Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge, Maui County, HI; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plans and Findings of No Significant Impact for the Environmental Assessments, 9692-9693 [2012-3648]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
9692
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 33 / Friday, February 17, 2012 / Notices
public use program. About a third to
half as many new observation facilities
(trails, viewing overlooks, etc.) would
have been added as under Alternative 2,
due to staffing and funding resources
being directed toward refuge farming
activity. The current area closed to
public access on all three refuges would
have remained closed, in order to
provide sanctuary during the wintering
waterfowl season, except for the
proposed change at Snag Boat Bend as
described in Alternative 2 above.
Fishing access to the Willamette River
would have been provided through a
canoe launch at Snag Boat Bend Unit;
however, bank fishing access would not
have been provided.
Deer hunting, threatened and
endangered species management,
environmental education, elk
management, cultural resources,
subsequent land protection planning,
and conservation partnership activity
would have occurred as under
Alternative 2.
Comments
We solicited comments on the draft
CCP/EA from May 25, 2011, to June 24,
2011 (76 FR 30382; May 25, 2011). A
total of 27 separate communications
from 25 different commenters (two
commenters submitted two letters each)
were received regarding the draft CCP/
EA. To address public comments,
responsive changes and clarifications
were made to the final CCP where
appropriate. These changes are
summarized in the FONSI.
Selected Alternative
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
After considering the comments
received, we have selected Alternative 2
for implementation. The goals,
objectives, and strategies under
Alternative 2 best achieve the purpose
and need for the CCP while maintaining
balance among the varied management
needs and programs. Alternative 2
addresses the refuge purposes, issues,
and relevant mandates, and is consistent
with principles of sound fish and
wildlife management.
Dated: October 20, 2011.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland,
Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2012–3759 Filed 2–16–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:08 Feb 16, 2012
Jkt 226001
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R1–R–2011–N228;1265–0000–10137–
S3]
¯
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
and Kakahai‘a National Wildlife
Refuge, Maui County, HI; Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plans
and Findings of No Significant Impact
for the Environmental Assessments
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 plans (CCPs) and findings
of no significant impacts for the
environmental assessments for the
¯
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
(refuge or NWR) and Kakahai‘a National
Wildlife Refuge. In the final CCPs, we
describe how we plan to manage these
refuges for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain
copies of the final CCPs and findings of
no significant impacts (FONSIs) and
environmental assessments (EAs) by any
of the following methods. You may
request a hard copy or CD–ROM.
Agency Web Site: Download the
documents at www.fws.gov/pacific/
planning.
Email:
FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov.
¯
Include ‘‘Kealia Pond NWR final CCP’’
or ‘‘Kakahai‘a NWR final CCP’’ in the
subject line of the message.
Mail: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader,
Maui National Wildlife Refuge
¯
Complex, P.O. Box 1042, Kıhei, Hawai‘i
96753.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call
(808) 875–1582 to make an appointment
during regular business hours at Maui
NWR Complex, Milepost 6, Mokulele
¯
Highway (Hwy. 311), Kıhei, Hawai‘i
96753.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, Maui
NWR Complex, phone number (808)
875–1582.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we announce the
completion of the CCP processes for
¯
Kealia Pond NWR and Kakahai‘a NWR.
The Service started this process through
a notice of intent in the Federal Register
on October 20, 2009 (74 FR 53755). We
released the draft CCPs/EAs to the
public, announcing and requesting
comments in a notice of availability in
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the Federal Register (76 FR 52008;
August 19, 2011).
We announce our CCP decisions and
the availability of the FONSIs for the
EAs in accordance with the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration
Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee)
(Refuge Administration Act) and
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b))
requirements. We prepared a thorough
analysis of impacts, which we included
in the EAs that accompanied the draft
CCPs.
The CCPs will guide us in managing
and administering the refuges for the
next 15 years. Alternative C, as
described in the draft CCPs for each
refuge, is the basis for the CCPs.
Background
The 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. 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 CCP at least
every 15 years in accordance with the
Refuge Administration Act.
¯
The Kealia Pond and Kakahai‘a NWRs
are part of the Maui NWR Complex.
