueblo of Jemez proposes that 70.277 SUMMARY: Notice of meeting. Pursuant to Public Law 106– 148, the NCGMP and NGGDPP Advisory Committee will meet on June 22nd and June 23rd, 2011, in room 3A417 of the U.S. Geological Survey Headquarters building, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 20192. The Advisory Committee, comprising representatives from Federal agencies, State agencies, academic institutions, and private companies, shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey on planning and implementation of the geologic mapping and data preservation programs. The Committee will hear updates on progress of the NCGMP toward fulfilling the purposes of the National Geological Mapping Act of 1992; the Federal, State, and education components of the NCGMP; and the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program. SUMMARY: June 22–23, 2011, commencing at 8:30 a.m. on June 22 and adjourning by 5 p.m. on June 23. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Brown, U.S. Geological Survey, Mail Stop 908, National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, (703) 648–6948. Meetings of the National Cooperative Geological Mapping Program and National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program Advisory Committee are open to the Public. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: Location 320 Lincoln Street, Anthony, New Mexico 88021. 4471 Highway 4, Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico 87024. 1001 Indian School Road, NW., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104. acres, within a 102.13-acre tract of land, be taken into trust and that a temporary and a permanent casino be constructed on these trust lands. In addition, a hotel is proposed for construction on the 31.855-acres remaining in fee status. The proposed site is located on the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and New Mexico State Road 404 (O’Hara Road), adjacent to the City of Anthony ˜ in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. The Pueblo of Jemez, through its Tribal Gaming Enterprise, will operate the casino facility. The BIA is the lead agency for the DEIS on this project. There are no cooperating agencies. A public scoping meeting for the DEIS was held by the BIA on March 16, 2005, in Anthony, New Mexico. The Pueblo proposes to build and operate a 24,000-square foot temporary casino while building a permanent gaming facility with a planned 103,500 total square feet on trust-acquired land that is adjacent to a proposed 90,000 square-foot hotel facility located on fee land. Access to the facilities would be from O’Hara Road and the west frontage road along I–10. The temporary and permanent casinos and hotel would include associated parking. Environmental issues addressed in the DEIS include land and water resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, socioeconomic conditions, resource use patterns, public services, noise, hazardous materials, visual resources, environmental justice, growth-inducing effects, cumulative impacts, and unavoidable adverse effects. Alternatives to the proposed project considered in the DEIS include: (1) Trust Acquisition with temporary and permanent casino, and hotel construction; (2) Trust Acquisition with permanent casino and hotel construction; and (3) No Action. Directions for Submitting Comments: Please include your name, return address and the caption, ‘‘DEIS Comments, Pueblo of Jemez Proposed 70.277-acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer and Casino Project’’ on the first page of your written comments. Locations where the DEIS is Available for Review: The DEIS is available for review at the following locations. Address City of Anthony City Hall .................................... Pueblo of Jemez Administrative Office .............. BIA Southwest Regional Office .......................... VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:45 Apr 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19783 For information on the location, call: (575) 882–2983. (575) 834–7359 (contact: Ashley Chinana). (505) 563–3417. E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19781-19783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8418]


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

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2010-N222; 10137-1265-0000 S3]


