Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Corvallis, OR; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment, 9690-9692 [2012-3759]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
9690
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 33 / Friday, February 17, 2012 / Notices
commerce, export, and cull of excess
scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah),
from the captive herd maintained at
their facility, for the purpose of
enhancement of the survival of the
species. This notification covers
activities to be conducted by the
applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: KJC Holdings, Lohn, TX;
PRT–200207
The applicant requests amendment of
their captive-bred wildlife registration
under 50 CFR 17.21(g) to add scimitarhorned oryx (Oryx dammah), to
enhance their propagation or survival.
This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5year period.
Applicant: KJC Holdings, Lohn, TX;
PRT–200211
The applicant requests amendment of
their permit authorizing interstate and
foreign commerce, export, and cull to
include scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx
dammah) from the captive herd
maintained at their facility, for the
purpose of enhancement of the survival
of the species. This notification covers
activities to be conducted by the
applicant over a 5-year period.
Multiple Applicants
The following applicants each request
a permit to import the sport-hunted
trophy of one male bontebok
(Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) culled
from a captive herd maintained under
the management program of the
Republic of South Africa, for the
purpose of enhancement of the survival
of the species.
Applicant: John Jackman, Lancaster, CA;
PRT–62465A
Applicant: Scott Jennings, San Angelo,
TX; PRT–60964A
Brenda Tapia,
Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch
of Permits, Division of Management
Authority.
[FR Doc. 2012–3771 Filed 2–16–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R2–R–2011–N198; 1265–0000–10137–
S3]
Willamette Valley National Wildlife
Refuge Complex, Corvallis, OR; 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 U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final comprehensive
conservation plan (CCP) and a finding of
no significant impact (FONSI) for the
environmental assessment (EA) for the
Willamette Valley National Wildlife
Refuges (NWRs/refuges). In this final
CCP, we describe how we will manage
these refuges for the next 15 years.
Implementing the CCP is subject to the
availability of funding and any
additional compliance requirements.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain
copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA
by any of the following methods. You
may request a hard copy or CD–ROM.
Agency Web Site: Download a copy of
the document at https://www.fws.gov/
pacific/planning.
Email:
FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov.
Include ‘‘Willamette Valley NWR FCCP/
EA’’ in the subject line.
Fax: Attn: Doug Spencer, Project
Leader, (541) 757–4450.
U.S. Mail: Doug Spencer, Project
Leader, Willamette Valley National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 26208 Finley
Refuge Road, Corvallis, Oregon 97333–
9533.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call
(541) 757–7236 to make an appointment
during regular business hours at W.L.
Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 26208
Finley Refuge Road, Corvallis, Oregon
97333–9533.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Doug Spencer, Project Leader, (541)
757–7236.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Introduction
With this notice, we announce the
completion of the CCP process for the
Willamette Valley National Wildlife
Refuges. The Service started this process
through a notice of intent in the Federal
Register (73 FR 11137; February 29,
2008). We released the draft CCP/EA to
the public, announcing and requesting
comments in a notice of availability in
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:08 Feb 16, 2012
Jkt 226001
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the Federal Register (76 FR 30382; May
25, 2011).
The Willamette Valley National
Wildlife Refuge Complex includes three
refuges: William L. Finley, Baskett
Slough, and Ankeny. Together, the three
refuges encompass approximately
11,110 acres in western Oregon.
Habitats on the refuges include
seasonal, semipermanent, and
permanent wetlands; wet prairies,
upland prairie/oak savannas, oak
woodlands, mixed deciduousconiferous forests, riparian, riverine,
and stream habitats. Agricultural lands,
the majority managed as grass fields, are
also present on the refuges. The refuges
were established under the Migratory
Bird Conservation Act ‘‘for use as an
inviolate sanctuary or for any other
management purpose, for migratory
birds * * * to conserve and protect
migratory birds * * * and to restore or
develop adequate wildlife habitat,’’ with
emphasis on protecting dusky Canada
geese. In the last four decades, these
refuges have provided not only an
important wintering grounds for the
dusky Canada goose and thousands of
other wintering geese and ducks, but
also have been recognized more recently
as increasingly important areas for
conservation of the remaining fragments
of the native Willamette Valley habitats
and biota. The refuges support key
populations of federally listed species,
including Oregon chub, Fender’s blue
butterfly, Bradshaw’s desert-parsley,
Kincaid’s lupine, Nelson’s checkermallow, and Willamette daisy, and
provide migration habitat for listed
Chinook salmon and steelhead. Several
other rare species are also found on the
refuges.
