Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge and Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer, Wahkiakum County, WA, and Clatsop and Columbia Counties, OR; Record of Decision for Final Environmental Impact Statement, 77247-77249 [2011-31811]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77247-77249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31811]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2010-N243; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge and Julia Butler Hansen 
Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer, Wahkiakum County, WA, and 
Clatsop and Columbia Counties, OR; Record of Decision for Final 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the record of decision (ROD) for the final 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Lewis and Clark National 
Wildlife Refuge and Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-
tailed Deer (Refuges). We completed a thorough analysis of the 
environmental, social, and economic considerations and presented it in 
our final EIS, which we released to the public on August 13, 2010.

DATES: The Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, signed the ROD on September 23, 2010. We can 
implement the CCP immediately.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and ROD by 
any of the following methods:
    Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at https://www.fws.gov/pacific/planning/.
    Email: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Lewis and Clark and 
Julia Butler Hansen ROD'' in the subject line of the message.
    Mail: Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, 
Ilwaco, WA 98624.
    Fax: (360) 484-3109.
    In person viewing: Copies of the final CCP/EIS may be viewed at the 
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, WA 
98624; and the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian

[[Page 77248]]

White-tailed Deer, 46 Steamboat Slough Road, Cathlamet, WA 98612.
    Local Libraries: The final documents are also available for review 
at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Stenvall, (360) 484-3482.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    This notice completes the CCP process for the Refuges. We started 
the process in a Federal Register notice (71 FR 55214; September 21, 
2006). We released the draft CCP/EIS to the public, announcing and 
requesting comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register 
(75 FR 6694; February 10, 2010). We announced the availability of the 
final CCP/EIS in the Federal Register (75 FR 49516) on August 13, 2010.
    The Lewis and Clark Refuge was established in 1972 to preserve 
vital fish and wildlife habitat of the Columbia River estuary. The 
Refuge's islands in the Columbia River encompass a variety of habitat 
types, from tidal sand flats and marshes to forested swamps. This 
combination of habitats supports large numbers of waterfowl, gulls, 
terns, wading birds, shorebirds, and a variety of raptors and 
songbirds. The Lewis and Clark Refuge's islands are accessible by boat, 
and include 18 named islands, a number of unnamed islands, and marshes 
stretching over 25 miles of the Columbia River.
    The Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer 
was established in 1971 to protect and manage the endangered Columbian 
white-tailed deer (CWT deer). The Refuge contains over 6,000 acres of 
pastures, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes, and sloughs 
along the Columbia River.
    In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 
1506.6(b)) requirements, this notice announces the availability of the 
ROD for the final EIS and CCP for the Refuges. We completed a thorough 
analysis of the environmental, social, and economic considerations, 
which we included in the final CCP/EIS. We included two alternatives 
for the Lewis and Clark Refuge and three alternatives for the Julia 
Butler Hansen Refuge. For Lewis and Clark Refuge, Alternative 1 was the 
no-action alternative and Alternative 2 was the preferred alternative. 
For Julia Butler Hansen Refuge, Alternative 1 was our no-action 
alternative, Alternative 2 was our preferred alternative, and 
Alternative 3 was similar to Alternative 2 except that the timeframe 
for predator management would have been limited to January through 
August. For both Refuges, we selected Alternative 2, our preferred 
alternative, for implementation. The ROD documents our selections.
    The CCP will guide us in managing and administering the Refuges for 
the next 15 years. For each of the two refuges, the selected 
alternative, as we described in the final EIS and ROD, is the 
foundation for the CCP.

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 and Selected Alternatives

    We identified several issues in our draft CCP/EIS. To address 
these, we developed and evaluated management alternatives for the 
Refuges as required under the Council on Environmental Quality's 
regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508). A summary of each alternative follows.

Lewis and Clark Refuge Alternative 1

    No changes to the Refuge's current management programs would occur 
under Alternative 1. Habitat management would consist of monitoring 
Refuge islands and treating invasive plant infestations as funding 
allows. Refuge staff members would continue to protect and maintain 
wintering and foraging habitat for migratory waterfowl, and nesting and 
roosting habitat for bald eagles. Hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation, and photography would continue at current levels.

