Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Randall County, TX; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment, 65011-65015 [2012-26083]
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<![CDATA[
65011
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 206 / Wednesday, October 24, 2012 / Notices
Number of
respondents
Total annual
responses
Hours per
response
Total
hours
Applicants ........................................................................................................
Quarterly Reports ............................................................................................
Final Reports ...................................................................................................
Recordkeeping .................................................................................................
10
2
2
2
10
8
2
2
60
6
2
4
600
48
4
8
Total ..........................................................................................................
26
22
72
660
Status of the proposed information
collection: Pending OMB approval.
Authority: Section 3506 of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35,
as amended.
Dated: October 17, 2012.
Erika C. Poethig,
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development
and Research.
[FR Doc. 2012–26230 Filed 10–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR–5607–N–33]
Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: Comment Request; FHAInsured Mortgage Loan Servicing
Involving the Loss Mitigation
Programs
Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Housing, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The proposed information
collection requirement described below
will be submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review, as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act. The Department is
soliciting public comments on the
subject proposal.
DATES: Comments Due Date: December
24, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit comments regarding
this proposal. Comments should refer to
the proposal by name and/or OMB
Control Number and should be sent to:
Reports Liaison Officer, Department of
Housing and Urban Development, 451
7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20410,
Room 9120 or the number for the
Federal Information Relay Service (1–
800–877–8339).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ivery W. Himes, Director, Office of
Single Family Program Development,
Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 451 7th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20410, telephone (202)
708–1672 x5628 (this is not a toll free
number) for copies of the proposed
forms and other available information.
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SUMMARY:
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The
Department is submitting the proposed
information collection to OMB for
review, as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35, as amended).
This Notice is soliciting comments
from members of the public and affected
agencies concerning the proposed
collection of information to: (1) Evaluate
whether the proposed collection is
necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) Evaluate the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information; (3) Enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (4) Minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond; including
the use of appropriate automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
This Notice also lists the following
information:
Title of Proposal: FHA-Insured
Mortgage Loan Servicing Involving the
Loss Mitigation Programs.
OMB Control Number, if applicable:
2502–0589.
Description of the need for the
information and proposed use: FHA
insurance is an important source of
mortgage credit for low and moderateincome borrowers and neighborhoods.
Providing assistance, as needed, to
enable families to cure their
delinquencies and retain their homes
stabilizes neighborhoods that might
otherwise suffer from deterioration and
problems associated with vacant and
abandoned properties. Avoidance of
foreclosure and the resultant costs also
serve to further stabilize the mortgage
insurance premiums charged by FHA
and the Federal budget receipts
generated from those premiums.
The information collection request for
OMB review seeks to extend OMB
2502–0589, a currently established OMB
collection, for an additional three years.
Agency form numbers, if applicable:
HUD–1 Settlement Statement, HUD–
27011 Single Family Application for
Insurance Benefits, HUD–90035
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 4703
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Information/Disclosure, HUD–90041
Request for Variance, Pre-foreclosure
sale procedure, HUD–90045 Approval to
Participate, HUD–90051 Sale Contract
Review, HUD–90052 Closing
Worksheet, HUD–PA–426 How to Avoid
Foreclosure.
Estimation of the total numbers of
hours needed to prepare the information
collection including number of
respondents, frequency of response, and
hours of response: The number of
burden hours is 1,520,216, the number
of respondents is 303,718, the number
of responses is 1,169,033, the frequency
of response is on occasion, and the
burden hour per response is from 15
minutes to 4 hours depending upon the
activity.
Status of the proposed information
collection: This is an extension of a
currently approved collection.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 35, as amended.
Dated: October 18, 2012.
Laura M. Marin,
Acting General Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Housing-Acting General Deputy Federal
Housing Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 2012–26229 Filed 10–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R2–R–2012–N019:
FXRS12610200000S3–123–FF02R06000]
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge,
Randall County, TX; Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and Environmental
Assessment
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
for comments.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft comprehensive
conservation plan (CCP) and an
environmental assessment (EA) for the
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
(Refuge, NWR), located approximately
30 miles southwest of Amarillo, Texas,
for public review and comment. The
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 206 / Wednesday, October 24, 2012 / Notices
Draft CCP/EA describes our proposal for
managing the refuge for the next 15
years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please
send your written comments by
November 23, 2012. We will announce
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 hard copies
or a CD–ROM of the documents. Please
contact Lynn Nymeyer, Refuge Manager,
or Joseph Lujan, Natural Resource
Planner.
