Buck Island, Green Cay, and Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuges, U.S. Virgin Islands; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment, 37143-37145 [2011-15819]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2011 / Notices
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Applicant’s Proposed Project: We
received an application from the
applicant for an incidental take permit,
along with a proposed habitat
conservation plan. The applicant
requests a 15-year permit under section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act (87 Stat.884; 16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). If we approve the
permit, the applicant anticipates taking
approximately 0.23 acre (0.1 hectares
(ha)) of Florida scrub-jay breeding,
feeding, and sheltering habitat
incidental to land preparation for
construction of a single family residence
and associated infrastructure in
Charlotte County, Florida.
Project construction would take place
at latitude 26.9777, longitude –82.0096
in Harbor Heights, Charlotte County,
Florida. This lot is within occupied
scrub-jay habitat. In 1987, we listed this
species as threatened (June 3, 1987; 52
FR 20715). The listing became effective
July 6, 1987.
The applicant proposes to mitigate for
the loss of 0.23 acre (0.1 ha) of occupied
scrub-jay habitat by contribution of 0.46
acre (0.19 ha) of suitable scrub-jay
habitat to nearby existing conservation
lands within Charlotte County, along
with a fee of $1,380.00 for perpetual
maintenance of the donated land,
within 180 days of permit issuance or
before the commencement of clearing
and construction activities, whichever is
sooner.
Our Preliminary Determination: The
Service has made a preliminary
determination that the applicant’s
project, including the proposed
mitigation and minimization measures,
will individually and cumulatively have
a minor or negligible effect on the
species covered in the HCP. Therefore,
the ITP is a ‘‘low-effect’’ project and
qualifies as a categorical exclusion
under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6), as
provided by the Department of the
Interior Manual (516 DM 2 Appendix 1
and 516 DM 6 Appendix 1), and as
defined in our Habitat Conservation
Planning Handbook (November 1996).
We base our determination that the
project qualifies as a low-effect plan on
the following three criteria: (1)
Implementation of the project would
result in minor or negligible effects on
federally listed, proposed, and
candidate species and their habitats; (2)
Implementation of the project would
result in minor or negligible effects on
other environmental values or
resources; and (3) Impacts of the plan,
considered together with the impacts of
other past, present, and reasonably
foreseeable similarly situated projects,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Jun 23, 2011
Jkt 223001
would not result, over time, in
cumulative effects to environmental
values or resources that would be
considered significant. As more fully
explained in our environmental action
statement and associated Low Effect
Screening Form, the applicant’s
proposed project qualifies as a ‘‘loweffect’’ project. This preliminary
determination may be revised based on
our review of public comments that we
receive in response to this notice.
Next Steps: The Service will evaluate
the HCP and comments submitted
thereon to determine whether the
application meets the requirements of
section 10(a) of the Act. The Service
will also evaluate whether issuance of
the section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP comply with
section 7 of the Act by conducting an
intra-Service section 7 consultation. The
results of this consultation, in
combination with the above findings,
will be used in the final analysis to
determine whether or not to issue the
ITP. If it is determined that the
requirements of the Act are met, the ITP
will be issued for the incidental take of
the Florida scrub-jay.
Authority: This notice is provided
pursuant to Section 10 of the Endangered
Species Act and NEPA regulations (40 CFR
1506.6).
Dated: June 14, 2011.
Spencer Simon,
Acting Field Supervisor, South Florida
Ecological Services Office.
[FR Doc. 2011–15811 Filed 6–23–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R4–R–2010–N200; 40136–1265–0000–
S3]
Buck Island, Green Cay, and Sandy
Point National Wildlife Refuges, U.S.
Virgin Islands; 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 Buck
Island, Green Cay, and Sandy Point
National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). In
the final CCP, we describe how we will
manage these three refuges for the next
15 years.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Sfmt 4703
37143
You may obtain a copy of
the CCP by writing to: Mr. Mike Evans,
Refuge Manager, Sandy Point National
Wildlife Refuge, 3013 Estate Golden
Rock, Suite 137, Christiansted, VI
00820–4355. 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: Mr.
Mike Evans; telephone: 340/773–4554;
e-mail: Michael_Evans@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP
process for Buck Island, Green Cay, and
Sandy Point NWRs. We started this
process through a notice in the Federal
Register on March 12, 2007 (72 FR
11046).
All three refuges are located in the
United States Virgin Islands. Sandy
Point NWR is situated on the
southwestern tip of the island of St.
