Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Lake Andes, SD; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment, 65574-65577 [2012-26482]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
65574
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 209 / Monday, October 29, 2012 / Notices
Number of
respondents
Annual
responses
12,906
3.675
Reporting burden ..............................................................................
Total estimated burden hours: 22,864.
Status: Revision of a currently
approved collection.
Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as
amended.
Dated: October 23, 2012.
Colette Pollard,
Department Reports Management Officer,
Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–26561 Filed 10–26–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR–5608–N–04]
Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: Healthy Homes and Lead
Hazard Control Programs Data
Collection—Progress Reporting
Office of Healthy Homes and
Lead Hazard Control, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The revised 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
28, 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:
Michelle Miller, Reports Liaison Officer,
Office of Healthy Homes and Lead
Hazard Control, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street
SW., Room 8236, Washington, DC
20410; michelle.m.miller@hud.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Matthew Ammon, Deputy Director,
Office of Healthy Homes and Lead
Hazard Control, Office of Departmental
and Urban Development, 451 Seventh
Street SW., Washington, DC 20410;
email matthew.e.ammon,@hud.gov,
telephone 202–708–0310 ext. 4337; Fax
202–755–1000 (this is not a toll-free
number) for other available information.
If you are a hearing- or speechimpaired person, you may reach the
above telephone numbers through TTY
by calling the toll-free Federal
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:18 Oct 26, 2012
Jkt 229001
Information Relay Service at 1–800–
877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Department will submit 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 affecting agencies
concerning the proposed collection of
information to:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information 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 through 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: Healthy Homes and
Lead Hazard Control Programs Data
Collection Progress Reporting.
OMB Control Number, if Applicable:
2539–0008.
Description of the Need for the
Information and Proposed Use: This
data collection is designed to provide
timely information to HUD regarding
the implementation progress of the
grantees on carrying out Healthy Homes
and Lead Hazard Control Grant
Programs. The information collection
will also be used to provide Congress
with status reports as required by the
Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard
Reduction Act (Title X of the Housing
and Community Development Act of
1992).
Agency Form Numbers, if Applicable:
HUD–96006.
Members of Affected Public: State,
tribal, local governments, not-for-profit
institutions and for-profit firms located
in the U.S.
Estimation of the Total Number of
Hours Needed to Prepare the
Information Collection including
Number of Respondents, Frequency of
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Hours per
response
×
=
0.481
Burden hours
22,864
Response, and Hours of Response: An
estimation of the total number of
respondents: 254; Frequency of
response: 4; Hours per response: 8; Total
Burden Hours: 8,128.
Status of the Proposed Information
Collection: The obligation to respond to
this information collection is
mandatory.
Authority: Section 3506 of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35,
as amended.
Dated: October 22, 2012.
Jon L. Gant,
Director, Office of Healthy Homes and Lead
Hazard Control.
[FR Doc. 2012–26559 Filed 10–26–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R6–R–2012–N239; FF06R06000 134
FXRS1265066CCP0]
Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, Lake Andes, SD; Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability;
announcement of meeting; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce
that our draft comprehensive
conservation plan (CCP) and
environmental assessment (EA) for the
Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge
Complex (Complex), which includes
Lake Andes NWR (National Wildlife
Refuge), Karl E. Mundt NWR, and Lake
Andes Wetland Management District, is
available for public review and
comment. The draft CCP/EA describes
how the Service intends to manage
these units for the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we
must receive your written comments on
the draft CCP/EA by November 28,
2012. Submit comments by one of the
methods under ADDRESSES. We will
hold a public meeting; see Public
Meeting under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for the date, time, and
location.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM
29OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 209 / Monday, October 29, 2012 / Notices
Send your comment or
requests for more information by any of
the following methods.
Email: bernardo_garza@fws.gov.
Include ‘‘Lake Andes NWR Complex
Draft CCP and EA’’ in the subject line
of the message.
Fax: Attn: Bernardo Garza, 303–236–
4792.
U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Division of Refuge Planning,
P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center,
Denver, CO 80225.
In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or
Pickup: Call 303–236–4377 to make an
appointment (necessary for view/pickup
only) during regular business hours at
134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300,
Lakewood, CO 80228.