Email: Joseph_Lujan@fws.gov. Include
‘‘Buffalo Lake NWR draft CCP and EA’’
in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Joseph Lujan, 505–248–
6803.
U.S. Mail: Joseph Lujan, Natural
Resource Planner, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, NWRS Division of
Planning, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque,
NM 87103.
In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or
Pickup: In-Person Drop-off: You may
drop off comments during regular
business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at
500 Gold Street SW., 4th Floor Room
4305. Albuquerque, NM 87102.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lynn Nymeyer, Refuge Manager, Buffalo
Lake NWR, CCP—Project, P. O. Box 179,
Umbarger, TX 79091; phone: 806–499–
3382; fax: 806–499–3254.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP
process for the Buffalo Lake NWR. We
started this process through a notice in
the Federal Register (63 FR 33693; June
19, 1998).
The Buffalo Lake NWR, which
consists of over 7,677 acres, is located
approximately 30 miles southwest of
Amarillo, Texas. The primary purpose
of the refuge is to protect wintering
waterfowl and short-grass prairie
habitat. The refuge was officially
established on November 17, 1959, and
continues to provide critical habitat for
migratory waterfowl and grassland bird
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, 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 wildlife observation
and photography, and environmental
education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least
A—No-action alternative
(current practices)
Alternatives
every 15 years in accordance with the
Refuge Administration Act.
Public Outreach
Formal scoping began with
publication of a notice of intent to
prepare a comprehensive conservation
plan and environmental assessment
(EA) in the Federal Register on June 19,
1998 (63 FR 33693). Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department (TPWD) was
formally invited to participate in the
development of the CCP. We received
input from TPWD on September 16,
2004, and have continued to involve
them throughout the planning process.
Information sheets were sent to the
public, and news releases were sent to
a variety of media outlets. A public
open house meeting was held December
15, 2009, at the refuge. Additional
written comments were received prior
to these open house meetings. A variety
of stakeholders contributed feedback at
the open house meetings and via written
comments; we used the feedback in
development of the CCP.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
During the public scoping process
with which we started work on this
draft CCP, we, other governmental
partners, Tribes, and the public, raised
multiple issues. Our draft CCP
addresses them. A full description of
each alternative is in the EA. To address
these issues, we developed and
evaluated the following alternatives,
summarized below.
B—Improved habitat management
and public use alternative
C—Optimal habitat management
and public use
(proposed action) alternative
Habitat Management
No current management direction
Habitat Fragmentation ...................
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Climate Change .............................
Limit the amounts and types of all
new infrastructures such as
roads and trails on the refuge.
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Establish a baseline dataset for Same as Alternative B.
refuge resources. From this
dataset, a decision-based research and monitoring program
will be developed to track any
potential
impacts
climate
change may have on the refuge.
Same as Alternative A, plus the Same as Alternative B.
development of a Land Protection Plan of an additional
20,000 acres would guide land
acquisition for the refuge and
further conservation efforts in
the area and reduce human encroachment on the refuge.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 206 / Wednesday, October 24, 2012 / Notices
Alternatives
A—No-action alternative
(current practices)
B—Improved habitat management
and public use alternative
Wind Energy Research ..................
Conduct a diurnal avian activity
survey and acoustic monitoring
in order to track any changes in
habitat and wildlife.
Prairie Management and Restoration.
Use grazing and prescribed fire to
promote and maintain prairie
habitat.
Same as Alternative A, plus actively track wind energy development projects in and around
Randal County to assist the refuge in anticipating potential
changes in habitat and wildlife.
Same as Alternative A, plus supplement current management
with reseeding parts of the refuge with native short grasses.
Invasive Flora Species ...................
Remove invasive flora through
chemical means.
Moist Soil Management .................
Maintain 40-acre Moist Soil Unit ..
Lakebed Management ...................
Cooperatively farm 581 acres of
the dry lakebed.
Water Quality .................................
Continue to utilize the current
water retention structure at
Umbarger Dam.
C—Optimal habitat management
and public use
(proposed action) alternative
Same as Alternative B.
Cease using grassland leasing for
livestock grazing and permit native fauna species, whose populations would be permitted to
increase under this alternative,
to graze freely without competition on the refuge. The 7-year
prescribed fire program as described in Alternative A would
continue.
Same as Alternative B.