Protection Island and San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuges, 
Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Island, and Whatcom Counties, WA; Final 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Wilderness Stewardship Plan, and 
Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. 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 (EA) for Protection Island and San Juan Islands National 
Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). In this final CCP, we describe how we will 
manage these refuges for the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA 
by any of the following methods. You may request a CD-ROM or an 
electronic copy.
    Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the documents at https://pacific.fws.gov/planning.
    E-mail: FW1Planning@fws.gov. Include ``Protection Island and San 
Juan Islands NWRs final CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
    Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Maritime NWRC, 715 
Holgerson Road, Sequim, WA 98382.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 360-457-8451 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at 715 Holgerson Road, 
Sequim, WA.
    Local Library or Libraries: The documents are also available for 
review at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Ryan, Project Leader, 360-457-
8451, kevin_ryan@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Protection Island 
and San Juan Islands NWRs. We started this process through a notice in 
the Federal Register (72 FR 45444; August 14, 2007). We released the 
draft CCP and the EA to the public, announcing and requesting comments 
in a notice of availability in the Federal Register (75 FR 51098; 
August 18, 2010).
    Protection Island NWR is located in the Strait of Juan de Fuca near 
the entrance to Discovery Bay in Jefferson County, Washington. It 
includes 659 acres of land and tideland. Protection Island NWR was 
established to provide habitat for a diversity of birds, with 
particular emphasis on nesting bald eagles and seabirds, as well as to 
protect the hauling-out area for marine mammals. It has one of the 
largest colonies of rhinoceros auklets in North America. The Refuge 
also provides opportunities for scientific research and wildlife-
oriented education and interpretation.
    Most of the San Juan Islands NWR consists of rocks, reefs, and 
islands scattered throughout the San Juan Archipelago. Two islands, 
Smith and Minor, are located south of the archipelago within the Strait 
of Juan de Fuca. The Refuge consists of approximately 449 acres in San 
Juan, Skagit, Island, and Whatcom Counties, Washington. Most (353 
acres) of San Juan Islands NWR is designated wilderness known as the 
San Juan Islands Wilderness Area. San Juan Islands NWR was established 
to facilitate management of migratory birds, including serving as a 
breeding ground and winter sanctuary for native birds. It was also 
intended to be a refuge for other wildlife. This refuge is particularly 
important to breeding black oystercatchers, cormorants, and harbor 
seals.
    We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the 
final CCP for Protection Island and San Juan Islands NWRs in accordance 
with 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 EA that accompanied the draft 
CCP.
    The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Protection 
Island and San Juan Islands Refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative 
B, as we described in the final CCP, is the foundation for the CCP, 
with slight modifications.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to 
develop a CCP for each 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. We will 
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with 
the Refuge Administration Act.

CCP Alternatives, Including Selected Alternative

    Our draft CCP and our EA (75 FR 51098) addressed several issues. To 
address these, we developed and evaluated the following alternatives:

Alternative A: Current Management

    Under Alternative A, the refuges would continue with current 
management, which focuses on stewardship, including removing 
unnecessary roads and human structures; allowing natural processes to 
occur with minimal human intervention; monitoring wildlife species; and 
working with partners to reduce the risk of oil spills, clean up marine 
debris, and educate boaters to minimize human-caused wildlife 
disturbance. Recreational activities would continue as they have in the 
past and be facilitated through a State Parks partnership.

Alternative B: Preferred Alternative

    This Alternative would continue many of the activities in 
Alternative A, but would also include a greater number of active 
habitat management projects, such as removal of deer from Protection 
Island to enhance seabird nesting

[[Page 19782]]

habitat and forest habitat; carrying out of restoration projects on the 
spits, grasslands, and forests to increase native plant diversity; and 
facilitation of research studies that answer refuge management 
questions. Public use changes include enforcing no-pets regulations on 
all San Juan Islands Refuge lands, and closing some areas on Turn 
Island, including all of the rocky shoreline to the east and the 
southeast ``pocket'' beach, as well as some of the Island's interior. 
Overnight camping on Turn and Matia Islands would be limited to 
visitors arriving by human-powered craft, and a camping reservation 
system would be initiated. There would be more emphasis on enhancing 
the public's understanding and appreciation of the refuges' natural, 
cultural, and wilderness resources through both on- and off-refuge 
interpretation and education programs. There would be fewer large signs 
but more medium-sized signs installed on San Juan Islands Refuge units 
to discourage close approach or trespassing on closed islands. 
Regulatory signs on both refuges would be updated with improved wording 
and sizing to enhance their effectiveness. There would also be more 
emphasis on working with existing partners and developing new 
partnerships to accomplish objectives.

Alternative C

    This Alternative is very similar to Alternative B. However, under 
Alternative C there would be fewer acres of native habitat restoration, 
as well as fewer research studies and surveys. Camping would continue, 
but with fewer campsites on Matia Island. Turn Island would be limited 
to day-use only. Compared to Alternative B, fewer and mostly smaller 
signs would be used in Alternative C to identify closed refuge islands 
and reduce human-caused wildlife disturbance.

Comments

    We requested comments on the draft CCP and the EA for Protection 
Island and San Juan Islands NWRs from August 13, 2010, to September 17, 
2010 (75 FR 51098). We sent notification to over 700 individuals and 
organizations on our mailing list for this CCP, provided the draft CCP 
and EA on the Regional Web site, and provided a press release to local 
media. We received over 40 letters and e-mails from the public. Based 
on a thorough evaluation of the public comments we received, we 
slightly modified the CCP/EA. Changes include modifications to several 
CCP strategies, including:
     We will begin coordination with Treaty Tribes regarding 
step-down planning for deer removal on Protection Island;
     We will perform additional monitoring of visitors' use 
before deciding whether to initiate a new camping reservation system;
     We added several potential partners to Appendix G; and
     We updated Appendix E, the Integrated Pest Management 
Program, with information from a new Service policy (569 FW 1).