Croix. Green Cay NWR is a small island
located several hundred yards north of
St. Croix, east of the city of
Christiansted. Buck Island NWR is
situated several miles south of the
island of St. Thomas and the city of
Charlotte Amalie. These three refuges
are part of the Caribbean Islands
National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Sandy Point NWR provides critical
nesting habitat for the federally
endangered leatherback sea turtle. Its
sandy beaches are also used for nesting
by the federally endangered hawksbill
sea turtle and the federally threatened
green sea turtle. These same sea turtle
species are also protected under
Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands
regulations.
Green Cay NWR was established in
1977 to protect the federally endangered
St. Croix ground lizard. This island
refuge provides critical habitat for the
largest remaining natural population of
this species. Its extirpation from the
main island of St. Croix, just several
hundred yards away, is generally
attributed to the modification and loss
of shoreline habitat resulting from
human activities and the introduction of
predators, such as rats, cats, and dogs.
The introduction of the exotic Indian
mongoose likely completed the
elimination of the species from St. Croix
proper. As a result, this species is one
of the rarest reptiles in the world and is
unique to St. Croix island ecosystems.
As part of a cooperative effort with the
National Park Service, in May 2008, 57
individual St. Croix ground lizards were
translocated to Buck Island Reef
National Monument, several miles
E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM
24JNN1
37144
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2011 / Notices
away, in order to establish a fourth
population of this highly endangered
lizard and thus help secure its survival.
Buck Island NWR was established in
1969. The off-shore islands around St.
Thomas support a number of critical
seabird and migratory bird roosting,
breeding, and nesting sites. Some of
these off-shore islands have been
impacted by varying degrees of
development and habitat alteration,
making remaining islands even more
critical for use by migratory birds.
Although Buck Island NWR’s natural
plant and wildlife communities have
been severely impacted by human
activity, the island has major potential
for habitat restoration, enhancement and
support of migratory bird populations,
and maintenance of existing wildlife
populations, both endemic and
migratory. The refuge is home to two
rare reptiles endemic to the ‘‘Puerto
Rican bank,’’ the geological area
containing Puerto Rico, Culebra, St.
Thomas, and the British Virgin
Islands—the Antillean skink and Puerto
Rican racer. The island also provides
nesting or roosting habitat for the
magnificent frigatebird, the red-billed
tropicbird, and laughing gulls.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as
amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997, requires us to develop a CCP for
each national wildlife refuge. The
purpose for developing a CCP is to
provide refuge managers with a 15-year
plan for achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System,
consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation,
legal mandates, and our policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and
their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and environmental
education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least
every 15 years in accordance with the
Administration Act.
Comments
We made copies of the Draft CCP/EA
available for a 30-day public review
period as announced in the Federal
Register on September 17, 2009 (74 FR
47815). Two public meetings were held
to receive comments on the Draft CCP/
EA—one in Charlotte Amalie, St.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Jun 23, 2011
Jkt 223001
Thomas, and one in Fredericksted, St.
Croix. We received 10 written
comments on the Draft CCP/EA.
Selected Alternatives
Sandy Point NWR
We developed four alternatives for
managing Sandy Point NWR. After
considering the comments we received
and based on the professional judgment
of the planning team, we selected
Alternative D for implementation. While
each of the alternatives provided in
varying degrees for wildlife, habitat, and
public use, Alternative D was more
ambitious than Alternative A, while
supporting more wildlife and habitat
management than Alternative B and
more public use than Alternative C.
The overriding concern reflected in
the CCP is that wildlife conservation,
especially management and protection
of endangered sea turtles, assumes first
priority in refuge management. Wildlifedependent recreation uses (e.g., fishing,
wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and environmental
education and interpretation) will be
emphasized and encouraged.
Existing recovery efforts for the
endangered leatherback sea turtle will
continue. We will pursue hawksbill and
green sea turtle recovery by
implementing saturation tagging and
nest management. We will continue to
protect pelican roosting sites and
manage least tern nesting sites, aiming
to increase the number of nesting least
terns. Landbirds, shorebirds, and
waterbirds will benefit as well.
We will begin to conduct status
surveys for invertebrates and reptile and
amphibian species of special concern.
The presence or absence of bats will
also be surveyed, and we will enhance
habitat and install artificial nest
structures for bats. Refuge-wide control
of non-native flora and fauna to protect
indigenous flora and fauna will be
carried out as needed.
