Iowa Wetland Management District, 35 Counties in North-Central and Northwest Iowa; Environmental Assessment and Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan, 50441-50442 [2013-20088]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 160 / Monday, August 19, 2013 / Notices IX. Authority We publish this document under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: June 25, 2013. Wendi Weber, Regional Director, Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2013–17328 Filed 8–16–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–R–2013–N075; FXRS1265030000– 134–FF03R06000] Iowa Wetland Management District, 35 Counties in North-Central and Northwest Iowa; Environmental Assessment and Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan 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 an environmental assessment (EA) and draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the Iowa Wetland Management District (district, WMD) for public review and comment. In this EA/draft CCP we describe how we propose to manage the district for the next 15 years. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by September 18, 2013. We will hold open house–style meetings during the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the EA and draft CCP. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper articles, internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of opportunities for input. ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any one of the following methods: • Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Iowa WMD EA/Draft CCP’’ in the subject line of the message. • Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, 515–928–2230. • U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager Tim Miller, Iowa Wetland Management District, 1710 360th Street, Titonka, IA 50480. • In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during regular business hours at the above address. You will find the EA and Draft CCP with an executive summary, as well as TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Aug 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 information about the planning process, on the planning Web site: https:// www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/ iowawetlands/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Miller, 515–928–2523. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP planning process for the Iowa Wetland Management District, which we began by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010. For more about the initial process and the history of the district, see that notice. Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), requires us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge (including wetland management districts). The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide the district manager with a 15year strategy for achieving district purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service 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 Administration Act. Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for each unit within the NWRS mission, and to determine how the public can use each unit. The planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with each unit’s establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS. Additional Information The EA/draft CCP, which includes detailed information about the planning PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50441 process, district, issues, and management alternatives considered and proposed, may be found at https:// www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/ iowawetlands/. There are four alternative management options considered in the EA. The Service’s preferred alternative is reflected in the draft CCP. The following regulation would be implemented on the Service’s fee title property within the district under any alternative: ‘‘You may only use or possess approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey.’’ The alternatives analyzed in detail include: • Alternative A, Current Management (No Action): This no-action alternative reflects the current management of the Iowa WMD. It provides the baseline against which to compare other alternatives. • Alternative B, Breeding Waterfowl: This alternative focuses on managing for breeding waterfowl by restoring cropland to perennial grassland in the uplands and restoring semi- or less permanent pothole wetlands in the lowlands. Food plots would be eliminated from the district, because they are not essential for breeding waterfowl survival. Environmental education, interpretation, and outreach would remain at current levels, with more emphasis on distributing a consistent message for the entire district. Public use opportunities would remain limited to hunting, fishing, and trapping. • Alternative C, Migrating Waterfowl: This alternative focuses on managing for migrating waterfowl by restoring cropland to perennial grassland in the uplands. Restoration in the lowlands would focus on semi- or less permanent pothole wetlands important to the restoration of semi-permanent to shallow lakes. This strategy would provide good water quality to support native vegetation and invertebrates as high-quality food for migrating waterfowl. Some food plots would remain within the district as an additional food source. Environmental education, interpretation, and outreach would remain at current levels, with more emphasis on distributing a consistent message for the entire district. Public use facilities (kiosks, etc.) would be provided at key locations, and other recreational opportunities would be provided, in addition