Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, KY; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Land Protection Plan, and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Environmental Assessment, 13692-13694 [2013-04639]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2013 / Notices
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Friday, except Federal holidays. We
have an agreement with the Department
of Transportation to use the Docket
Management Facility.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions on this notice, call
or email Mr. John Hannon, Domestic
Vessels Division, U.S. Coast Guard;
telephone 202–372–1222, email
John.J.Hannon@uscg.mil. If you have
questions on viewing material in the
docket, call Docket Operations at 202–
366–9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Viewing the NVIC and other
documents: To view NVIC 01–13 and
related documents, go to https://
www.regulations.gov, use ‘‘USCG–2011–
1156’’ as your search term, and follow
the instructions in the ADDRESSES
section above.
Background and Purpose
Title VI of the Merchant Marine Act
of 1936, as amended by the Maritime
Security Act of 1996 (MSA) (Pub. L.
104–239), authorized the establishment
of a Maritime Security Fleet under the
Maritime Security Program (MSP). The
MSP serves as a means for establishing
a fleet of commercially viable and
militarily useful vessels to meet national
defense as well as other security
requirements.
The U.S. Maritime Administration
(MARAD) Office of Sealift Support is
the lead governmental office responsible
for administration of the MSP. MARAD,
in coordination with the Department of
Defense, established a program whereby
certain categories of militarily useful
commercial vessels may be designated
for emergency service to carry military
cargo in time of war, national
emergency, or military contingency.
Some vessels enrolled in the MSP may
receive a payment as part of their
enrollment. Alternatively, vessels may
enroll in other voluntary sealift support
programs established by MARAD.
Section 53102(e) of Title 46 U.S.C.
established standards for issuance of a
Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection
(COI) to a previously foreign-flagged
vessel transitioning to U.S.-flagged once
eligibility for the MSP has been
established by MARAD and the Coast
Guard. The statute does not specify the
scope or manner of the inspections to be
carried out by the Coast Guard to verify
that MSP vessels fulfill requirements
necessary to receive and maintain a COI.
The purpose of NVIC 01–13 is to
provide the marine industry and Coast
Guard personnel with uniform guidance
regarding the MSP. Vessels that meet
MSP enrollment criteria may obtain a
COI by following the processes outlined
in NVIC 01–13.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:12 Feb 27, 2013
Jkt 229001
On January 19, 2012, the Coast Guard
published a notice in the Federal
Register announcing the availability of
a draft NVIC 01–13 and requesting
public comments on the draft (See 77
FR 2741). The Coast Guard recognized
the need to avoid the inconsistent
application of inspection procedures
under the MSP. Accordingly, draft NVIC
01–13 outlined the inspection process
for vessels transitioning from foreignflag to U.S.-flag to obtain initial and
ongoing certification under the MSP. To
promote consistency and
standardization of Coast Guard policies
and procedures, draft NVIC 01–13 set
forth a comprehensive approach to the
MSP inspection process through the
establishment of two levels of MSP
inspection and oversight: (1) MSP
(Regular); and (2) MSP Select. This twolevel approach would enable the Coast
Guard to apply traditional inspection
methods to newly reflagged vessels,
while at the same time apply a less
stringent level of oversight to vessels
that have consistently demonstrated
satisfactory performance and substantial
compliance with applicable rules.
Newly enrolled MSP vessels would
continue to be inspected by the Coast
Guard in a manner similar to traditional
Coast Guard inspections. After a period
of evaluation, MSP vessels would be
eligible to seek enrollment under MSP
Select. MSP Select vessel oversight
would consist of risk-based vessel
examinations, periodic oversight, and
evaluations of Authorized Class Society
(ACS) survey activities.
We received eight public comment
letters in response to the January 19,
2012 Federal Register notice. These
comment letters contained a total of
approximately 60 specific
recommendations, suggestions, and
other comments. We have created a
document that provides a summary of
each comment and the corresponding
Coast Guard response. A copy of this
public comment matrix is available for
viewing in the public docket for this
notice. You may access the docket going
to https://www.regulations.gov, using
‘‘USCG–2011–1156’’ as your search
term, and following the instructions in
the ADDRESSES section above.
The basic framework of draft NVIC
01–13 described above is retained in the
final version. The Coast Guard has made
some changes from the draft version of
NVIC 01–13 to the final version based
on the public comments. A brief
discussion of the most important
changes is provided below. For more
detailed information, please consult the
actual public comment letters and
public comment matrix in the docket.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(1) One commenter requested that we
relax the standards for enrollment into
the MSP Select Program by evaluating
the ship operating company’s regulatory
compliance record over the most recent
5-year period. The commenter suggested
that if the operator is found to be fully
compliant during that period, all of its
vessels should be permitted to enroll in
MSP Select. We disagree. We believe
that a vessel-specific approach is more
appropriate for sufficiently and
effectively evaluating regulatory
compliance. While we disagree with the
commenter’s approach, we have
decided to reduce the performance
verification period from 5 years to 3
years in order to lessen the burden on
vessel operators.