Document Request: A copy of the
CCP/EA may be obtained by writing to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division
of Refuge Planning, 134 Union
Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO
80228; or by download from https://
mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bernardo Garza, 303–236–4377,
(phone); 303–236–4792 (fax); or
bernardo_garza@fws.gov (email); or
David C. Lucas, 303–236–4366 (phone);
303–236–4792 (fax); or
david_c_lucas@fws.gov.
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP
process for the Lake Andes NWR
Complex. We started this process
through a notice in the Federal Register
(72 FR 27328; May, 15, 2007).
The Lake Andes NWR Complex
encompasses three distinct units: Lake
Andes NWR, Lake Andes Wetland
Management District (WMD), and Karl
E. Mundt NWR. The Complex lies
within the Plains and Prairie Potholes
Region (Region) in South Dakota, which
is an ecological treasure of biological
importance for wildlife, particularly
waterfowl and other migratory birds.
This Region alone produces
approximately 50 percent of the
continent’s waterfowl population.
Hunting and wildlife observation are the
two most prevalent public uses on the
Complex, followed by fishing and
wildlife photography.
Lake Andes NWR was authorized by
Executive Order in 1936 and formally
established in 1939 to preserve an
important piece of shallow water and
prairie habitats for waterfowl and other
water birds. This 5,639-acre refuge
includes Lake Andes, a 4,700-acre lake
created by the last ice age. The lake’s
shallow waters and surrounding
grasslands provide optimal feeding,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:18 Oct 26, 2012
Jkt 229001
resting, nesting, and brooding habitats
for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and
other waterbirds, and also songbirds.
Water levels in the lake vary from 0 to
12 feet, depending entirely on climatic
conditions and precipitation, and create
a boom-and-bust fishery dependent on
water quality and quantity.
The Federal Migratory Bird
Conservation Fund finances the
acquisition of waterfowl production
areas (WPA) and conservation
easements by providing the Department
of Interior with monies to acquire
migratory bird habitat. The 1958
amendment to the Migratory Bird
Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act
(16 U.S.C. 718) authorized the Small
Wetlands Acquisition Program and
provided for the acquisition of lands in
addition to the previously authorized
habitats. Receipts from the sale of Duck
Stamps are used to acquire habitat
under the provisions of the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 715). The
Lake Andes WMD was established in
1958 to manage lands purchased under
these two authorities to protect wetland
and grassland habitat that is critical to
our nation’s duck population. The
District manages 18,782 acres of
grassland and wetland habitats in WPAs
distributed within Aurora, Bon Homme,
Brule, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison,
Douglas, Hanson, Hutchinson, Lincoln,
Turner, Union and Yankton Counties in
southeastern South Dakota. All of these
WPAs are open to hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation, trapping, and other
forms of compatible wildlife-dependent
recreation. Approximately 15,000
people visit the WPAs of the District
each year to engage in these types of
outdoor recreational opportunities.
Additionally, the District protects nearly
80,000 acres of grassland and wetland
habitats through easements that prevent
habitat degradation or loss on private
lands.
Karl E. Mundt NWR was established
in 1974, under the legislative authority
of the Endangered Species Act (16
U.S.C. 1534), to protect an area hugging
the eastern bank of the Missouri River
in Gregory County, South Dakota, and
Boyd County, Nebraska, that supports
nearly 300 endangered bald eagles each
winter. While being the first national
wildlife refuge specifically established
for the conservation of bald eagles, its
riparian forests, prairie, and upland
habitats provide important resting,
feeding, breeding, and nesting sites for
a wide array of neotropical migratory
birds, indigenous turkey, and whitetailed deer. Haying, grazing, prescribed
burning, invasive plant control, and
prairie restoration are used to maintain
riparian and upland habitats.
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
65575
Cottonwoods and other native tree
species have been planted in the past to
anchor riverine banks in attempts to
safeguard important bald eagle roosting
sites. In order to reduce disturbance to
bald eagles, this refuge is currently
closed to public use, with the sole
exception of occasional guided tours.