We will accelerate efforts to restore
the structure, function, and diversity of
dry forest habitat. We will begin to
actively monitor status and trends on
the West End Salt Pond (Salt Pond) as
they affect mangroves, wetlands, and
wildlife habitat. We will not only
protect existing stands and specimens of
Vahl’s boxwood, but will also conduct
recovery activities. Furthermore, we
will investigate the potential for
establishing a Catesbaea melanocarpa
population on the refuge. We will
actively cooperate with the U.S.
Geological Survey and other agencies to
develop and implement protocols for
monitoring sea level rise and its impacts
on habitats.
PO 00000
Frm 00092
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
We will continue to manage and
protect cultural resources, particularly
the Aklis archaeological site. In
addition, we will develop and begin to
implement a Cultural Resources
Management Plan.
Public use and visitor services will
expand somewhat. We will develop an
accessible trail and observation deck
with expansive views of the Salt Pond.
We will aim to develop environmental
education and interpretive
opportunities around the new refuge
headquarters and visitor center to be
constructed in the vicinity. We will also
allow access to the beach from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. on weekends, outside of the
seasonal closure for leatherback turtle
nesting. If staffing permits, we will also
provide pedestrian access to the beach
during the entire week from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., outside of the seasonal closure for
turtle nesting.
We will continue the existing
education and outreach program, such
as the turtle watch program, Youth
Conservation Corps (YCC) program,
periodic news releases, news media
interviews, Web site content, school
visits, informal contact with refuge
visitors, and continuing development of
the visitor contact station. Education
and outreach efforts will increase. The
YCC program will be maintained and
expanded in size for two months during
the summer. There will be more
emphasis on developing partnerships
and volunteers.
Green Cay NWR
We developed two alternatives for
managing Green Cay NWR. After
considering the comments we received
and based on the professional judgment
of the planning team, we selected
Alternative B for implementation. While
both alternatives provide for wildlife
and habitat, Alternative B will yield
greater wildlife and habitat benefits
overall than Alternative A, particularly
for the St. Croix ground lizard, on
whose behalf the refuge was originally
established. Alternative B will also offer
greater opportunities for the public,
even while maintaining the general
refuge closure.
We will maintain or expand upon all
existing programs. To promote recovery
of the endangered St. Croix ground
lizard, we will continue existing
programs of reforestation, rat and
invasive plant control, and population
monitoring. We will also maintain
closure of the island to public access, to
avoid accidental direct mortality and
habitat degradation. In addition, we will
develop a habitat restoration plan
within 3 years, with the aim of
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2011 / Notices
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
improving habitat quality for the ground
lizard.
We will also continue management
efforts on behalf of nesting and roosting
brown pelicans and white-crowned
pigeons. We will continue our habitat
recovery (reforestation) efforts so as to
complete 100 percent of the area
intended for reforestation by the end of
the 15-year planning period. An
important part of accelerating habitat
recovery will be to increase the control
of invasive plants and invasive animals.
We will continue to protect and
manage Green Cay NWR’s cultural
resources. Also, we will develop and
begin to implement a Cultural Resources
Management Plan. To conduct outreach
and education, we will continue to
maintain the refuge Web site, distribute
information, maintain signage on the
island identifying it as a national
wildlife refuge closed to the public, and
conduct periodic presentations offrefuge. These efforts will be augmented
by installing larger signs that can be
seen and read from a greater distance,
expanding outreach efforts to nearby
hotels, and considering alternatives to
visitation within the refuge itself, such
as offering or promoting boat and kayak
tours around the island.
Buck Island NWR
We developed two alternatives for
managing Buck Island NWR. After
considering the comments we received
and based on the professional judgment
of the planning team, we selected
Alternative B for implementation. While
both alternatives will result in benefits
to some extent for wildlife, habitat, and
public use, Alternative B is more
ambitious than Alternative A, and thus
will yield greater benefits for both
wildlife and the public. In general,
Alternative B maintains and expands
upon all programs of Alternative A.
We will strive to provide more active
management of the island’s indigenous
wildlife, particularly species of concern.
We will draft and begin implementing
an inventorying and monitoring plan for
the slipperyback skink, Puerto Rican
racer, magnificent frigatebird, and redbilled tropicbird.
We will continue to monitor for rat
reinvasions. To pursue and promote
habitat recovery on Buck Island NWR,
we will develop and begin to implement
a Habitat Restoration Plan. We will
increase control of invasive plants and
animals using appropriate means, and
will evaluate the effectiveness of
different methods of control.
