Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge, Poquoson, VA, 1500-1501 [2012-293]

Download as PDF 1500 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2012 / Notices purchase of approximately 37 acres of credits at a Service and California Department of Fish and Game-approved conservation bank, to ensure temporary and permanent effects are mitigated. Under the proposed action alternative, we would issue an incidental take permit for the applicant’s proposed project, which includes the activities described above and in more detail in the plan. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Environmental Review and Next Steps As described in our EA, we have made the preliminary determination that approval of the proposed plan and issuance of the permit would qualify as FONSI under NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as provided by Federal regulations (40 CFR 1500, 5(k), 1507.3(b)(2), 1508.4) and the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 2 and 516 DM 8). Our EA articulates the project effects on all potential resources that could be adversely affected, including aesthetics, agricultural resources, air quality, climate change, biological resources, cultural resources, geology, minerals and paleontological resources, hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, noise, public health hazards, recreation, traffic and transportation, and utilities and public service systems. It also includes an analysis of alternatives, and other required analyses such as unavoidable adverse effects, irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources, short-term uses versus longterm productivity and cumulative effects, and the environmentally preferable alternative (the proposed project). Public Comments We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or any other interested party on this notice. We particularly seek comments on the following: 1. Biological information concerning the species; 2. Relevant data concerning the species; 3. Additional information concerning the range, distribution, population size, and population trends of the species; 4. Current or planned activities in the subject area and their possible impacts on the species; 5. The presence of archeological sites, buildings and structures, historic events, sacred and traditional areas, and other historic preservation concerns, which are required to be considered in project planning by the National Historic Preservation Act; and VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:28 Jan 09, 2012 Jkt 226001 6. Identification of any other environmental issues that should be considered with regard to the proposed development and permit action. You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will identify in the FONSI if we need to prepare further NEPA documentation. We will also consider public comments on the draft EA when making the final determination on whether to prepare additional NEPA documents on the proposed action. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Public Availability of Comments SUMMARY: Before including your address, phone number, email 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. DATES: Availability of Documents You may obtain copies of the permit application, plan, and EA from the individuals in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Copies of these documents are available for public inspection, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES). Authority We provide this notice pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act and the NEPA public-involvement regulations (40 CFR 1500.1(b), 1500.2(d), and 1506.6). We will evaluate the permit application, including the plan and comments we receive, to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act. If the requirements are met, we will issue a permit to the applicant for the incidental take of the Central California Distinct Population Segment of the California tiger salamander from the implementation of the Covered Activities described in the plan. We will make the final permit decision no sooner than 30 days after the date of this notice. Alexandra Pitts, Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 2012–288 Filed 1–9–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R5–R–2011–N218; BAC–4311–K9–S3] Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge, Poquoson, VA Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment; request for comments. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge (the refuge, NWR), which is located in Poquoson, VA. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this refuge. We will announce opportunities for public input throughout the CCP process in the Federal Register, local news media, and on our refuge planning Web site at https://www.fws.gov/ northeast/plumtreeisland/ refuge_planning.html. Send your comments or requests for more information by any of the following methods. Email: fw5rw_evrnwr@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Plum Tree Island CCP’’ in the subject line of the message. Fax: Attn: Meghan Carfioli, (804) 829– 9606. U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex— Charles City Sub-Office, 11116 Kimages Road, Charles City, VA 23030. In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular business hours at the address above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meghan Carfioli, Planning Team Leader, (804) 829–5413 (phone) or Andy Hofmann, Project Leader, Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex, (804) 333–1470 (phone), fw5rw_evrnwr@fws.gov (email). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: Introduction With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for Plum Tree Island NWR, in the city of Poquoson, VA. This notice complies with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2012 / Notices appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations. the public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this refuge. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background The CCP Process 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 of developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge purposes and contributing to the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife 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 and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act. Each unit of the NWRS 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 NWRS, 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 NWRS. Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments, agencies, organizations, and the public. Throughout the process, we will have formal comment periods and hold public meetings to gather comments, issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of Plum Tree Island NWR. You may also send comments during the planning process by mail, email, or fax (see ADDRESSES). We will conduct the environmental review of this project and develop an EA 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:28 Jan 09, 2012 Jkt 226001 Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge Plum Tree Island NWR is one of four refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR Complex. The 3,502-acre refuge is located along the Atlantic Flyway in the city of Poquoson, VA. It was established in 1972 to conserve wetlands and important migratory bird habitat in the lower Chesapeake Bay. The refuge’s salt marsh, scrub-shrub, and forest habitats support a variety of native wildlife species, including waterfowl, marshbirds, and shorebirds. The refuge’s beaches are also home to the federally threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis). The U.S. Department of Defense previously administered the refuge lands and used all but the refuge’s 200acre Cow Island Tract as a gunnery and bombing range. Extensive unexploded ordnance remains on the refuge, posing serious safety concerns. Most of the refuge is closed to public access. The only public use offered is an annual, permit-only, waterfowl hunt on the Cow Island Tract. Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities We have identified several preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities that we intend to address in the CCP. These include the following: • Unexploded ordnance on the refuge and its implications for refuge management and public access; • The potential for climate change to impact refuge resources; • The potential for land acquisition and conservation easements within the existing, approved boundary; • Opportunities to collaborate with partner organizations for off-refuge interpretation and education programming. We expect that members of the public, our conservation partners and Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments may identify additional issues during public scoping. Public Meetings During the planning process, we will hold public meetings for individuals, organizations, and agencies to provide comments, issues, concerns, and suggestions about refuge management. When we schedule formal comment periods and public meeting(s), we will announce them in the Federal Register, local news media, and on our refuge PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1501 planning Web site at https:// www.fws.gov/northeast/plumtreeisland/ refuge_planning.html. You can also obtain the schedule from the planning team leader or project leader (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email 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: December 5, 2011. Salvatore M. Amato, Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2012–293 Filed 1–9–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R1–MB–2011–N256; FXMB12310100000P2–123–FF01M01000] Special Purpose Permit Application; Draft Environmental Assessment; Hawaii-Based Shallow-Set Longline Fishery Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended (MBTA), from the Pacific Islands Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Department of Commerce, for a permit for the incidental take of migratory birds in the operation of the Hawaii-based shallow-set longline fishery that targets swordfish (Xiphias gladius). If issued, the permit would be the first of its kind under our Special Purpose permitting regulations. We invite public comment on the draft environmental assessment (DEA), which evaluates alternatives associated with this permit application. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by February 9, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may download a copy of the DEA on the Internet at https:// SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1500-1501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-293]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R5-R-2011-N218; BAC-4311-K9-S3]


Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge, Poquoson, VA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan 
and environmental assessment; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental 
assessment (EA) for Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge (the 
refuge, NWR), which is located in Poquoson, VA. We provide this notice 
in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State 
agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intention to conduct detailed 
planning on this refuge.

DATES: We will announce opportunities for public input throughout the 
CCP process in the Federal Register, local news media, and on our 
refuge planning Web site at https://www.fws.gov/northeast/plumtreeisland/refuge_planning.html.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods.
    Email: fw5rw_evrnwr@fws.gov. Include ``Plum Tree Island CCP'' in 
the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Meghan Carfioli, (804) 829-9606.
    U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Virginia Rivers 
National Wildlife Refuge Complex--Charles City Sub-Office, 11116 
Kimages Road, Charles City, VA 23030.
    In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular 
business hours at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meghan Carfioli, Planning Team Leader, 
(804) 829-5413 (phone) or Andy Hofmann, Project Leader, Eastern 
Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex, (804) 333-1470 
(phone), fw5rw_evrnwr@fws.gov (email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Plum Tree Island NWR, in the city of Poquoson, VA. This notice complies 
with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, 
and

[[Page 1501]]

the public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this 
refuge.

Background

The CCP Process

    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 of developing a 
CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving 
refuge purposes and contributing to the mission of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish 
and wildlife 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 and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update 
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration 
Act.
    Each unit of the NWRS 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 NWRS, 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 NWRS.
    Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Federal, 
Tribal, State, and local governments, agencies, organizations, and the 
public. Throughout the process, we will have formal comment periods and 
hold public meetings to gather comments, issues, concerns, ideas, and 
suggestions for the future management of Plum Tree Island NWR. You may 
also send comments during the planning process by mail, email, or fax 
(see ADDRESSES).
    We will conduct the environmental review of this project and 
develop an EA 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.

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge

    Plum Tree Island NWR is one of four refuges that comprise the 
Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR Complex. The 3,502-acre refuge is located 
along the Atlantic Flyway in the city of Poquoson, VA. It was 
established in 1972 to conserve wetlands and important migratory bird 
habitat in the lower Chesapeake Bay. The refuge's salt marsh, scrub-
shrub, and forest habitats support a variety of native wildlife 
species, including waterfowl, marshbirds, and shorebirds. The refuge's 
beaches are also home to the federally threatened northeastern beach 
tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis).
    The U.S. Department of Defense previously administered the refuge 
lands and used all but the refuge's 200-acre Cow Island Tract as a 
gunnery and bombing range. Extensive unexploded ordnance remains on the 
refuge, posing serious safety concerns. Most of the refuge is closed to 
public access. The only public use offered is an annual, permit-only, 
waterfowl hunt on the Cow Island Tract.

Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

    We have identified several preliminary issues, concerns, and 
opportunities that we intend to address in the CCP. These include the 
following:
     Unexploded ordnance on the refuge and its implications for 
refuge management and public access;
     The potential for climate change to impact refuge 
resources;
     The potential for land acquisition and conservation 
easements within the existing, approved boundary;
     Opportunities to collaborate with partner organizations 
for off-refuge interpretation and education programming.
    We expect that members of the public, our conservation partners and 
Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments may identify additional 
issues during public scoping.

Public Meetings

    During the planning process, we will hold public meetings for 
individuals, organizations, and agencies to provide comments, issues, 
concerns, and suggestions about refuge management. When we schedule 
formal comment periods and public meeting(s), we will announce them in 
the Federal Register, local news media, and on our refuge planning Web 
site at https://www.fws.gov/northeast/plumtreeisland/refuge_planning.html.
    You can also obtain the schedule from the planning team leader or 
project leader (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email 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: December 5, 2011.
Salvatore M. Amato,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-293 Filed 1-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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