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 unit of the National
Wildlife Refuge System (System). The
purpose for developing a CCP is to
provide refuge managers with a 15-year
plan for achieving the purposes for
which their refuge and/or District was
established and contributing toward the
mission of the 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,
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
We started the CCP for the Lake
Andes NWR Complex in August 2006
by inviting the South Dakota Game Fish
and Parks Department and six Native
American tribal governments to
participate in the planning process. The
planning team was assembled in
September, and the planning kickoff
occurred in October of the same year.
We developed a mailing list and sent a
planning update to all the individuals
and groups in that list. The planning
update included basic information on
the Complex, the planning process, how
the public could provide comments and
become involved in the planning
process, and the dates, times, and places
of the three public meetings we held
throughout the Complex in November
2006. At that time and throughout the
process, we requested public comments
and considered and incorporated them
in numerous ways. Comments we
received cover topics such as invasive
plant control on Complex lands,
increased hunting and fishing
E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM
29OCN1
65576
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 209 / Monday, October 29, 2012 / Notices
opportunities, improvement of the water
quality and fisheries in Lake Andes,
public access to Karl E. Mundt NWR,
and Complex habitats’ management
tools (e.g., grazing, prescribed fire, tree
plantings and/or removal, etc.). We have
considered and evaluated all of these
comments, with many incorporated into
the various alternatives addressed in the
draft CCP and the EA.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
During the public scoping process
with which we started work on this
draft CCP, we, State of South Dakota
wildlife officials, a representative of the
Yankton Sioux Tribe, and the public
raised several 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.
Alternative A:
Current management
(no action)
Alternative B:
Modified management
(proposed action)
Alternative C:
Intensive management
Lake Andes’ Water and Fishery
Quality.
Continued Complex staff participation with and support of the
efforts of the Charles Mix County Lake Andes Restoration Organization, such as sediment
removal, soil conservation practices, and control of rough fish
population.
Same as Alternative B. Additionally, the Complex’s staff would
seek new partnerships with
landowners within the lake’s
watershed to help improve the
lake’s water and fisheries quality.
Invasive Plants Control ..................
Continue control of invasive
plants on infested wetlands, uplands, and riparian lands, using
chemical, mechanical, and biological control methods once
every 3 years on average.
Same as Alternative A. Additionally, the Complex’s staff would
investigate the possibility of installing additional fish screens
on all tributaries to the lake and
under both dikes, and a water
delivery system to pump more
water onto the lake’s South Unit
to improve sport fisheries.
Invasive plant infestations on
Lake Andes NWR, Karl E.
Mundt NWR, and high-priority
WPAs would be treated yearly;
all other infestations will be
treated every 3 years on average.
Monitoring and Research ...............
Continue limited monitoring of
habitat conditions and wildlife
populations in wetlands, uplands, and riparian areas. Continue permitting research activities when deemed compatible
with the purposes of the units
of the Complex.
Continued restoration and enhancement of tall and mixedgrass plant communities to create a mosaic of the required
elements for waterfowl and
other grass-nesting birds. Previously farmed lands would be
restored to native prairie.
Prairie Restoration .........................
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with
Public Access to Wildlife-Dependent Recreation.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:18 Oct 26, 2012
Karl E. Mundt NWR to remain
closed to most activities, with
the exception of limited staffguided tours. All ‘‘Big 6’’ wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities to continue on all
waterfowl production areas in
the Complex, as well as in the
Lake Andes’ Owens Bay and
Center Units.
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4703
Similar to, but more proactive
than, Alternative A. Additionally,
monitoring studies and surveys
will be expanded, and habitat
restoration research led by universities would be actively encouraged and pursued.
Similar to Alternative A, but the
main focus would be the restoration of a high diversity of
native grasses and forbs, along
with the pursuance of the purchase of equipment for the collection of desirable plant seeds
and construction of necessary
infrastructure.
