Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges, Coos, Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, OR; Comprehensive Conservation Plans and Environmental Assessments, 57107-57110 [2012-22960]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57107-57110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22960]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2012-N116; 12560-0000-10137 S3]


Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife 
Refuges, Coos, Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, OR; Comprehensive 
Conservation Plans and Environmental Assessments

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the draft comprehensive conservation plans and 
environmental assessments (Draft CCP/EAs) for three Oregon refuges--
Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges 
(NWRs)--for public review and comment. Each refuge's Draft CCP/EA 
describes our proposal for managing that refuge for the 15 years 
following approval of the final CCP.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
October 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or requests for copies or more 
information by any of the following methods. You may request printed 
copies or a CD-ROM of the documents.
    Email: oregoncoastCCP@fws.gov. Include ``Bandon Marsh, Nestucca 
Bay, and Siletz Bay draft CCP and EA'' in the subject line of the 
message.

[[Page 57108]]

    Fax: Attn: Project Leader, 541-867-4551.
    U.S. Mail: Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE 
Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365.
    In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 541-867-4550 to make 
an appointment (necessary for viewing/pickup only) during regular 
business hours at the above address. For more information on locations 
for viewing or obtaining documents, see ``Public Availability of 
Documents'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Web site: https://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ccp_nes_slz_bdm.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy W. Lowe, Project Leader, Oregon 
Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE Marine Science Drive, 
Newport, OR 97365; phone (541) 867-4550 and fax (541) 867-4551.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Bandon Marsh, 
Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges in Coos, 
Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, Oregon, respectively. We started this 
process through a notice in the Federal Register (75 FR 73121; November 
29, 2010).

Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges

    Bandon Marsh NWR was established in 1983, with the acquisition of 
289 acres of salt marsh, mudflats, and tidal sloughs. The Bandon Marsh 
Unit is located near the mouth of the Coquille River, with 
approximately 25 percent of the Unit within the city limits of Bandon, 
Oregon. The 582-acre Ni-les'tun Unit, established in 2000, is located 
on the east side of Highway 101 on the north bank of the Coquille 
River. A tidal marsh restoration project, completed in summer 2011 at 
the Ni-les'tun Unit, restored 418 acres of historic tidal wetlands 
within the lower Coquille River estuary. The total land base of Bandon 
Marsh NWR is 889 acres.
    The purpose for establishing Bandon Marsh NWR was ``for the 
preservation and enhancement of the highly significant wildlife habitat 
of the area known as Bandon Marsh, in the estuary of the Coquille River 
* * * for the protection of migratory waterfowl, numerous species of 
shorebirds, and fish, including Chinook and silver salmon, and to 
provide opportunity for wildlife-oriented recreation and nature study 
on the marsh * * *'' (95 Stat. 1709, dated Dec 29, 1981). The Ni- 
les'tun Unit was added to Bandon Marsh NWR in order to (1) Protect and 
restore intertidal marsh, freshwater marsh, and riparian areas to 
provide a diversity of habitats for migratory birds, including 
waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and songbirds; (2) restore 
intertidal marsh habitat for anadromous fish such as the threatened 
coho salmon, chinook, chum salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout; (3) 
protect and restore habitat for species listed under the Endangered 
Species Act as threatened or endangered; and (4) provide wildlife-
dependent public use opportunities compatible with refuge purposes.
    Nestucca Bay NWR is located near Pacific City and Neskowin in 
Tillamook County, Oregon. The refuge was established in 1991 with the 
acquisition of a 370-acre dairy farm, and has since expanded to 1,010 
acres. The primary need for establishing Nestucca Bay NWR was to 
protect high-quality coastal habitats for dusky Canada geese and 
threatened Aleutian Canada geese (delisted in 2001); other endangered 
and threatened species; and a variety of other migratory waterfowl, 
shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, anadromous fish, and other wildlife 
while preserving part of Oregon's biodiversity. In 2001, the refuge was 
expanded to include the Neskowin Marsh Unit (228 acres acquired), 
located about 2.5 miles south of the Nestucca Bay Refuge Unit near the 
community of Neskowin, Oregon. The Neskowin Marsh Unit incorporates 
unique freshwater wetland and bog habitats and wildlife resources not 
found within the initial refuge boundary.
    Siletz Bay NWR is located near Lincoln City on the central coast of 
Oregon. The refuge was established in 1991 with a donation of 40 acres 
of tidally muted salt marsh. The approved acquisition refuge boundary 
totals 1,936 acres and encompasses the northern tip of the Siletz spit, 
vegetated and unvegetated tidelands of the bay, a portion of the diked 
former tidelands of the Siletz River floodplain, and forested headlands 
near the mouth of Schooner Creek and Drift Creek. Approximately 1,060 
acres within the authorized boundary are State-owned tidelands. 
Currently, refuge lands total 568 acres. The primary need for 
establishing this refuge was to protect coastal wetland habitats and 
upland buffers for a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, marine mammals, 
endangered species, raptors, songbirds, fish, and other wildlife. The 
refuge serves to protect the remaining coastal wetlands and uplands 
adjacent to Siletz Bay from rapidly encroaching development, and 
management emphasis has been to enhance and restore wetland and upland 
habitats for a variety of estuarine-dependent fish and wildlife 
species.