¯
Kealia Pond Refuge, located along the
southern shore of the island of Maui,
was established in 1992 for the purpose
of providing habitat for endangered
Hawaiian waterbirds, specifically the
endangered Hawaiian stilt (ae‘o) and
endangered Hawaiian coot (‘alae
ke‘oke‘o). The refuge is administered
under a perpetual conservation
easement provided by Alexander and
Baldwin, Inc., and encompasses open
water, marsh, mudflat, upland shrub,
and coastal beach strand habitats. The
refuge has one of the largest
concentrations of wetland birds in
Hawai‘i, and is an important breeding,
foraging, and resting area for the ae‘o
¯
and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o. In addition, Kealia
Pond NWR provides a strategic landfall
for migratory birds coming from Alaska,
Siberia, and Asia, including Northern
E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM
17FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 33 / Friday, February 17, 2012 / Notices
¯
pintail (koloa mapu), Northern shoveler
¯
(koloa moha), lesser scaup, Pacific
¯
golden-plover (kolea) and ruddy
turnstone (‘akekeke). A majority of the
refuge is closed to general public access;
however, trails, overlooks, and
educational programs provide the
public with opportunities to view some
of Hawai‘i’s endangered and migratory
wildlife.
Kakahai‘a NWR, located on the
southeastern coast of the island of
Moloka‘i, was established in 1976 to
protect and provide habitat for
endangered species. Habitats found on
this refuge include freshwater marsh,
grassland, dry forest, and coastal strand.
The refuge has the potential to provide
breeding, foraging, and resting areas for
endangered waterbirds, a variety of
migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and
other wetland birds. Some of the more
¯
common migrants are koloa mapu and
¯
kolea. Kakahai‘a NWR is closed to the
general public; however,
nongovernmental organizations
occasionally conduct wetland education
programs.
During the CCP planning process,
many elements were considered,
including wildlife management and
habitat protection, compatible wildlifedependent recreational opportunities,
on- and off-site environmental
educational opportunities, and
coordination with State and Federal
agencies and other interested groups.
The draft CCPs and EAs identified
and evaluated three alternatives for
managing each refuge. These were
available for a 30-day public review and
comment period, which included two
open house public meetings. The
Service incorporated or responded to
¯
the comments on the Kealia Pond NWR
draft CCP and Kakahai‘a NWR draft CCP
in the final CCPs.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Selected Alternative for Each Refuge
All actions in the selected alternative
for each refuge are subject to funding
and any other compliance requirements.
After considering the comments we
received, we have selected each refuge’s
Alternative C for implementation.
Implementing Alternative C for the
CCPs will encompass the following key
actions:
¯
Kealia Pond NWR
The Service will remove the most
aggressive invasive plants and control
pickleweed on the flats. Planned
projects include constructing a water
control structure, developing new wells
to deliver water to target areas, and
recontouring topography to maintain
water on the flats. We expect an
increased capability to dewater and
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:08 Feb 16, 2012
Jkt 226001
flood the Main Pond will enhance our
dust, midge, and tilapia control efforts.
New vegetated blinds will provide
better wildlife viewing opportunities,
and public interpretation and
environmental education programs will
be expanded. Internships will be
provided for up to five students.
Wildlife monitoring on the proposed
Molokini Unit will include up to six
visits during the period running March
through November, and we will initiate
a native plant restoration plan.
Kakahai‘a NWR
If funded, we will restore the 15-acre
Old Pond and 5.5 acres of New Pond by
removing California bulrush and other
aggressive nonnative species, dredging
accumulated sediment, recontouring
topography, removing radial levees,
reconstructing perimeter levees,
replacing the water control structure,
and replacing the pump between the
two ponds. A well, pump, water
distribution line, and control outlet for
New Pond will be constructed, and
levees will be rebuilt. All monitoring
activities will resume as part of the
wetland restoration. A predator-proof
fence will be installed to protect
wetland habitat and species. The coastal
strand will be restored and protected
from further erosion to provide a
protective barrier to the refuge wetlands
and highway. A cultural resources
survey will be completed for the entire
refuge. Opportunities for visitors to
engage in compatible wildlifedependent recreation may expand with
new staffing. At a minimum, a kiosk
will be constructed along the refuge
entrance road and volunteer groups will
be developed to assist refuge staff with
restoration and maintenance activities.