to hunting, fishing, and trapping. • Alternative D, Breeding Waterfowl (Preferred Alternative): This alternative has components from all other alternatives. As in Alternative B, it focuses on managing for breeding E:\FR\FM\19AUN1.SGM 19AUN1 50442 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 160 / Monday, August 19, 2013 / Notices waterfowl. Restoring cropland to perennial grassland would be the dominant activity in the uplands, while a variety of pothole wetlands would be the focus for restoration in the lowlands, especially those important to restoration of semi-permanent to shallow lakes. A diversity of wetland types would provide for a greater diversity of wildlife, in particular, grassland and other wetland birds. As in Alternative C, public use opportunities, in addition to hunting, fishing, and trapping, as well as some additional public use facilities (kiosks, etc.), would be provided, and some food plots would remain. Once again, environmental education, interpretation, and outreach would remain at current levels, with more emphasis on distributing a consistent message for the entire district. Public Involvement We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments anytime during the comment period. 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. A copy of the decision may be obtained from: Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage, AK 99513–7504. ADDRESSES: The BLM by phone at 907–271–5960 or by email at blm_ak_akso_public_room@ blm.gov. Persons who use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the BLM during normal business hours. In addition, the FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the BLM. The BLM will reply during normal business hours. [FR Doc. 2013–20088 Filed 8–16–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AA–9981; LLAK–944000–L14100000– HY0000–P] Alaska Native Claims Selection TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Any party claiming a property interest in the lands affected by the decision may appeal the decision in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4 within the following time limits: 1. Unknown parties, parties unable to be located after reasonable efforts have been expended to locate, parties who fail or refuse to sign their return receipt, and parties who receive a copy of the decision by regular mail which is not certified, return receipt requested, shall have until September 18, 2013 to file an appeal. 2. Parties receiving service of the decision by certified mail shall have 30 days from the date of receipt to file an appeal. Parties who do not file an appeal in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4 shall be deemed to have waived their rights. Notices of appeal transmitted by electronic means, such as facsimile or email, will not be accepted as timely filed. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles M. Wooley, Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. AGENCY: approve conveyance of only the surface estate in certain lands pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.). The lands are located north of Tuntutuliak, Alaska, and contain 4.81 acres. Notice of the decision will also be published once a week for four consecutive weeks in the Anchorage Daily News. Bureau of Land Management, Interior. Notice of decision approving lands for conveyance. ACTION: Dina L. Torres, Land Transfer Resolution Specialist, Branch of Adjudication. [FR Doc. 2013–20165 Filed 8–16–13; 8:45 am] 17:51 Aug 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Bureau of Land Management [LLUT925000–L14200000–BJ0000] Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey; Utah Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will file plats of survey of the lands described below in the BLM Utah State Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 18, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel W. Webb, Chief Cadastral Surveyor, Bureau of Land Management, Branch of Geographic Sciences, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101–1345, telephone (801) 539–4135, or dwebb@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These surveys were executed at the request of the Bureau of Reclamation and were necessary to delineate property boundaries in the vicinity of the Weber Basin Federal Reclamation Project, Willard Bay Reservoir. The lands surveyed are: SUMMARY: Salt Lake Meridian, Utah The plat representing T. 7 N., R. 2 W., dependent resurvey and subdivision of sections 3 and 19 was accepted August 7, 2013, Group No. 836, Utah. The plat representing T. 7 N., R. 3 W., dependent resurvey and subdivision of sections 13 and 24 was accepted August 7, 2013, Group No. 836, Utah. The plat representing T. 8 N., R. 2 W., dependent resurvey was accepted August 7, 2013, Group No. 836, Utah. Metes and bounds survey of the Willard Bay Reservoir Boundary Line was accepted August 7, 2013, Group No. 836, Utah. A copy of the plats and related field notes will be placed in the open files. They will be available for public review in the BLM Utah State Office as a matter of information. Authority: 43 U.S.C. Chap. 3. BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will issue an appealable decision to Calista Corporation. The decision will SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Jenna Whitlock, Associate State Director. [FR Doc. 2013–20096 Filed 8–16–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\19AUN1.SGM 19AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50441-50442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20088]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2013-N075; FXRS1265030000-134-FF03R06000]