Selected Alternative

    After considering the comments we received, we have selected 
Alternative B for implementation. Under Alternative B, the Service and 
partners will:
     Protect, maintain, and where feasible, restore habitats--
including shoreline, sandy bluffs, grasslands and balds, forests and 
woodlands, and wetlands--for priority species, including seabirds, 
shorebirds, bald eagles, marine mammals, and endemic plants.
     Minimize human-caused wildlife disturbance on and near 
closed refuge islands, rocks, and shorelines.
     Manage invasive species and State- and county-listed 
noxious weeds.
     Survey and protect paleontological and cultural resources.
     Increase inventory and monitoring efforts.
     Encourage and facilitate research that addresses refuge 
management questions.
     Design and implement a site plan for refuge administration 
and research facilities on Protection Island in order to reduce the 
human ``footprint,'' improve refuge management capability, improve 
research coordination, and reduce liquid fuel consumption by expanding 
solar power capabilities.
     Reduce the number of campsites on Turn Island and limit 
camping on both Turn and Matia Islands to visitors arriving by human-
powered boats.
     Enhance and increase on- and off-refuge environmental 
education and interpretation, as well as wildlife observation and 
photography opportunities.
     Increase outreach to boaters, schoolchildren, local 
residents, and tourists.
     Use signs and other management techniques efficiently and 
effectively on wilderness rocks and islands to assist in maintaining 
their wildlife and intrinsic values while minimizing impacts to 
wilderness character.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view documents at 
the following libraries:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Library                     Address            Phone No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anacortes Public Library.........  1220 10th Street,        360-293-1910
                                    Anacortes, WA
                                    98221.
Bellingham Public Library........  210 Central Avenue       360-778-7323
                                    CS-9710,
                                    Bellingham, WA
                                    98227.
Clinton Public Library...........  4781 Deer Lake           360-341-4280
                                    Road, Clinton, WA
                                    98236.
Coupeville Public Library........  788 NW. Alexander,       360-678-4911
                                    Coupeville, WA
                                    98239.
Evergreen State College Library..  2700 Evergreen           360-867-6250
                                    Parkway NW.,
                                    Olympia, WA 98505.
Island Public Library............  2144 S. Nugent           360-758-7145
                                    Road, Lummi
                                    Island, WA 98262.
Jefferson County Central Library.  P.O. Box 990, Port       360-385-6544
                                    Hadlock, WA 98339.
Lopez Island Public Library......  2225 Fisherman Bay       360-468-2265
                                    Rd., Lopez Island,
                                    WA 98261.
North Olympic Public Library.....  630 N. Sequim Ave.,      360-683-1161
                                    Sequim, WA 98382.
Oak Harbor Public Library........  1000 SE. Regatta         360-675-5115
                                    Dr., Oak Harbor,
                                    WA 98377.
Orcas Island Public Library......  500 Rose St.,            360-376-4985
                                    Eastsound, WA
                                    98245.
Peninsula College Library........  1502 E. Lauridsen        360-417-6280
                                    Blvd., Port
                                    Angeles, WA 98362.
San Juan Islands Library.........  1010 Guard St.,          360-378-2798
                                    Friday Harbor, WA
                                    98250.
Shaw Island Library..............  P.O. Box 844, Shaw                N/A
                                    Island, WA 98286.
University of Puget Sound Library  1500 N. Warner St.       253-879-3669
                                    Campus, Mail Box
                                    1021 Tacoma, WA
                                    98416.
University of Washington Library.  Box 3529000,             206-543-0242
                                    Seattle, WA 98195.
Waldron Island Library...........  Waldron Island, WA.      360-588-3383
Washington State Library.........  P.O. Box 424,            360-704-5250
                                    Olympia, WA 98504.
Washington State University        Owen Science             509-335-6691
 Library.                           Library,
                                    Washington State
                                    University,
                                    Pullman, WA 99164.
Western Washington University....  516 High St.,            360-650-3050
                                    Bellingham, WA
                                    98225.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 19783]]

    Dated: December 21, 2010.
Richard R. Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2011-8418 Filed 4-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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