Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges, Coos, Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, OR; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plans and Findings of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessments, 27989-27991 [2013-10899]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 92 (Monday, May 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27989-27991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10899]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2013-N010; 12560-0000-10137 S3]


Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife 
Refuges, Coos, Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, OR; Final Comprehensive 
Conservation Plans and Findings of No Significant Impact for 
Environmental Assessments

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the final Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs) and 
Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs) for the Environmental 
Assessments (EAs) for three Oregon refuges--Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, 
and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges (NWR or refuge). Each refuge's 
final CCP describes how we will manage that refuge for the next 15 
years.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCPs and FONSIs 
by any of the following methods. You may request hard copies or a CD of 
the documents.
    Agency Web site: Download the final CCPs and FONSIs at www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/ccp_nes_slz_bdm.htm.
    Email: oregoncoastCCP@fws.gov. Include ``Bandon Marsh, Nestucca 
Bay, and Siletz Bay final CCPs and FONSIs'' in the subject line of the 
message.
    U.S. Mail: Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE 
Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 541-867-4550 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at the above address. For 
more information on locations for viewing or obtaining documents, see 
``Public Availability of Documents'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

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

[[Page 27990]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Bandon Marsh, 
Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuges in Coos, 
Tillamook, and Lincoln Counties, Oregon, respectively. We started this 
process through a notice in the Federal Register (75 FR 73121; November 
29, 2010). We released the draft CCP/EAs to the public, announcing and 
requesting comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register 
(77 FR 57107; September 17, 2012). For more information about the 
history and purposes of the refuges, see that notice.
    We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSIs for the 
CCPs for Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay NWRs in accordance 
with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) 
requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human 
environment, which we included in the draft CCP/EAs.
    The final CCPs will guide us in managing and administering the 
refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative C, as described in the draft 
CCP/EAs, forms the basis of the final CCPs.

Background

The CCP Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 
(together referred to as the Refuge Administration Act), 16 U.S.C. 
668dd-668ee, 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, our policies, and NEPA. In addition to outlining broad 
management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs 
identify compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities 
available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, 
wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation. We will review and update each CCP at least every 15 
years in accordance with the Refuge Administration Act. Implementing a 
CCP is subject to the availability of funding and any additional 
compliance requirements.

CCP Alternatives, Including Selected Alternatives

    During our CCP planning process, we, other governmental partners, 
Tribes, and the public identified several issues. To address these 
issues, we developed and evaluated alternatives and identified the 
preferred alternatives for each refuge. The preferred alternatives are 
briefly summarized below. For full details of all the alternatives, 
please review the draft CCPs/EAs (see the Public Availability of 
Documents section for ways to view or obtain the CCPs/EAs).

Bandon Marsh NWR

Preferred Alternative (Alternative C): Enhanced Active Habitat 
Management and Restoration and Visitor Services
    Active habitat management, monitoring, and restoration activities 
are part of this alternative. In addition to the existing waterfowl 
hunting program on the Bandon Marsh Unit, hunting would be allowed on 
300 acres of the Ni-les'tun Unit 3 days per week. Fishing for cutthroat 
trout would be permitted in Redd, No Name, and Fahys Creeks south of 
North Bank Lane, in accordance with State regulations but with an 
additional refuge regulation of artificial lures or flies only. The 
start of the season would coincide with the Oregon Department of Fish 
and Wildlife's season for trout fishing; however, the season on the 
refuge would end on September 30 to avoid conflicts with the waterfowl 
hunting season. A portion of the Ni-les'tun Unit would be open to 
wildlife observation and photography daily except during the waterfowl 
hunting season. Additional trails and parking lots would be 
constructed. Some administrative and visitor facilities would be 
replaced. The refuge would focus on participation in partner- and 
community-based visitor information projects.

Nestucca Bay NWR

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

Siletz Bay NWR

Preferred Alternative (Alternative C): Enhanced Active Habitat 
Management and Visitor Services
    Active habitat management, monitoring, and restoration activities 
are part of this alternative. Seasonal interpreter-led paddle trips 
would continue and potentially expand with the development of the boat 
launch near Alder Island. A loop trail, viewing platform, and parking 
lot would be developed at Alder Island. Access to clamming would be 
allowed through Snag Alley, and walk-in bank fishing would be allowed 
from Alder Island only. A waterfowl hunting program would be allowed 
daily in season on 80 acres of refuge lands west of Highway 101 and 3 
days per week on 97 acres of refuge lands south of Millport Slough and 
east of Highway 101. A small gravel parking lot and kiosk would be 
developed to support the Millport Slough waterfowl hunting access.

Comments

    We solicited public comments on the draft CCP/EAs for 30 days, from 
September 17 to October 22, 2012 (77 FR 57107). We received comments 
from 38 entities on the Bandon Marsh NWR draft CCP/EA, comments from 9 
entities on the Nestucca Bay NWR draft CCP/EA, and a comment from 1 
entity on the Siletz Bay NWR draft CCP/EA. Comments from 9 entities 
addressed all

[[Page 27991]]

three draft CCP/EAs. All substantive comments regarding the separate 
Bandon Marsh NWR Land Protection Planning (LPP) process will be 
considered, addressed, and incorporated in draft LPP documents. To 
address public comments received on the draft CCP/EAs, responsive 
changes and clarifications were made to the final CCPs where 
appropriate. These changes are summarized in full within each FONSI. 
The major changes follow.

Bandon Marsh NWR

     The waterfowl hunting area acreage at the Ni-les'tun Unit 
has been changed from 300 to 299 acres.

Nestucca Bay NWR

     The objective related to upland coastal prairie 
restoration has been reworded to ``restore up to 25 acres of native 
prairie by 2028 through a phased restoration project.''
     Wording regarding bank fishing has been changed from 
``actively pursuing opportunities'' to ``allow bank fishing on the east 
end of the Little Nestucca Restoration Area following development of 
access trail and gravel parking lot.''

Siletz Bay NWR

     The waterfowl hunting area acreage on refuge lands west of 
Highway 101 has been changed from 80 to 87 acres.
     The waterfowl hunting area acreage on refuge lands south 
of Millport Slough has been changed from 97 to 112 acres.

Selected Alternative

    After considering the comments received, we have selected 
Alternative C within each CCP for implementation. The goals, 
objectives, and strategies under Alternative C best achieve the purpose 
and need for each CCP while maintaining balance among the varied 
management needs and programs. Alternative C within each CCP addresses 
the refuge purposes, issues, and relevant mandates and is consistent 
with principles of sound fish and wildlife management.

Public Availability of Documents

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

    Dated: February 12, 2013.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-10899 Filed 5-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P