Background

The CCP Process

    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, 111 Stat. 
1254, 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, the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 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 each CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with 
the Refuge Administration Act. Implementing a CCP is subject to the 
availability of funding and any additional compliance requirements.

Public Outreach

    We began public outreach by publishing a notice of intent in the 
Federal Register (75 FR 73121; November 29, 2010) announcing our intent 
to complete a CCP and EA for each of the refuges and inviting public 
comments. In November 2010, we distributed Planning Update 1 to our 
mailing list and public outlets. On November 29 and 30 and December 2, 
2010, we held public scoping meetings in Lincoln City, Pacific City, 
and Bandon, Oregon, respectively, to meet with the public and identify 
issues for evaluation. The meetings were announced through local media 
outlets, on the refuges' Web sites, and in Planning Update 1. Some 
scoping comments we received were about broad or long-range issues, 
while others suggested very specific or detailed strategies that could 
be used to achieve biological or public use objectives. Most of the 
comments suggested changes or additions to the refuges' public use 
programs; some examples were adding new areas where wildlife 
observation and photography could be allowed,

[[Page 57109]]

establishing waterfowl hunting and fishing programs where none exist, 
expanding interpretation and environmental education programs, or 
partnering with local and State agencies and community groups that 
share common goals for the refuges' natural resources.
    We reviewed and evaluated the potential issues, management 
concerns, and opportunities that we, our partners, and the public 
identified during scoping. We used this information to define the 
significant issues to be addressed in the CCP/EA for each refuge. 
Preliminary draft alternatives were then developed to address these 
issues and meet the goals and objectives of each refuge. In November 
2011, we distributed Planning Update 2, which included a summary of the 
scoping comments we received, a summary of our preliminary draft 
alternatives, a planning schedule, notice of three public open house 
meetings, and information on how and where to comment. On November 9, 
10, and 16, 2011, we held public open house meetings in Lincoln City, 
Pacific City, and Bandon, Oregon, respectively, to meet with the public 
and solicit comments on our preliminary draft alternatives. Comments we 
received have been considered and evaluated, with many incorporated 
into the various alternatives addressed in each draft CCP/EA.
    To better address issues raised regarding our Bandon Marsh NWR 
boundary expansion study, we decided in February 2012 to conduct our 
Land Protection Planning (LPP) process separately from the CCP. 
Separating the LPP process from the CCP process will allow us to more 
readily meet our CCP completion schedule, and focus more attention on 
evaluating potential environmental, recreational, and socio-economic 
benefits and impacts of our LPP alternatives, and respond to public 
concerns.

Alternatives We Are Considering for Each Draft CCP/EA

    During the public scoping process with which we started work on 
these draft CCPs, we, other governmental partners, Tribes, and the 
public raised several issues. Our draft CCPs address these issues. A 
full description of each alternative is in the EA for each refuge. To 
address these issues, we developed and evaluated the following 
alternatives, briefly summarized below:

Bandon Marsh NWR

Alternative A: No Action
    Under Alternative A, the refuge would continue with current 
management, which focuses on protecting and maintaining habitats in 
their current condition. Existing invasive species control and 
monitoring programs would continue. Public use would remain limited to 
wildlife observation and photography, interpretation and environmental 
education, hunting, and fishing allowed on the Bandon Marsh Unit. The 
only public uses on the Ni-les'tun Unit would be wildlife observation, 
photography, and interpretation from the observation deck and 
associated gravel trail, with no public entry into the remainder of the 
unit. Existing structures would be maintained and the refuge would 
continue to seek funding to replace or rehabilitate the Smith Tract 
structures.
Alternative B: Enhanced Active Habitat Management and Restoration
    This alternative would continue the activities in Alternative A; 
however, Alternative B would expand the level of active habitat 
management and restoration. Approximately 29 acres of grasslands 
(former pastures) and 11 acres of forested wetlands would be restored. 
Monitoring programs would be expanded. Wildlife observation and 
photography would continue 7 days per week on the Bandon Marsh Unit, 
and would be allowed daily during the non-waterfowl hunting season on a 
portion of the Ni-les'tun Unit. The waterfowl hunting program, which 
currently allows hunting on 256 acres of Bandon Marsh Unit 7 days per 
week, would expand to also allow hunting on 300 acres of the Ni-les'tun 
Unit 7 days per week. With regard to facilities and structures, the 
Service would focus on participation in partner- and community-based 
visitor information projects.
Alternative C: Enhanced Active Habitat Management and Restoration and 
Visitor Services (Preferred Alternative)
    All additional active habitat management, monitoring, and 
restoration activities included in Alternative B are also included in 
this alternative. A portion of the Ni-les'tun Unit would be open to 
wildlife observation and photography daily during the non-waterfowl 
hunting season. In addition to the existing waterfowl hunting program 
on the Bandon Marsh Unit, hunting would be allowed on 300 acres of the 
Ni-les'tun Unit 3 days per week. Fishing for cutthroat trout would be 
permitted in Redd, No Name, and Fahys Creeks south of North Bank Lane, 
in accordance with state regulations but with an additional refuge 
regulation of artificial lures or flies only. The start of the season 
would coincide with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's season 
for trout fishing; however, the season on the refuge would end on 
September 30 to avoid conflicts with the waterfowl hunting season. 
Additional trails and parking lots would be constructed. Some 
administrative and visitor facilities would be replaced. Off-refuge, 
the Service would participate in partner- and community eco-tourism or 
natural resource-based visitor centers.

Nestucca Bay NWR

Alternative A: No Action
    Under Alternative A, the refuge would continue with current 
management, which focuses on protecting and maintaining habitats in 
their current condition and taking advantage of opportunities to 
restore or enhance some habitats. Existing invasive species control and 
monitoring programs would continue. The 346 acres of lowland pastures 
would continue to be managed by cooperative farmers, and the upland 
grasslands would be occasionally mowed and silaged, with small areas 
enhanced with native prairie and Oregon silverspot butterfly habitat 
plant species when possible. Public use would remain limited to the 
wildlife observation, photography, interpretation, and minimal 
environmental education programs offered at Cannery Hill. A trail and 
observation deck would also be constructed. Existing structures would 
remain in place and the refuge would continue to seek funding to 
replace the deteriorating volunteer residence with a bunkhouse through 
the standard funding process.
Alternative B: Enhanced Active Habitat Management and Monitoring
    This alternative would continue many of the activities in 
Alternative A, but would also include more active habitat management 
and monitoring activities. The tsunami evacuation route through 
Neskowin Marsh would remain open and, following a hydrological study, 
redesigned to improve hydrology and accessibility. Some lowland 
pastures would be restored to tidal marsh habitat and the remainder 
would continue to be managed for wintering goose forage through 
cooperative farming agreements. Approximately 25 acres of former 
coastal prairie on Cannery Hill would be fully restored, and some 
active

[[Page 57110]]

forest management techniques would be employed along with invasive 
species management. Public use changes include the construction of new 
trails and an observation deck, allowing seasonal public access on a 
portion of the Little Nestucca Restoration area, and allowing public 
access on Brooten Marsh. A waterfowl hunting program would be 
established on 108 acres at Brooten Marsh, 33 acres at the mouth of the 
Little Nestucca River, and 82 acres at the Little Nestucca Restoration 
area. The Service would seek funding to build a refuge office with a 
visitor lobby under this alternative, as well as replacing the existing 
volunteer residence with a bunkhouse.
Alternative C (Preferred Alternative): Enhanced Active Habitat 
Management and Monitoring and Visitor Services
    All lowland pastures would continue to be managed for wintering 
goose habitat through cooperative farming agreements. A hydrological 
study would be conducted and used to guide the future modification of 
the tsunami evacuation route through Neskowin Marsh to improve 
hydrology and accessibility. The Neskowin Marsh Unit would be proposed 
for designation as a Research Natural Area. The 25-acre full 
restoration of former coastal prairie on Cannery Hill would be focused 
on specific life-history parameters needed by the threatened Oregon 
silverspot butterfly, with the goal of introducing a nonessential 
experimental population once habitat parameters specified in the Oregon 
Silverspot Butterfly Recovery Plan are reached. An additional 14 acres 
of upland grassland would also be restored to coastal prairie. New 
trails and an observation deck would be constructed on Cannery Hill. 
The Little Nestucca Restoration area would gain a trail as well as 
graveled parking lots. Brooten Marsh would be opened to access for 
wildlife observation and photography year round. A waterfowl hunting 
program would be established on Brooten Marsh (108 acres) and the mouth 
of the Little Nestucca River (33 acres), and clamming access would be 
allowed through Brooten Marsh. To accommodate increasing visitation to 
the refuge, the current refuge volunteer residence would be replaced 
with a bunkhouse and small administrative office. The Service would 
also remodel the north bay of the maintenance shop to accommodate two 
offices: one for maintenance staff and a second for the refuge Friends 
Group.

