Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Bayfield County, Wisconsin; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment, 15249-15250 [2015-06577]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2015 / Notices (Zapus hudsonius luteus) in Colorado to identify and avoid occupied habitat during land reclamation activities for the purpose of enhancing the species’ survival. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Permit Application Number TE56902B Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Bayfield County, Wisconsin; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment Applicant: Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. The applicant requests a permit to conduct presence/absence surveys for pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Yellowstone River of Montana to develop a baseline analysis of occupied habitat. These data will assist in the evaluation of the effectiveness of a proposed fish bypass structure. The proposed structure will provide passage of pallid sturgeon and other native fishes around current impediments constructed in 1907 for the purpose of enhancing the species’ survival. National Environmental Policy Act In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), we have made an initial determination that the proposed activities in these permits are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement (516 DM 6 Appendix 1, 1.4C(1)). Public Availability of Comments All comments and materials we receive in response to these requests will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. 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. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Authority We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Michael G. Thabault, Assistant Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region. [FR Doc. 2015–06521 Filed 3–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Mar 20, 2015 Jkt 235001 Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–R–2015–N032; FXRS1265030000– 156–FF03R06000] 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 (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for the Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, NWR) for public review and comment. In this draft CCP/EA we describe how we propose to manage the Refuge for the next 15 years. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by April 22, 2015. We will hold an open house-style meeting during the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft plan. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of opportunities for input. ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any of the following methods: • Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Whittlesey Creek Draft CCP/EA’’ in the subject line of the message. • Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, Whittlesey Creek NWR, 715–685–2680. • U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, Whittlesey Creek NWR, Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, 29270 County Highway G, Ashland, WI 54806. • In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during regular business hours at the above addresses. You will find the draft CCP/EA, as well as information about the planning process and a summary of the CCP, on the planning Web site at https:// www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/ whittleseycreek/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Kerr, 715–246–7784. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, which we began by publishing a notice of intent in the PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15249 Federal Register (78 FR 3909) on January 17, 2013. For more about the initial process and the history of this Refuge, see that notice. Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), requires us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. 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 draft CCP/EA may be found at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/ whittleseycreek/. That document incorporates an EA, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The draft CCP/EA includes detailed information about the planning process, refuge, issues, and management alternatives considered and proposed. The EA includes discussions of four alternative refuge management options. The Service’s preferred alternative is reflected in the draft CCP. E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 15250 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2015 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES The alternatives analyzed in detail include: • Alternative A: Current Management (No Action)—This alternative reflects the current management direction of Whittlesey Creek NWR. It provides the baseline against which to compare other alternatives. For NEPA purposes, this is referred to as the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative. • Alternative B: Refuge and Watershed Restoration; Maintain Visitor Center Partnership (Preferred Alternative)—Under this alternative, prioritized focus areas for habitat restoration would be developed for the watershed and the Refuge using data from sediment and hydrology models. The quantity and quality of habitat for native brook trout and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds would increase. Stream and floodplain hydrology would better emulate natural seasonal and long-term variability. Current Service participation in the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (NGLVC) would continue; Refuge staff would participate in NGLVC programs that align with the NWRS mission and Refuge purposes. • Alternative C: Watershed Restoration; Expand Visitor Center Partnership—Under this alternative, habitat restoration would focus on reducing sedimentation and flood peaks in the Whittlesey Creek watershed. The quantity and quality of habitat for native brook trout would increase and stream hydrology would better emulate natural seasonal and long-term variability. Service participation in the NGLVC would increase, and Refuge visitor services activities would focus on NGLVC programs and special events. • Alternative D: Refuge Restoration; Reduce Visitor Center Partnership— Under this alternative, habitat restoration would focus on floodplain forest, wetlands, and streams within the Refuge boundary. The quality of habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds would improve and floodplain hydrology would better emulate seasonal and longterm variability. Service participation in the NGLVC would decrease; Refuge staff and visitor services activities would move off site. Public Involvement We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public meeting. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments anytime during the comment period. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Mar 20, 2015 Jkt 235001 Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Charles M. Wooley, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2015–06577 Filed 3–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board advises the Secretary of the Interior, the BLM Director, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Chief of the Forest Service on matters pertaining to the management and protection of wild, free-roaming horses and burros on the Nation’s public lands. The Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board operates under the authority of 43 CFR 1784. The tentative agenda for the meeting is: I. Advisory Board Public Meeting DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWO260000.L10600000.PC0000. LXSIADVSBD00] Notice of Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board Meeting Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces that the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will conduct a meeting on matters pertaining to management and protection of wild, free-roaming horses and burros on the Nation’s public lands. DATES: The Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday April 22, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time and Thursday April 23, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This will be a two day meeting. ADDRESSES: This Advisory Board meeting will take place in Columbus, Ohio at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215, telephone 614–463–1234. Written comments pertaining to the April 22–23, 2015, Advisory Board meeting can be mailed to National Wild Horse and Burro Program,WO–260, Attention: Ramona DeLorme, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89502– 7147, or sent electronically to wildhorse@blm.gov. Please include ‘‘Advisory Board Comment’’ in the subject line of the email. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ramona DeLorme, Wild Horse and Burro Administrative Assistant, at 775– 861–6583. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Wednesday, April 22, 2015 (8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.) 8:00 a.m. Welcome, Introductions, and Agenda Review 8:50 a.m. Approval of August 2014 Minutes 9:10 a.m. BLM Response to Advisory Board Recommendations 9:30 a.m. Wild Horse and Burro Program Update 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:15 p.m. Program Update continued 3:00 p.m. Public Comment Period Begins 4:30 p.m. Public Comment Period Ends 5:00 p.m. Adjourn Thursday, April 23, 2015 (8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.) 8:00 a.m. Program Update continued 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:15 p.m. Working Group Reports 2:45 p.m. Advisory Board Discussion and Recommendations to the BLM 5:00 p.m. Adjourn The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. An individual with a disability needing an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the meeting, such as an interpreting service, assistive listening device, or materials in an alternate format, must notify Ms. DeLorme two weeks before the scheduled meeting date. Although the BLM will attempt to meet a request received after that date, the requested auxiliary aid or service may not be available because of insufficient time to arrange for it. The Federal Advisory Committee Management Regulations at 41 CFR 101–6.1015(b), requires BLM to publish in the Federal Register notice of a public meeting 15 days prior to the meeting date. E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15249-15250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06577]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2015-N032; FXRS1265030000-156-FF03R06000]


Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Bayfield County, 
Wisconsin; Draft 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 (CCP) and 
environmental assessment (EA) for the Whittlesey Creek National 
Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, NWR) for public review and comment. In this 
draft CCP/EA we describe how we propose to manage the Refuge for the 
next 15 years.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by April 22, 2015. We will hold an open house-style meeting during the 
comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft 
plan. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper articles, 
Internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of 
opportunities for input.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods:
     Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ``Whittlesey Creek 
Draft CCP/EA'' in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, Whittlesey Creek NWR, 715-
685-2680.
     U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, Whittlesey Creek 
NWR, Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, 29270 County Highway G, 
Ashland, WI 54806.
     In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during 
regular business hours at the above addresses.
    You will find the draft CCP/EA, as well as information about the 
planning process and a summary of the CCP, on the planning Web site at 
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/whittleseycreek/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Kerr, 715-246-7784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Whittlesey Creek 
National Wildlife Refuge, which we began by publishing a notice of 
intent in the Federal Register (78 FR 3909) on January 17, 2013. For 
more about the initial process and the history of this Refuge, see that 
notice.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), requires us to develop a 
CCP for each national wildlife refuge. 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 draft CCP/EA may be found at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/whittleseycreek/. That document incorporates an EA, 
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The draft CCP/EA includes detailed 
information about the planning process, refuge, issues, and management 
alternatives considered and proposed. The EA includes discussions of 
four alternative refuge management options. The Service's preferred 
alternative is reflected in the draft CCP.

[[Page 15250]]

    The alternatives analyzed in detail include:
     Alternative A: Current Management (No Action)--This 
alternative reflects the current management direction of Whittlesey 
Creek NWR. It provides the baseline against which to compare other 
alternatives. For NEPA purposes, this is referred to as the ``No 
Action'' alternative.
     Alternative B: Refuge and Watershed Restoration; Maintain 
Visitor Center Partnership (Preferred Alternative)--Under this 
alternative, prioritized focus areas for habitat restoration would be 
developed for the watershed and the Refuge using data from sediment and 
hydrology models. The quantity and quality of habitat for native brook 
trout and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds would increase. Stream and 
floodplain hydrology would better emulate natural seasonal and long-
term variability. Current Service participation in the Northern Great 
Lakes Visitor Center (NGLVC) would continue; Refuge staff would 
participate in NGLVC programs that align with the NWRS mission and 
Refuge purposes.
     Alternative C: Watershed Restoration; Expand Visitor 
Center Partnership--Under this alternative, habitat restoration would 
focus on reducing sedimentation and flood peaks in the Whittlesey Creek 
watershed. The quantity and quality of habitat for native brook trout 
would increase and stream hydrology would better emulate natural 
seasonal and long-term variability. Service participation in the NGLVC 
would increase, and Refuge visitor services activities would focus on 
NGLVC programs and special events.
     Alternative D: Refuge Restoration; Reduce Visitor Center 
Partnership--Under this alternative, habitat restoration would focus on 
floodplain forest, wetlands, and streams within the Refuge boundary. 
The quality of habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds would improve and 
floodplain hydrology would better emulate seasonal and long-term 
variability. Service participation in the NGLVC would decrease; Refuge 
staff and visitor services activities would move off site.

Public Involvement

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

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-06577 Filed 3-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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