James River National Wildlife Refuge, Prince George County, VA; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment, 63161-63163 [2014-25098]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 204 / Wednesday, October 22, 2014 / Notices Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None. III. Comments We invite comments concerning this information collection on: • Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; • The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; • Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this IC. 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. Dated: October 17, 2014. Tina A. Campbell, Chief, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2014–25108 Filed 10–21–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R5–R–2014–N172; BAC–4311–K9–S3] James River National Wildlife Refuge, Prince George County, VA; 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 a draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment (CCP and EA) for James River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for public review and comment. James River NWR is located in Prince George County, Virginia, and is administered by staff at Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:22 Oct 21, 2014 Jkt 235001 Complex. The draft CCP and EA describe our proposal for managing James River NWR for the next 15 years. Alternative B is identified as the Service-preferred alternative. Also available for public review and comment are the draft compatibility determinations, which are included as appendix B in the draft CCP and EA. DATES: To ensure consideration of your written comments, please send them by November 21, 2014. We will announce upcoming public meetings in local news media, via our project mailing list, and on the refuge planning Web site: https:// www.fws.gov/refuge/James_River/what_ we_do/conservation.html ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or requests for copies or more information by any of the following methods. You may request hard copies or a CD–ROM of the documents. Email: EasternVirginiaRiversNWRC@ fws.gov. Please include ‘‘James River CCP’’ in the subject line of the message. Fax: Attention: Rebekah Martin, 804– 333–3396. U.S. Mail: Rebekah Martin, Deputy Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1030, Warsaw, VA 22572. In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call Rebekah Martin at 804– 333–1470, extension 113, or Andy Hofmann, Refuge Manager, at 804–333– 1470, extension 112, during regular business hours to make an appointment to view the document. For more information on locations for viewing or obtaining documents, see ‘‘Public Availability of Documents’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebekah Martin, Deputy Refuge Manager, 804–333–1470, extension 113 (phone) or EasternVirginiaRiversNWRC@fws.gov (email) (please put ‘‘James River NWR’’ in the subject line). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process for James River NWR. We published our original notice of intent to prepare a CCP in the Federal Register on January 11, 2012 (77 FR 1716). The 4,324-acre James River NWR lies in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and is located along the James River in Prince George County, Virginia, approximately 8 miles southeast of the city of Hopewell, and 30 miles southeast of Richmond, the State capital. The refuge was established under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1534) in 1991, to protect nationally significant nesting and PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63161 roosting habitat for the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The refuge encompasses 4,324 acres of pinedominated hardwood and floodplain forests, freshwater marsh and shrub swamp, aquatic habitats, erosional bluffs, and non-forested upland. The refuge also has a rich cultural history, illuminated by numerous known archaeological and historical sites. Wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities at James River NWR include a 24-day deer hunt each fall, as well as wildlife observation, photography, and environmental education and interpretive program opportunities by reservation. 