Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Austin and Colorado Counties, TX; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment, 47660-47662 [2012-19538]

Download as PDF 47660 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices Issue topic Alternative A—no action Alternative B—proposed action Alternative C Issue 7: Cultural Resources ...... Protect known archaeological sites. Protect and maintain designated sites or those sites eligible for designation to preserve historic character. Same as Alternative A, plus: Update the 1964–1965 archaeological survey by completing systematic surveys Refuge-wide. Increase monitoring of known sites. Same as Alternative B, plus: Identify sites in the Public Use Area at a greater risk of disturbance. Nominate additional historic sites for designation. • Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Headquarters Office, 32 Refuge Headquarters, Indiahoma, OK 73552 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Public Availability of Documents In addition to any methods in you can view or obtain documents at the following locations: ADDRESSES, • Our Web site: https://www.fws.gov/ southwest/refuges/Plan/planindex.html. • At the following public libraries: Library Address Lawton Public Library .............................. Cameron University Library ..................... Southern Prairie Library System ............. 110 SW 4th Street, Lawton, OK 73501 ................................................................... 2800 West Gore Blvd., Lawton, OK 73505 .............................................................. 421 N. Hudson Street, Altus, OK 73521 .................................................................. Submitting Comments/Issues for Comment DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service We consider comments substantive if they: • Question, with reasonable basis, the accuracy of the information in the document; • Question, with reasonable basis, the adequacy of the environmental assessment (EA); • Present reasonable alternatives other than those presented in the EA; and/or • Provide new or additional information relevant to the assessment. Next Steps After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and address them in the form of a final CCP and finding of no significant impact. Public Availability of Comments tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: August 3, 2012. Joy E. Nicholopoulos, Regional Director, Southwest Region. [FR Doc. 2012–19497 Filed 8–8–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Aug 08, 2012 Jkt 226001 [FWS–R2–R–2012–N142; FXRS12610200000S3–123–FF02R06000] Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Austin and Colorado Counties, TX; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. Notice of availability. ACTION: 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 (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA) for the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, NWR). In this final CCP, we describe how we will manage this Refuge for the next 15 years. 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 documents at https://www.fws.gov/ southwest/refuges/Plan/planindex.html. Email: monica_kimbrough@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR final CCP’’ in the subject line of the message. Mail: Monica Kimbrough, Natural Resource Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Planning, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103–1306. In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 505–248–6642 to make an appointment during regular business hours at 500 Gold Avenue SW., Albuquerque, NM SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Phone number 580–581–3450 580–581–2957 580–477–2890 87102 or the Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR Headquarters, 1206 APC NWR Road, Eagle Lake, TX 77434; phone: (979) 234–3021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Rossignol, Refuge Manager, Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR, CCP— Project, P.O. Box 519, Eagle Lake, TX 77434; phone: (979) 234–3021; fax: (979) 234–3278. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR. We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register (73 FR 65871; November 5, 2008). We released the draft CCP and the EA to the public, announcing and requesting comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register (76 FR 77245; December 12, 2011). The Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR, which consists of 10,541 acres located approximately 60 miles west of Houston, Texas, is one of the largest remnants of coastal prairie habitat remaining in southeast Texas. The Refuge was officially established on July 1, 1972, to preserve and restore coastal prairie habitat for the endangered Attwater’s prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri). We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the final CCP for Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, which we included in the EA that accompanied the draft CCP. The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR for the next 15 years. E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM 09AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices Alternative B, as we described in the final CCP, is the foundation for the CCP. 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. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, A—No action alternative Habitat Management Issue 1: Prairie Restoration. Combination of planting native grasses, grazing, burning, hydrologic restoration. Habitat Management Issue 2: Land/ Property Acquisition. Habitat Management Issue 3: Invasive Species Control (Flora). Acquire acres within approved acquisition boundary; not proactively seeking out additional land protection options. Treatments include a combination of chemical, mechanical, and prescribed fire. Wildlife Management Issue 1: Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken Recovery. Wildlife Management Issue 2: Invasive Species Control (Fauna). Continue to implement Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken Recovery Plan. Wildlife Management Issue 3: Wildlife Food Plots (Farming Program). Manage three food plots totaling up to 150 acres. Visitor Services Issue 1: Wildlife Observation and Wildlife Photography. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Issue topic Provide wildlife observation and photography to include auto-tour route and two hiking trails. Visitor Services Issue 2: Environmental Education. Visitor Services Issue 3: Interpretation. Provide environmental education as requested and as staff time permits. VerDate Mar<15>2010 Eliminate feral hogs and nutria based on sighting and/or documented damage; treat nest sites and conduct research on impacts of red imported fire ants on insect community. Host annual Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken Festival; interpretive signage at headquarters and along auto-tour route. 