Siletz Bay NWR

Alternative A: No Action
    Under Alternative A, the refuge would continue with current 
management, which focuses on protecting and maintaining habitats in 
their current condition and contributing to restoration and enhancement 
of some habitats. Existing invasive species control and monitoring 
programs would continue. The Service would continue to work with 
private landowners and partners to acquire lands within the approved 
refuge boundary with the intention of restoring full tidal action to 
those properties. Partnerships would also continue to be cultivated for 
the restoration of tidal marsh on privately-owned and state-owned 
lands. Public use would remain limited to the interpreter-led, seasonal 
paddle trips through Millport Slough and the Siletz River.
Alternative B: Enhanced Active Habitat Management
    Under Alternative B, more active habitat management activities 
would occur, such as inventory and management for late-successional 
forest and closer coordination with the Oregon Division of State Lands 
to monitor and treat invasive species. If feasible, tidal marsh 
restoration would occur at Siletz Keys and Alder Island, and on any 
additional diked lands acquired. Monitoring programs would be expanded. 
Proposed new public use opportunities include opening Alder Island to 
public access with development of a loop trail, viewing platform, 
parking lot, and boat launch. Unrestricted walking would also be 
allowed on lands south of Millport Slough. Walk-in bank fishing would 
be allowed from Alder Island and lands south of Millport Slough. A 
waterfowl hunting program would be established on 80 acres of refuge 
lands west of Highway 101 7 days per week, as well as on 225 acres of 
refuge lands north and south of Millport Slough and east of Highway 101 
3 days per week.
Alternative C: Alternative B: Enhanced Active Habitat Management and 
Visitor Services (Preferred Alternative)
    All additional habitat monitoring and management activities 
included in Alternative B are also included in this alternative. 
Interpreter-led seasonal paddle trips would continue and potentially 
expand with the development of the boat launch near Alder Island. A 
loop trail, viewing platform, and parking lot would be developed at 
Alder Island. Access to clamming would be allowed through Snag Alley 
and walk-in bank fishing would be allowed from Alder Island only. A 
waterfowl hunting program would be allowed daily in season on 80 acres 
of refuge lands west of Highway 101 and 3 days per week on 97 acres of 
refuge lands south of Millport Slough and east of Highway 101. A small 
gravel parking lot and kiosk would be developed to support the Millport 
Slough waterfowl hunting access.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to any methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain 
documents by calling the refuge complex at 541-867-4550 or visiting our 
Web site at https://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ccp_nes_slz_bdm.htm. 
Printed copies will be available for review at the following libraries:
     Bandon Public Library, 1204 11th St. SW., Bandon, OR 97411
     Coquille Public Library, 105 N. Birch St., Coquille, OR 
97423
     Newport Public Library, 35 NW Nye St., Newport, OR 97365
     Driftwood Public Library, 801 SW Hwy 101 201, 
Lincoln City, OR 97367
     Pacific City Public Library, 6200 Camp Street, Pacific 
City, OR 97135
     Tillamook County Library, 1716 3rd St., Tillamook, OR 
97141

Submitting Comments/Issues for Comment

    Public comments are requested, considered, and incorporated 
throughout the planning process. Comments on each Draft CCP/EA will be 
analyzed by the Service and addressed in the final planning documents. 
See ADDRESSES for how to submit comments.

Public Availability of Comments

    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: June 1, 2012.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22960 Filed 9-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P