Same as Alternative A, plus the
refuge would utilize additional
chemical treatment on invasive
flora species through the use of
aircraft application, followed by
the mechanical removal of
aboveground systems.
Same as Alternative A, plus the Developed sufficient moist soil
addition of three 40-acre moist
units to maintain the level availsoil units and the related pumpable to wildlife prior to the
ing infrastructure. The water
Ogallala Aquifer receding due
source, like the current moist
to human activity and use.
soil units, will be a well from the
Santa Rosa Aquifer with filters
to insure no Ogallala water is
used.
Reduce all farming activities to Remove all farming activity from
approximately half of current
the refuge and convert farming
management; this would limit
lands to native vegetation.
farming activities to no more
than 300 acres. Additionally,
previously farmed lands would
be converted back to natural
vegetation.
Same as Alternative A, plus the Same as Alternative A.
installation of bio-filters and
necessary groundwater pump
infrastructure in order to remove coli forms from surface
and ground water flowing from
adjacent and nearby cattle operations. This infrastructure
would be located on the Refuge.
Wildlife Management
Native Fauna .................................
Invasive Fauna ..............................
Maintain current levels of prairie
dogs, mule deer and white
tailed deer.
Manage invasive fauna throughout the refuge.
Same as Alternative A ..................
Same as Alternative A.
Same as Alternative A ..................
Same as Alternative A.
Visitor Services Issues
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Hunting ...........................................
There is currently no hunting permitted on the refuge and a hunt
plan has not been developed.
Fishing ...........................................
Currently, no fishing in the refuge
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65013
Introduce hunting to the refuge to
assist in controlling invasive
fauna species as well as control
the populations of native fauna
species.
Construct a 6+/¥acre public fishing pond near existing viewing
blind by the lake bed and Stewart Marsh.
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Same as Alternative B.
Same as Alternative B.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 206 / Wednesday, October 24, 2012 / Notices
A—No-action alternative
(current practices)
Alternatives
Wildlife Observation and Photography.
Environmental Education and Interpretation.
Camping .........................................
B—Improved habitat management
and public use alternative
Maintain hiking trails and the Same as Alternative A, plus the
auto-tour route, observation
installation of six additional
decks, viewing blinds, and sceblinds, near moist soil units,
nic overlooks. The refuge mainprairie dog town, and Unit 12
tains two viewing blinds, one at
(for deer).
Stewart Marsh and another
overlooking the prairie dog town.
The refuge hosts and annual edu- Same as Alternative A, plus incation day for school children
crease the number of education
from surrounding communities.
days (as requested) to a maxRefuge staff maintains an enviimum of one per month. The
ronmental education area for
refuge would also develop and
education/interpretation
proconstruct 20 interpretive panels.
grams; both the education area
Expansion of existing auto tour
and the staff are available upon
route would open areas of the
request to provide environrefuge that are closed to the
mental education and interprepublic due to safety concerns.
tation presentations. Maintain
interpretation on the auto-tour
route and self-guided hiking
trails.
The refuge currently permits Same as Alternative A ..................
primitive camping in a designated 25-site campground
that has picnic tables and restroom facilities.
C—Optimal habitat management
and public use
(proposed action) alternative
Same as Alternative B.
Same as Alternative B.
Same as Alternative A.
Facilities
Administrative Facilities .................
Maintain headquarters and Visitors Center.
Same as Alternative A, plus develop an Administrative Complex to include headquarters,
Visitors Center, biological lab,
and maintenance and storage
facility.
Public Use Facilities .......................
Limited public use facilities include photo blinds, four parking
lots, six vault toilets.
Quality and Safety
Roadways.
Maintain current road infrastructure.
Same as Alternative A, plus expand construction and maintenance of two additional hiking
trails, one near the Prairie Dog
town and the other through
grassland prairie habitat near
the campground. The refuge
would also replace and/or rehabilitate the existing chemical toilet facilities adjacent to the
campground with facilities that
can remain open year round.
Same as Alternative A, plus the
rehabilitation of the entrance
road from Farm to Market 168
to headquarters with a two lane
paved road with adequate
shoulders. Resurfacing of the
remaining refuge roads with
new caliche.
of
Refuge
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Public Availability of Documents
In addition to using any methods in
ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents at the following locations:
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Jkt 229001
• Buffalo Lake NWR Headquarters
Office, Umbarger, TX 79091, between
the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
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Same as Alternative B, plus increase infrastructure to provide
the refuge with sufficient water
sources to mimic the amount as
historically provided by the natural spring. This would provide
the same habitat that was available to wildlife prior to the
Ogallala Aquifer receding due
to human activity and use.