(2) In response to a commenter’s
request, we provided more detail
regarding Marine Inspector
requirements, requisite qualifications,
and duties associated with the MSP. We
have added the requested language in
Sections 2.2.1. and 2.2.2. of NVIC 01–
13.
(3) We received a number of
comments pertaining to engine
automation, the applicability of Engine
International Air Pollution Prevention
(EIAPP) certificates, and the procedures
for underwater survey in lieu of
drydocking (UWILD). In response to
these comments, we provided
additional clarification regarding vessel
automation approval, EIAPP
certification, and UWILD procedures.
This notice is issued under authority
of 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 46 U.S.C. 53102(e),
and Department of Homeland Security
Delegation No. 0170.1(1).
Dated: February 22, 2013.
Paul F. Thomas,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director,
Inspections and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2013–04732 Filed 2–27–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R4–R–2012–N154;
FXRS12650400000S3–123–FF04R02000]
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge,
KY; Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan/Land Protection
Plan, and Finding of No Significant
Impact for the Environmental
Assessment
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
We, the Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service), announce the
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM
28FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2013 / Notices
availability of the final comprehensive
conservation plan (CCP)/land protection
plan (LPP), and finding of no significant
impact for the environmental
assessment for Clarks River National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Graves,
Marshall, and McCracken Counties,
Kentucky. In the final CCP/LPP, we
describe how we will manage this
refuge for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of
the final CCP/LPP by writing to: Mr.
Michael Johnson, Clarks River NWR,
P.O. Box 89, Benton, KY 42025.
Alternatively, you may download the
document from our Internet Site,
https://southeast.fws.gov/planning/,
under ‘‘Final Documents.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Michael Johnson at 270/527–5770
(telephone); 270/703–2963 (fax);
michael_johnson@fws.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP/
LPP process for Clarks River NWR. We
started the process through a notice in
the Federal Register on August 29, 2008
(73 FR 50981). For more about the
process, see that notice.
Clarks River NWR was established in
1997. The acquisition boundary
currently approved by Congress is
approximately 18,000 acres, of which
8,634 acres have been purchased. The
lands are distributed among three
counties as follows: Graves County (56
acres), Marshall County (5,970 acres),
and McCracken County (2,608 acres).
Lands are purchased on a willing-seller
basis only.
Approximately 74 percent of the land
associated with Clarks River NWR is
forested, 22 percent is agricultural, and
2 percent is freshwater marsh/shrub
swamp with managed impoundments,
native warm-season grasses, and
disturbed lands (roads, utility corridors,
etc.), comprising less than 1 percent
each. Refuge lands are managed for all
plants and animals that occur in the
area of western Kentucky, with a
primary emphasis on migratory
songbirds and waterfowl, game species,
and listed species. Refuge goals and
objectives are achieved through forest
management, cooperative farming,
habitat restoration, water management,
and prescribed fire.
We announce our decision and the
availability of the final CCP/LPP and
FONSI for Clarks River NWR in
accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40
CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We
completed a thorough analysis of
impacts on the human environment,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:12 Feb 27, 2013
Jkt 229001
which we included in the draft
comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/
EA).
The final CCP/LPP will guide us in
managing and administering Clarks
River NWR for the next 15 years. The
LPP will expand the current acquisition
boundary of Clarks River NWR by
34,269 acres, bringing the total refuge
acquisition boundary to approximately
53,874 acres. This acquisition will
enable us to protect lands along the east
and west fork of the Clarks River.
The compatibility determinations for
(1) Hunting; (2) fishing; (3) wildlife
observation and photography; (4)
environmental education and
interpretation; (5) nuisance animal
control; (6) outdoor recreation including
non-motorized boating, walking, hiking,
jogging, and bicycling; (7) research and
monitoring; (8) horseback riding; and (9)
mobility-impaired all-terrain vehicle
access are also available in the final
CCP/LPP.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as
amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997, requires us to develop a CCP for
each national wildlife refuge. The
purpose for developing a CCP is to
provide refuge managers with a 15-year
plan for achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System,
consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation,
legal mandates, and our policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and
their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and environmental
education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least
every 15 years in accordance with the
Administration Act.