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, 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 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 Refuge Administration Act. Public Outreach In August 2012, we distributed a planning newsletter to over 550 parties on our project mailing list. The newsletter informed people about the planning process and asked recipients to contact us about issues or concerns they would like us to address. We also posted the newsletter on our Web site for people to access electronically. In addition, we notified the general public of our planning project, and our interest in hearing about issues and concerns, by publishing news releases in local newspapers. We also held afternoon and evening public scoping meetings on September 12, 2012, in Prince George, Virginia. The purpose of the two meetings was to share information on the planning process and to solicit management issues and concerns. Throughout the process, refuge staff E:\FR\FM\22OCN1.SGM 22OCN1 63162 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 204 / Wednesday, October 22, 2014 / Notices have conducted additional outreach via participation in community meetings, events, and other public forums. We have considered and evaluated all of the comments we received and addressed them in various ways in the alternatives presented in the draft CCP and EA. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES CCP Alternatives We Are Considering Several issues were raised by us, other governmental partners, and the public during the public scoping process. To address these issues, we developed and evaluated three alternatives in the draft CCP and EA. A full description of each alternative is in the draft CCP and EA. All alternatives include measures to control invasive species, protect cultural resources, improve inventory and monitoring programs, and maintain existing partnerships for habitat management and visitor services. All alternatives include measures to continue to share staff across the Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR Complex, require a permit for refuge access until adequate new infrastructure can support increased visitation, and maintain existing facilities. There are other actions that differ among the alternatives. The draft CCP and EA provide a full description of all alternatives and relate each to the issues and concerns that arose during the planning process. Below, we provide summaries for the three alternatives. Alternative A (Current Management) This alternative is the ‘‘no-action’’ alternative required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Alternative A defines our current management activities, including those planned, funded, or under way, and serves as the baseline against which to compare alternatives B and C. Under alternative A, we would continue to maintain the 2,653 acres of pine-dominated forest on the refuge, with an emphasis on protecting this habitat for nesting and roosting bald eagles, as well as other native species that use this habitat. For other habitat types on the refuge, we would continue to maintain quality habitat for the benefit of native wildlife species by limiting disturbance, conducting wildlife surveys, monitoring invasive species presence, implementing best management practices, and collaborating with partners for wildlife habitat protection and population monitoring. Additionally, we would continue to accommodate public archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun deer hunting opportunities in the fall. We would continue to encourage visitors to participate in refuge- or partnersponsored wildlife observation, VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:22 Oct 21, 2014 Jkt 235001 photography, environmental education, and interpretation opportunities. Additional opportunities would be available to visitors on a by-request or case-by-case basis. Alternative B (Manage Forest Health With Pine-Dominated Component; New, Enhanced, and Focused Public Use Opportunities [Service-Preferred Alternative]) Alternative B is the Service-preferred alternative. It combines the actions we believe would best achieve the refuge’s purposes, vision, and goals, and respond to public issues. Under alternative B, we would emphasize the management of specific refuge habitats to support priority species whose habitat needs would benefit other species of conservation concern that are found in the area. We would promote the transition of 2,651 acres of former pine plantation toward mature pine savanna with understory for resident and breeding cavity-dwelling and ground-nesting species, including the brown-headed nuthatch, Chuck-will’swidow, red-headed woodpecker, and yellow-billed cuckoo. We would emphasize protecting and promoting bald eagle nesting habitat, as well as protecting the integrity of the refuge’s other habitats for native species, including migrating waterfowl, waterbirds, the federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon, and habitat suitable for the federally threatened sensitive joint-vetch. We would also expand our conservation, research, monitoring, and management partnerships to help restore and conserve the refuge. We would enhance our cultural resource protection to increase knowledge and appreciation for the refuge’s rich cultural history and heritage, as well as expand our visitor services programs to improve opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation. Visitor