Similar to Alternative A, except
that the staff would study and
open areas currently closed to
hunting, as well as provide special hunts, if it is deemed compatible and suitable. Boat
launching ramps for the lake’s
Center and South Units would
be improved. The addition of an
outdoor recreation planner and
the remodeling of the headquarters building to include a
visitor center and environmental
education classroom would
allow the expansion of environmental education and interpretation opportunities. Currently
closed portions of Lake Andes
and Karl E. Mundt NWRs would
be opened to wildlife observation and photography, and observation
and
photography
blinds would be provided for the
public at appropriate locations
on the Complex.
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM
The Complex’s staff would pursue
the formation of an invasive
plant species ‘‘strike team’’ to
more effectively control invasive
plants. Prescribed fire would be
used in a manner to help decrease cool-season grasses in
favor of warm-season native
grasses.
Similar to, but even more
proactive than, Alternative B.
Complex staff would pursue funding and research opportunities
with universities on habitat
management and more effective surveying methodologies.
Same as Alternative B. However,
with increased funding and
staffing, the Complex staff
would be able to treat and restore many more acres of land
than in Alternative B.
Same as Alternative B. Additionally, the staff would develop
and execute an outreach plan
to expand environmental education and interpretation opportunities throughout the Complex. Also, we would build an
observation tower and develop
a self-guiding auto tour route on
Lake Andes NWR to provide
more opportunities for wildlife
observation and photography.
29OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 209 / Monday, October 29, 2012 / Notices
65577
Alternative A:
Current management
(no action)
Funding, Infrastructure, and Partnerships.
Alternative B:
Modified management
(proposed action)
Alternative C:
Intensive management
No new or added infrastructure or
equipment or vehicles, which
would be replaced only as
needed. Current staffing and
funding would preclude pursuance of new partnerships.
Staffing and funding would need
to be expanded to carry out this
plan. The existing headquarters
building would need to be remodeled to provide a visitor
center and educational facilities,
and to accommodate new employees. The maintenance shop
and storage buildings would
need to be remodeled to correct
deficiencies and accommodate
expanded staffing and equipment.
Staffing and funding would be expanded beyond Alternatives A
and B to accomplish this alternative. Instead of remodeling
the headquarters building, we
would have to build a new visitor center, as well as seed drying and storage facilities.
Public Meeting
Opportunity for public input will be
provided at the following open house
public meeting.
Date
Time
Location
October 30, 2012 ............................
7–9 p.m ..........................................
Lake Andes Community Center, 207 West Main Street, Lake Andes,
SD 57356.
Next Steps
After the public reviews and provides
comments on the draft CCP and EA, the
planning team will present this
document, along with a summary of all
substantive public comments, to the
Regional Director. The Regional Director
will consider the environmental effects
of each alternative, including
information gathered during public
review, and will select a preferred
alternative for the draft CCP and EA. If
the Regional Director finds that no
significant impacts would occur, the
Regional Director’s decision will be
disclosed in a finding of no significant
impact included in the final CCP. If the
Regional Director finds a significant
impact would occur, an environmental
impact statement will be prepared. If
approved, the action in the preferred
alternative will compose the final CCP.
Service may provide copies of such
information.
ACTION:
Authority
The environmental review of this
project will be conducted in accordance
with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts
1500–1508, 43 CFR part 46); other
appropriate Federal laws and
regulations; Executive Order 12996; the
National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997; and Service
policies and procedures for compliance
with those laws and regulations.
SUMMARY:
Dated: October 11, 2012.
Noreen E. Walsh,
Deputy Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie
Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[FR Doc. 2012–26482 Filed 10–26–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Public Availability of Comments
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with
All public comment information
provided voluntarily by mail, by phone,
or at meetings (e.g., names, addresses,
letters of comment, input recorded
during meetings) becomes part of the
official public record. If requested under
the Freedom of Information Act by a
private citizen or organization, the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice.
Pursuant to the terms of the
listed concession contract, the National
Park Service hereby gives public notice
that it proposed to continue the
concession contract listed below for a
period not-to-exceed 1 year from the
date of contract expiration.
DATES:
Effective Date: October 1, 2012.
