Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for Alabama Beach Mouse General Conservation Plan for Incidental Take on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin County, AL, 18857-18858 [2012-7370]
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tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 60 / Wednesday, March 28, 2012 / Notices
canoeing, and paddling; (9) all-terrain
vehicle use; (10) bicycling; and (11)
boating are also available within the
CCP.
Alternative B will focus on
augmenting wildlife and habitat
management to identify, conserve, and
restore populations of native fish and
wildlife species, with an emphasis on
migratory birds and threatened and
endangered species. This objective will
partially be accomplished by increased
monitoring of waterfowl, other
migratory and resident birds, and
endemic species, in order to assess and
adapt management strategies and
actions. Additionally, information gaps
will be addressed by the initiation of
baseline surveying, periodic monitoring,
and ultimately adding adaptive habitat
management.
Habitat management programs for
impoundments, greentree reservoir,
wetlands, open waters, forested habitats,
scrub/shrub habitat, grasslands, and
open lands will be reevaluated, and
step-down management plans will be
developed to meet the foraging, nesting,
and breeding requirements of priority
species. Additionally, monitoring and
adaptive habitat management will be
implemented to potentially counteract
the impacts associated with long-term
climate change and sea level rise.
The control of invasive and exotic
plant species will be more aggressively
managed by implementing a
management plan, completing a
baseline inventory, supporting research,
and controlling with strategic
mechanical and chemical means.
Additionally, the Complex will utilize
this management plan and monitoring
to enhance efforts to control/remove
invasive, exotic, and/or nuisance
wildlife on the refuge.
Alternative B will enhance our visitor
services opportunities by: (1) Improving
the quality of fishing opportunities; (2)
implementing an environmental
education program component that
utilizes volunteers and local schools as
partners; (3) enhancing wildlife viewing
and photography opportunities by
implementing blinds, a swamp trail
boardwalk, and additional observational
areas; (4) developing and implementing
a visitor services management plan, (5)
working with partners to develop a
Complex visitor center, including a law
enforcement office and maintenance
facility with an attached visitor contact
station; and (6) enhancing personal
interpretive and outreach opportunities.
Volunteer programs and friends groups
also would be expanded to enhance all
aspects of management and to increase
resource availability.
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In addition to the enforcement of all
Federal and State laws to protect
archaeological and historical sites, we
will identify and develop a plan to
protect all known sites. The
development of an onsite office for law
enforcement officers will not only better
provide security for these resources, but
will also ensure visitor safety and public
compliance with refuge regulations.
Land acquisitions within the
approved acquisition boundary will be
based on the importance of the habitat
for wildlife, management, and access.
Alternative B also will develop a
preliminary land protection proposal to
achieve a congressionally authorized
refuge boundary expansion of
approximately 17,000 acres within the
Atchafalaya Basin Floodplain to
improve buffer conditions, contribute to
biological objectives, close gaps between
existing tracts, and improve public
access. Administration plans will stress
the need for increased maintenance of
existing infrastructure and construction
of new facilities. Funding for new
construction projects will be balanced
between habitat management and public
use needs. Additional staff will be
required to accomplish the goals of this
alternative. Personnel priorities will
include adding a visitor services
specialist, assistant manager, biological
technician, forestry technician,
maintenance worker, and law
enforcement officer to the staff. The
increased budget and staffing levels will
better enable us to meet the obligations
of wildlife stewardship, habitat
management, and public use.
Authority
This notice is published under the
authority of the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997, Public Law 105–57.
Dated: September 27, 2011.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2012–7403 Filed 3–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R4–ES–2012–N063; 40120–1112–
0000–F2]
Final Environmental Impact Statement
and Record of Decision for Alabama
Beach Mouse General Conservation
Plan for Incidental Take on the Fort
Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin County, AL
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
PO 00000
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ACTION:
18857
Notice.
The Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service), announces the availability of
a final environmental impact statement
(EIS), which analyzes the environmental
impacts associated with issuing, in
accordance with the proposed General
Conservation plan (GCP), incidental
take permits requested under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act),
as amended, for take of Alabama beach
mouse (Peromyscus polionotus
ammobates). For record of decision
(ROD) availability, see DATES.