We will continue to manage cultural
resources, particularly the historic
lighthouse. However, we will also
evaluate the condition and safety of the
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19:06 Jun 23, 2011
Jkt 223001
lighthouse and decide on the feasibility
of preservation or restoration. In
addition, we will develop and begin to
implement a Cultural Resources
Management Plan.
With regard to conducting outreach
and education, we will continue to
maintain the refuge Web site, distribute
information, maintain limited signage
on the island, and make periodic
presentations off-refuge. We will
continue to cooperate with the Virgin
Islands Department of Planning and
Natural Resources on joint wildlife and
habitat management efforts for Buck
Island and adjacent Capella Island.
Also, we will expand cooperative
education and interpretive efforts with
the city of Charlotte Amalie and
ecotourism companies which bring
visitors to offshore waters to explore
coral reefs. We will also explore the
development of a friends group, to
provide a more active management
presence on the island.
Authority: This notice is published under
the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997, Pub. L.
105–57.
Dated: October 1, 2010.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was
received in the Office of the Federal Register
on June 21, 2011.
[FR Doc. 2011–15819 Filed 6–23–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNM004200.L13200000.GA0000]
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource
Management Plan Amendment (RMPA)
and Associated Environmental
Assessment Addressing Four Federal
Coal Lease Applications in Haskell and
LeFlore Counties, OK
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) Oklahoma
Field Office intends to prepare an
amendment to the 1994 Oklahoma
Resource Management Plan, as
amended, and associated Environmental
Assessment (EA) in response to four
coal lease applications covering lands in
Haskell and LeFlore Counties,
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00093
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
37145
Oklahoma. By this notice, the Oklahoma
Field Office announces the beginning of
the scoping process to solicit public
comments and identify issues.
DATES: This notice initiates the public
scoping process for the Draft Resource
Management Plan (RMP) amendment/
EA. Comments on issues may be
submitted in writing until August 8,
2011. The date(s) and location(s) of any
scoping meetings will be announced at
least 15 days in advance through local
media, newspapers and the BLM Web
site at: https://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/
Oklahoma_Field_Office.html. We will
provide additional opportunities for
public participation upon publication of
the Draft RMP amendment/EA.
Comments: You may submit
comments on issues and planning
criteria related to the four Federal coal
lease applications in Haskell and
LeFlore Counties, Oklahoma, RMP
amendment/EA by any of the following
methods:
• E-mail: rwymer@blm.gov.
• Fax: (918) 621–4130.
• Mail: RMPA/EA Comments, BLM,
Oklahoma Field Office, 7906 E 33rd
Street, Suite 101, Tulsa, Oklahoma
74145–1352.
Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined at the Oklahoma Field
Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information and/or to have your
name added to our mailing list, contact:
Laurence Levesque or Richard Wymer,
Co-Team Leaders, BLM, Oklahoma Field
Office, 7906 E 33rd Street, Suite 101,
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145–1352, phone
(918) 621–4100.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the
period June 2008 to April 2010, the
BLM received three coal lease
modification applications and one
competitive coal lease application from
Farrell-Cooper Mining Company,
Georges Colliers Inc., and Mining
Systems Corporation. These
applications were for resources located
outside the areas that the Oklahoma
RMP designated as available for coal
leasing. The RMP amendment will
evaluate the four Lease Application
Areas to determine suitability for further
leasing consideration. The RMP
amendment will be prepared in
accordance with guidance provided in
BLM Land Use Planning Handbook
(H–1601–1). The Lease Application
Areas total approximately 2,500 acres of
previously unleased coal and are part of
the Federal mineral estate, but have not
previously undergone land-use planning
analysis. The Lease Application Areas
total 2,500 acres of Federal mineral
E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37143-37145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15819]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2010-N200; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Buck Island, Green Cay, and Sandy Point National Wildlife
Refuges, U.S. Virgin Islands; 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 Buck Island, Green Cay, and Sandy Point National
Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). In the final CCP, we describe how we will
manage these three refuges for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the CCP by writing to: Mr. Mike
Evans, Refuge Manager, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, 3013
Estate Golden Rock, Suite 137, Christiansted, VI 00820-4355. 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: Mr. Mike Evans; telephone: 340/773-
4554; e-mail: Michael_Evans@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Buck Island,
Green Cay, and Sandy Point NWRs. We started this process through a
notice in the Federal Register on March 12, 2007 (72 FR 11046).
All three refuges are located in the United States Virgin Islands.