service improvements would include expanding the on-refuge opportunities for wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources in partnership with others. We would pursue Service administrative requirements to expand public deer hunting, open the refuge to spring and fall turkey hunting, open the refuge to limited waterfowl hunting by youth, promote youth involvement in all hunting opportunities, and open the refuge to fishing at two designated locations. PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Alternative C (Manage Forest Health With Hardwood Conversion Component; New and Expanded Public Use Opportunities) Under alternative C, we would emphasize the management of specific refuge habitats to support priority species whose habitat needs would benefit other species of conservation concern that are found in the area. We would promote the transition of 2,609 acres of former pine plantation toward an oak/hickory/pine forest using selective cut forestry and best management practices to facilitate this transition in a phased manner while still protecting select trees for bald eagle use. We would protect the integrity of the refuge’s other habitats for native species, including maintenance of up to 57 acres of non-forested upland for wildlife habitat and administrative purposes. We would enhance our cultural resource protection similar to alternative B. Our visitor services programs and opportunities would expand on those identified under alternative B, with modest increases in our hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and interpretation programs associated with providing access and infrastructure to additional areas of the refuge. Next Steps After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and address them in the form of a final CCP and finding of no significant impact. Public Availability of Documents In addition to any methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain documents from the agency Web site at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/James_River/ what_we_do/conservation.html. Submitting Comments We consider comments substantive if they: • Question, with reasonable basis, the accuracy of the information in the document. • Question, with reasonable basis, the adequacy of the EA. • Present reasonable alternatives other than those presented in the EA. • Provide new or additional information relevant to the EA. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. E:\FR\FM\22OCN1.SGM 22OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 204 / Wednesday, October 22, 2014 / Notices 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. Dated: September 23, 2014. Deborah Rocque, Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region. [FR Doc. 2014–25098 Filed 10–21–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 337–TA–890] Certain Sleep-Disordered Breathing Treatment Systems and Components Thereof; Commission Determination To Review In Part a Final Initial Determination Finding a Violation of Section 337; Schedule for Filing Written Submissions on the Issues Under Review and on Remedy, the Public Interest and Bonding U.S. International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined to review in part the final initial determination (‘‘ID’’) issued by the presiding administrative law judge (‘‘ALJ’’) on August 21, 2014, finding a violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), in this investigation. SUMMARY: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Panyin A. Hughes, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205–3042. Copies of non-confidential documents filed in connection with this investigation are or will be available for inspection during official business hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205–2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server at https://www.usitc.gov. The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS) at https:// edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired persons are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on (202) 205–1810. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission instituted this investigation VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:22 Oct 21, 2014 Jkt 235001 on August 23, 2013, based on a complaint filed by ResMed Corporation of San Diego, California; ResMed Incorporated of San Diego, California; and ResMed Limited of New South Wales, Australia (collectively, ‘‘ResMed’’). 