Camas National Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson County, ID; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment, 1654-1656 [2014-00136]

Download as PDF 1654 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 6 / Thursday, January 9, 2014 / Notices HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to these questions. Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. Dated: January 2, 2014. Laura M. Marin, Associate General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing—Associate Deputy Federal Housing Commissioner. [FR Doc. 2014–00142 Filed 1–8–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R1–R–2013–N186; 1265–0000–10137– S3] Camas National Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson County, ID; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for the Camas National Wildlife Refuge (NWR, Refuge), in Hamer, Idaho, for public review and comment. The Draft CCP/EA describes our proposal for managing the Refuge for the next 15 years. DATES: To ensure consideration, we need to receive your written comments by February 10, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, requests for more information, or requests for copies by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or a CD–ROM of the documents. Email: FW1PlanningComments@ fws.gov. Include ‘‘Camas NWR CCP’’ in the subject line. Fax: Attn: Brian Wehausen, Refuge Manager, 208–662–5525. U.S. Mail: Brian Wehausen, Refuge Manager, Camas NWR, 2150 East 2350 North, Hamer, ID 83425. Web site: https://www.fws.gov/camas/ refuge_planning.html; select ‘‘Contact Us.’’ In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: You may drop off comments during regular business hours at Refuge Headquarters at 2150 East 2350 North, Hamer, ID 83425. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Wehausen, Refuge Manager, 208– 662–5423. PMANGRUM on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:08 Jan 08, 2014 Jkt 232001 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process at Camas NWR. We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register (75 FR 57053; September 17, 2010). The Camas Refuge was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937 for the purpose of serving as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge is located 36 miles north of Idaho Falls, near the community of Hamer, Idaho. The Refuge lies in the upper Snake River plain at approximately 4,800 feet in elevation. About half of the Refuge’s 10,578 acres are lakes, ponds, and marshlands, with the remainder consisting of sagebrush-steppe and semi-desert grassland uplands and meadows. There are 292 known species of wildlife that utilize the Refuge during various periods of the year. Approximately 100 species of migratory birds nest at the Refuge, and it is especially important to migrating land birds. A large number of songbirds use the Refuge’s cottonwood groves, which are also a significant winter roost site for bald eagles. Greater sandhill cranes gather on the Refuge prior to fall migration. Sage grouse use the Refuge during brood rearing. During migration, which peaks during March and April, and again in October, up to 50,000 ducks, 3,000 geese, and several hundred tundra and trumpeter swans may be present on the Refuge. The Refuge also hosts elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, and moose. Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee) (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, and our policies. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Refuge Administration Act. CCP Alternatives We Are Considering During the public scoping process, we, along with other governmental agencies, Tribes, and the public, raised several issues which our Draft CCP/EA addresses. To address these issues, we developed and evaluated the following alternatives, summarized below: Alternative 1 (No-Action) This alternative represents current management. Wildlife and Habitat: Under Alternative 1, the Refuge would continue to be managed to provide consistent deep wetland habitats April through October to support reliable levels of annual waterfowl production. Providing hemi-marsh habitat (habitat with approximately equal areas of emergent vegetation and open water) would continue to be the primary management emphasis. Camas Creek would remain highly altered (diked and incised), and minimal overbank flooding would occur. Management of upland habitats (sagebrush steppe and grasslands) would be minimal (mostly invasive species control and monitoring). Shelterbelt habitats would continue to be irrigated. Tall, mature cottonwoods nearing the end of their life spans would be replaced, and nonnative understory trees and shrubs would be replaced with native species. One hundred forty acres of alfalfa and 20 acres of small grain would be grown annually under cooperative farming agreements. Three hundred thirty acres of formerly farmed fields would be flood irrigated annually, and 150 acres of these fields would be hayed annually by cooperative farmers. Public Use: The Refuge would maintain existing public use facilities, including a parking lot and information kiosk, 0.5-mile pedestrian birding trail and viewing platform, 6.3-mile auto tour road, and 6.5 miles of hunter access roads. Year-round hiking, biking, jogging, cross-country skiing, and/or snowshoeing would be allowed on approximately 27 miles of unimproved service roads. Off-road hiking would be permitted throughout the Refuge from July 15 through February 28. Approximately 24 percent (2,510 acres) of Camas NWR would be open to hunting of migratory game birds (ducks, geese, mergansers, American coots, and Wilson’s snipe) and upland game birds (ring-necked pheasants, gray partridge, and sage-grouse) during the State seasons. E:\FR\FM\09JAN1.SGM 09JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 6 / Thursday, January 9, 2014 / Notices PMANGRUM on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Interpretation and environmental education programs would be limited, with no staff or facilities dedicated to these programs. The size of the volunteer program would continue to be limited due to the lack of staff to recruit, train, and manage them. Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) Wildlife and Habitat: Under Alternative 2, the Service’s Preferred Alternative, the Refuge would provide a more diverse array of wetland, riparian, and upland habitats for not only waterfowl, but a variety of migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge would develop a long-term rehabilitation plan for Camas Creek and Refuge wetlands (Wetland and Riparian Rehabilitation Plan or WRRP) by 2017. A Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Assessment and predictive modeling of water flows based on changes to infrastructure would be completed prior to developing the WRRP. Once the WRRP is completed, the Refuge would initiate strategies, consistent with Idaho water law, to restore the historic form and fluvial processes (e.g. overbank flooding) of Camas Creek. If such restoration is impossible, the stream channel and riparian zone would be rehabilitated to a state of equilibrium with the watershed’s ongoing watersediment production regime, such that the creek is no longer actively incising. From 2013 to 2017, we would decrease hemi-marsh habitat to 285 acres (range 250–300 acres) within 3–4 annually flooded impoundments, while 2–3 impoundments would be dewatered (drawn down) annually. While the Refuge would provide less deepwater habitat, it would provide more shallow seasonal and habitat, and wetland productivity would increase. Existing naturalized shelterbelt habitat would continue to be managed for tall mature cottonwoods and native understory trees and shrubs, to provide habitat for migratory landbirds and maintain quality wildlife viewing opportunities. Cooperative farming (160 acres) and haying (150 acres annually) would continue. However, only 150 acres of formerly farmed fields would be irrigated for hay production annually. Public Use: Waterfowl and upland game bird hunting would continue as in Alternative 1. In addition we would establish an elk hunt on 4,112 acres of the Refuge in line with State seasons for GMU 63. A maximum of 20 access permits for elk hunting would be issued annually, with priority being given to youth and mobility impaired hunters. As in Alternative 1, the 6.3-mile, oneway auto tour route would be maintained year round, and 6.5 miles of VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:08 Jan 08, 2014 Jkt 232001 Refuge roads (leading to the north and south waterfowl and upland game hunting units) would be open to vehicle and pedestrian access during hunt seasons. The birding trail would be extended from .5 miles to 1.3 miles. Year-round pedestrian hiking, biking, jogging, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing would be allowed on approximately 27 miles of unmaintained and ungroomed Refuge service roads as conditions permit. The use of personal portable photo blinds (up to 5 on the Refuge daily) would be allowed within 100 feet of Refuge roads or trails. To avoid disturbances to wildlife and their habitat, off-road hiking would be prohibited, except by hunters with valid State licenses in the hunt areas during State seasons. A small visitor contact station, environmental education multi-purpose room, and Refuge office would be constructed. Alternative 3 Wildlife and Habitat: Under Alternative 3, upland (sagebrush-steppe and native grassland), wetland, and riparian habitats would receive equal management emphasis. As in Alternative 2, the Refuge would develop a long-term rehabilitation plan for Camas Creek and Refuge wetlands (Wetland and Riparian Rehabilitation Plan) by 2017. In addition, the Refuge would emphasize restoring landscape connectivity within sagebrush ecosystems. Upland management would emphasize maintaining and restoring structural and functional attributes of sage-steppe habitat. Within the next 8 years, acres of cooperative farming on the Refuge would decrease from 160 acres to 80 acres (60 of irrigated alfalfa and 20 acres of irrigated small grain). Eighty acres of farmland would be slowly restored back to a native sage-steppe community. The Refuge’s 330 acres of formerly farmed fields would no longer be irrigated. Haying would occur on up to 150 acres of dryland meadows annually, without irrigation. As in Alternative 2, existing naturalized shelterbelt habitat would continue to be maintained. Over time, mature cottonwoods would be replaced, while non-native understory trees and shrubs would be replaced with native species. The Refuge would seek outside funding sources to maintain existing shelterbelt habitat and expand this habitat on the periphery of the existing stand, adjacent to current irrigation infrastructure. Public Use: The waterfowl and upland game bird hunting programs would continue as described in Alternatives 1 and 2. As in Alternative 2, we would PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1655 establish an elk hunt on 4,112 acres of the Refuge in line with State seasons for GMU 63. A maximum of 20 access permits for elk hunting would be issued annually, with priority being given to youth and mobility impaired hunters. Other public use facilities and programs would be as described for Alternative 2, except that the Refuge would open the 7.5-mile Sandhole Lake loop road seasonally (July 1 through November 1) for vehicle traffic; 10 miles of service roads would be groomed in winter for cross country skiing; and offroad hiking would be allowed yearround on the north waterfowl and upland game hunting unit (980 acres), and January 1 through July 31 in the south waterfowl and upland game hunting unit (1,530 acres). Off-road hiking would be prohibited on the rest of the Refuge to avoid disturbances to wildlife and their habitat. In addition to allowing the use of portable photography blinds (up to 5 per day) within 100 feet of roads, the Refuge would construct three semi-permanent photo blinds. As in Alternative 2, new facilities would allow the Refuge’s interpretive, environmental education, and volunteers programs to expand. Public Availability of Documents In addition to the information in you can view copies of the Draft CCP/EA on the internet at https:// www.fws.gov/camas/refuge_ planning.html, and printed copies will be available for review at the following libraries: Hamer Public Library, 2450 East 2100 North, Hamer, ID 83425; Idaho Falls Public Library, 457 W. Broadway, Idaho Falls, ID 83402; Rigby City Library, 110 North State Street, Rigby, ID 83442; Marshall Public Library, 113 S. Garfield Ave., Pocatello, ID 83204. ADDRESSES, Next Steps After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and address them in a final CCP and decision document. 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 identifying information from the public, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. E:\FR\FM\09JAN1.SGM 09JAN1 1656 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 6 / Thursday, January 9, 2014 / Notices Dated: September 13, 2013. Richard Hannan, Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon. [FR Doc. 2014–00136 Filed 1–8–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–CAKR–LACL–ANIA–WRST–GAAR– 14704; PPAKAKROR4] [PPMPRLE1Y.LS0000] Cape Krusenstern National Monument Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC), Lake Clark National Park SRC, Aniakchak National Monument SRC, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC, and Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC Meetings National Park Service, Interior. Meeting notice. AGENCY: ACTION: As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix 1–16), the National Park Service (NPS) is hereby giving notice that the Cape Krusenstern National Monument Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC), the