Sandy Point NWR is situated on the southwestern tip of the island of
St. Croix. Green Cay NWR is a small island located several hundred
yards north of St. Croix, east of the city of Christiansted. Buck
Island NWR is situated several miles south of the island of St. Thomas
and the city of Charlotte Amalie. These three refuges are part of the
Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Sandy Point NWR provides critical nesting habitat for the federally
endangered leatherback sea turtle. Its sandy beaches are also used for
nesting by the federally endangered hawksbill sea turtle and the
federally threatened green sea turtle. These same sea turtle species
are also protected under Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands
regulations.
Green Cay NWR was established in 1977 to protect the federally
endangered St. Croix ground lizard. This island refuge provides
critical habitat for the largest remaining natural population of this
species. Its extirpation from the main island of St. Croix, just
several hundred yards away, is generally attributed to the modification
and loss of shoreline habitat resulting from human activities and the
introduction of predators, such as rats, cats, and dogs. The
introduction of the exotic Indian mongoose likely completed the
elimination of the species from St. Croix proper. As a result, this
species is one of the rarest reptiles in the world and is unique to St.
Croix island ecosystems. As part of a cooperative effort with the
National Park Service, in May 2008, 57 individual St. Croix ground
lizards were translocated to Buck Island Reef National Monument,
several miles
[[Page 37144]]
away, in order to establish a fourth population of this highly
endangered lizard and thus help secure its survival.
Buck Island NWR was established in 1969. The off-shore islands
around St. Thomas support a number of critical seabird and migratory
bird roosting, breeding, and nesting sites. Some of these off-shore
islands have been impacted by varying degrees of development and
habitat alteration, making remaining islands even more critical for use
by migratory birds. Although Buck Island NWR's natural plant and
wildlife communities have been severely impacted by human activity, the
island has major potential for habitat restoration, enhancement and
support of migratory bird populations, and maintenance of existing
wildlife populations, both endemic and migratory. The refuge is home to
two rare reptiles endemic to the ``Puerto Rican bank,'' the geological
area containing Puerto Rico, Culebra, St. Thomas, and the British
Virgin Islands--the Antillean skink and Puerto Rican racer. The island
also provides nesting or roosting habitat for the magnificent
frigatebird, the red-billed tropicbird, and laughing gulls.
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 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 period as announced in the Federal Register on September 17,
2009 (74 FR 47815). Two public meetings were held to receive comments
on the Draft CCP/EA--one in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and one in
Fredericksted, St. Croix. We received 10 written comments on the Draft
CCP/EA.
Selected Alternatives
Sandy Point NWR
We developed four alternatives for managing Sandy Point NWR. After
considering the comments we received and based on the professional
judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative D for
implementation. While each of the alternatives provided in varying
degrees for wildlife, habitat, and public use, Alternative D was more
ambitious than Alternative A, while supporting more wildlife and
habitat management than Alternative B and more public use than
Alternative C.
The overriding concern reflected in the CCP is that wildlife
conservation, especially management and protection of endangered sea
turtles, assumes first priority in refuge management. Wildlife-
dependent recreation uses (e.g., fishing, wildlife observation,
wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation)
will be emphasized and encouraged.
Existing recovery efforts for the endangered leatherback sea turtle
will continue. We will pursue hawksbill and green sea turtle recovery
by implementing saturation tagging and nest management. We will
continue to protect pelican roosting sites and manage least tern
nesting sites, aiming to increase the number of nesting least terns.
Landbirds, shorebirds, and waterbirds will benefit as well.
We will begin to conduct status surveys for invertebrates and
reptile and amphibian species of special concern. The presence or
absence of bats will also be surveyed, and we will enhance habitat and
install artificial nest structures for bats. Refuge-wide control of
non-native flora and fauna to protect indigenous flora and fauna will
be carried out as needed.
We will accelerate efforts to restore the structure, function, and
diversity of dry forest habitat. We will begin to actively monitor
status and trends on the West End Salt Pond (Salt Pond) as they affect
mangroves, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. We will not only protect
existing stands and specimens of Vahl's boxwood, but will also conduct
recovery activities. Furthermore, we will investigate the potential for
establishing a Catesbaea melanocarpa population on the refuge. We will
actively cooperate with the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies
to develop and implement protocols for monitoring sea level rise and
its impacts on habitats.
We will continue to manage and protect cultural resources,
particularly the Aklis archaeological site. In addition, we will
develop and begin to implement a Cultural Resources Management Plan.