Dated: November 9, 2011.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland,
Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2012–3648 Filed 2–16–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R6–R–2011–N212; FF06R06000–
FXRS1265066CCP0S2–123]
Establishment of Flint Hills Legacy
Conservation Area, Kansas
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice advises the public
that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) has established the Flint Hills
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
9693
Legacy Conservation Area, the 555th
unit of the National Wildlife Refuge
System. The Service established the
Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area on
September 28, 2011, with the donation
of a conservation easement in
Chautauqua County, Kansas.
ADDRESSES: A map depicting the
approved Refuge boundary and other
information regarding the Refuge is
available on the Internet at https://
www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/
planning/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amy Thornburg, Planning Team Leader,
USFWS, Division of Refuge Planning,
P.O. Box 25486, DFC, Denver, CO
80225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Service established the Flint Hills
Legacy Conservation Area, which covers
all or part of 21 counties in eastern
Kansas. Today, less than 4 percent of
the once-vast tallgrass prairie remains,
most (80 percent) of which lies within
the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas and
northeastern Oklahoma. The Service
will work to conserve tallgrass prairie
and the wildlife resources in the
conservation area primarily through the
purchase of perpetual easements from
willing sellers in Kansas. These
conservation easements will protect
native grassland birds, as well as over
80 species of native fish, and native
mollusks that depend on the pristine
streams that are found in the Flint Hills
region.
The Service recognizes the
importance of protecting and fostering
traditional cultural values, including
ranching lifestyles and economies, in
concert with habitat conservation
interests. Ranching has historically
played a major role in preserving the
tallgrass ecoregion—and by extension,
conserving valuable fish and wildlife
habitat. Based on anticipated levels of
landowner participation, objectives for
the conservation area are to protect up
to 1.1 million acres of tallgrass prairie
habitat. The conservation area is a
landscape-scale effort to conserve
populations of native grassland birds,
which are among the most consistently
declining species in the United States.
Therefore, it is important to incorporate
the elements of strategic habitat
conservation (SHC) to ensure effective
conservation. SHC entails strategic
biological planning and conservation
design, and integrated conservation
delivery, monitoring, and research at
ecoregional scales.
This conservation area allows the
Service to purchase perpetual
conservation easements, using the
acquisition authority of the Fish and
E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM
17FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9692-9693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3648]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2011-N228;1265-0000-10137-S3]
Ke[amacr]lia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and Kakahai`a National
Wildlife Refuge, Maui County, HI; Final Comprehensive Conservation
Plans and Findings of No Significant Impact for the Environmental
Assessments
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 plans (CCPs) and
findings of no significant impacts for the environmental assessments
for the Ke[amacr]lia Pond National Wildlife Refuge (refuge or NWR) and
Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge. In the final CCPs, we describe how
we plan to manage these refuges for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCPs and findings
of no significant impacts (FONSIs) and environmental assessments (EAs)
by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM.
Agency Web Site: Download the documents at www.fws.gov/pacific/planning.
Email: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR
final CCP'' or ``Kakahai`a NWR final CCP'' in the subject line of the
message.
Mail: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, Maui National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, P.O. Box 1042, K[imacr]hei, Hawai`i 96753.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call (808) 875-1582 to make an
appointment during regular business hours at Maui NWR Complex, Milepost
6, Mokulele Highway (Hwy. 311), K[imacr]hei, Hawai`i 96753.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, Maui
NWR Complex, phone number (808) 875-1582.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we announce the completion of the CCP processes
for Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR and Kakahai`a NWR. The Service started this
process through a notice of intent in the Federal Register on October
20, 2009 (74 FR 53755). We released the draft CCPs/EAs to the public,
announcing and requesting comments in a notice of availability in the
Federal Register (76 FR 52008; August 19, 2011).
We announce our CCP decisions and the availability of the FONSIs
for the EAs in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge
Administration Act) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40
CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We prepared a thorough analysis of
impacts, which we included in the EAs that accompanied the draft CCPs.
The CCPs will guide us in managing and administering the refuges
for the next 15 years. Alternative C, as described in the draft CCPs
for each refuge, is the basis for the CCPs.