Comments
Approximately 300 copies of the Draft
CCP/EA were made available for a 30day public review period as announced
in the Federal Register on February 15,
2012 (77 FR 8890). More than 270
people attended and many submitted
comments at three public meetings held
to discuss the Draft CCP/EA. A total of
55 respondents submitted written
comments on the Draft CCP/EA by mail
or email. The Draft CCP/EA identified
and evaluated three alternatives for
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
13693
managing the refuge over the next 15
years.
Selected Alternative
After considering the comments we
received and based on the professional
judgment of the planning team, we
selected Alternative B for
implementation. Alternative B
emphasizes management of the natural
resources of Clarks River NWR based on
maintaining and improving wetland
habitats, monitoring targeted flora and
fauna representative of the surrounding
Clarks River watershed, and providing
quality public use programs and
wildlife-dependent recreational
activities. Certain targeted species will
be managed and monitored in addition
to species of Federal responsibility.
These species will be chosen based on
the criteria that they are indicators of
the health of important habitat.
Information gaps in our knowledge of
the refuge’s aquatic species will be
addressed.
Restoration efforts, habitat
management, forest management, and
the prescribed fire program will reflect
best management practices determined
after examination of historical regimes,
soil types and elevation, and the current
hydrological system. Management
actions will be monitored for
effectiveness and adapted to changing
conditions and technology. We will
develop a Habitat Management Plan to
guide future habitat projects and
evaluate previous actions.
Public use programs will be improved
by offering more facilities and wildlife
observation areas. We will monitor
public use to determine if there are any
negative impacts occurring due to
overuse of the resources. Public use
programs will be updated to support
and teach reasons behind management
actions, and to provide quality
experiences to visitors. The refuge
headquarters will be developed to
provide more visitor services, and a new
visitor center will be constructed. We
will strive for a balanced program of
wildlife-dependent recreational
activities while protecting wildlife
resources. Archaeological resources will
be surveyed.
We currently have fee-title ownership
of about 8,634 acres, with an approved
acquisition boundary of 19,605 acres.
Fee-title lands are distributed as
follows: Graves County (56 acres),
Marshall County (5,970 acres), and
McCracken County (2,608 acres). Lands
are purchased on a willing-seller basis
only. Alternative B includes an
acquisition boundary expansion of
34,269 acres, bringing the total refuge
acquisition boundary to approximately
E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM
28FEN1
13694
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2013 / Notices
53,874 acres that would protect lands
along the east and west fork of the
Clarks River. Land acquisitions within
the existing and expanded acquisition
boundaries will be based on importance
of the habitat for target management
species. We will offer wildlifedependent public use of refuge wildlife
and habitats, as well as demonstrate
habitat improvements.
Under Alternative B, our management
decisions and actions will support
wildlife species and habitats occurring
on the refuge based on well-planned
strategies and sound scientific
judgment. Quality wildlife-dependent
recreational uses and environmental
education and interpretation programs
will be offered to support and explain
the natural resources of the refuge.
We will add six new positions to
current staffing in order to continue to
protect resources, provide visitor
services, and attain goals of facilities
and equipment maintenance in the
future. The biological environment will
improve as adaptive and best
management practices are utilized.
Socioeconomic values should increase
as the refuge offers more wildlifedependent recreational opportunities.
The refuge is beneficial to local
ecotourism trade and residents
searching for natural landscapes and the
associated benefits.
Authority
This notice is published under the
authority of the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.).
Dated: July 27, 2012.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was
received at the Office of the Federal Register
February 25, 2013.
[FR Doc. 2013–04639 Filed 2–27–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Fish and Wildlife Service
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
[FWS–R9–IA–2011–0087; FF09A30000
FXIA16710900000 134]
Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES); Sixteenth Regular
Meeting; Tentative U.S. Negotiating
Positions for Agenda Items and
Species Proposals Submitted by
Foreign Governments and the CITES
Secretariat
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:12 Feb 27, 2013
Jkt 229001
Notice.
We, the United States, as a
Party to the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES), will attend the
sixteenth regular meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to CITES
(CoP16) in Bangkok, Thailand, during
March 3–14, 2013. This notice
announces the availability of tentative
U.S. negotiating positions on
amendments to the CITES Appendices
(species proposals), draft resolutions
and decisions, and agenda items
submitted by other countries and the
CITES Secretariat for consideration at
CoP16.
ADDRESSES: Copies of tentative U.S.
negotiating positions on amendments to
the CITES Appendices (species
proposals), draft resolutions and
decisions, and agenda items submitted
by other countries and the CITES
Secretariat for consideration at CoP16
are available:
• Electronically at: http//
www.regulations.gov at Docket No.
