DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges; Washington County, Nebraska, and Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment, 34343-34344 [2014-13971]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 115 / Monday, June 16, 2014 / Notices educators and students who follow these guidelines is to avoid possible violation of Federal, Tribal, and State laws that prohibit the transport or release of aquatic invasive species. The committee’s product, a document titled Classroom Guidelines for Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), will provide concise useable guidelines for agencies, and organizations to develop materials that inform educators and students about the risks of spreading aquatic invasive species. Preparing Final Documents Because these documents are guidance only, there is no requirement to provide the public with an opportunity to submit comments. However, we are opening a comment period to receive information and comments that may be useful for future versions of the guidelines. Request for Public Comments The guidelines are available on the ANSTF Web site (see ADDRESSES) for public review and comment. We invite review and comment on our guidelines from local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies, and from the public. All comments received by the date specified in DATES will be considered in preparing final documents. Methods of submitting comments are in ADDRESSES. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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. You can ask the Service in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Responses to individual commenters will not be provided, but we will provide a summary of the comments we receive and a summary of how we addressed substantive comments in a document on the ANSTF Web site listed above in ADDRESSES. Individuals may request an appointment to inspect the comments during normal business hours at our office (see ADDRESSES). Dated: May 23, 2014. Stephen Guertin, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2014–14013 Filed 6–13–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:36 Jun 13, 2014 Jkt 232001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–R–2013–N239;FXRS1265030000– 145–FF03R06000] DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges; Washington County, Nebraska, and Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA) for DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges. In this final CCP, we describe how we intend to manage the refuges for the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: You will find the final CCP and the EA/FONSI on the planning Web site at www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/ desoto_boyerchute/. A limited number of hard copies and compact discs are available. You may request one by any of the following methods: • Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ‘‘DeSoto and Boyer Chute Refuges— Final CCP’’ in the subject line of the message. • U.S. Mail: Conservation Planning, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Larson, 612–713–5430. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process for DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges. We began the CCP process for Boyer Chute Refuge by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010, and for DeSoto Refuge by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (76 FR 76745) on December 8, 2011. For more about the initial process and the history of these refuges, see those notices. We released the EA and draft CCP to the public, announcing and requesting comments in a notice of availability (78 FR 57876) on September 20, 2013. The 30-day comment period was to end October 21, 2013, but was extended for an additional 3 weeks, ending on November 8, 2013, due to the Federal PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34343 government shutdown that occurred from October 1 to 16. A summary of public comments and the agency responses is included in the final CCP. 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. The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy 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, 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 refuge within the NWRS mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. 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 refuge’s establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS. Additional Information The final CCP may be found at www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/desoto_ boyerchute/. The final CCP includes detailed information about the planning process, the refuges, issues, and management alternative selected. The Web site also includes an EA and FONSI, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The EA/FONSI includes discussion of four alternative refuge management options. The Service’s selected alternative is reflected in the final CCP. The selected alternative takes an active approach to habitat and wildlife management and E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM 16JNN1 34344 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 115 / Monday, June 16, 2014 / Notices monitoring, focusing on an expansion of seasonal wetland habitat to emulate preregulation flood cycles of the Missouri River. This alternative also provides a moderate increase in visitor services available to the public—with careful consideration of seasonal bird migrations. A detailed description of objectives and actions included in this selected alternative is found in chapter 4 of the final CCP. Charles M. Wooley, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2014–13971 Filed 6–13–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2014–N114; FXES11120800000–145–FF08EVEN00] Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Morro Shoulderband Snail; Lewis-Barnes Parcel, Community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, California Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for a 10-year incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The application addresses the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail that is likely to occur incidental to the construction and maintenance of a single-family residence and implementation of a conservation strategy. We invite comments from the public on the application package, which includes a low-effect habitat conservation plan for the Morro shoulderband snail. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by July 16, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may download a copy of the habitat conservation plan and draft environmental action statement and low-effect screening form on the internet at https://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request copies of the documents by U.S. mail or phone (see below). Please address written comments to Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. You may alternatively send comments by facsimile to (805) 644– 3958. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:36 Jun 13, 2014 Jkt 232001 Julie M. Vanderwier, Senior Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above address or by phone at (805) 644–1766. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application from Joaquin Lewis and Gwenda Barnes for a 10-year incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The application addresses the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail (Helminthoglypta walkeriana) that is likely to occur incidental to the construction and maintenance of a single-family residence and implementation of a conservation strategy on an existing legal singlefamily—zoned parcel in the unincorporated community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, California. The applicants have committed to implement a conservation program to minimize and mitigate project activities that are likely to result in take of the Morro shoulderband snail as described in their plan. We invite comments from the public on the application package, which includes the low-effect HCP for the Morro shoulderband snail. This proposed action has been determined to be eligible for a categorical exclusion under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Background We listed the Morro shoulderband as endangered on December 15, 1994 (59 FR 64613). Section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) prohibit the take of fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is defined under the Act to include the following activities: ‘‘To harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532); however, under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, we may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed species. The Act defines ‘‘incidental take’’ as take that is not the purpose of carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity. The Code of Federal Regulations provides those regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22. Issuance of an incidental take permit must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species. The Applicants’ Proposed Project Joaquin Lewis and Gwenda Barnes (hereafter, the applicants) are the owners of an existing residentially zoned 20,038-square-foot (0.46-acre) parcel legally described as County of PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 San Luis Obispo Assessor Parcel Number 074–483–013. It is located at 216 Madera Street in the western portion of Los Osos, an unincorporated community of San Luis Obispo County, California. The applicants have submitted a low-effect habitat conservation plan in support of their application for an ITP to address take of Morro shoulderband snail likely to occur as the result of direct impacts to up to 20,038 square feet (sf) (0.46 acres) of predominantly nonnative habitat occupied by the species. This take would be associated with the continued construction and maintenance of a single-family residence, along with implementation of the conservation strategy. The applicants are requesting a permit for take of Morro shoulderband snail that would result from ‘‘covered activities’’ in the HCP that include the construction and maintenance of a single-family residence and associated infrastructure and landscaping. The applicants propose to minimize and mitigate take of Morro shoulderband snail associated with the covered activities by fully implementing the HCP. The following measures would be implemented to minimize the effects of the taking: (1) Pre-construction and concurrent construction monitoring surveys for Morro shoulderband snail would be conducted, (2) all identified individuals of any life stage of Morro shoulderband snail would be captured and moved out of harm’s way to a Service-approved receptor site by an individual in possession of a current valid recovery permit for the species, and (3) a contractor and employee environmental training program for Morro shoulderband snail would be developed and implemented. To mitigate for unavoidable take, the applicants would contribute $4,500 to an impact-directed environmental account held and administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The use of these funds is to implement recovery tasks identified in the Recovery Plan for the Morro Shoulderband Snail and Four Plants from Western San Luis Obispo County, California (USFWS 1998). The applicants would fund up to $4,300, as needed, to ensure implementation of all of the minimization measures and reporting requirements identified in the HCP. In the proposed HCP, the applicants consider two alternatives to the proposed action: ‘‘No Action’’ and ‘‘Project Design.’’ Under the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative, the Service would not issue an ITP, and the legal construction of a single-family residence would not occur. Absent the ITP, there would be no contribution of in-lieu fees E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM 16JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34343-34344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13971]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2013-N239;FXRS1265030000-145-FF03R06000]

DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges; Washington
County, Nebraska, and Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa; Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact
for Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental
assessment (EA) for DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges.
In this final CCP, we describe how we intend to manage the refuges for
the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: You will find the final CCP and the EA/FONSI on the planning
Web site at www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/desoto_boyerchute/. A limited
number of hard copies and compact discs are available. You may request
one by any of the following methods:
Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ``DeSoto and Boyer
Chute Refuges--Final CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
U.S. Mail: Conservation Planning, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Larson, 612-713-5430.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

With this notice, we continue the CCP process for DeSoto and Boyer
Chute National Wildlife Refuges. We began the CCP process for Boyer
Chute Refuge by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register
(75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010, and for DeSoto Refuge by publishing
a notice of intent in the Federal Register (76 FR 76745) on December 8,
2011. For more about the initial process and the history of these
refuges, see those notices.
We released the EA and draft CCP to the public, announcing and
requesting comments in a notice of availability (78 FR 57876) on
September 20, 2013. The 30-day comment period was to end October 21,
2013, but was extended for an additional 3 weeks, ending on November 8,
2013, due to the Federal government shutdown that occurred from October
1 to 16. A summary of public comments and the agency responses is
included in the final CCP.

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. The purpose in developing a CCP
is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy 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, 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 refuge within the NWRS
mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. 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 refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.

Additional Information

The final CCP may be found at www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/desoto_boyerchute/. The final CCP includes detailed information about the
planning process, the refuges, issues, and management alternative
selected. The Web site also includes an EA and FONSI, prepared in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.). The EA/FONSI includes discussion of four alternative
refuge management options. The Service's selected alternative is
reflected in the final CCP. The selected alternative takes an active
approach to habitat and wildlife management and

[[Page 34344]]

monitoring, focusing on an expansion of seasonal wetland habitat to
emulate preregulation flood cycles of the Missouri River. This
alternative also provides a moderate increase in visitor services
available to the public--with careful consideration of seasonal bird
migrations. A detailed description of objectives and actions included
in this selected alternative is found in chapter 4 of the final CCP.

Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2014-13971 Filed 6-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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