National Elk Refuge, Jackson, WY; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment, 53440-53442 [2014-21415]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53440-53442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21415]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R6-R-2014-N116; FXRS12610600000-145-FF06R06000]


National Elk Refuge, Jackson, WY; 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 
that our draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental 
assessment (EA) for the National Elk Refuge is available. This draft 
CCP describes how the Service intends to manage this refuge for the 
next 15 years.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
on the draft CCP/EA by October 9, 2014. Submit comments by one of the 
methods under ADDRESSES.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods.
    Email: refugeccps@fws.gov. Include ``National Elk Refuge 
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
    U.S. Mail: Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leader, Suite 300, 134 Union 
Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80228.
    Document Request: A copy of the CCP/EA may be obtained by writing 
to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, 134 
Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80228; or by download from 
https://

[[Page 53441]]

www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/planning/ccp/wy/ner/ner.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Griffin, 303-236-4378 (phone); or 
tonigriffin@fws.gov (email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process for the National Elk 
Refuge. We started this process through a notice in the Federal 
Register (75 FR 65370, October 22, 2010). The National Elk Refuge was 
established in 1912 as a ``winter game (elk) reserve'' (37 Stat. 293, 
16 U.S.C. 673), and the following year Congress designated the area as 
``a winter elk refuge'' (37 Stat. 847). In 1921, all lands included in 
the refuge, or that might be added in the future, were reserved and set 
apart as ``refuges and breeding grounds for birds'' [Executive Order 
(EO) 3596, which was affirmed in 1922 (EO 3741)]. In 1927 the refuge 
was expanded to provide ``for the grazing of, and as a refuge for, 
American elk and other big game animals'' (44 Stat. 1246, 16 U.S.C. 
673a). These purposes apply to all or most of the lands now within the 
refuge. Several parcels have been added to the refuge specifically for 
the conservation of fish and wildlife (Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956), 
the development of wildlife-oriented recreational opportunities (Refuge 
Recreation Act of 1962, 16 U.S.C. 460k-l), the protection of natural 
resources, and the conservation of threatened and endangered species 
(Endangered Species Act of 1973; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
    The refuge is located in Teton County, Wyoming. A wide variety of 
habitats are found on the National Elk Refuge, including grassy 
meadows, marshes, timbered areas, sagebrush, and rocky outcroppings. 
Between November and May, the wildlife concentrations and diversity 
provide spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. The refuge's nearly 
25,000 acres provide a winter home for one of the largest wintering 
concentrations of elk. In addition to the large elk herds, a free 
roaming bison herd winters at the refuge. A variety of waterfowl, 
including trumpeter swans, can be seen on nearly 1,600 acres of open 
water and marshlands. At least 47 mammal species and nearly 175 species 
of birds have been observed on the refuge. Some notable species include 
moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, gray wolves, mountain lions, bald 
eagles, and peregrine falcons.

Background

The CCP Process

    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 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.

Public Outreach

    We started the CCP process for the National Elk Refuge in October 
2010. Throughout the process, we have requested public comments and 
considered and incorporated them in the planning process. Public 
outreach has included a news release, planning update, and a scoping 
meeting. Comments we received cover topics such as habitat management, 
threatened and endangered species, and public use. We have considered 
and evaluated all of these comments, with many incorporated into the 
various alternatives addressed in the draft CCP and the EA.

CCP Alternatives We Are Considering

Alternative A--Current Management (No Action)

    This no-action alternative represents the current management of the 
refuge. This alternative provides the baseline against which to compare 
the other alternatives. Programs would follow the same direction, 
emphasis, and intensity as they do now. The refuge would not expand 
current habitat and wildlife practices that benefit bison, elk, 
migratory birds, or other wildlife. Public use opportunities would 
remain at current levels.

Alternative B

    An important aspect of this alternative would be to increase 
opportunities for wildlife-dependent public uses such as hunting, 
fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, 
and interpretation programs. This alternative would allow for the most 
public use as compared to the other alternatives. The other emphasis of 
this alternative would be to meet habitat and wildlife population 
objectives through intensive management actions. Because of increased 
public opportunities, refuge staff would focus more on intensive 
refuge-specific monitoring, rather than ecosystem monitoring, to gauge 
the effects of public use on habitat and wildlife.

Alternative C

    This alternative would focus on preserving the Great Yellowstone 
Ecosystem and supporting natural processes. We would strive to preserve 
intact plant communities, maintain long-distance ungulate migrations, 
and maintain a full suite of large native carnivores. Public use would 
emphasize interpretation, environmental education and outreach which 
may occur off-refuge through community programs and classroom settings, 
along with the publication and distribution of printed and electronic 
materials, over recreational opportunities that are direct experiences 
on the refuge. Tools such as webcams may be installed to provide 
offsite wildlife viewing opportunities.

Alternative D--Proposed Action

    Our proposed action is a blended alternative which incorporates a 
combination of elements from alternative B and alternative C. Habitat 
and wildlife management would allow for natural processes to promote 
natural habitats. Some habitats, such as wetlands, would be intensively 
managed to enhance swan habitat and improve forage quantity and quality 
for elk and bison. Similar to alternative B, the refuge would increase 
opportunities for wildlife-dependent public uses such as hunting, 
fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental 
education. Keeping some areas undeveloped and returning some areas to a 
natural state, we would increase development in other areas to enhance 
visitor services.

Public Meetings

    Opportunity for public input will be provided at a public meeting. 
The specific date and time for the public meeting is yet to be 
determined, but will be announced via local media and a planning 
update.

[[Page 53442]]

Next Steps

    After the public reviews and provides comments on the draft CCP and 
EA, the planning team will present this document along with a summary 
of all substantive public comments to the Regional Director. The 
Regional Director will consider the environmental effects of each 
alternative, along with information gathered during public review, and 
will select a preferred alternative for the draft CCP and EA. If the 
Regional Director finds that no significant impacts would occur, the 
Regional Director's decision will be disclosed in a Finding of No 
Significant Impact. If the Regional Director finds a significant impact 
would occur, an environmental impact statement will be prepared. If 
approved, the action in the preferred alternative will compose the 
final CCP.

Public Availability of Comments

    All public comment information provided voluntarily by mail, by 
phone, or at public meetings (e.g., names, addresses, letters of 
comment, input recorded during meetings) becomes part of the official 
public record. If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a 
private citizen or organization, the Service may provide copies of such 
information.

Authority

    The environmental review of this project will be conducted in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA 
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508, 43 CFR part 46); other appropriate 
Federal laws and regulations; Executive Order 12996; 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; and Service policies and procedures for 
compliance with those laws and regulations.

    Dated: August 5, 2014.
Matt Hogan,
Acting, Regional Director, Mountain Prairie Region, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21415 Filed 9-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P