Lake Clark National Park SRC, the Aniakchak National Monument SRC, the WrangellSt. Elias National Park SRC, and the Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC will hold meetings to develop and continue work on NPS subsistence program recommendations and other related subsistence management issues. The NPS SRC program is authorized under Title VIII, Section 808 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, Public Law 96–487 (16 U.S.C. 3118). Cape Krusenstern National Monument SRC Meeting Date and Location: The Cape Krusenstern National Monument SRC will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or until business is completed on Thursday, January 23, 2014, and Friday, January 24, 2014, at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue, AK. For more detailed information regarding this meeting, contact Designated Federal Official Frank Hays, Superintendent, at (907) 442–3890; Ken Adkisson, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 443–2522; or Clarence Summers, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 644–3603. If you are interested in applying for Cape Krusenstern National Monument SRC membership, contact the Superintendent at P.O. Box 1029, Kotzebue, AK 99752, or visit the monument Web site at: https:// www.nps.gov/cakr/contacts.htm. PMANGRUM on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:08 Jan 08, 2014 Jkt 232001 Lake Clark National Park SRC Meeting Date and Location: The Lake Clark National Park SRC will meet from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or until business is completed on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at the Pedro Bay Village Council Building in Pedro Bay, AK. For more detailed information regarding this meeting, contact Designated Federal Official Margaret Goodro, Superintendent, at (907) 644–3626; Mary McBurney, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 235–7891; or Clarence Summers, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 644–3603. If you are interested in applying for Lake Clark National Park SRC membership, contact the Superintendent at 240 W. 5th Avenue, Suite 236, Anchorage, AK 9950, or visit the park Web site at: https:// www.nps.gov/lacl/contacts.htm. Aniakchak National Monument SRC Meeting Date and Location: The Aniakchak National Monument SRC will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or until business is completed on Thursday, January 30, 2014, at the Port Heiden Community Building in Port Heiden, AK. For more detailed information regarding this meeting, contact Designated Federal Official Diane Chung, Superintendent, at (907) 246–3305; Mary McBurney, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 235–7891; or Clarence Summers, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 644–3603. If you are interested in applying for Aniakchak National Monument SRC membership, contact the Superintendent at P.O. Box 7, King Salmon, AK 99613, or visit the park Web site at: https://www.nps.gov/ania/ contacts.htm. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC Meeting Date and Location: The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or until business is completed on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, and Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at the Ahtna Cultural Center in Copper Center, AK. If SRC business is completed on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, the SRC will adjourn the meeting and not meet on Wednesday, March 5, 2014. Teleconferencing is available upon request. Teleconference participants should contact Barbara Cellarius, Subsistence Coordinator, via email at: barbara_cellarius@nps.gov or telephone (907) 822–7236 by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014, to request call-in information. For more detailed information regarding this meeting, contact Designated Federal Official Rick Obernesser, Superintendent, at (907) 822–5234; Barbara Cellarius, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 822–7236; or Clarence Summers, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 644–3603. If you are interested in applying for Wrangell-St. PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Elias National Park SRC membership, contact the Superintendent at P.O. Box 439, Copper Center, AK 99753, or visit the park Web site at: https:// www.nps.gov/wrst/contacts.htm. Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC Meeting Date and Location: The Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or until business is completed on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, and Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at the NPS Office, in Bettles, AK. For more detailed information regarding this meeting, contact Designated Federal Official Greg Dudgeon, Superintendent, or Marcy Okada, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 457–5752; or Clarence Summers, Subsistence Manager, at (907) 644–3603. If you are interested in applying for Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC membership, contact the Superintendent at 4175 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709, or visit the park Web site at: https://www.nps.gov/gaar/ contacts.htm. National Park SRC Proposed Meeting Agenda: The proposed meeting agenda for each meeting includes the following: 1. Call to Order—Confirm Quorum 2. Welcome and Introduction 3. Review and Adoption of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes 5. Welcome by Local Community 6. Superintendent’s Welcome and Review of the Commission Purpose 7. Commission Membership Status 8. SRC Chair and Members’ Reports 9. Superintendent’s Report 10. Old Business 11. New Business 12. Federal Subsistence Board Update 13. Alaska Boards of Fish and Game Update 14. National Park Service Reports a. Ranger Update b. Resource Management Update c. Subsistence Manager’s Report 15. Public and Other Agency Comments 16. Work Session 17. Set Tentative Date and Location for Next SRC Meeting 18. Adjourn Meeting SRC meeting locations and dates may change based on inclement weather or exceptional circumstances. If the meeting date and location are changed, the Superintendent will issue a press release and use local newspapers and radio stations to announce the meeting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These meetings are open to the public and will have time allocated for public testimony. The public is welcome to present written or oral comments to the SRC. The meetings will be recorded and meeting minutes will be available upon request from the Park Superintendent E:\FR\FM\09JAN1.SGM 09JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 6 (Thursday, January 9, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1654-1656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00136]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2013-N186; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


