Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific County, WA; Record of Decision for Final Environmental Impact Statement, 16058-16059 [2012-6532]

Download as PDF 16058 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 53 / Monday, March 19, 2012 / Notices cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: March 9, 2012. Richard Hannan, Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2012–6533 Filed 3–16–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R1–R–2011–N180; 1265–0000–10137– S3] Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific County, WA; Record of Decision for Final Environmental Impact Statement Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and record of decision (ROD). We completed a thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and economic considerations and presented it in our Final CCP and environmental impact statement (EIS), which we released to the public on August 12, 2011. The ROD documents our decision to implement Alternative 2, as it is described in the Final CCP/ EIS. DATES: The Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, signed the ROD on September 29, 2011. We plan to begin implementation of the CCP immediately. ADDRESSES: You may view or request a copy of the CCP/ROD by the following methods: Agency Web Site: Download the document at: https://www.fws.gov/ willapa/CCP/. Email: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Willapa NWR CCP/ROD’’ in the subject line of the message. Mail: Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, WA 98624. In person viewing: Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, WA 98624. Local Libraries: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader, (360) 484–3482 (phone). emcdonald on DSK29S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:40 Mar 16, 2012 Jkt 226001 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for the Refuge. We started this process through a notice of intent in the Federal Register on April 9, 2008 (73 FR 19238). We announced the availability of our draft and final documents in the Federal Register as well. Our Draft CCP/ EIS was released on January 21, 2011 (76 FR 3922), and our Final CCP/EIS was released on August 12, 2011 (76 FR 50247). The Refuge was established in 1937 to protect migrating and wintering populations of brant, waterfowl, shorebirds, and other migratory birds, and for conservation purposes. It encompasses over 16,000 acres of tidelands, temperate rainforest, ocean beaches, sand dunes, rivers, and small streams. Remnants of old growth coastal cedar forest and habitats for spawning wild salmon, migrating shorebirds, and threatened and endangered species, such as the western snowy plover and marbled murrelet, are preserved on the Refuge. We evaluated three alternatives for managing the Refuge’s resources in the Final CCP/EIS, identified Alternative 2 as our preferred alternative, and completed a thorough analysis of environmental, social, and economic considerations. The ROD documents our selection of Alternative 2 for implementation. Alternative 2 is the foundation of our CCP. The CCP will guide our management and administration of the Refuge for the next 15 years. In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6(b)), this notice announces the availability of our CCP/ROD. 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 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. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Refuge Administration Act. PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 CCP Alternatives and Selected Alternative We identified management issues in our Draft and Final CCP/EIS. To address these issues, we developed and evaluated three alternatives. Alternative 1 is our no-action alternative; under it, current Refuge management programs would continue. Under Alternative 2, our preferred alternative, current management would continue and a number of compatible improvements to our wildlife, habitat, biodiversity, and visitor services management activities would be implemented. Under Alternative 3, we would continue current Refuge management programs, and some improvements to wildlife, habitat, and visitor services management would occur, but to a lesser degree than under Alternative 2. After considering public comments, we selected Alternative 2, as it is described in the Final CCP/EIS, for implementation. Alternative 2 will best achieve Refuge purposes, and contribute toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with the sound principles of fish and wildlife science and conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. Current wildlife and habitat management will continue under Alternative 2, including maintaining freshwater wetlands on the Tarlatt Unit and implementing our forest management plan. The following improvements will be implemented over time. • The Refuge’s intensively managed pastures and impoundments will be restored to historic estuarine conditions, increasing open water, intertidal flats, and salt marsh habitats by 621 acres. • Avian and mammalian predators on the Leadbetter Point Unit will be controlled as necessary, to help meet western snowy plover population recovery goals. • We will manage 93 acres of shortgrass fields as foraging habitat for Canada geese, elk, and other wildlife, on the Riekkola Unit. Grassland restoration will include establishing the early-blue violet host plant on 33 acres, which will serve the future reintroduction of the endangered Oregon silverspot butterfly. • We will expand the approved Refuge acquisition boundary by 6,809 acres in the Nemah, Naselle, South Bay, and East Hills areas, and divest the Shoalwater and Wheaton Units (941 acres) from the Refuge. • We will develop an interpretive trail and observation deck along the South Bay that will tie into our proposed Tarlatt Unit visitor/ administrative facility. • After the proposed estuarine restoration is completed, we will E:\FR\FM\19MRN1.SGM 19MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 53 / Monday, March 19, 2012 / Notices expand the waterfowl hunting area to 5,570 acres. • We will provide an additional 100 acres, and develop three blinds for goose hunting, including a barrier-free blind. Two blinds for waterfowl hunting, including a barrier-free blind, will also be developed. Walk-in hunters will access the blinds on a first-comefirst-served basis. • We will develop a year-round cartop boat launch, parking area, and 0.6-mile Porter Point Trail, to access the South Bay. • A special-permit elk hunt is planned on the Leadbetter Point Unit. Elk and deer hunting are proposed during State seasons on the South Bay and East Hills Units. Public Availability of Documents In addition to options listed under ADDRESSES, you can view our CCP/ROD at the following libraries. • Ilwaco Timberland Library, 158 1st Ave. North, Ilwaco, WA 98624. • South Bend Timberland Library, 1216 West 1st St., South Bend, WA 98586. • Ocean Park Timberland Library, 1308 256th Place, Ocean Park, WA 98640. • Astoria Public Library, 450 10th St., Astoria, OR 97103. Dated: March 7, 2012. Richard R. Hannan, Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon. [FR Doc. 2012–6532 Filed 3–16–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Introduction Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R7–R–2011–N273; FXRS12650700000U4–123–FF07R06000] Draft Environmental Impact Statement; Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Land Exchange/Road Corridor, Cold Bay, AL Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments; announcement of public meetings. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge proposed land exchange/road corridor for public review and comment. In the DEIS, we describe the purpose and need, the proposed action, alternatives, and impact analysis for the proposed land exchange/road corridor of certain lands emcdonald on DSK29S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:40 Mar 16, 2012 owned by the United States and managed by the Service, certain lands owned by the State of Alaska, and certain lands owned by the King Cove Corporation. The DEIS also evaluates a proposed road corridor through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and the Izembek Wilderness Area. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by May 18, 2012. We will hold public meetings in the five communities within and near the Refuge, and also in the city of Anchorage, in Alaska. We will announce these upcoming public meetings in local news media. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or requests for copies or more information by any of the following methods. You may request a summary of the DEIS, or a CD–ROM containing the summary and full DEIS. Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the summary or full DEIS document at https://izembek.fws.gov/EIS.htm. Email: izembek_eis@fws.gov; include ‘‘Izembek National Wildlife Refuge DEIS’’ in the subject line of the message. Fax: Attn: Stephanie Brady, Project Team Leader, (907) 786–3965. U.S. Mail: Stephanie Brady, Project Team Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Rd., MS–231, Anchorage, AK 99503. In-Person Pickup or Drop-off: You may pick up a copy or drop off comments during regular business hours at the address listed above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Brady, (907) 786–3357, or at the addresses above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Jkt 226001 With this notice, we continue the EIS process for the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge land exchange/road corridor proposal. We started this process with notices of intent in the Federal Register (74 FR 39336; August 6, 2009; 75 FR 8396; February 24, 2010), indicating the beginning of the scoping period and publishing the dates and locations of the scoping meetings. The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge (417,533 acres) and the North Creek (8,452 acres) and Pavlof (1,447,264 acres) units of the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge are located at the westernmost tip of the Alaska Peninsula. To the north of the Izembek Refuge is the Bering Sea; to the south is the Pacific Ocean. The Alaska Peninsula is dominated by the rugged Aleutian Range, part of the Aleutian arc chain of volcanoes. Landforms include mountains, active volcanoes, U-shaped valleys, glacial moraines, low tundra PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16059 wetlands, lakes, sand dunes, and lagoons. Elevations range from sea level to the 9,372-foot Shishaldin Volcano. Shishaldin Volcano is a designated National Natural Landmark. Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the southeast panhandle of Alaska and protects breeding habitat for seabirds, marine mammals, and other wildlife on more than 2,500 islands, spires, rocks, and coastal headlands. Background On December 6, 1960, Public Land Order 2216 established the 498,000-acre Izembek National Wildlife Range, which included Izembek Lagoon and its entire watershed near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula as ‘‘a refuge, breeding ground and management area for all forms of wildlife.’’ Eighty-four thousand, two hundred acres of this national wildlife range, including Izembek Lagoon, are state lands under the Submerged Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1312. The State of Alaska established the Izembek State Game Refuge to continue protecting the rare resources of Izembek Lagoon in 1972. In December 1980, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA; Pub. L. 96–487) was enacted. Section 303(3) redesignated the existing Izembek National Wildlife Range, containing the 417,533-acre watershed surrounding Izembek Lagoon, as the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. As described in ANILCA, Izembek Refuge purposes include the following: (i) To conserve fish and wildlife populations and habitats in their natural diversity * * *; (ii) To fulfill the international treaty obligations of the United States with respect to fish and wildlife and their habitats; (iii) To provide, in a manner consistent with the purposes set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii), the opportunity for continued subsistence uses by local residents; and (iv) To ensure, to the maximum extent practicable and in a manner consistent with the purposes set forth in paragraph (i), water quality and necessary water quantity within the refuge. Section 702(6) of ANILCA also designated 300,000 acres (72%) of the Izembek Refuge Unit as wilderness. The Wilderness Act creates additional purposes for designated wilderness areas within refuge boundaries. Specifically, these areas are to be managed ‘‘for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness, and so as to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their E:\FR\FM\19MRN1.SGM 19MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 53 (Monday, March 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16058-16059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6532]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2011-N180; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific County, WA; Record of 
Decision for Final Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
availability of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge final 
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and record of decision (ROD). We 
completed a thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and 
economic considerations and presented it in our Final CCP and 
environmental impact statement (EIS), which we released to the public 
on August 12, 2011. The ROD documents our decision to implement 
Alternative 2, as it is described in the Final CCP/EIS.