Public use and visitor services will expand somewhat. We will
develop an accessible trail and observation deck with expansive views
of the Salt Pond. We will aim to develop environmental education and
interpretive opportunities around the new refuge headquarters and
visitor center to be constructed in the vicinity. We will also allow
access to the beach from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends, outside of the
seasonal closure for leatherback turtle nesting. If staffing permits,
we will also provide pedestrian access to the beach during the entire
week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., outside of the seasonal closure for turtle
nesting.
We will continue the existing education and outreach program, such
as the turtle watch program, Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program,
periodic news releases, news media interviews, Web site content, school
visits, informal contact with refuge visitors, and continuing
development of the visitor contact station. Education and outreach
efforts will increase. The YCC program will be maintained and expanded
in size for two months during the summer. There will be more emphasis
on developing partnerships and volunteers.
Green Cay NWR
We developed two alternatives for managing Green Cay NWR. After
considering the comments we received and based on the professional
judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative B for
implementation. While both alternatives provide for wildlife and
habitat, Alternative B will yield greater wildlife and habitat benefits
overall than Alternative A, particularly for the St. Croix ground
lizard, on whose behalf the refuge was originally established.
Alternative B will also offer greater opportunities for the public,
even while maintaining the general refuge closure.
We will maintain or expand upon all existing programs. To promote
recovery of the endangered St. Croix ground lizard, we will continue
existing programs of reforestation, rat and invasive plant control, and
population monitoring. We will also maintain closure of the island to
public access, to avoid accidental direct mortality and habitat
degradation. In addition, we will develop a habitat restoration plan
within 3 years, with the aim of
[[Page 37145]]
improving habitat quality for the ground lizard.
We will also continue management efforts on behalf of nesting and
roosting brown pelicans and white-crowned pigeons. We will continue our
habitat recovery (reforestation) efforts so as to complete 100 percent
of the area intended for reforestation by the end of the 15-year
planning period. An important part of accelerating habitat recovery
will be to increase the control of invasive plants and invasive
animals.
We will continue to protect and manage Green Cay NWR's cultural
resources. Also, we will develop and begin to implement a Cultural
Resources Management Plan. To conduct outreach and education, we will
continue to maintain the refuge Web site, distribute information,
maintain signage on the island identifying it as a national wildlife
refuge closed to the public, and conduct periodic presentations off-
refuge. These efforts will be augmented by installing larger signs that
can be seen and read from a greater distance, expanding outreach
efforts to nearby hotels, and considering alternatives to visitation
within the refuge itself, such as offering or promoting boat and kayak
tours around the island.
Buck Island NWR
We developed two alternatives for managing Buck Island NWR. After
considering the comments we received and based on the professional
judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative B for
implementation. While both alternatives will result in benefits to some
extent for wildlife, habitat, and public use, Alternative B is more
ambitious than Alternative A, and thus will yield greater benefits for
both wildlife and the public. In general, Alternative B maintains and
expands upon all programs of Alternative A.
We will strive to provide more active management of the island's
indigenous wildlife, particularly species of concern. We will draft and
begin implementing an inventorying and monitoring plan for the
slipperyback skink, Puerto Rican racer, magnificent frigatebird, and
red-billed tropicbird.
We will continue to monitor for rat reinvasions. To pursue and
promote habitat recovery on Buck Island NWR, we will develop and begin
to implement a Habitat Restoration Plan. We will increase control of
invasive plants and animals using appropriate means, and will evaluate
the effectiveness of different methods of control.
We will continue to manage cultural resources, particularly the
historic lighthouse. However, we will also evaluate the condition and
safety of the lighthouse and decide on the feasibility of preservation
or restoration. In addition, we will develop and begin to implement a
Cultural Resources Management Plan.
With regard to conducting outreach and education, we will continue
to maintain the refuge Web site, distribute information, maintain
limited signage on the island, and make periodic presentations off-
refuge. We will continue to cooperate with the Virgin Islands
Department of Planning and Natural Resources on joint wildlife and
habitat management efforts for Buck Island and adjacent Capella Island.
Also, we will expand cooperative education and interpretive efforts
with the city of Charlotte Amalie and ecotourism companies which bring
visitors to offshore waters to explore coral reefs. We will also
explore the development of a friends group, to provide a more active
management presence on the island.
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Pub. L.
105-57.
Dated: October 1, 2010.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the
Federal Register on June 21, 2011.
[FR Doc. 2011-15819 Filed 6-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