78 FR 52564 (Aug. 23, 2013). The complaint alleged violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337) in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain sleep-disordered breathing treatment systems and components thereof that infringe one or more of claims 32–37, 53, 79, 80, and 88 of U.S. Patent No. 7,997,267 (‘‘the ’267 patent’’); claims 1–7 of U.S. Patent No. 7,614,398 (‘‘the ’398 patent’’); claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 7,938,116 (‘‘the ’116 patent’’); claims 30, 37, and 38 of U.S. Patent No. 7,341,060 (the ’060 patent); claims 1, 3, 5, 11, 28, 30, 31, and 56 of U.S. Patent No. 8,312,883 (‘‘the ’883 patent’’); claims 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 29, 32, 35, 40, 42, 45, 50, 51, 56, 59, 89, 92, 94, and 96 of U.S. Patent No. 7,178,527 (the ’527 patent); claims 19–24, 26, 29–36, and 39–41 of U.S. Patent No. 7,950,392 (the ’392 patent); and claims 13, 15, 16, 26– 28, 51, 52, and 55 of U.S. Patent No 7,926,487 (‘‘the ’487 patent’’). The notice of investigation named the following respondents: BMC Medical Co., Ltd. of Beijing, China; 3B Medical, Inc. of Lake Wales, Florida; and 3B Products, L.L.C., of Lake Wales, Florida (collectively ‘‘Respondents’’). The Office of Unfair Import Investigations (‘‘OUII’’) is participating in the investigation. On January 9, 2014, the ALJ issued an ID granting a motion by ResMed to amend the complaint and notice of investigation to substitute U.S. Patent No. RE 44,453 (‘‘the ’453 patent’’) for the ’398 patent and to terminate the investigation as to the ’398 patent. See Order No. 7 (Jan. 9, 2014). The Commission determined not to review the ID. See Notice of Commission Determination Not to Review an Initial Determination Granting the Complainants’ Motion to Amend the Complaint and Notice of Investigation (Feb. 10, 2014); 79 FR 9000–01 (Feb. 14, 2014). On February 24, 2014, the ALJ issued an ID granting a motion by ResMed to withdraw its allegations with respect to the ’116 patent. See Order No. 11 (Feb. 24, 2014). The Commission determined not to review the ID. See Notice of Commission Determination Not to Review an Initial Determination Granting the Complainants’ Motion to Partially Terminate the Investigation by Withdrawing Allegations with Respect PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63163 to U.S. Patent No. 7,938,116 (March 11, 2014). On March 18, 2014, the ALJ granted a motion by ResMed to terminate the investigation as to claims 26–28 of the ’487 Patent. See Order No. 20 (Mar 18, 2012). The Commission determined not to review the ID. See Notice of Commission Determination Not to Review an Initial Determination Granting Complainants’ Unopposed Motion for Partial Termination of the Investigation by Withdrawal of Claims 26–28 of U.S. Patent No. 7,926,487 (Apr. 29, 2014). On August 21, 2014, the ALJ issued his final ID, finding a violation of section 337 by Respondents with respect to certain asserted claims of the ’392, ’267, ’060, ’883, ’527, and ’453 patents. The ALJ found no violation of section 337 with respect to the asserted claims of the ’487 patent. Specifically, the ALJ found that the Commission has subject matter jurisdiction, in rem jurisdiction over the accused products, and in personam jurisdiction over the respondents. ID at 10–11. The parties stipulated to importation of the accused products and the ALJ found that the importation requirement of section 337 (19 U.S.C. 1337(a)(1)(B)) has been satisfied. Id. at 3. The ALJ found that the accused products infringe asserted claims 1, 9, 32, 89, and 92 of the ’527 patent; asserted claims 19, 21, 29, 32, and 36 of the ’392 patent; asserted claims 32–34 and 53 of the ’267 patent; asserted claims 30, 37, and 38 of the ’060 patent; asserted claims 1, 3, 5, 11, 28, 30, 31, and 56 of the ’883 patent; and asserted claim 2 of the ’453 patent. See ID at 23, 46, 57–58, 71–78, 95, 99, and 102. The ALJ found that Respondents failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the asserted claims of the ’392, ’267, ’060, ’883, ’527, or claim 2 of the ’453 patents were invalid in light of the cited prior art references. See id. at 25–45, 48–55, 96, and 100. The ALJ concluded that the accused products satisfy each limitation of claims 4 and 7 of the ’453 patent but found those claims invalid in view of the prior art. See id. at 103–139. The ALJ also found that the accused products satisfy each limitation of asserted claims 13, 51, 52, and 55 of the ’487 patent, but found those claims invalid in view of the prior art. See id. at 78–92. The ALJ further found that ResMed established the existence of a domestic industry that practices the asserted patents under 19 U.S.C. 1337(a)(2). See ID at 139–188. On September 3, 2014, Respondents and the Commission investigative attorney filed petitions for review of the ID. That same day, ResMed filed a E:\FR\FM\22OCN1.SGM 22OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 204 (Wednesday, October 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63161-63163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25098]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R5-R-2014-N172; BAC-4311-K9-S3]