FWS–R9–IA–2011–0087, or on our Web
site at https://www.fws.gov/international/
cites/cop16/;
• By email request to:
managementauthority@fws.gov; or
• By postal mail or in person, by
appointment, at: Division of
Management Authority, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax
Drive, Room 212, Arlington, VA 22203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information pertaining to resolutions,
decisions, and agenda items contact:
Robert R. Gabel, Chief, Division of
Management Authority; telephone, 703–
358–2095; email,
managementauthority@fws.gov. For
information pertaining to species
proposals contact: Dr. Rosemarie Gnam,
Chief, Division of Scientific Authority;
telephone, 703–358–1708; email,
scientificauthority@fws.gov.
SUMMARY:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Background
The Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora, referred to here as
CITES or the Convention, is an
international treaty designed to control
and regulate international trade in
certain animal and plant species that are
now or potentially may become
threatened with extinction. These
species are listed in Appendices to
CITES, which are available on the
CITES Secretariat’s Web site at https://
www.cites.org/eng/app/index.php.
Currently (as of January 29, 2013), 177
countries, including the United States,
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
are Parties to CITES. The Convention
calls for a meeting of the Conference of
the Parties at least once every 2 years to
review its implementation, make
provisions enabling the CITES
Secretariat to carry out its functions,
consider amendments to the lists of
species in Appendices I and II, consider
reports presented by the Secretariat, and
make recommendations for the
improved effectiveness of CITES. Any
country that is a Party to CITES may
propose amendments to Appendices I
and II, and draft resolutions, decisions,
and agenda items for consideration by
all the Parties. Accredited
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
may participate in the meeting as
approved observers and may speak
during sessions when recognized by the
meeting Chairman, but they may not
vote or submit proposals.
This is our seventh in a series of
Federal Register notices on the
development of U.S. submissions and
tentative negotiating positions for
CoP16. In this notice, we announce the
availability of tentative U.S. negotiating
positions on species proposals, draft
resolutions and decisions, and agenda
items submitted by other Parties and the
Secretariat for consideration at CoP16.
The ADDRESSES section, above, explains
how to obtain a copy of all of this
information. We published our first
CoP16-related Federal Register notice
on June 14, 2011 (76 FR 34746), and
with it we requested information and
recommendations on species proposals
for the United States to consider for
submission to CoP16, and we also
outlined our approach for the meeting.
We published our second CoP16-related
Federal Register notice on November 7,
2011 (76 FR 68778), and with it we
requested information and
recommendations on resolutions,
decisions, and agenda items for the
United States to consider submitting for
consideration at CoP16. We published
our third such Federal Register notice
on April 11, 2012 (77 FR 21798), and
with it we announced taxa that the
United States was considering
submitting for consideration at CoP16.
In our fourth Federal Register notice,
published on June 21, 2012 (77 FR
37433), we informed the public of
proposed resolutions, decisions, and
agenda items that we were considering
for submission for CoP16. This notice
took into account all public comments
received in response to the Federal
Register notice published on November
7, 2011. In our fifth Federal Register
notice, published on November 9, 2012
(77 FR 67390), we announced the
provisional agenda for CoP16, solicited
E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM
28FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 40 (Thursday, February 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13692-13694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04639]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2012-N154; FXRS12650400000S3-123-FF04R02000]
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, KY; Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan/Land Protection Plan, and Finding of No Significant
Impact for the Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
[[Page 13693]]
availability of the final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP)/land
protection plan (LPP), and finding of no significant impact for the
environmental assessment for Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR) in Graves, Marshall, and McCracken Counties, Kentucky. In the
final CCP/LPP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next
15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the final CCP/LPP by writing to:
Mr. Michael Johnson, Clarks River NWR, P.O. Box 89, Benton, KY 42025.
Alternatively, you may download the document from our Internet Site,
https://southeast.fws.gov/planning/, under ``Final Documents.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Johnson at 270/527-5770
(telephone); 270/703-2963 (fax); michael_johnson@fws.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP/LPP process for Clarks River
NWR. We started the process through a notice in the Federal Register on
August 29, 2008 (73 FR 50981). For more about the process, see that
notice.
Clarks River NWR was established in 1997. The acquisition boundary
currently approved by Congress is approximately 18,000 acres, of which
8,634 acres have been purchased. The lands are distributed among three
counties as follows: Graves County (56 acres), Marshall County (5,970
acres), and McCracken County (2,608 acres). Lands are purchased on a
willing-seller basis only.