Same as Alternative B.
Same as Alternative B.
• Our Web site: https://www.fws.gov/
southwest/refuges/Plan/
publicinvolvement.html.
• The following public libraries:
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 206 / Wednesday, October 24, 2012 / Notices
65015
Library
Address
Phone No.
Deaf Smith County Library .........................................................
Canyon Public Library .................................................................
Amarillo Southwest Library .........................................................
211 East 4th Street, Herford, TX 79045 ....................................
1501 3rd Avenue, Canyon, TX 79015 .......................................
6801 Southwest 45th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79109 ........................
806–364–1206
806–655–5015
806–359–2094
Submitting Comments/Issues for
Comment
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
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: September 13, 2012.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2012–26083 Filed 10–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Natural History that meet the definition
of unassociated funerary objects under
25 U.S.C. 3001.
This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service’s administrative
responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25
U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in
this notice are the sole responsibility of
the museum, institution, or Federal
agency that has control of the Native
American cultural items. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
This notice corrects the cultural
affiliation determination reported in the
Notice of Intent to Repatriate published
in the Federal Register (77 FR 11567–
11568, February 27, 2012).
In the Federal Register (77 FR 11568,
February 27, 2012), paragraph nine is
replaced with the following paragraph:
The cultural affiliation of the 34 cultural
items is Hutsnuwu Tlingit, as indicated
through museum records and consultation
with representatives of Angoon Community
Association, Kootznoowoo Incorporated, and
Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian
Tribes of Alaska. Chaik Bay lies within the
traditional territory of the Hutsnuwu Tlingit.
These cultural items were claimed on behalf
of the Da_l’aweidi clan.
In the Federal Register (77 FR 11568,
February 27, 2012), paragraph 12 is
replaced with the following:
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a
relationship of shared group identity that can
be reasonably traced between the
unassociated funerary objects and the
Angoon Community Association and the
Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian
Tribes of Alaska.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–10396; 2200–1100–
665]
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural
Items: American Museum of Natural
History, New York, NY; Correction
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice; correction.
AGENCY:
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ACTION:
Notice is here given in accordance
with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent
to repatriate cultural items in the
possession of the American Museum of
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Jkt 229001
Representatives of any other Indian
tribe that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with the unassociated funerary
objects should contact Nell Murphy,
Director of Cultural Resources,
American Museum of Natural History,
Central Park West at 79th Street, New
York, NY 10024, telephone (212) 769–
5837, before November 23, 2012.
Repatriation of the unassociated
funerary objects to the Angoon
Community Association and Central
Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes
of Alaska may proceed after that date if
no additional claimants come forward.
The American Museum of Natural
History is responsible for notifying the
Angoon Community Association and
Central Council Tlingit and Haida
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Indian Tribes of Alaska that this notice
has been published.
Dated: October 16, 2012.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2012–26223 Filed 10–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–50–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 731–TA–894 (Second
Review)]
Ammonium Nitrate From Ukraine;
Notice of Commission Determination
To Conduct a Full Five-year Review
and Scheduling of a Full Five-year
Review Concerning the Antidumping
Duty Order on Ammonium Nitrate
From Ukraine
United States International
Trade Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Commission hereby gives
notice of its determination to conduct,
and scheduling of, a full review
pursuant to section 751(c)(5) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)(5))
(the Act) to determine whether
revocation of the antidumping duty
order on ammonium nitrate from
Ukraine would be likely to lead to
continuation or recurrence of material
injury within a reasonably foreseeable
time. For further information
concerning the conduct of this review
and rules of general application, consult
the Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure, part 201, subparts A through
E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207,
subparts A, D, E, and F (19 CFR part
207).
SUMMARY:
DATES:
Effective: October 17, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Merrill (202–205–3188), Office
of Investigations, U.S. International
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20436. Hearingimpaired persons can obtain
information on this matter by contacting
the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202–
205–1810. Persons with mobility
impairments who will need special
assistance in gaining access to the
Commission should contact the Office
of the Secretary at 202–205–2000.