Background
The 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. 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 CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Refuge
Administration Act.
The Ke[amacr]lia Pond and Kakahai`a NWRs are part of the Maui NWR
Complex. Ke[amacr]lia Pond Refuge, located along the southern shore of
the island of Maui, was established in 1992 for the purpose of
providing habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, specifically the
endangered Hawaiian stilt (ae`o) and endangered Hawaiian coot (`alae
ke`oke`o). The refuge is administered under a perpetual conservation
easement provided by Alexander and Baldwin, Inc., and encompasses open
water, marsh, mudflat, upland shrub, and coastal beach strand habitats.
The refuge has one of the largest concentrations of wetland birds in
Hawai`i, and is an important breeding, foraging, and resting area for
the ae`o and `alae ke`oke`o. In addition, Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR
provides a strategic landfall for migratory birds coming from Alaska,
Siberia, and Asia, including Northern
[[Page 9693]]
pintail (koloa m[amacr]pu), Northern shoveler (koloa moh[amacr]),
lesser scaup, Pacific golden-plover (k[omacr]lea) and ruddy turnstone
(`akekeke). A majority of the refuge is closed to general public
access; however, trails, overlooks, and educational programs provide
the public with opportunities to view some of Hawai`i's endangered and
migratory wildlife.
Kakahai`a NWR, located on the southeastern coast of the island of
Moloka`i, was established in 1976 to protect and provide habitat for
endangered species. Habitats found on this refuge include freshwater
marsh, grassland, dry forest, and coastal strand. The refuge has the
potential to provide breeding, foraging, and resting areas for
endangered waterbirds, a variety of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds,
and other wetland birds. Some of the more common migrants are koloa
m[amacr]pu and k[omacr]lea. Kakahai`a NWR is closed to the general
public; however, nongovernmental organizations occasionally conduct
wetland education programs.
During the CCP planning process, many elements were considered,
including wildlife management and habitat protection, compatible
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities, on- and off-site
environmental educational opportunities, and coordination with State
and Federal agencies and other interested groups.
The draft CCPs and EAs identified and evaluated three alternatives
for managing each refuge. These were available for a 30-day public
review and comment period, which included two open house public
meetings. The Service incorporated or responded to the comments on the
Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR draft CCP and Kakahai`a NWR draft CCP in the
final CCPs.
Selected Alternative for Each Refuge
All actions in the selected alternative for each refuge are subject
to funding and any other compliance requirements. After considering the
comments we received, we have selected each refuge's Alternative C for
implementation. Implementing Alternative C for the CCPs will encompass
the following key actions:
Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR
The Service will remove the most aggressive invasive plants and
control pickleweed on the flats. Planned projects include constructing
a water control structure, developing new wells to deliver water to
target areas, and recontouring topography to maintain water on the
flats. We expect an increased capability to dewater and flood the Main
Pond will enhance our dust, midge, and tilapia control efforts. New
vegetated blinds will provide better wildlife viewing opportunities,
and public interpretation and environmental education programs will be
expanded. Internships will be provided for up to five students.
Wildlife monitoring on the proposed Molokini Unit will include up to
six visits during the period running March through November, and we
will initiate a native plant restoration plan.
Kakahai`a NWR
If funded, we will restore the 15-acre Old Pond and 5.5 acres of
New Pond by removing California bulrush and other aggressive nonnative
species, dredging accumulated sediment, recontouring topography,
removing radial levees, reconstructing perimeter levees, replacing the
water control structure, and replacing the pump between the two ponds.
A well, pump, water distribution line, and control outlet for New Pond
will be constructed, and levees will be rebuilt. All monitoring
activities will resume as part of the wetland restoration. A predator-
proof fence will be installed to protect wetland habitat and species.
The coastal strand will be restored and protected from further erosion
to provide a protective barrier to the refuge wetlands and highway. A
cultural resources survey will be completed for the entire refuge.
Opportunities for visitors to engage in compatible wildlife-dependent
recreation may expand with new staffing. At a minimum, a kiosk will be
constructed along the refuge entrance road and volunteer groups will be
developed to assist refuge staff with restoration and maintenance
activities.
Dated: November 9, 2011.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2012-3648 Filed 2-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