Approximately 74 percent of the land associated with Clarks River
NWR is forested, 22 percent is agricultural, and 2 percent is
freshwater marsh/shrub swamp with managed impoundments, native warm-
season grasses, and disturbed lands (roads, utility corridors, etc.),
comprising less than 1 percent each. Refuge lands are managed for all
plants and animals that occur in the area of western Kentucky, with a
primary emphasis on migratory songbirds and waterfowl, game species,
and listed species. Refuge goals and objectives are achieved through
forest management, cooperative farming, habitat restoration, water
management, and prescribed fire.
We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP/LPP
and FONSI for Clarks River NWR in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We
completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment,
which we included in the draft comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA).
The final CCP/LPP will guide us in managing and administering
Clarks River NWR for the next 15 years. The LPP will expand the current
acquisition boundary of Clarks River NWR by 34,269 acres, bringing the
total refuge acquisition boundary to approximately 53,874 acres. This
acquisition will enable us to protect lands along the east and west
fork of the Clarks River.
The compatibility determinations for (1) Hunting; (2) fishing; (3)
wildlife observation and photography; (4) environmental education and
interpretation; (5) nuisance animal control; (6) outdoor recreation
including non-motorized boating, walking, hiking, jogging, and
bicycling; (7) research and monitoring; (8) horseback riding; and (9)
mobility-impaired all-terrain vehicle access are also available in the
final CCP/LPP.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to develop
a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a
CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving
refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and
wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our policies. In
addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife
and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational
opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Comments
Approximately 300 copies of the Draft CCP/EA were made available
for a 30-day public review period as announced in the Federal Register
on February 15, 2012 (77 FR 8890). More than 270 people attended and
many submitted comments at three public meetings held to discuss the
Draft CCP/EA. A total of 55 respondents submitted written comments on
the Draft CCP/EA by mail or email. The Draft CCP/EA identified and
evaluated three alternatives for managing the refuge over the next 15
years.
Selected Alternative
After considering the comments we received and based on the
professional judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative B
for implementation. Alternative B emphasizes management of the natural
resources of Clarks River NWR based on maintaining and improving
wetland habitats, monitoring targeted flora and fauna representative of
the surrounding Clarks River watershed, and providing quality public
use programs and wildlife-dependent recreational activities. Certain
targeted species will be managed and monitored in addition to species
of Federal responsibility. These species will be chosen based on the
criteria that they are indicators of the health of important habitat.
Information gaps in our knowledge of the refuge's aquatic species will
be addressed.
Restoration efforts, habitat management, forest management, and the
prescribed fire program will reflect best management practices
determined after examination of historical regimes, soil types and
elevation, and the current hydrological system. Management actions will
be monitored for effectiveness and adapted to changing conditions and
technology. We will develop a Habitat Management Plan to guide future
habitat projects and evaluate previous actions.
Public use programs will be improved by offering more facilities
and wildlife observation areas. We will monitor public use to determine
if there are any negative impacts occurring due to overuse of the
resources. Public use programs will be updated to support and teach
reasons behind management actions, and to provide quality experiences
to visitors. The refuge headquarters will be developed to provide more
visitor services, and a new visitor center will be constructed. We will
strive for a balanced program of wildlife-dependent recreational
activities while protecting wildlife resources. Archaeological
resources will be surveyed.
We currently have fee-title ownership of about 8,634 acres, with an
approved acquisition boundary of 19,605 acres. Fee-title lands are
distributed as follows: Graves County (56 acres), Marshall County
(5,970 acres), and McCracken County (2,608 acres). Lands are purchased
on a willing-seller basis only. Alternative B includes an acquisition
boundary expansion of 34,269 acres, bringing the total refuge
acquisition boundary to approximately
[[Page 13694]]
53,874 acres that would protect lands along the east and west fork of
the Clarks River. Land acquisitions within the existing and expanded
acquisition boundaries will be based on importance of the habitat for
target management species. We will offer wildlife-dependent public use
of refuge wildlife and habitats, as well as demonstrate habitat
improvements.
Under Alternative B, our management decisions and actions will
support wildlife species and habitats occurring on the refuge based on
well-planned strategies and sound scientific judgment. Quality
wildlife-dependent recreational uses and environmental education and
interpretation programs will be offered to support and explain the
natural resources of the refuge.
We will add six new positions to current staffing in order to
continue to protect resources, provide visitor services, and attain
goals of facilities and equipment maintenance in the future. The
biological environment will improve as adaptive and best management
practices are utilized. Socioeconomic values should increase as the
refuge offers more wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities. The
refuge is beneficial to local ecotourism trade and residents searching
for natural landscapes and the associated benefits.
Authority
This notice is published under the authority of the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et
seq.).
Dated: July 27, 2012.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the
Federal Register February 25, 2013.
[FR Doc. 2013-04639 Filed 2-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