General information concerning the
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65011-65015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26083]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R2-R-2012-N019: FXRS12610200000S3-123-FF02R06000]
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Randall County, TX;
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
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 a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and an
environmental assessment (EA) for the Buffalo Lake National Wildlife
Refuge (Refuge, NWR), located approximately 30 miles southwest of
Amarillo, Texas, for public review and comment. The
[[Page 65012]]
Draft CCP/EA describes our proposal for managing the refuge for the
next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
November 23, 2012. We will announce 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 hard
copies or a CD-ROM of the documents. Please contact Lynn Nymeyer,
Refuge Manager, or Joseph Lujan, Natural Resource Planner.
Email: Joseph_Lujan@fws.gov. Include ``Buffalo Lake NWR draft CCP
and EA'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Joseph Lujan, 505-248-6803.
U.S. Mail: Joseph Lujan, Natural Resource Planner, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, NWRS Division of Planning, P.O. Box 1306,
Albuquerque, NM 87103.
In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: In-Person Drop-off: You may
drop off comments during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
at 500 Gold Street SW., 4th Floor Room 4305. Albuquerque, NM 87102.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Nymeyer, Refuge Manager, Buffalo
Lake NWR, CCP--Project, P. O. Box 179, Umbarger, TX 79091; phone: 806-
499-3382; fax: 806-499-3254.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for the Buffalo Lake
NWR. We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register
(63 FR 33693; June 19, 1998).
The Buffalo Lake NWR, which consists of over 7,677 acres, is
located approximately 30 miles southwest of Amarillo, Texas. The
primary purpose of the refuge is to protect wintering waterfowl and
short-grass prairie habitat. The refuge was officially established on
November 17, 1959, and continues to provide critical habitat for
migratory waterfowl and grassland bird 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, 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 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.
Public Outreach
Formal scoping began with publication of a notice of intent to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment
(EA) in the Federal Register on June 19, 1998 (63 FR 33693). Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) was formally invited to
participate in the development of the CCP. We received input from TPWD
on September 16, 2004, and have continued to involve them throughout
the planning process. Information sheets were sent to the public, and
news releases were sent to a variety of media outlets. A public open
house meeting was held December 15, 2009, at the refuge. Additional
written comments were received prior to these open house meetings. A
variety of stakeholders contributed feedback at the open house meetings
and via written comments; we used the feedback in development of the
CCP.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
During the public scoping process with which we started work on
this draft CCP, we, other governmental partners, Tribes, and the
public, raised multiple issues. Our draft CCP addresses them. A full
description of each alternative is in the EA. To address these issues,
we developed and evaluated the following alternatives, summarized
below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C--Optimal habitat
A--No-action B--Improved habitat management and public
Alternatives alternative (current management and public use (proposed action)
practices) use alternative alternative
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitat Management
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Climate Change....................... No current management Establish a baseline Same as Alternative B.
direction. dataset for refuge
resources. From this
dataset, a decision-
based research and
monitoring program
will be developed to
track any potential
impacts climate change
may have on the refuge.
Habitat Fragmentation................ Limit the amounts and Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative B.
types of all new plus the development
infrastructures such of a Land Protection
as roads and trails on Plan of an additional
the refuge. 20,000 acres would
guide land acquisition
for the refuge and
further conservation
efforts in the area
and reduce human
encroachment on the
refuge.
[[Page 65013]]
Wind Energy Research................. Conduct a diurnal avian Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative B.
activity survey and plus actively track
acoustic monitoring in wind energy
order to track any development projects
changes in habitat and in and around Randal
wildlife. County to assist the
refuge in anticipating
potential changes in
habitat and wildlife.
Prairie Management and Restoration... Use grazing and Same as Alternative A, Cease using grassland
prescribed fire to plus supplement leasing for livestock
promote and maintain current management grazing and permit
prairie habitat. with reseeding parts native fauna species,
of the refuge with whose populations
native short grasses. would be permitted to
increase under this
alternative, to graze
freely without
competition on the
refuge. The 7-year
prescribed fire
program as described
in Alternative A would
continue.
Invasive Flora Species............... Remove invasive flora Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative B.
through chemical means. plus the refuge would
utilize additional
chemical treatment on
invasive flora species
through the use of
aircraft application,
followed by the
mechanical removal of
aboveground systems.
Moist Soil Management................ Maintain 40-acre Moist Same as Alternative A, Developed sufficient
Soil Unit. plus the addition of moist soil units to
three 40-acre moist maintain the level
soil units and the available to wildlife
related pumping prior to the Ogallala
infrastructure. The Aquifer receding due
water source, like the to human activity and
current moist soil use.
units, will be a well
from the Santa Rosa
Aquifer with filters
to insure no Ogallala
water is used.
