Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Black River Unit of Nisqually NWR; Comprehensive Conservation Plans and Environmental Assessments, 33339-33340 [2011-14208]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33339-33340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14208]



[[Page 33339]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS R1-R-2010-N223; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Black River Unit 
of Nisqually NWR; Comprehensive Conservation Plans and Environmental 
Assessments

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare comprehensive conservation plans (CCP) for Grays Harbor 
National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) and Nisqually National Wildlife 
Refuge's Black River Unit (Unit) (collectively, Refuges). We will also 
prepare environmental assessments (EA) to evaluate the environmental 
effects of the CCPs' various alternatives. We provide this notice in 
compliance with our CCP policy to advise the public, other Federal and 
State agencies, and Tribes, of our intentions, and to obtain public 
comments, suggestions, and information on the scope of issues to 
consider in the planning process.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
July 8, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Information about the Refuge Units is available on our Web 
sites: https://www.fws.gov/graysharbor/ and  https://www.fws.gov/nisqually/management/bru_general.html. Send your comments or requests 
for information by any of the following methods.
    E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Grays Harbor/Black 
River CCPs'' in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Jean Takekawa, Project Leader, (360) 534-9302.
    U.S. Mail: Project Leader, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex, 100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia, WA 98516.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Takekawa, (360) 753-9467.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing the 
Refuges' CCPs/EAs. This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) 
Advise the public, other Federal and State agencies, and Tribes of our 
intention to conduct detailed planning on the Refuges; and (2) obtain 
suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the 
EAs and during development of the CCPs.

Background

The CCP Process

    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 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 (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 
compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to 
the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation. We will review and update the CCPs at least every 15 
years in accordance with the Refuge Administration Act.
    Each unit of the Refuge System was established for specific 
purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for developing and 
prioritizing the management goals and objectives for each refuge within 
the Refuge System mission, and to determine how the public can use each 
refuge. The planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate 
management goals and objectives that will ensure the best possible 
approach to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing 
for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible 
with each refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the Refuge 
System.
    Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal, 
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public. 
At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas, 
and suggestions for the future management of the Refuges.
    We will conduct the environmental review of this project and 
develop EAs in accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.); NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate 
Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and procedures for 
compliance with those laws and regulations.

The Refuges

Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge

    The Refuge's approved boundary encompasses 1,500 acres of estuary 
and uplands in Grays Harbor County, WA; of this, the Service owns 
approximately 1,411 acres, and leases 63 acres from the Port of Grays 
Harbor. The Refuge was established in 1990 for the following purposes.
     To conserve fish and wildlife populations and their 
habitats, including but not limited to western sandpiper, dunlin, red 
knot, long-billed dowitcher, short-billed dowitcher, and other 
shorebirds and migratory birds, including birds of prey.
     To fulfill U.S. international treaty obligations with 
regard to fish and wildlife and their habitats.
     To conserve those species known to be threatened with 
extinction.
     To provide opportunities, consistent with the Refuge's 
wildlife conservation purposes, for wildlife-oriented recreation, 
education, and research.
     For the development, advancement, management, 
conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources.
     For the benefit of the Service, in performing its 
activities and services.
    The Refuge encompasses an area known as Bowerman Basin. Refuge 
habitats include open tidal water, intertidal mudflats, tidal salt and 
brackish marshes, and forests. The Refuge provides important migratory 
habitat for western sandpiper, dunlin, semi-palmated and black-bellied 
plover, red knot, short-billed dowitcher, greater yellowlegs, and other 
shorebird species; common loon, red-breasted and common mergansers, 
Caspian tern, gulls, double-crested cormorants, and other waterbirds; 
American wigeon, northern pintail, gadwall, American green-winged teal, 
bufflehead, mallard, and other ducks; Canada, cackling, white-fronted, 
and other geese; bald eagle, peregrine falcon, merlin, northern 
harrier, and other raptors; and many neotropical migratory birds.

Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

    The following preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities have 
been identified for the Refuge, and may be evaluated in the CCP. 
Additional issues may be identified during public scoping.
     Habitat management and restoration. What management 
actions are needed to sustain and restore

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priority species and habitats over the next 15 years? How is the 
quality of the Refuge's shorebird habitat being impacted by 
sedimentation? What effects will climate change and sea level rise have 
on Refuge habitats and species?
     Invasive species control. Invasive species degrade habitat 
for shorebirds, migratory birds, and many other fish and wildlife. How 
can we reduce the incidence and spread of invasive species?
     Visitor experiences and education opportunities. Wildlife 
observation, interpretation, and photography, and environmental 
education are provided at the Refuge. How can we improve these 
programs? What visitor facilities are needed? What volunteer programs 
and partnerships can we develop to improve outreach and education? How 
can we reduce trespassing, vandalism, and other illegal activities on 
the Refuge, and improve wildlife and habitat protection?

Black River Unit

    The Unit is located southwest of Olympia, WA. The Unit's approved 
boundary encompasses approximately 3,960 acres. The Service currently 
owns and manages more than 1,300 acres within the approved boundary, 
and land acquisition activities are ongoing as willing sellers come 
forward. The Unit was established in 1996 for the following purposes.
     For use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other 
management purpose, for migratory birds.
     For the development, advancement, management, 
conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources.
     For the benefit of the Service, in performing its 
activities and services.
    The Unit consists of a large, complex mosaic of mostly wetland and 
riparian habitats, and some upland habitats surrounding the low-lying 
river. Its habitats include the Black River and tributary instream 
channels, bog (a rare habitat locally), shrub swamp, riparian forest, 
emergent marsh, wet and dry meadows, and fir-hemlock forest. Both the 
upper Black River and associated wetlands are unusual features in the 
Puget Trough. The Unit contains rearing habitat and migration corridors 
for steelhead, coastal cutthroat trout, and coho and Chinook salmon. At 
least 150 species of migratory birds, including waterfowl, marshbirds, 
and neotropical songbirds, use the wetland and riparian habitats. One 
Federally listed candidate species, the Oregon spotted frog (which is 
also State listed as endangered), is found within the Unit. The Oregon 
spotted frog is known to occur at only a few locations in Washington; 
three of those locations fall within the Unit's approved boundary.

Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

    We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities 
for the Unit that we may address in the CCP. We have briefly summarized 
these issues below. During public scoping we may identify additional 
issues.
     Land and water protection. What management actions are 
needed to sustain and restore priority species and habitats, improve 
habitat protection and connectivity, and reduce habitat fragmentation? 
What are our options for improving water quality and quantity for fish 
and wildlife in the Black River system?
     Habitat management and restoration. How can we obtain the 
data we need, regarding key species and habitat composition, to restore 
degraded habitats and protect fish and wildlife species? How will 
climate change and sea level rise affect the Unit's habitats and 
species? How can we enhance our recovery efforts for the Oregon spotted 
frog?
     Invasive species control. How can we reduce the incidence 
and spread of invasive species on the Unit?
     Visitor services and education opportunities. What 
wildlife-dependent public uses should we consider at the Unit? How can 
we reduce trespassing, vandalism, and illegal activities on the Unit 
and improve wildlife and habitat protection?

Public Meetings

    Public meetings will be announced in press releases, planning 
updates, and on our Web sites: https://www.fws.gov/graysharbor/ and 
https://www.fws.gov/nisqually/management/bru_general.html.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, 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: May 4, 2011.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2011-14208 Filed 6-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P