16:38 Aug 08, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00073 47661 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 and our EA (76 FR 77245; December 12, 2011) addressed several issues. To address these, we developed and evaluated the following alternatives. B—Optimal habitat management and public use (proposed action) alternative C—Maximal habitat management and public use alternative Same as Alternative A; plus explore partnership options to produce native grass seed to increase the number of restoration acres; expand monitoring for grazing and burning effects; remove infrastructure, including two manmade wetland impoundments, restoring a functional level of hydrology. Continue to acquire land within acquisition boundary, proactively seek out land protection options and diversify those options. Same as Alternative A; plus conduct one-time systematic chemical invasive species control for entire refuge, unit by unit; afterward, treatment is expected to be required every 2–3 years as invasive species re-establish. Same as Alternative A ......................... Same as Alternative B; except establish seed harvest and production on the Refuge; grazing bison only. Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A; plus work with adjacent land owners to control feral hog population; remove brush and other elements of hog movement corridors; depending on results of current research of red imported fire ants, expand treated area to full extent of refuge and work with adjacent landowners to expand treatment off refuge. Same as Alternative A; plus explore additional ways to provide supplemental food to Attwater’s prairiechicken, including capability to irrigate and addition of food plots when the species’ populations expand. Same as Alternative A; plus realign auto-tour route; exclude cattle from public hiking trails; establish a new platform and hiking trail around Horseshoe Lake; remove Pipit Trail; increase guided van tours. Develop an environmental education program and promote in local school districts. Same as Alternative A; plus add interpretive signage and kiosk to new auto-tour route and new trail; expand interpretive opportunities using recent technologies. Same as Alternative B. Fmt 4703 09AUN1 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM Eliminate wildlife food plots. Same as Alternative B. Develop an outdoor classroom through partnerships with local schools, volunteers, and friends group. Same as Alternative B. 47662 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices Issue topic A—No action alternative Facilities Issue 1: Roads. Cooperate with county maintenance personnel for refuge entrance road, and maintain other refuge roads. Facilities Issue 2: Development of Administrative Complex. Administrative operations conducted out of three portable structures. B—Optimal habitat management and public use (proposed action) alternative Same as Alternative A; plus acquire jurisdiction and maintenance responsibilities of existing refuge entrance road and widen to two full lanes; bury powerline along entrance road; evaluate and remove services roads where necessary. Develop and approve site plan for new integrated administrative complex. Comments We solicited comments on the draft CCP and the EA for the Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR from December 12, 2011, to January 23, 2012 (76 FR77245). The public was notified of the release of the draft CCP and the EA through the NOA, through local media outlets, and public notices were posted on various community bulletin boards. The draft CCP and EA were made available, online, at the Regional Office in Albuquerque, at the Refuge, and at three public libraries in surrounding communities. A public open house meeting was held on January 14, 2012. The Service received four comment letters. The comments were thoroughly reviewed and the CCP did not change substantially based on public comment. Selected Alternative After considering the comments we received, we have selected Alternative B for implementation. Alternative B was selected over the other alternatives because it best meets the Refuge’s vision for the future, the purposes for which the Refuge was established, and the habitat, wildlife and visitor services goals identified in the CCP. This alternative is the basis for the CCP and describes how habitat objectives will be accomplished through a combination of management activities to encourage ecological integrity, control invasive species, improve or maintain habitats, C—Maximal habitat management and public use alternative Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B. and most importantly support recovery of the Attwater’s prairie-chicken. Opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation activities will be enhanced. Future management actions will have a neutral or positive impact on the local economy and the recommendations in the CCP will ensure that Refuge management is consistent with the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Public Availability of Documents In addition to the methods in you can view or obtain documents at the following locations: • At the following libraries: ADDRESSES, Library Address Eula and David Wintermann Library ....... Nesbitt Memorial Library .......................... Virgil and Josephine Gordon Memorial Library. 101 North Walnut Ave., Eagle Lake, TX 77434 ....................................................... 529 Washington Street, Columbus, TX 78934 ........................................................ 917 North Circle Dr., Sealy, TX 77474 .................................................................... Dated: August 3, 2012. Joy E. Nicholopoulos, Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region. [FR Doc. 2012–19538 Filed 8–8–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLORE05000.L63320000.AL0000.HAG–11– 0172] tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Proposed Supplementary Rules for Public Lands Within the Lower Lake Creek Special Recreation Management Area, Eugene District, OR Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of proposed supplementary rules. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon State Office SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Aug 08, 2012 Jkt 226001 is proposing supplementary rules for public lands within the State of Oregon, Eugene District, Siuslaw Resource Area, on identified, BLM-managed lands within the boundaries of the Lower Lake Creek Special Recreation Management Area (LLCSRMA). These proposed supplementary rules would partially revise existing supplementary rules in order to protect public land natural resources and provide for the public’s health and safety. Comments on these proposed supplementary rules must be received or postmarked by October 9, 2012, to be assured consideration. Comments received in person or by electronic mail after this date may not be considered by the BLM in developing final supplementary rules. DATES: You may submit comments by mail, hand delivery, or electronic mail. ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Phone number 979–234–5411 979–732–3392 979–885–7469 Mail or hand-delivery: BLM Eugene District Office, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, Oregon 97477. Electronic mail: OR_Eugene_mail@blm.gov. If you submit comments by electronic mail, please indicate ‘‘Attn: Siuslaw Resource Area Recreation’’ in your subject line, and include your name and return address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Corbin, Siuslaw Resource Area Field Manager, BLM Eugene District Office, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, Oregon 97477, telephone 541–683–6792. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 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. E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM 09AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47660-47662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19538]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-R-2012-N142; FXRS12610200000S3-123-FF02R06000]


Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Austin and 
Colorado Counties, TX; 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 
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental 
assessment (EA) for the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife 
Refuge (Refuge, NWR). In this final CCP, we describe how we will manage 
this Refuge for the next 15 years.

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 documents at https://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Plan/planindex.html.
    Email: monica_kimbrough@fws.gov. Include ``Attwater Prairie 
Chicken NWR final CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
    Mail: Monica Kimbrough, Natural Resource Planner, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Division of Planning, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 
87103-1306.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 505-248-6642 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at 500 Gold Avenue SW., 
Albuquerque, NM 87102 or the Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR Headquarters, 
1206 APC NWR Road, Eagle Lake, TX 77434; phone: (979) 234-3021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Rossignol, Refuge Manager, 
Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR, CCP--Project, P.O. Box 519, Eagle Lake, 
TX 77434; phone: (979) 234-3021; fax: (979) 234-3278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Attwater Prairie 
Chicken NWR. We started this process through a notice in the Federal 
Register (73 FR 65871; November 5, 2008). We released the draft CCP and 
the EA to the public, announcing and requesting comments in a notice of 
availability in the Federal Register (76 FR 77245; December 12, 2011).
    The Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR, which consists of 10,541 acres 
located approximately 60 miles west of Houston, Texas, is one of the 
largest remnants of coastal prairie habitat remaining in southeast 
Texas. The Refuge was officially established on July 1, 1972, to 
preserve and restore coastal prairie habitat for the endangered 
Attwater's prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri).
    We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the 
final CCP for Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR in accordance with National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We 
completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, 
which we included in the EA that accompanied the draft CCP.
    The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Attwater 
Prairie Chicken NWR for the next 15 years.

[[Page 47661]]

Alternative B, as we described in the final CCP, is the foundation for 
the CCP.

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. In addition to outlining broad management direction on 
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify 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.