We announce our CCP decision and
the availability of a FONSI for the final
EA for Willamette Valley NWRs 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 an analysis of environmental
impacts, which we included in an EA
that accompanied the draft CCP.
The CCP will guide us in managing
and administering the refuges for the
next 15 years. Alternative 2, as
described in the draft CCP, is the basis
of the final CCP.
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 national wildlife refuge. The
purpose for developing a CCP is to
E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM
17FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 33 / Friday, February 17, 2012 / Notices
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 compatible
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.
CCP Alternatives, Including Selected
Alternative
Our draft CCP/EA (76 FR 30382; May
25, 2011) discussed several issues. To
address these, we developed and
evaluated the following alternatives.
Alternative 1 (No Action)
Under Alternative 1, we analyzed the
following ongoing actions:
• Maintaining cultivated grass fields
under a cooperative farming program to
provide forage for wintering Canada
geese;
• Managing wetland habitats and
providing sanctuary for geese;
• Managing and enhancing the
existing areas of native habitats;
• Continuing habitat and population
management for endangered and
threatened species;
• Providing wildlife observation,
interpretation, environmental
education, fishing, and hunting with
current facilities and programs; and
• Maintaining the current area closed
to wintertime public access to provide
sanctuary during the wintering
waterfowl season.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Alternative 2 (Selected Action)
Alternative 2, our preferred
alternative, represents a balanced
approach among the many competing
needs at the refuges. Overall, habitat
and compatible public use programs
will continue as currently managed but
with many targeted improvements and
additions. Implementing these actions is
subject to the availability of funding and
any additional compliance
requirements.
An emphasis on providing habitat for
wintering geese will remain. Green
forage for geese will continue to be
provided primarily through cooperative
farming agreements with local farmers.
The Service will pursue measures to
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:08 Feb 16, 2012
Jkt 226001
help retain the services of cooperative
farmers, such as:
• Providing enhanced irrigation
capabilities (these will help the farmers
to better establish green forage crops
and perhaps grow other cash crops);
• Providing additional lure crops
such as corn or other grains;
• Taking over farming on certain high
goose use fields; and/or
• Offsetting a portion of the costs to
cooperative farmers; etc.
• Goose use should be no less than
under Alternative 1 and could increase
if specific goose management strategies
are implemented. Wetland habitat
management and restoration activities
will also be intensified to improve
habitat for geese and other wildlife.
Management and enhancement will
continue in remnant native habitats and
recently restored areas. In addition,
approximately 845 additional acres on
the three refuges will be restored to
wetland, wet prairie, riparian, oak
woodland, or upland prairie/oak
savanna habitats over the next 15 years.
Threatened and endangered species
management will continue to be a
priority, guided by recovery plans
where applicable. Existing populations
of several threatened and endangered
species will be strengthened through
habitat management activities, and
several new populations will be
established on the refuges.
Wildlife observation and
interpretation will continue to be
emphasized as the cornerstone of the
public use program. Several new trails
and viewing facilities are planned, as
well as interpretive signs and materials,
including online materials. In addition,
major special events are planned at a
frequency of about 3–4/year, with
monthly weekend interpretive
programs.
This alternative includes expansion of
environmental education efforts, with
an objective of reaching more students
and schools, particularly at W.L. Finley
Refuge. Outdoor classroom shelters are
part of the alternative. In addition, a
goal of this alternative is a new
Environmental Education Center, indoor
classroom facilities, and an interpretive
exhibit area on W.L. Finley Refuge. This
will depend on available funding.
A new option to hunt deer of either
sex will be added on W.L. Finley
Refuge. In addition, new upland
locations will be available for deer
hunting during a portion of the
restricted firearms season; this will
require closure of two hiking trails for
a week in November. The restricted
firearms season will be shortened and
shifted to later in the State season. A
youth waterfowl hunt and a September
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
9691
goose hunt will be provided at Baskett
Slough Refuge. Fishing will be
promoted at the Willamette River by
developing safe fishing access and a
canoe launch at Snag Boat Bend Unit.
The current area closed to public
access will remain closed, in order to
provide sanctuary during the wintering
waterfowl season on the three refuges.
However, the major portions of the Snag
Boat Bend Unit will be open year-round.
The refuges will develop an elk
management plan cooperatively with
the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife after completion of the CCP
(within 1–2 years of CCP
implementation). The refuges will
continue to expand conservation
partnerships, volunteer programs, and
outreach to local communities.
Proactive cultural resource management
will occur by repairing/maintaining the
historic structures on W.L. Finley
Refuge and by adding associated
interpretive facilities.
