Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, Boundary County, ID; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment, 16556-16558 [2012-6250]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16556-16558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6250]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-R-2012-N230; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, Boundary County, ID; Final 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact 
for Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and 
finding of no significant impact for the environmental assessment for 
the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (NWR/refuge). In this final CCP, 
we describe how we will manage the refuge for the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and finding 
of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (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 ``Kootenai NWR FCCP/
EA'' in the subject line.
    Fax: Attn: Dianna Ellis, Refuge Manager, (208) 267-3888.
    U.S. Mail: Dianna Ellis, Refuge Manager, Kootenai National Wildlife 
Refuge, 287 Westside Road, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call (208) 267-3888 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dianna Ellis, Refuge Manager, (208) 
267-3888.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we announce the completion of the CCP process for 
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. The Service started this process 
through a notice of intent in the Federal Register (74 FR 8102; 
February 23, 2009). We released the draft CCP/EA to the public, 
announcing and requesting comments in a notice of availability in the 
Federal Register (76 FR 48877; August 9, 2011).
    Kootenai NWR encompasses 2,774 acres along the lower Kootenai River 
in Boundary County, Idaho. Habitat types on the refuge include 
seasonal, semipermanent, and permanent wetlands; floodplain forests; 
coniferous forests; managed pastures; and croplands. The refuge was 
established under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act ``for use as an 
inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory 
birds.'' The refuge provides important habitat for waterbirds, 
migratory landbirds, and raptors; a variety of mammals including white-
tailed deer, elk, and moose; and bull trout, which is listed as a 
threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act.
    We announce our CCP decision and the availability of a FONSI for 
Kootenai NWR 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 for 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 
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 48877; August 9, 2011) discussed several 
issues. To address these, we developed and evaluated the following 
alternatives.

[[Page 16557]]

Alternative 1 (No Action)

    Under Alternative 1, we analyzed the following ongoing actions:
     Continuing to manage wetlands, croplands, and grasslands 
for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, deer, and elk.
     Growing 200 acres of grain crops annually.
     Maintaining existing riparian and forest habitat; minimal 
management of instream habitat.
     Allowing waterfowl hunting on the 740-acre hunt area, 4 
days per week, in accordance with the State's season. A 200-yard no-
shooting area (91 acres) would continue along the auto tour route to 
provide for safety.
     Allowing big game and upland game (grouse) hunting on the 
295 acres of timber on the west side of Lions Den and Westside Roads.
     Allowing fishing from the banks of Myrtle Creek only.
     Providing a 4.5-mile auto tour route that is open year-
round to vehicles, walking, bicycling, jogging, dog walking (on leash 
only), cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing as weather and road 
conditions permit.
     Providing slightly over 5 miles of trails that are open to 
walking, jogging, and dog walking (on leash only) year-round, except 
for Island Pond Trail, which would be closed on hunt days during the 
waterfowl hunting season.
     Providing an Environmental Education Center for teacher-
led, and occasionally staff-led, programs.

Alternative 2 (Selected Action)