Jo
A. Pendry, Chief, Commercial Services
Program, National Park Service, 1201
Eye Street NW., 11th Floor, Washington,
DC 20005, Telephone (202) 513–7156.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The
contract listed below will expire by its
terms on September 30, 2012. Pursuant
to 36 CFR 51.23, the National Park
Service has determined that the
proposed continuation is necessary to
avoid interruption of visitor services
and has taken all reasonable and
appropriate steps to consider
alternatives to avoid such interruption.
[NPS–WASO–CONC–11166; 2410–OYC]
Notice of Continuation of Concession
Contract
AGENCY:
National Park Service, Interior.
Conc ID No.
Concessioner name
LAKE004–98 ........................
Lake Mead Cruises dba Lake Mead Ferry Service, Inc
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:18 Oct 26, 2012
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 4703
Park
Sfmt 4703
Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM
29OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 209 (Monday, October 29, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65574-65577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26482]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2012-N239; FF06R06000 134 FXRS1265066CCP0]
Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Lake Andes, SD;
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; announcement of meeting; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce
that our draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental
assessment (EA) for the Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex
(Complex), which includes Lake Andes NWR (National Wildlife Refuge),
Karl E. Mundt NWR, and Lake Andes Wetland Management District, is
available for public review and comment. The draft CCP/EA describes how
the Service intends to manage these units for the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
on the draft CCP/EA by November 28, 2012. Submit comments by one of the
methods under ADDRESSES. We will hold a public meeting; see Public
Meeting under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for the date, time, and
location.
[[Page 65575]]
ADDRESSES: Send your comment or requests for more information by any of
the following methods.
Email: bernardo_garza@fws.gov. Include ``Lake Andes NWR Complex
Draft CCP and EA'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Bernardo Garza, 303-236-4792.
U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge
Planning, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225.
In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 303-236-4377 to make
an appointment (necessary for view/pickup only) during regular business
hours at 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80228.
Document Request: A copy of the CCP/EA may be obtained by writing
to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, 134
Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80228; or by download from
https://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernardo Garza, 303-236-4377, (phone);
303-236-4792 (fax); or bernardo_garza@fws.gov (email); or David C.
Lucas, 303-236-4366 (phone); 303-236-4792 (fax); or david_c_lucas@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for the Lake Andes
NWR Complex. We started this process through a notice in the Federal
Register (72 FR 27328; May, 15, 2007).
The Lake Andes NWR Complex encompasses three distinct units: Lake
Andes NWR, Lake Andes Wetland Management District (WMD), and Karl E.
Mundt NWR. The Complex lies within the Plains and Prairie Potholes
Region (Region) in South Dakota, which is an ecological treasure of
biological importance for wildlife, particularly waterfowl and other
migratory birds. This Region alone produces approximately 50 percent of
the continent's waterfowl population. Hunting and wildlife observation
are the two most prevalent public uses on the Complex, followed by
fishing and wildlife photography.
Lake Andes NWR was authorized by Executive Order in 1936 and
formally established in 1939 to preserve an important piece of shallow
water and prairie habitats for waterfowl and other water birds. This
5,639-acre refuge includes Lake Andes, a 4,700-acre lake created by the
last ice age. The lake's shallow waters and surrounding grasslands
provide optimal feeding, resting, nesting, and brooding habitats for
migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds, and also
songbirds. Water levels in the lake vary from 0 to 12 feet, depending
entirely on climatic conditions and precipitation, and create a boom-
and-bust fishery dependent on water quality and quantity.
The Federal Migratory Bird Conservation Fund finances the
acquisition of waterfowl production areas (WPA) and conservation
easements by providing the Department of Interior with monies to
acquire migratory bird habitat. The 1958 amendment to the Migratory
Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act (16 U.S.C. 718) authorized the
Small Wetlands Acquisition Program and provided for the acquisition of
lands in addition to the previously authorized habitats. Receipts from
the sale of Duck Stamps are used to acquire habitat under the
provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 715). The Lake
Andes WMD was established in 1958 to manage lands purchased under these
two authorities to protect wetland and grassland habitat that is
critical to our nation's duck population. The District manages 18,782
acres of grassland and wetland habitats in WPAs distributed within
Aurora, Bon Homme, Brule, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Hanson,
Hutchinson, Lincoln, Turner, Union and Yankton Counties in southeastern
South Dakota. All of these WPAs are open to hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation, trapping, and other forms of compatible wildlife-dependent
recreation. Approximately 15,000 people visit the WPAs of the District
each year to engage in these types of outdoor recreational
opportunities. Additionally, the District protects nearly 80,000 acres
of grassland and wetland habitats through easements that prevent
habitat degradation or loss on private lands.