DATES: The Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, signed the ROD on September 29, 2011. We plan to begin 
implementation of the CCP immediately.

ADDRESSES: You may view or request a copy of the CCP/ROD by the 
following methods:
    Agency Web Site: Download the document at: https://www.fws.gov/willapa/CCP/.
    Email: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Willapa NWR CCP/ROD'' 
in the subject line of the message.
    Mail: Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, WA 
98624.
    In person viewing: Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 
SR 101, Ilwaco, WA 98624.
    Local Libraries: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for the Refuge. We 
started this process through a notice of intent in the Federal Register 
on April 9, 2008 (73 FR 19238). We announced the availability of our 
draft and final documents in the Federal Register as well. Our Draft 
CCP/EIS was released on January 21, 2011 (76 FR 3922), and our Final 
CCP/EIS was released on August 12, 2011 (76 FR 50247).
    The Refuge was established in 1937 to protect migrating and 
wintering populations of brant, waterfowl, shorebirds, and other 
migratory birds, and for conservation purposes. It encompasses over 
16,000 acres of tidelands, temperate rainforest, ocean beaches, sand 
dunes, rivers, and small streams. Remnants of old growth coastal cedar 
forest and habitats for spawning wild salmon, migrating shorebirds, and 
threatened and endangered species, such as the western snowy plover and 
marbled murrelet, are preserved on the Refuge.
    We evaluated three alternatives for managing the Refuge's resources 
in the Final CCP/EIS, identified Alternative 2 as our preferred 
alternative, and completed a thorough analysis of environmental, 
social, and economic considerations. The ROD documents our selection of 
Alternative 2 for implementation. Alternative 2 is the foundation of 
our CCP. The CCP will guide our management and administration of the 
Refuge for the next 15 years. In accordance with National Environmental 
Policy Act and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6(b)), this 
notice announces the availability of our CCP/ROD.

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 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. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in 
accordance with the Refuge Administration Act.

CCP Alternatives and Selected Alternative

    We identified management issues in our Draft and Final CCP/EIS. To 
address these issues, we developed and evaluated three alternatives. 
Alternative 1 is our no-action alternative; under it, current Refuge 
management programs would continue. Under Alternative 2, our preferred 
alternative, current management would continue and a number of 
compatible improvements to our wildlife, habitat, biodiversity, and 
visitor services management activities would be implemented. Under 
Alternative 3, we would continue current Refuge management programs, 
and some improvements to wildlife, habitat, and visitor services 
management would occur, but to a lesser degree than under Alternative 
2.
    After considering public comments, we selected Alternative 2, as it 
is described in the Final CCP/EIS, for implementation. Alternative 2 
will best achieve Refuge purposes, and contribute toward the mission of 
the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with the sound 
principles of fish and wildlife science and conservation, legal 
mandates, and Service policies. Current wildlife and habitat management 
will continue under Alternative 2, including maintaining freshwater 
wetlands on the Tarlatt Unit and implementing our forest management 
plan. The following improvements will be implemented over time.
     The Refuge's intensively managed pastures and impoundments 
will be restored to historic estuarine conditions, increasing open 
water, intertidal flats, and salt marsh habitats by 621 acres.
     Avian and mammalian predators on the Leadbetter Point Unit 
will be controlled as necessary, to help meet western snowy plover 
population recovery goals.
     We will manage 93 acres of short-grass fields as foraging 
habitat for Canada geese, elk, and other wildlife, on the Riekkola 
Unit. Grassland restoration will include establishing the early-blue 
violet host plant on 33 acres, which will serve the future 
reintroduction of the endangered Oregon silverspot butterfly.
     We will expand the approved Refuge acquisition boundary by 
6,809 acres in the Nemah, Naselle, South Bay, and East Hills areas, and 
divest the Shoalwater and Wheaton Units (941 acres) from the Refuge.
     We will develop an interpretive trail and observation deck 
along the South Bay that will tie into our proposed Tarlatt Unit 
visitor/administrative facility.
     After the proposed estuarine restoration is completed, we 
will

[[Page 16059]]

expand the waterfowl hunting area to 5,570 acres.
     We will provide an additional 100 acres, and develop three 
blinds for goose hunting, including a barrier-free blind. Two blinds 
for waterfowl hunting, including a barrier-free blind, will also be 
developed. Walk-in hunters will access the blinds on a first-come-
first-served basis.
     We will develop a year-round cartop boat launch, parking 
area, and 0.6-mile Porter Point Trail, to access the South Bay.
     A special-permit elk hunt is planned on the Leadbetter 
Point Unit. Elk and deer hunting are proposed during State seasons on 
the South Bay and East Hills Units.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to options listed under ADDRESSES, you can view our 
CCP/ROD at the following libraries.
     Ilwaco Timberland Library, 158 1st Ave. North, Ilwaco, WA 
98624.
     South Bend Timberland Library, 1216 West 1st St., South 
Bend, WA 98586.
     Ocean Park Timberland Library, 1308 256th Place, Ocean 
Park, WA 98640.
     Astoria Public Library, 450 10th St., Astoria, OR 97103.

    Dated: March 7, 2012.
Richard R. Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2012-6532 Filed 3-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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