Camas National Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson County, ID; Draft 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of our draft comprehensive conservation plan and 
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for the Camas National Wildlife 
Refuge (NWR, Refuge), in Hamer, Idaho, for public review and comment. 
The Draft CCP/EA describes our proposal for managing the Refuge for the 
next 15 years.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we need to receive your written 
comments by February 10, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, requests for more information, or 
requests for copies by any of the following methods. You may request a 
hard copy or a CD-ROM of the documents.
    Email: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include ``Camas NWR CCP'' in 
the subject line.
    Fax: Attn: Brian Wehausen, Refuge Manager, 208-662-5525.
    U.S. Mail: Brian Wehausen, Refuge Manager, Camas NWR, 2150 East 
2350 North, Hamer, ID 83425.
    Web site: https://www.fws.gov/camas/refuge_planning.html; select 
``Contact Us.''
    In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: You may drop off comments 
during regular business hours at Refuge Headquarters at 2150 East 2350 
North, Hamer, ID 83425.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Wehausen, Refuge Manager, 208-
662-5423.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process at Camas NWR. We 
started this process through a notice in the Federal Register (75 FR 
57053; September 17, 2010).
    The Camas Refuge was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 
in 1937 for the purpose of serving as a refuge and breeding ground for 
migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge is located 36 miles 
north of Idaho Falls, near the community of Hamer, Idaho. The Refuge 
lies in the upper Snake River plain at approximately 4,800 feet in 
elevation.
    About half of the Refuge's 10,578 acres are lakes, ponds, and 
marshlands, with the remainder consisting of sagebrush-steppe and semi-
desert grassland uplands and meadows. There are 292 known species of 
wildlife that utilize the Refuge during various periods of the year. 
Approximately 100 species of migratory birds nest at the Refuge, and it 
is especially important to migrating land birds. A large number of 
songbirds use the Refuge's cottonwood groves, which are also a 
significant winter roost site for bald eagles. Greater sandhill cranes 
gather on the Refuge prior to fall migration. Sage grouse use the 
Refuge during brood rearing. During migration, which peaks during March 
and April, and again in October, up to 50,000 ducks, 3,000 geese, and 
several hundred tundra and trumpeter swans may be present on the 
Refuge. The Refuge also hosts elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, 
pronghorn, and moose.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to 
develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for 
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for 
achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound 
principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal 
mandates, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, and our 
policies. 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 the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with 
the Refuge Administration Act.