Iowa Wetland Management District, 35 Counties in North-Central 
and Northwest Iowa; Environmental Assessment and Draft Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan

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 an environmental assessment (EA) and draft 
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the Iowa Wetland Management 
District (district, WMD) for public review and comment. In this EA/
draft CCP we describe how we propose to manage the district for the 
next 15 years.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by September 18, 2013. We will hold open house-style meetings during 
the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the 
EA and draft CCP. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper 
articles, internet postings, and other media announcements to inform 
people of opportunities for input.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
one of the following methods:
     Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ``Iowa WMD EA/Draft 
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, 515-928-2230.
     U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager Tim Miller, Iowa 
Wetland Management District, 1710 360th Street, Titonka, IA 50480.
     In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during 
regular business hours at the above address.
    You will find the EA and Draft CCP with an executive summary, as 
well as information about the planning process, on the planning Web 
site: https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/iowawetlands/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Miller, 515-928-2523.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP planning process for the Iowa 
Wetland Management District, which we began by publishing a notice of 
intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010. For 
more about the initial process and the history of the district, see 
that notice.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), requires us to develop a 
CCP for each national wildlife refuge (including wetland management 
districts). The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide the district 
manager with a 15-year strategy for achieving district purposes and 
contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System 
(NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife 
management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service 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 Administration 
Act.
    Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use 
these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the 
management goals and objectives for each unit within the NWRS mission, 
and to determine how the public can use each unit. The planning process 
is a way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and 
objectives that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, 
plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent 
recreation opportunities that are compatible with each unit's 
establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.

Additional Information

    The EA/draft CCP, which includes detailed information about the 
planning process, district, issues, and management alternatives 
considered and proposed, may be found at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/iowawetlands/. There are four alternative management 
options considered in the EA. The Service's preferred alternative is 
reflected in the draft CCP. The following regulation would be 
implemented on the Service's fee title property within the district 
under any alternative: ``You may only use or possess approved nontoxic 
shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting 
wild turkey.''
    The alternatives analyzed in detail include:
     Alternative A, Current Management (No Action): This no-
action alternative reflects the current management of the Iowa WMD. It 
provides the baseline against which to compare other alternatives.
     Alternative B, Breeding Waterfowl: This alternative 
focuses on managing for breeding waterfowl by restoring cropland to 
perennial grassland in the uplands and restoring semi- or less 
permanent pothole wetlands in the lowlands. Food plots would be 
eliminated from the district, because they are not essential for 
breeding waterfowl survival. Environmental education, interpretation, 
and outreach would remain at current levels, with more emphasis on 
distributing a consistent message for the entire district. Public use 
opportunities would remain limited to hunting, fishing, and trapping.
     Alternative C, Migrating Waterfowl: This alternative 
focuses on managing for migrating waterfowl by restoring cropland to 
perennial grassland in the uplands. Restoration in the lowlands would 
focus on semi- or less permanent pothole wetlands important to the 
restoration of semi-permanent to shallow lakes. This strategy would 
provide good water quality to support native vegetation and 
invertebrates as high-quality food for migrating waterfowl. Some food 
plots would remain within the district as an additional food source. 
Environmental education, interpretation, and outreach would remain at 
current levels, with more emphasis on distributing a consistent message 
for the entire district. Public use facilities (kiosks, etc.) would be 
provided at key locations, and other recreational opportunities would 
be provided, in addition to hunting, fishing, and trapping.
     Alternative D, Breeding Waterfowl (Preferred Alternative): 
This alternative has components from all other alternatives. As in 
Alternative B, it focuses on managing for breeding

[[Page 50442]]

waterfowl. Restoring cropland to perennial grassland would be the 
dominant activity in the uplands, while a variety of pothole wetlands 
would be the focus for restoration in the lowlands, especially those 
important to restoration of semi-permanent to shallow lakes. A 
diversity of wetland types would provide for a greater diversity of 
wildlife, in particular, grassland and other wetland birds. As in 
Alternative C, public use opportunities, in addition to hunting, 
fishing, and trapping, as well as some additional public use facilities 
(kiosks, etc.), would be provided, and some food plots would remain. 
Once again, environmental education, interpretation, and outreach would 
remain at current levels, with more emphasis on distributing a 
consistent message for the entire district.

Public Involvement

    We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public 
meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site 
listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments 
anytime during the comment period.

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.

Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-20088 Filed 8-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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