CCP Alternatives, Including Selected Alternative

    Our draft CCP and our EA (76 FR 77245; December 12, 2011) addressed 
several issues. To address these, we developed and evaluated the 
following alternatives.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 B--Optimal habitat
                                                                management and public      C--Maximal habitat
           Issue topic              A--No action alternative    use (proposed action)     management and public
                                                                     alternative             use alternative
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitat Management Issue 1:        Combination of planting    Same as Alternative A;    Same as Alternative B;
 Prairie Restoration.               native grasses, grazing,   plus explore              except establish seed
                                    burning, hydrologic        partnership options to    harvest and production
                                    restoration.               produce native grass      on the Refuge; grazing
                                                               seed to increase the      bison only.
                                                               number of restoration
                                                               acres; expand
                                                               monitoring for grazing
                                                               and burning effects;
                                                               remove infrastructure,
                                                               including two manmade
                                                               wetland impoundments,
                                                               restoring a functional
                                                               level of hydrology.
Habitat Management Issue 2: Land/  Acquire acres within       Continue to acquire land  Same as Alternative B.
 Property Acquisition.              approved acquisition       within acquisition
                                    boundary; not              boundary, proactively
                                    proactively seeking out    seek out land
                                    additional land            protection options and
                                    protection options.        diversify those options.
Habitat Management Issue 3:        Treatments include a       Same as Alternative A;    Same as Alternative B.
 Invasive Species Control (Flora).  combination of chemical,   plus conduct one-time
                                    mechanical, and            systematic chemical
                                    prescribed fire.           invasive species
                                                               control for entire
                                                               refuge, unit by unit;
                                                               afterward, treatment is
                                                               expected to be required
                                                               every 2-3 years as
                                                               invasive species re-
                                                               establish.
Wildlife Management Issue 1:       Continue to implement      Same as Alternative A...  Same as Alternative A.
 Attwater's Prairie-Chicken         Attwater's Prairie-
 Recovery.                          Chicken Recovery Plan.
Wildlife Management Issue 2:       Eliminate feral hogs and   Same as Alternative A;    Same as Alternative B.
 Invasive Species Control (Fauna).  nutria based on sighting   plus work with adjacent
                                    and/or documented          land owners to control
                                    damage; treat nest sites   feral hog population;
                                    and conduct research on    remove brush and other
                                    impacts of red imported    elements of hog
                                    fire ants on insect        movement corridors;
                                    community.                 depending on results of
                                                               current research of red
                                                               imported fire ants,
                                                               expand treated area to
                                                               full extent of refuge
                                                               and work with adjacent
                                                               landowners to expand
                                                               treatment off refuge.
Wildlife Management Issue 3:       Manage three food plots    Same as Alternative A;    Eliminate wildlife food
 Wildlife Food Plots (Farming       totaling up to 150 acres.  plus explore additional   plots.
 Program).                                                     ways to provide
                                                               supplemental food to
                                                               Attwater's prairie-
                                                               chicken, including
                                                               capability to irrigate
                                                               and addition of food
                                                               plots when the species'
                                                               populations expand.
Visitor Services Issue 1:          Provide wildlife           Same as Alternative A;    Same as Alternative B.
 Wildlife Observation and           observation and            plus realign auto-tour
 Wildlife Photography.              photography to include     route; exclude cattle
                                    auto-tour route and two    from public hiking
                                    hiking trails.             trails; establish a new
                                                               platform and hiking
                                                               trail around Horseshoe
                                                               Lake; remove Pipit
                                                               Trail; increase guided
                                                               van tours.
Visitor Services Issue 2:          Provide environmental      Develop an environmental  Develop an outdoor
 Environmental Education.           education as requested     education program and     classroom through
                                    and as staff time          promote in local school   partnerships with local
                                    permits.                   districts.                schools, volunteers,
                                                                                         and friends group.
Visitor Services Issue 3:          Host annual Attwater's     Same as Alternative A;    Same as Alternative B.
 Interpretation.                    Prairie-Chicken            plus add interpretive
                                    Festival; interpretive     signage and kiosk to
                                    signage at headquarters    new auto-tour route and
                                    and along auto-tour        new trail; expand
                                    route.                     interpretive
                                                               opportunities using
                                                               recent technologies.

[[Page 47662]]

 
Facilities Issue 1: Roads........  Cooperate with county      Same as Alternative A;    Same as Alternative B.
                                    maintenance personnel      plus acquire
                                    for refuge entrance        jurisdiction and
                                    road, and maintain other   maintenance
                                    refuge roads.              responsibilities of
                                                               existing refuge
                                                               entrance road and widen
                                                               to two full lanes; bury
                                                               powerline along
                                                               entrance road; evaluate
                                                               and remove services
                                                               roads where necessary.
Facilities Issue 2: Development    Administrative operations  Develop and approve site  Same as Alternative B.
 of Administrative Complex.         conducted out of three     plan for new integrated
                                    portable structures.       administrative complex.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comments

    We solicited comments on the draft CCP and the EA for the Attwater 
Prairie Chicken NWR from December 12, 2011, to January 23, 2012 (76 
FR77245). The public was notified of the release of the draft CCP and 
the EA through the NOA, through local media outlets, and public notices 
were posted on various community bulletin boards. The draft CCP and EA 
were made available, online, at the Regional Office in Albuquerque, at 
the Refuge, and at three public libraries in surrounding communities. A 
public open house meeting was held on January 14, 2012. The Service 
received four comment letters. The comments were thoroughly reviewed 
and the CCP did not change substantially based on public comment.

Selected Alternative

    After considering the comments we received, we have selected 
Alternative B for implementation. Alternative B was selected over the 
other alternatives because it best meets the Refuge's vision for the 
future, the purposes for which the Refuge was established, and the 
habitat, wildlife and visitor services goals identified in the CCP. 
This alternative is the basis for the CCP and describes how habitat 
objectives will be accomplished through a combination of management 
activities to encourage ecological integrity, control invasive species, 
improve or maintain habitats, and most importantly support recovery of 
the Attwater's prairie-chicken. Opportunities for wildlife-dependent 
recreation activities will be enhanced. Future management actions will 
have a neutral or positive impact on the local economy and the 
recommendations in the CCP will ensure that Refuge management is 
consistent with the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain 
documents at the following locations:
     At the following libraries:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Library                                Address                          Phone number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eula and David Wintermann Library........  101 North Walnut Ave., Eagle       979-234-5411
                                            Lake, TX 77434.
Nesbitt Memorial Library.................  529 Washington Street, Columbus,   979-732-3392
                                            TX 78934.
Virgil and Josephine Gordon Memorial       917 North Circle Dr., Sealy, TX    979-885-7469
 Library.                                   77474.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: August 3, 2012.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-19538 Filed 8-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.