James River National Wildlife Refuge, Prince George County, VA; 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

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 a draft comprehensive conservation plan and 
environmental assessment (CCP and EA) for James River National Wildlife 
Refuge (NWR) for public review and comment. James River NWR is located 
in Prince George County, Virginia, and is administered by staff at 
Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR Complex. The draft CCP and EA describe our 
proposal for managing James River NWR for the next 15 years. 
Alternative B is identified as the Service-preferred alternative. Also 
available for public review and comment are the draft compatibility 
determinations, which are included as appendix B in the draft CCP and 
EA.

DATES: To ensure consideration of your written comments, please send 
them by November 21, 2014. We will announce upcoming public meetings in 
local news media, via our project mailing list, and on the refuge 
planning Web site: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/James_River/what_we_do/conservation.html

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or requests for copies or more 
information by any of the following methods. You may request hard 
copies or a CD-ROM of the documents.
    Email: EasternVirginiaRiversNWRC@fws.gov. Please include ``James 
River CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attention: Rebekah Martin, 804-333-3396.
    U.S. Mail: Rebekah Martin, Deputy Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1030, Warsaw, VA 22572.
    In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call Rebekah Martin at 804-
333-1470, extension 113, or Andy Hofmann, Refuge Manager, at 804-333-
1470, extension 112, during regular business hours to make an 
appointment to view the document. For more information on locations for 
viewing or obtaining documents, see ``Public Availability of 
Documents'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebekah Martin, Deputy Refuge Manager, 
804-333-1470, extension 113 (phone) or 
EasternVirginiaRiversNWRC@fws.gov (email) (please put ``James River 
NWR'' in the subject line).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process for James River NWR. 
We published our original notice of intent to prepare a CCP in the 
Federal Register on January 11, 2012 (77 FR 1716).
    The 4,324-acre James River NWR lies in the Chesapeake Bay watershed 
and is located along the James River in Prince George County, Virginia, 
approximately 8 miles southeast of the city of Hopewell, and 30 miles 
southeast of Richmond, the State capital. The refuge was established 
under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1534) in 1991, to protect nationally significant nesting and roosting 
habitat for the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The refuge 
encompasses 4,324 acres of pine-dominated hardwood and floodplain 
forests, freshwater marsh and shrub swamp, aquatic habitats, erosional 
bluffs, and non-forested upland. The refuge also has a rich cultural 
history, illuminated by numerous known archaeological and historical 
sites.
    Wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities at James River NWR 
include a 24-day deer hunt each fall, as well as wildlife observation, 
photography, and environmental education and interpretive program 
opportunities by reservation.

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, 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 Refuge Administration Act.

Public Outreach

    In August 2012, we distributed a planning newsletter to over 550 
parties on our project mailing list. The newsletter informed people 
about the planning process and asked recipients to contact us about 
issues or concerns they would like us to address. We also posted the 
newsletter on our Web site for people to access electronically. In 
addition, we notified the general public of our planning project, and 
our interest in hearing about issues and concerns, by publishing news 
releases in local newspapers. We also held afternoon and evening public 
scoping meetings on September 12, 2012, in Prince George, Virginia. The 
purpose of the two meetings was to share information on the planning 
process and to solicit management issues and concerns. Throughout the 
process, refuge staff

[[Page 63162]]

have conducted additional outreach via participation in community 
meetings, events, and other public forums. We have considered and 
evaluated all of the comments we received and addressed them in various 
ways in the alternatives presented in the draft CCP and EA.

CCP Alternatives We Are Considering

    Several issues were raised by us, other governmental partners, and 
the public during the public scoping process. To address these issues, 
we developed and evaluated three alternatives in the draft CCP and EA. 
A full description of each alternative is in the draft CCP and EA. All 
alternatives include measures to control invasive species, protect 
cultural resources, improve inventory and monitoring programs, and 
maintain existing partnerships for habitat management and visitor 
services. All alternatives include measures to continue to share staff 
across the Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR Complex, require a permit for 
refuge access until adequate new infrastructure can support increased 
visitation, and maintain existing facilities.
    There are other actions that differ among the alternatives. The 
draft CCP and EA provide a full description of all alternatives and 
relate each to the issues and concerns that arose during the planning 
process. Below, we provide summaries for the three alternatives.