    Alternative 2, our preferred alternative, represents a balanced 
approach among the many competing needs at the refuge. An emphasis on 
managing wetlands, croplands, and grasslands for migratory waterfowl, 
shorebirds, deer, and elk would continue. The Service will pursue 
measures to improve habitat quality and restore native habitats, such 
as:
     Repairing and improving the existing water management 
infrastructure to increase the refuge's ability to manage wetlands.
     Increasing the acreage of moist-soil wetlands from 10-20 
acres (current) to 75-100 acres to provide natural food sources for 
waterfowl. Once moist soil habitat is established, 50-75 acres of 
croplands would be restored to native upland grassland or wet meadow, 
while 125-200 acres of small grains and green browse would continue to 
be provided annually for migratory waterfowl.
     Maintaining 200 acres of existing riparian habitat and 
restoring 35-50 acres of native riparian and grassland habitats. White-
tailed deer and elk populations would be managed, in consultation with 
the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), through special permit 
hunts in order to protect restored riparian habitat.
     Suppressing wildfires and thinning forests to maintain an 
open understory and reduce ladder fuels.
     Working with partners to examine the feasibility of 
restoring degraded stream habitats for the benefit of native fish.
     Initiating a land protection plan study to analyze 
alternatives for possible refuge boundary expansion to include 120 
acres of floodplain owned by the Idaho Department of Lands.
    The refuge would continue to provide opportunities for compatible 
wildlife-dependent recreation, including waterfowl hunting, wildlife 
observation and photography, big game and upland game hunting, 
environmental education, and interpretation. Waterfowl hunting will 
continue be permitted 4 days per week, in accordance with the State's 
season. Current fishing regulations would continue (fishing is allowed 
from the banks of Myrtle Creek only). The 4.5-mile auto tour route will 
remain open year round to vehicles, walking, bicycling, jogging, dog 
walking (on leash only), cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing as 
weather and road conditions permit. A number of changes would be 
implemented to improve the quality of and access to these programs, 
increase public safety, and reduce disturbance to wildlife, including:
     The waterfowl hunt area will be reduced to 582 acres due 
to increasing the size of the 200-yard non-shooting area to include the 
area along the Deep Creek Trail (266 acres) to provide for safety. 
Overall, waterfowl hunting opportunities will be the same as under 
current management because the non-shooting area is rarely hunted.
     The location of fixed blinds and free-roam hunt areas 
would be adjusted as necessary based on habitat quality, waterfowl use 
of wetlands, and data from hunter surveys.
     An additional ADA-accessible blind will be constructed on 
the north hunt unit. South Pond will be open to hunting from the ADA 
blind only.
     Big game, upland game (grouse only), and turkey hunting 
will be allowed west of Lions Den Road (173 acres). Big game and upland 
game hunting will be discontinued west of Westside Road (122 acres). To 
reduce damage to riparian vegetation on the refuge flats, special 
permit and/or depredation hunts will be developed for white-tailed deer 
and elk, in consultation with Idaho Department of Fish and Game, if 
monitoring demonstrates a need for population control. Overall, 
opportunities for big game and upland game hunting will increase 
compared to current management.
     Wildlife observation, photography, walking, cross-country 
skiing, and snowshoeing will be allowed on four trails (3.7 miles 
total) year round, weather permitting. The Island Pond Trail will be 
closed to reduce disturbance to waterfowl.
     Environmental education programs will increase.

Alternative 3

    This alternative was analyzed but not selected. Under Alternative 
3, actions to protect, maintain, and restore habitat for priority 
species are the same as under Alternative 2, except that fewer areas 
would be planted to crops since more acres are managed as moist soil 
wetlands. The acreage in crops and moist soil would be intermediate 
between Alternatives 1 and 2.
    Waterfowl, big game, upland game, and turkey hunting would be the 
same as in Alternative 2. As in Alternative 2, special permit hunts for 
white-tailed deer and elk on the refuge flats would be developed to 
reduce damage to riparian vegetation. Catch-and-release fishing would 
be allowed from the banks of Myrtle Creek using single, barbless, non-
baited hooks only.
    The 4.5-mile auto tour route would remain open year-round to 
vehicles, walking, bicycling, jogging, dog walking (on leash only), 
cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing as weather and road conditions 
permit. Wildlife observation, photography, walking, cross-country 
skiing, and snowshoeing would be allowed on five trails (4.8 miles 
total) year round, weather permitting. The Island Pond Trail would be 
closed, but the 1.1-mile Kootenai River Trail would be reopened. 
Environmental education programs would increase.

Comments

    We solicited comments on the draft CCP/EA from August 9, 2011, to 
September 12, 2011 (76 FR 48877; August 9, 2011). To address the public 
comments we received, responsive changes and clarifications were made 
to the final CCP where appropriate. These changes are summarized in the 
FONSI.

Selected Alternative

    After considering the public comments, 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

[[Page 16558]]

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: November 10, 2011.
Hugh Morrison,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2012-6250 Filed 3-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P