CCP Alternatives We Are Considering

    During the public scoping process, we, along with other 
governmental agencies, Tribes, and the public, raised several issues 
which our Draft CCP/EA addresses. To address these issues, we developed 
and evaluated the following alternatives, summarized below:

Alternative 1 (No-Action)

    This alternative represents current management.
    Wildlife and Habitat: Under Alternative 1, the Refuge would 
continue to be managed to provide consistent deep wetland habitats 
April through October to support reliable levels of annual waterfowl 
production. Providing hemi-marsh habitat (habitat with approximately 
equal areas of emergent vegetation and open water) would continue to be 
the primary management emphasis. Camas Creek would remain highly 
altered (diked and incised), and minimal overbank flooding would occur. 
Management of upland habitats (sagebrush steppe and grasslands) would 
be minimal (mostly invasive species control and monitoring). 
Shelterbelt habitats would continue to be irrigated. Tall, mature 
cottonwoods nearing the end of their life spans would be replaced, and 
non-native understory trees and shrubs would be replaced with native 
species.
    One hundred forty acres of alfalfa and 20 acres of small grain 
would be grown annually under cooperative farming agreements. Three 
hundred thirty acres of formerly farmed fields would be flood irrigated 
annually, and 150 acres of these fields would be hayed annually by 
cooperative farmers.
    Public Use: The Refuge would maintain existing public use 
facilities, including a parking lot and information kiosk, 0.5-mile 
pedestrian birding trail and viewing platform, 6.3-mile auto tour road, 
and 6.5 miles of hunter access roads. Year-round hiking, biking, 
jogging, cross-country skiing, and/or snowshoeing would be allowed on 
approximately 27 miles of unimproved service roads. Off-road hiking 
would be permitted throughout the Refuge from July 15 through February 
28. Approximately 24 percent (2,510 acres) of Camas NWR would be open 
to hunting of migratory game birds (ducks, geese, mergansers, American 
coots, and Wilson's snipe) and upland game birds (ring-necked 
pheasants, gray partridge, and sage-grouse) during the State seasons.

[[Page 1655]]

    Interpretation and environmental education programs would be 
limited, with no staff or facilities dedicated to these programs. The 
size of the volunteer program would continue to be limited due to the 
lack of staff to recruit, train, and manage them.

Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative)

    Wildlife and Habitat: Under Alternative 2, the Service's Preferred 
Alternative, the Refuge would provide a more diverse array of wetland, 
riparian, and upland habitats for not only waterfowl, but a variety of 
migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge would develop a long-
term rehabilitation plan for Camas Creek and Refuge wetlands (Wetland 
and Riparian Rehabilitation Plan or WRRP) by 2017. A Hydrogeomorphic 
(HGM) Assessment and predictive modeling of water flows based on 
changes to infrastructure would be completed prior to developing the 
WRRP. Once the WRRP is completed, the Refuge would initiate strategies, 
consistent with Idaho water law, to restore the historic form and 
fluvial processes (e.g. overbank flooding) of Camas Creek. If such 
restoration is impossible, the stream channel and riparian zone would 
be rehabilitated to a state of equilibrium with the watershed's ongoing 
water-sediment production regime, such that the creek is no longer 
actively incising.
    From 2013 to 2017, we would decrease hemi-marsh habitat to 285 
acres (range 250-300 acres) within 3-4 annually flooded impoundments, 
while 2-3 impoundments would be dewatered (drawn down) annually. While 
the Refuge would provide less deepwater habitat, it would provide more 
shallow seasonal and habitat, and wetland productivity would increase. 
Existing naturalized shelterbelt habitat would continue to be managed 
for tall mature cottonwoods and native understory trees and shrubs, to 
provide habitat for migratory landbirds and maintain quality wildlife 
viewing opportunities.
    Cooperative farming (160 acres) and haying (150 acres annually) 
would continue. However, only 150 acres of formerly farmed fields would 
be irrigated for hay production annually.
    Public Use: Waterfowl and upland game bird hunting would continue 
as in Alternative 1. In addition we would establish an elk hunt on 
4,112 acres of the Refuge in line with State seasons for GMU 63. A 
maximum of 20 access permits for elk hunting would be issued annually, 
with priority being given to youth and mobility impaired hunters.
    As in Alternative 1, the 6.3-mile, one-way auto tour route would be 
maintained year round, and 6.5 miles of Refuge roads (leading to the 
north and south waterfowl and upland game hunting units) would be open 
to vehicle and pedestrian access during hunt seasons. The birding trail 
would be extended from .5 miles to 1.3 miles. Year-round pedestrian 
hiking, biking, jogging, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing would be 
allowed on approximately 27 miles of unmaintained and ungroomed Refuge 
service roads as conditions permit. The use of personal portable photo 
blinds (up to 5 on the Refuge daily) would be allowed within 100 feet 
of Refuge roads or trails. To avoid disturbances to wildlife and their 
habitat, off-road hiking would be prohibited, except by hunters with 
valid State licenses in the hunt areas during State seasons. A small 
visitor contact station, environmental education multi-purpose room, 
and Refuge office would be constructed.