DATES: The ROD will be available no
sooner than April 27, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Documents and other
information submitted with the
applications are available for review,
subject to the requirements of the
Privacy Act and Freedom of Information
Act, by any party who submits a written
request for a copy of such documents to
either of the following offices within 30
days of the date of publication of this
notice: David Dell, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1875 Century
Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA
30345; or Field Supervisor, Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1208–B Main Street,
Daphne, AL 36526.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
David Dell, Regional HCP Coordinator
(See ADDRESSES), telephone: (404) 679–
7313; or Ms. Shannon Holbrook, Field
Office Project Manager, at the Daphne
Field Office (See ADDRESSES), telephone:
(251) 441–5871.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final
EIS analyzes the consequences of the
proposed action, take of the Alabama
beach mouse incidental to construction
of up to 500 single-family developments
potentially affecting an estimated total
of 75 acres of Alabama beach mouse
habitat, and alternatives to the proposed
action. Individual land owners who
would need incidental take permits
(ITP) for single-family developments,
and whose development proposal fits
within limits evaluated in the GCP,
could apply for ITPs using the GCP
provisions instead of producing their
own habitat conservation plans. The
GCP evaluates issuance of ITPs with up
to 50-year terms under section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.). The GCP describes the mitigation
and minimization measures proposed to
address the effects on the species. On
August 9, 2011, we published a notice
of availability for a draft EIS (76 FR
48879) for a 90-day public comment
period. For ROD availability, see DATES.
The EIS analyzes the preferred
alternative, as well as a full range of
reasonable alternatives, and the
SUMMARY:
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18858
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 60 / Wednesday, March 28, 2012 / Notices
associated impacts of each. Alternative
3 (Preferred Alternative) would
implement the GCP as proposed.
Authority: The environmental review
of this project is being conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.) and its implementing regulations
(40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508), and
with other appropriate Federal laws and
regulations, policies, and procedures of
the Service for compliance with those
regulations.
Planned agenda items include
opening remarks from the District
Manager, access issues, illegal trash
dumps, and the Social-Economic
Strategic Plan.
A half-hour public comment period
during which the public may address
the Council will begin at 2:30 p.m. on
April 11, 2012. All RAC meetings are
open to the public.
Depending on the number of
individuals wishing to comment and
time available, the time for individual
oral comments may be limited.
Dated: February 17, 2012.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
Bill Childress,
District Manager, Las Cruces.
[FR Doc. 2012–7370 Filed 3–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–VC–P
[FR Doc. 2012–7408 Filed 3–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNML00000 L12200000.DF0000]
Notice of Public Meeting, Las Cruces
District Resource Advisory Council
Meeting, New Mexico
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act and the Federal Advisory
Committee Act of 1972, the U.S.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Land Management (BLM), Las Cruces
District Resource Advisory Council
(RAC), will meet as indicated below.
DATES: The meeting date is April 11
2012, at the BLM Las Cruces District
Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Las
Cruces, NM 88005, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The public may send written comments
to the RAC at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rena Gutierrez, BLM Las Cruces
District, 1800 Marquess Street, Las
Cruces, NM 88005, 575–525–4338.
Persons who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 1–800–877–8229 to contact the
above individual during normal
business hours. The FIRS is available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a
message or question with the above
individual. You will receive a reply
during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 10member RAC advises the Secretary of
the Interior, through the BLM, on a
variety of planning and management
issues associated with public land
management in New Mexico.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
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Remanded Biological Opinions on the
Coordinated Long-Term Operation of
the Central Valley Project and State
Water Project: Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement and Notice of Scoping
Meetings
Bureau of Reclamation,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent and scoping
meetings.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Reclamation
intends to prepare an environmental
impact statement for modifications to
the continued long-term operation of the
Central Valley Project, in a coordinated
manner with the State Water Project,
that are likely to avoid jeopardy and
destruction or adverse modification of
designated critical habitat. We are
seeking suggestions and information on
the alternatives and topics to be
addressed and any other important
issues related to the proposed action.
DATES: Submit written comments on the
scope of the environmental impact
statement by May 29, 2012.
Four public scoping meetings will be
held to solicit public input on
alternatives, concerns, and issues to be
addressed in the environmental impact
statement:
1. Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 6 p.m.
to 8 p.m., Madera, CA.
2. Thursday, April 26, 2012, 6 p.m. to
8 p.m., Diamond Bar, CA.
3. Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 2 p.m. to
4 p.m., Sacramento, CA.
4. Thursday, May 3, 2012, 6 p.m. to
8 p.m., Marysville, CA.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
˜
Janice Pinero, Endangered Species
Compliance Act Specialist, Bureau of
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Reclamation, Bay-Delta Office, 801 I
Street Suite 140, Sacramento, CA
95814–2536; fax to (916) 414–2439; or
email at jpinero@usbr.gov.
The scoping meetings will be held at
the following locations:
1. Madera—Madera County Mail
Library, Blanche Galloway Room, 121
N. G Street, Madera, CA 93637.
2. Diamond Bar—South Coast Air
Quality Management District, Room
CC6, 21865 Copley Dr., Diamond Bar,
CA 91765.
3. Sacramento—Federal Building, 650
Capitol Mall, Stanford Room,
Sacramento, CA 95814.
4. Yuba County Government Center,
Board of Supervisors Chambers, 915
Eighth St., Marysville, CA 95901.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
˜
Janice Pinero at (916) 414–2428; or
email at jpinero@usbr.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Agencies Involved
II. Why We Are Taking This Action
III. Results of Litigation
IV. Purpose and Need for Action
V. Project Area
VI. Alternatives To Be Considered
VII. Statutory Authority
VIII. Request for Comments
IX. Public Disclosure
X. How To Request Reasonable
Accommodation
I. Agencies Involved
We, the Bureau of Reclamation, are
the lead Federal agency. We will invite
the following agencies to participate as
cooperating agencies for preparation of
the environmental impact statement
(EIS) in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as
amended:
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS),
• National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS),
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and
• U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
We have also identified other Federal,
State, and local agencies (e.g., California
Department of Water Resources,
California Department of Fish and
Game, State and Federal Contractors
Water Agency, etc.) as potential
cooperating agencies, and we will invite
them to participate as such in the near
future.
II. Why We Are Taking This Action
The Central Valley Project (CVP) is
the largest Federal Reclamation project.
We operate the CVP in coordination
with the State Water Project (SWP),
under the Coordinated Operation
Agreement between the Federal
government and the State of California
E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM
28MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18857-18858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7370]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-ES-2012-N063; 40120-1112-0000-F2]
Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for
Alabama Beach Mouse General Conservation Plan for Incidental Take on
the Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin County, AL
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announces the
availability of a final environmental impact statement (EIS), which
analyzes the environmental impacts associated with issuing, in
accordance with the proposed General Conservation plan (GCP),
incidental take permits requested under the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (Act), as amended, for take of Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus
polionotus ammobates). For record of decision (ROD) availability, see
DATES.
DATES: The ROD will be available no sooner than April 27, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Documents and other information submitted with the
applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of
the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who
submits a written request for a copy of such documents to either of the
following offices within 30 days of the date of publication of this
notice: David Dell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century
Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345; or Field Supervisor, Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1208-B Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Dell, Regional HCP
Coordinator (See ADDRESSES), telephone: (404) 679-7313; or Ms. Shannon
Holbrook, Field Office Project Manager, at the Daphne Field Office (See
ADDRESSES), telephone: (251) 441-5871.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS analyzes the consequences of
the proposed action, take of the Alabama beach mouse incidental to
construction of up to 500 single-family developments potentially
affecting an estimated total of 75 acres of Alabama beach mouse
habitat, and alternatives to the proposed action. Individual land
owners who would need incidental take permits (ITP) for single-family
developments, and whose development proposal fits within limits
evaluated in the GCP, could apply for ITPs using the GCP provisions
instead of producing their own habitat conservation plans. The GCP
evaluates issuance of ITPs with up to 50-year terms under section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The GCP describes the
mitigation and minimization measures proposed to address the effects on
the species. On August 9, 2011, we published a notice of availability
for a draft EIS (76 FR 48879) for a 90-day public comment period. For
ROD availability, see DATES. The EIS analyzes the preferred
alternative, as well as a full range of reasonable alternatives, and
the
[[Page 18858]]
associated impacts of each. Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative) would
implement the GCP as proposed.
Authority: The environmental review of this project is being
conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
and its implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508), and
with other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, policies, and
procedures of the Service for compliance with those regulations.
Dated: February 17, 2012.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-7370 Filed 3-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