Alternative A (Current Management)

    This alternative is the ``no-action'' alternative required by the 
National Environmental Policy Act. Alternative A defines our current 
management activities, including those planned, funded, or under way, 
and serves as the baseline against which to compare alternatives B and 
C. Under alternative A, we would continue to maintain the 2,653 acres 
of pine-dominated forest on the refuge, with an emphasis on protecting 
this habitat for nesting and roosting bald eagles, as well as other 
native species that use this habitat. For other habitat types on the 
refuge, we would continue to maintain quality habitat for the benefit 
of native wildlife species by limiting disturbance, conducting wildlife 
surveys, monitoring invasive species presence, implementing best 
management practices, and collaborating with partners for wildlife 
habitat protection and population monitoring.
    Additionally, we would continue to accommodate public archery, 
muzzleloader, and shotgun deer hunting opportunities in the fall. We 
would continue to encourage visitors to participate in refuge- or 
partner-sponsored wildlife observation, photography, environmental 
education, and interpretation opportunities. Additional opportunities 
would be available to visitors on a by-request or case-by-case basis.

Alternative B (Manage Forest Health With Pine-Dominated Component; New, 
Enhanced, and Focused Public Use Opportunities [Service-Preferred 
Alternative])

    Alternative B is the Service-preferred alternative. It combines the 
actions we believe would best achieve the refuge's purposes, vision, 
and goals, and respond to public issues. Under alternative B, we would 
emphasize the management of specific refuge habitats to support 
priority species whose habitat needs would benefit other species of 
conservation concern that are found in the area. We would promote the 
transition of 2,651 acres of former pine plantation toward mature pine 
savanna with understory for resident and breeding cavity-dwelling and 
ground-nesting species, including the brown-headed nuthatch, Chuck-
will's-widow, red-headed woodpecker, and yellow-billed cuckoo. We would 
emphasize protecting and promoting bald eagle nesting habitat, as well 
as protecting the integrity of the refuge's other habitats for native 
species, including migrating waterfowl, waterbirds, the federally 
endangered Atlantic sturgeon, and habitat suitable for the federally 
threatened sensitive joint-vetch. We would also expand our 
conservation, research, monitoring, and management partnerships to help 
restore and conserve the refuge.
    We would enhance our cultural resource protection to increase 
knowledge and appreciation for the refuge's rich cultural history and 
heritage, as well as expand our visitor services programs to improve 
opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation. Visitor service 
improvements would include expanding the on-refuge opportunities for 
wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and 
interpretation of natural and cultural resources in partnership with 
others. We would pursue Service administrative requirements to expand 
public deer hunting, open the refuge to spring and fall turkey hunting, 
open the refuge to limited waterfowl hunting by youth, promote youth 
involvement in all hunting opportunities, and open the refuge to 
fishing at two designated locations.

Alternative C (Manage Forest Health With Hardwood Conversion Component; 
New and Expanded Public Use Opportunities)

    Under alternative C, we would emphasize the management of specific 
refuge habitats to support priority species whose habitat needs would 
benefit other species of conservation concern that are found in the 
area. We would promote the transition of 2,609 acres of former pine 
plantation toward an oak/hickory/pine forest using selective cut 
forestry and best management practices to facilitate this transition in 
a phased manner while still protecting select trees for bald eagle use. 
We would protect the integrity of the refuge's other habitats for 
native species, including maintenance of up to 57 acres of non-forested 
upland for wildlife habitat and administrative purposes.
    We would enhance our cultural resource protection similar to 
alternative B. Our visitor services programs and opportunities would 
expand on those identified under alternative B, with modest increases 
in our hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and interpretation 
programs associated with providing access and infrastructure to 
additional areas of the refuge.

Next Steps

    After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and 
address them in the form of a final CCP and finding of no significant 
impact.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to any methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain 
documents from the agency Web site at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/James_River/what_we_do/conservation.html.

Submitting Comments

    We consider comments substantive if they:
     Question, with reasonable basis, the accuracy of the 
information in the document.
     Question, with reasonable basis, the adequacy of the EA.
     Present reasonable alternatives other than those presented 
in the EA.
     Provide new or additional information relevant to the EA.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time.

[[Page 63163]]

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.

    Dated: September 23, 2014.
Deborah Rocque,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-25098 Filed 10-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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