Alternative 3

    Wildlife and Habitat: Under Alternative 3, upland (sagebrush-steppe 
and native grassland), wetland, and riparian habitats would receive 
equal management emphasis. As in Alternative 2, the Refuge would 
develop a long-term rehabilitation plan for Camas Creek and Refuge 
wetlands (Wetland and Riparian Rehabilitation Plan) by 2017. In 
addition, the Refuge would emphasize restoring landscape connectivity 
within sagebrush ecosystems. Upland management would emphasize 
maintaining and restoring structural and functional attributes of sage-
steppe habitat.
    Within the next 8 years, acres of cooperative farming on the Refuge 
would decrease from 160 acres to 80 acres (60 of irrigated alfalfa and 
20 acres of irrigated small grain). Eighty acres of farmland would be 
slowly restored back to a native sage-steppe community. The Refuge's 
330 acres of formerly farmed fields would no longer be irrigated. 
Haying would occur on up to 150 acres of dryland meadows annually, 
without irrigation.
    As in Alternative 2, existing naturalized shelterbelt habitat would 
continue to be maintained. Over time, mature cottonwoods would be 
replaced, while non-native understory trees and shrubs would be 
replaced with native species. The Refuge would seek outside funding 
sources to maintain existing shelterbelt habitat and expand this 
habitat on the periphery of the existing stand, adjacent to current 
irrigation infrastructure.
    Public Use: The waterfowl and upland game bird hunting programs 
would continue as described in Alternatives 1 and 2. As in Alternative 
2, we would establish an elk hunt on 4,112 acres of the Refuge in line 
with State seasons for GMU 63. A maximum of 20 access permits for elk 
hunting would be issued annually, with priority being given to youth 
and mobility impaired hunters.
    Other public use facilities and programs would be as described for 
Alternative 2, except that the Refuge would open the 7.5-mile Sandhole 
Lake loop road seasonally (July 1 through November 1) for vehicle 
traffic; 10 miles of service roads would be groomed in winter for cross 
country skiing; and off-road hiking would be allowed year-round on the 
north waterfowl and upland game hunting unit (980 acres), and January 1 
through July 31 in the south waterfowl and upland game hunting unit 
(1,530 acres). Off-road hiking would be prohibited on the rest of the 
Refuge to avoid disturbances to wildlife and their habitat. In addition 
to allowing the use of portable photography blinds (up to 5 per day) 
within 100 feet of roads, the Refuge would construct three semi-
permanent photo blinds. As in Alternative 2, new facilities would allow 
the Refuge's interpretive, environmental education, and volunteers 
programs to expand.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to the information in ADDRESSES, you can view copies of 
the Draft CCP/EA on the internet at https://www.fws.gov/camas/refuge_planning.html, and printed copies will be available for review at the 
following libraries: Hamer Public Library, 2450 East 2100 North, Hamer, 
ID 83425; Idaho Falls Public Library, 457 W. Broadway, Idaho Falls, ID 
83402; Rigby City Library, 110 North State Street, Rigby, ID 83442; 
Marshall Public Library, 113 S. Garfield Ave., Pocatello, ID 83204.

Next Steps

    After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and 
address them in a final CCP and decision document.

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 identifying information from 
the public, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.


[[Page 1656]]


    Dated: September 13, 2013.
Richard Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2014-00136 Filed 1-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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