Lakebed Management................... Cooperatively farm 581 Reduce all farming Remove all farming
acres of the dry activities to activity from the
lakebed. approximately half of refuge and convert
current management; farming lands to
this would limit native vegetation.
farming activities to
no more than 300
acres. Additionally,
previously farmed
lands would be
converted back to
natural vegetation.
Water Quality........................ Continue to utilize the Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative A.
current water plus the installation
retention structure at of bio-filters and
Umbarger Dam. necessary groundwater
pump infrastructure in
order to remove coli
forms from surface and
ground water flowing
from adjacent and
nearby cattle
operations. This
infrastructure would
be located on the
Refuge.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wildlife Management
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Native Fauna......................... Maintain current levels Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
of prairie dogs, mule
deer and white tailed
deer.
Invasive Fauna....................... Manage invasive fauna Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
throughout the refuge.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visitor Services Issues
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hunting.............................. There is currently no Introduce hunting to Same as Alternative B.
hunting permitted on the refuge to assist
the refuge and a hunt in controlling
plan has not been invasive fauna species
developed. as well as control the
populations of native
fauna species.
Fishing.............................. Currently, no fishing Construct a 6+/-acre Same as Alternative B.
in the refuge. public fishing pond
near existing viewing
blind by the lake bed
and Stewart Marsh.
[[Page 65014]]
Wildlife Observation and Photography. Maintain hiking trails Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative B.
and the auto-tour plus the installation
route, observation of six additional
decks, viewing blinds, blinds, near moist
and scenic overlooks. soil units, prairie
The refuge maintains dog town, and Unit 12
two viewing blinds, (for deer).
one at Stewart Marsh
and another
overlooking the
prairie dog town.
Environmental Education and The refuge hosts and Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative B.
Interpretation. annual education day plus increase the
for school children number of education
from surrounding days (as requested) to
communities. Refuge a maximum of one per
staff maintains an month. The refuge
environmental would also develop and
education area for construct 20
education/ interpretive panels.
interpretation Expansion of existing
programs; both the auto tour route would
education area and the open areas of the
staff are available refuge that are closed
upon request to to the public due to
provide environmental safety concerns.
education and
interpretation
presentations.
Maintain
interpretation on the
auto-tour route and
self-guided hiking
trails.
Camping.............................. The refuge currently Same as Alternative A.. Same as Alternative A.
permits primitive
camping in a
designated 25-site
campground that has
picnic tables and
restroom facilities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative Facilities............ Maintain headquarters Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative B,
and Visitors Center. plus develop an plus increase
Administrative Complex infrastructure to
to include provide the refuge
headquarters, Visitors with sufficient water
Center, biological sources to mimic the
lab, and maintenance amount as historically
and storage facility. provided by the
natural spring. This
would provide the same
habitat that was
available to wildlife
prior to the Ogallala
Aquifer receding due
to human activity and
use.
Public Use Facilities................ Limited public use Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative B.
facilities include plus expand
photo blinds, four construction and
parking lots, six maintenance of two
vault toilets. additional hiking
trails, one near the
Prairie Dog town and
the other through
grassland prairie
habitat near the
campground. The refuge
would also replace and/
or rehabilitate the
existing chemical
toilet facilities
adjacent to the
campground with
facilities that can
remain open year round.
Quality and Safety of Refuge Roadways Maintain current road Same as Alternative A, Same as Alternative B.
infrastructure. plus the
rehabilitation of the
entrance road from
Farm to Market 168 to
headquarters with a
two lane paved road
with adequate
shoulders. Resurfacing
of the remaining
refuge roads with new
caliche.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to using any methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or
obtain documents at the following locations:
Buffalo Lake NWR Headquarters Office, Umbarger, TX 79091,
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Our Web site: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Plan/publicinvolvement.html.
The following public libraries:
[[Page 65015]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library Address Phone No.
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Deaf Smith County Library...... 211 East 4th Street, 806-364-1206
Herford, TX 79045.
Canyon Public Library.......... 1501 3rd Avenue, 806-655-5015
Canyon, TX 79015.
Amarillo Southwest Library..... 6801 Southwest 45th 806-359-2094
Ave, Amarillo, TX
79109.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitting Comments/Issues for Comment
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
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: September 13, 2012.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-26083 Filed 10-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