Lewis and Clark Refuge Alternative 2

    Under Alternative 2 (the preferred alternative), current wildlife 
and habitat management would be maintained and improved. Key Refuge 
enhancements would include establishing or expanding partnerships for 
managing invasive species, recruiting graduate students to conduct 
wildlife and habitat research, and exploring options for managing 
Oregon Department of State Lands property within the approved Refuge 
boundary. The Refuge would also expand opportunities for wildlife 
observation and photography, evaluate the Refuge's Wilderness Study 
Area (WSA) for a wilderness designation proposal, and work with 
partners to ensure that dredge-spoil islands provide benefits for 
wildlife.

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 1

    Under Alternative 1, no changes to the current Refuge management 
programs would occur at Julia Butler Hansen Refuge. We would continue 
to maintain and protect habitats, establish early successional riparian 
forest habitat, maintain predator management January through April, and 
continue public use programs.

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 2

    Refuge management changes under Alternative 2 (the preferred 
alternative) would include opening Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl 
hunting, closing portions of Refuge lands along the lower Elochoman 
River to waterfowl hunting for public safety purposes, evaluating the 
Refuge's WSA for a wilderness designation proposal, developing two 
trails, and improving interpretive media. To achieve CWT deer recovery 
goals, predator management would take place as needed, year round, and 
we would expand the CWT deer population by establishing an experimental 
population upriver.

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 3

    Refuge management changes under Alternative 3 would include opening 
Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl hunting, closing portions of 
Refuge lands along the lower Elochoman River to waterfowl hunting for 
public safety purposes, studying potential wilderness lands, developing 
a bicycling and hiking trail, installing interpretive panels, and 
developing curriculum for Refuge study sites. To achieve CWT deer 
recovery goals, predator management would take place January through 
August under this alternative.
    After considering the comments we received, we have selected 
Alternative 2 for each Refuge. Alternative 2 was selected for 
implementation for the Lewis and Clark Refuge because it will best 
achieve Refuge purposes and fulfill the Service's mission. It is 
consistent with the principles of sound wildlife management, and will 
facilitate priority public uses that are compatible with the purposes 
of the Refuge. This alternative is based on a land management approach 
that protects natural

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resources, habitats, and landscapes, while allowing for recreational 
public uses. This management approach will be effective for protecting 
Refuge resources, improving public information, working with our 
partners, and providing research opportunities on the Refuge for 
graduate students. Studying the Refuge islands' 6,745-acre WSA will 
enable us to assess a proposal for possible wilderness designation.
    Alternative 2 was selected for implementation for the Julia Butler 
Hansen Refuge because it will best achieve the Refuge purposes and 
fulfill the Service's mission. It is consistent with the principles of 
sound wildlife management, and will facilitate priority public uses 
that are compatible with the purposes of the Refuge. We will 
incorporate several new components to current management by addressing 
a variety of resource needs, while improving CWT deer protection with a 
focus on recovery. Recovery measures include an opportunity for an 
experimental CWT deer population upriver, expanded habitat restoration, 
and increased predator control, as needed, year-round. Other actions 
include conducting research for management purposes and improving 
priority public use opportunities. The combination of these components 
will contribute to achieving the Refuge's vision, purposes, and goals. 
Implementing this alternative will provide an achievable balance of 
opportunities for priority public uses (hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation), while providing sufficient protection and sanctuary 
areas for endangered CWT deer, other wildlife, and their habitats. 
Studying the 1,344-acre WSA for Wallace and Hunting Islands will enable 
us to assess a proposal for wilderness designation.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view our CCP at 
the following libraries:
     Blanch Bradley Library, 100 Main Street, Cathlamet, WA 
98612.
     Astoria Public Library, 450 10th Street, Astoria, OR 
97103.
     Clatskanie Library District, 11 Lillich Street, 
Clatskanie, OR 97016.
     Ilwaco Timberline Regional Library, 158 1st Ave., Ilwaco, 
WA 98624.
     Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview, 
WA 98632.
     Fort Vancouver Regional Library, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., 
Vancouver, WA 98663.

    Dated: November 30, 2011.
Richard Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2011-31811 Filed 12-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P