Karl E. Mundt NWR was established in 1974, under the legislative
authority of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1534), to protect an
area hugging the eastern bank of the Missouri River in Gregory County,
South Dakota, and Boyd County, Nebraska, that supports nearly 300
endangered bald eagles each winter. While being the first national
wildlife refuge specifically established for the conservation of bald
eagles, its riparian forests, prairie, and upland habitats provide
important resting, feeding, breeding, and nesting sites for a wide
array of neotropical migratory birds, indigenous turkey, and white-
tailed deer. Haying, grazing, prescribed burning, invasive plant
control, and prairie restoration are used to maintain riparian and
upland habitats. Cottonwoods and other native tree species have been
planted in the past to anchor riverine banks in attempts to safeguard
important bald eagle roosting sites. In order to reduce disturbance to
bald eagles, this refuge is currently closed to public use, with the
sole exception of occasional guided tours.
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 unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System
(System). The purpose for developing a CCP is to provide refuge
managers with a 15-year plan for achieving the purposes for which their
refuge and/or District was established and contributing toward the
mission of the 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.
Public Outreach
We started the CCP for the Lake Andes NWR Complex in August 2006 by
inviting the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department and six Native
American tribal governments to participate in the planning process. The
planning team was assembled in September, and the planning kickoff
occurred in October of the same year. We developed a mailing list and
sent a planning update to all the individuals and groups in that list.
The planning update included basic information on the Complex, the
planning process, how the public could provide comments and become
involved in the planning process, and the dates, times, and places of
the three public meetings we held throughout the Complex in November
2006. At that time and throughout the process, we requested public
comments and considered and incorporated them in numerous ways.
Comments we received cover topics such as invasive plant control on
Complex lands, increased hunting and fishing
[[Page 65576]]
opportunities, improvement of the water quality and fisheries in Lake
Andes, public access to Karl E. Mundt NWR, and Complex habitats'
management tools (e.g., grazing, prescribed fire, tree plantings and/or
removal, etc.). We have considered and evaluated all of these comments,
with many incorporated into the various alternatives addressed in the
draft CCP and the EA.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
During the public scoping process with which we started work on
this draft CCP, we, State of South Dakota wildlife officials, a
representative of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, and the public raised
several 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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative B:
Alternative A: Current Modified management Alternative C:
management (no action) (proposed action) Intensive management
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lake Andes' Water and Fishery Continued Complex staff Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.
Quality. participation with and Additionally, the Additionally, the
support of the efforts Complex's staff would Complex's staff would
of the Charles Mix investigate the seek new partnerships
County Lake Andes possibility of with landowners within
Restoration installing additional the lake's watershed
Organization, such as fish screens on all to help improve the
sediment removal, soil tributaries to the lake's water and
conservation practices, lake and under both fisheries quality.
and control of rough dikes, and a water
fish population. delivery system to
pump more water onto
the lake's South Unit
to improve sport
fisheries.
Invasive Plants Control............. Continue control of Invasive plant The Complex's staff
invasive plants on infestations on Lake would pursue the
infested wetlands, Andes NWR, Karl E. formation of an
uplands, and riparian Mundt NWR, and high- invasive plant species
lands, using chemical, priority WPAs would be ``strike team'' to
mechanical, and treated yearly; all more effectively
biological control other infestations control invasive
methods once every 3 will be treated every plants. Prescribed
years on average. 3 years on average. fire would be used in
a manner to help
decrease cool-season
grasses in favor of
warm-season native
grasses.