Under the selected action, the Service
also proposes protection, conservation,
and management of additional lands
within the Willamette Valley that could
contribute to refuge purposes and goals
by providing wintering habitat and
forage for Canada geese; providing
protection, enhancement, and
restoration of native habitats and rare
Willamette Valley species; and
providing opportunity for additional
wildlife-dependent public use. The
refuges will undertake a subsequent
land protection planning process to
identify specific tracts of lands for these
purposes.
Alternative 3
This alternative was analyzed but not
selected. Alternative 3 included a major
shift in management for wintering
Canada geese. Forage would have been
provided either through contract
farming (paying farmers to grow crops
on the refuges) and/or force account
farming (refuge staff doing the farming).
The refuges would have farmed only
fields that were receiving moderate-tohigh goose use. Refuge farming program
costs would have increased and goose
use would have likely decreased.
This alternative would have created
the opportunity to restore
approximately 1,564 acres of cropland
to native habitat over the next 15 years,
since the amount of farmland would be
reduced. However, the fields to be
restored would have likely lain fallow,
open to nonnative plant introduction,
while awaiting staff time and funding
for restoration.
Wildlife observation and
interpretation would have continued to
be emphasized as the cornerstone of the
E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM
17FEN1
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
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9690-9692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3759]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R2-R-2011-N198; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Corvallis,
OR; 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and a
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental
assessment (EA) for the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuges
(NWRs/refuges). In this final CCP, we describe how we will manage these
refuges for the next 15 years. Implementing the CCP is subject to the
availability of funding and any additional compliance requirements.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA
by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM.
Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document at https://www.fws.gov/pacific/planning.
Email: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Willamette Valley NWR
FCCP/EA'' in the subject line.
Fax: Attn: Doug Spencer, Project Leader, (541) 757-4450.
U.S. Mail: Doug Spencer, Project Leader, Willamette Valley National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 26208 Finley Refuge Road, Corvallis, Oregon
97333-9533.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call (541) 757-7236 to make an
appointment during regular business hours at W.L. Finley National
Wildlife Refuge, 26208 Finley Refuge Road, Corvallis, Oregon 97333-
9533.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Spencer, Project Leader, (541)
757-7236.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we announce the completion of the CCP process for
the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuges. The Service started
this process through a notice of intent in the Federal Register (73 FR
11137; February 29, 2008). We released the draft CCP/EA to the public,
announcing and requesting comments in a notice of availability in the
Federal Register (76 FR 30382; May 25, 2011).
The Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex includes
three refuges: William L. Finley, Baskett Slough, and Ankeny. Together,
the three refuges encompass approximately 11,110 acres in western
Oregon. Habitats on the refuges include seasonal, semipermanent, and
permanent wetlands; wet prairies, upland prairie/oak savannas, oak
woodlands, mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, riparian, riverine, and
stream habitats. Agricultural lands, the majority managed as grass
fields, are also present on the refuges. The refuges were established
under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act ``for use as an inviolate
sanctuary or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds * *
* to conserve and protect migratory birds * * * and to restore or
develop adequate wildlife habitat,'' with emphasis on protecting dusky
Canada geese. In the last four decades, these refuges have provided not
only an important wintering grounds for the dusky Canada goose and
thousands of other wintering geese and ducks, but also have been
recognized more recently as increasingly important areas for
conservation of the remaining fragments of the native Willamette Valley
habitats and biota. The refuges support key populations of federally
listed species, including Oregon chub, Fender's blue butterfly,
Bradshaw's desert-parsley, Kincaid's lupine, Nelson's checker-mallow,
and Willamette daisy, and provide migration habitat for listed Chinook
salmon and steelhead. Several other rare species are also found on the
refuges.
We announce our CCP decision and the availability of a FONSI for
the final EA for Willamette Valley NWRs 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 an analysis of
environmental impacts, which we included in an EA that accompanied the
draft CCP.
The CCP will guide us in managing and administering the refuges for
the next 15 years. Alternative 2, as described in the draft CCP, is the
basis of the final CCP.
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 national wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to
[[Page 9691]]
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 compatible 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.
CCP Alternatives, Including Selected Alternative
Our draft CCP/EA (76 FR 30382; May 25, 2011) discussed several
issues. To address these, we developed and evaluated the following
alternatives.
Alternative 1 (No Action)
Under Alternative 1, we analyzed the following ongoing actions:
Maintaining cultivated grass fields under a cooperative
farming program to provide forage for wintering Canada geese;
Managing wetland habitats and providing sanctuary for
geese;
Managing and enhancing the existing areas of native
habitats;
Continuing habitat and population management for
endangered and threatened species;
Providing wildlife observation, interpretation,
environmental education, fishing, and hunting with current facilities
and programs; and
Maintaining the current area closed to wintertime public
access to provide sanctuary during the wintering waterfowl season.