Monitoring and Research............. Continue limited Similar to, but more Similar to, but even
monitoring of habitat proactive than, more proactive than,
conditions and wildlife Alternative A. Alternative B.
populations in Additionally, Complex staff would
wetlands, uplands, and monitoring studies and pursue funding and
riparian areas. surveys will be research opportunities
Continue permitting expanded, and habitat with universities on
research activities restoration research habitat management and
when deemed compatible led by universities more effective
with the purposes of would be actively surveying
the units of the encouraged and methodologies.
Complex. pursued.
Prairie Restoration................. Continued restoration Similar to Alternative Same as Alternative B.
and enhancement of tall A, but the main focus However, with
and mixed-grass plant would be the increased funding and
communities to create a restoration of a high staffing, the Complex
mosaic of the required diversity of native staff would be able to
elements for waterfowl grasses and forbs, treat and restore many
and other grass-nesting along with the more acres of land
birds. Previously pursuance of the than in Alternative B.
farmed lands would be purchase of equipment
restored to native for the collection of
prairie. desirable plant seeds
and construction of
necessary
infrastructure.
Public Access to Wildlife-Dependent Karl E. Mundt NWR to Similar to Alternative Same as Alternative B.
Recreation. remain closed to most A, except that the Additionally, the
activities, with the staff would study and staff would develop
exception of limited open areas currently and execute an
staff-guided tours. All closed to hunting, as outreach plan to
``Big 6'' wildlife- well as provide expand environmental
dependent recreational special hunts, if it education and
opportunities to is deemed compatible interpretation
continue on all and suitable. Boat opportunities
waterfowl production launching ramps for throughout the
areas in the Complex, the lake's Center and Complex. Also, we
as well as in the Lake South Units would be would build an
Andes' Owens Bay and improved. The addition observation tower and
Center Units. of an outdoor develop a self-guiding
recreation planner and auto tour route on
the remodeling of the Lake Andes NWR to
headquarters building provide more
to include a visitor opportunities for
center and wildlife observation
environmental and photography.
education classroom
would allow the
expansion of
environmental
education and
interpretation
opportunities.
Currently closed
portions of Lake Andes
and Karl E. Mundt NWRs
would be opened to
wildlife observation
and photography, and
observation and
photography blinds
would be provided for
the public at
appropriate locations
on the Complex.
[[Page 65577]]
Funding, Infrastructure, and No new or added Staffing and funding Staffing and funding
Partnerships. infrastructure or would need to be would be expanded
equipment or vehicles, expanded to carry out beyond Alternatives A
which would be replaced this plan. The and B to accomplish
only as needed. Current existing headquarters this alternative.
staffing and funding building would need to Instead of remodeling
would preclude be remodeled to the headquarters
pursuance of new provide a visitor building, we would
partnerships. center and educational have to build a new
facilities, and to visitor center, as
accommodate new well as seed drying
employees. The and storage
maintenance shop and facilities.
storage buildings
would need to be
remodeled to correct
deficiencies and
accommodate expanded
staffing and
equipment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Meeting
Opportunity for public input will be provided at the following open
house public meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Time Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 30, 2012.............. 7-9 p.m.......... Lake Andes Community
Center, 207 West
Main Street, Lake
Andes, SD 57356.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Steps
After the public reviews and provides comments on the draft CCP and
EA, the planning team will present this document, along with a summary
of all substantive public comments, to the Regional Director. The
Regional Director will consider the environmental effects of each
alternative, including information gathered during public review, and
will select a preferred alternative for the draft CCP and EA. If the
Regional Director finds that no significant impacts would occur, the
Regional Director's decision will be disclosed in a finding of no
significant impact included in the final CCP. If the Regional Director
finds a significant impact would occur, an environmental impact
statement will be prepared. If approved, the action in the preferred
alternative will compose the final CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
All public comment information provided voluntarily by mail, by
phone, or at meetings (e.g., names, addresses, letters of comment,
input recorded during meetings) becomes part of the official public
record. If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private
citizen or organization, the Service may provide copies of such
information.
Authority
The environmental review of this project will be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508, 43 CFR part 46); other appropriate
Federal laws and regulations; Executive Order 12996; the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997; and Service policies
and procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.
Dated: October 11, 2012.
Noreen E. Walsh,
Deputy Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-26482 Filed 10-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