Alternative 2 (Selected Action)
Alternative 2, our preferred alternative, represents a balanced
approach among the many competing needs at the refuges. Overall,
habitat and compatible public use programs will continue as currently
managed but with many targeted improvements and additions. Implementing
these actions is subject to the availability of funding and any
additional compliance requirements.
An emphasis on providing habitat for wintering geese will remain.
Green forage for geese will continue to be provided primarily through
cooperative farming agreements with local farmers. The Service will
pursue measures to help retain the services of cooperative farmers,
such as:
Providing enhanced irrigation capabilities (these will
help the farmers to better establish green forage crops and perhaps
grow other cash crops);
Providing additional lure crops such as corn or other
grains;
Taking over farming on certain high goose use fields; and/
or
Offsetting a portion of the costs to cooperative farmers;
etc.
Goose use should be no less than under Alternative 1 and
could increase if specific goose management strategies are implemented.
Wetland habitat management and restoration activities will also be
intensified to improve habitat for geese and other wildlife.
Management and enhancement will continue in remnant native habitats
and recently restored areas. In addition, approximately 845 additional
acres on the three refuges will be restored to wetland, wet prairie,
riparian, oak woodland, or upland prairie/oak savanna habitats over the
next 15 years.
Threatened and endangered species management will continue to be a
priority, guided by recovery plans where applicable. Existing
populations of several threatened and endangered species will be
strengthened through habitat management activities, and several new
populations will be established on the refuges.
Wildlife observation and interpretation will continue to be
emphasized as the cornerstone of the public use program. Several new
trails and viewing facilities are planned, as well as interpretive
signs and materials, including online materials. In addition, major
special events are planned at a frequency of about 3-4/year, with
monthly weekend interpretive programs.
This alternative includes expansion of environmental education
efforts, with an objective of reaching more students and schools,
particularly at W.L. Finley Refuge. Outdoor classroom shelters are part
of the alternative. In addition, a goal of this alternative is a new
Environmental Education Center, indoor classroom facilities, and an
interpretive exhibit area on W.L. Finley Refuge. This will depend on
available funding.
A new option to hunt deer of either sex will be added on W.L.
Finley Refuge. In addition, new upland locations will be available for
deer hunting during a portion of the restricted firearms season; this
will require closure of two hiking trails for a week in November. The
restricted firearms season will be shortened and shifted to later in
the State season. A youth waterfowl hunt and a September goose hunt
will be provided at Baskett Slough Refuge. Fishing will be promoted at
the Willamette River by developing safe fishing access and a canoe
launch at Snag Boat Bend Unit.
The current area closed to public access will remain closed, in
order to provide sanctuary during the wintering waterfowl season on the
three refuges. However, the major portions of the Snag Boat Bend Unit
will be open year-round.
The refuges will develop an elk management plan cooperatively with
the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife after completion of the CCP
(within 1-2 years of CCP implementation). The refuges will continue to
expand conservation partnerships, volunteer programs, and outreach to
local communities. Proactive cultural resource management will occur by
repairing/maintaining the historic structures on W.L. Finley Refuge and
by adding associated interpretive facilities.
Under the selected action, the Service also proposes protection,
conservation, and management of additional lands within the Willamette
Valley that could contribute to refuge purposes and goals by providing
wintering habitat and forage for Canada geese; providing protection,
enhancement, and restoration of native habitats and rare Willamette
Valley species; and providing opportunity for additional wildlife-
dependent public use. The refuges will undertake a subsequent land
protection planning process to identify specific tracts of lands for
these purposes.
Alternative 3
This alternative was analyzed but not selected. Alternative 3
included a major shift in management for wintering Canada geese. Forage
would have been provided either through contract farming (paying
farmers to grow crops on the refuges) and/or force account farming
(refuge staff doing the farming). The refuges would have farmed only
fields that were receiving moderate-to-high goose use. Refuge farming
program costs would have increased and goose use would have likely
decreased.
This alternative would have created the opportunity to restore
approximately 1,564 acres of cropland to native habitat over the next
15 years, since the amount of farmland would be reduced. However, the
fields to be restored would have likely lain fallow, open to nonnative
plant introduction, while awaiting staff time and funding for
restoration.
Wildlife observation and interpretation would have continued to be
emphasized as the cornerstone of the
[[Page 9692]]
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
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
