Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, CO; Availability of Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement, 41987-41989 [2016-15292]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Notices
need for a process to reduce conflicts
between protection of listed species and
economic development, so it amended
the ESA in 1982 to add an exemption
for incidental take of listed species that
would result from non-Federal activities
(section 10(a)(1)(B)). ‘‘Incidental take’’ is
that which is incidental to, and not the
purpose of, the carrying out of an
otherwise lawful activity. To obtain a
permit for under section 10(a)(1)(B),
applicants must develop a conservation
plan that meets specific requirements
identified in section 10 and its
regulations (50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32; 50
CFR 222.25, 222.27, and 222.31).
Among other requirements, the plan
must specify (1) the impacts that are
likely to result from the taking and (2)
the measures that the permit applicant
will undertake to minimize and mitigate
such impacts. Conservation plans under
section 10(a)(1)(B) have come to be
known as ‘‘habitat conservation plans’’
(HCPs). Section 10(a)(2)(B) provides
statutory criteria that must be satisfied
before an incidental take permit (ITP)
can be issued.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Handbook Purpose
The purpose of the joint HCP
Handbook is to instruct USFWS and
NMFS (Services) staff on how to assist
applicants to develop HCPs in an
efficient and effective manner while
ensuring adequate conservation for
listed species. The Handbook guides
Services staff, phase by phase, through
development, implementation, and
environmental compliance, using
streamlined approaches whenever
possible. It draws upon past experience
to help staff understand regulations and
policy and navigate the various
processes for completing an HCP and
issuing a permit. Although the joint
HCP Handbook is designed specifically
for Services’ staff, it also can be helpful
to other HCP practitioners, such as
applicants, consultants, and partners.
Need for Handbook Revision
The HCP program has evolved in
response to changes in society and our
natural resources. Because of changes to
the program, the USFWS decided to
contract Management Systems
International to prepare an independent
review of our HCP program in 2008, as
well as a collection of input and
recommendations for the program from
various sources. These reviews and
recommendations have provided the
important feedback that our program is
highly effective in achieving its purpose
of avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating
the effects of development on
endangered (or threatened) species and
their habitats, and, in some cases,
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17:49 Jun 27, 2016
Jkt 238001
exceeds minimum requirements and
makes a positive contribution to
improving species habitat and
contributing to species recovery.
However, feedback also has indicated
that the processes used to develop and
approve ITPs can be inefficient.
Commonly expressed concerns related
to inefficiency are: HCPs take too long
to develop and cost too much;
negotiations can be complex;
implementation is too expensive;
applicants perceive lack of certainty;
and the benefits of the HCP program are
not readily apparent to internal or
external stakeholders. The proposed
revisions to the Handbook address these
concerns in various ways, ranging from
clarification of existing guidance to
policy-level changes.
Proposed Revisions Made to Handbook
The revised HCP Handbook reflects
current USFWS and NMFS HCP
practices, guidance, and policies;
incorporates lessons from the 30-year
history of implementing the HCP
program; and provides guidance to
assist applicants and the Services’ staff
to avoid common pitfalls that can delay
HCP negotiations and development or
processing of ITPs.
The goal is to provide a joint HCP
Handbook that helps to streamline and
improve efficiency of the HCP program.
To accomplish this, we have
reorganized the joint HCP Handbook,
with the goal of walking Services staff
and stakeholders through each stage of
the HCP process, from the preapplication stage through ITP issuance
and HCP implementation, including
monitoring and compliance.
Some of the most significant changes
to the joint HCP Handbook include:
(1) We introduced the concept that
applicants should ‘‘start slow to go
fast,’’ which emphasizes the benefits to
applicants of pre-planning before
jumping directly into HCP development,
especially for landscape-scale HCPs.
(2) To streamline the ITP issuance
process, we focused on the vital review
and administrative steps without
compromising legal integrity.
(3) We clarified the concept
‘‘maximum extent practicable.’’
(4) We ensured consistency with
revised or updated policies such as draft
USFWS Mitigation Policy.
(5) We clarified the use of
implementing agreements.
(6) We updated and clarified permit
duration.
(7) We provided guidance on how to
comply with section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act.
(8) We provided guidance on
addressing climate change.
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Frm 00060
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
41987
(9) We updated and clarified what
should be addressed through adaptive
management versus foreseen and
unforeseen circumstances.
(10) We provided guidance on when
to initiate the National Environmental
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
process or intra-Service section 7
consultations, and when to seek
assistance from the Solicitor or General
Counsel.
(11) We updated and clarified
information concerning take analysis,
responding to public comments, public
notices, permit decision documents,
compliance monitoring, and ITP
suspension and revocation.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: June 22, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation
Division, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Dated: June 20, 2016.
Stephen Guertin,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–15230 Filed 6–27–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P; 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R6–R–2015–N206]; [FF06R06000–
FXRS12610600000–167]
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National
Wildlife Refuge, CO; Availability of
Record of Decision for the Final
Environmental Impact Statement
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a record of decision
(ROD) for the final environmental
impact statement (EIS) for the Rocky
Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife
Refuge (refuge, NWR) in Adams County,
Colorado.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain
copies of the ROD, the final EIS, or other
project information by any of the
following methods:
Agency Web site: Download a copy of
the documents at https://www.fws.gov/
mountain-prairie/refuges/co_rkm.php.
Email: rockymountainarsenal@
fws.gov. Include ‘‘Request copy of the
Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR ROD’’ in
the subject line of the message.
U.S. Mail: Rocky Mountain Arsenal
NWR, 6550 Gateway Road, Commerce
City, CO 80022.
Local Libraries: The final documents
are available for review at the libraries
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM
28JNN1
41988
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Notices
listed under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Lucas, Project Leader, at 303–
289–0350 (phone), or Bernardo Garza,
Planning Team Leader, 303–236–4377
(phone) or bernardo_garza@fws.gov
(email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we announce the
availability of the ROD for the final EIS
for the refuge. We started this process
through a notice in the Federal Register
(78 FR 48183; August 7, 2013).
Following a lengthy scoping and
alternatives development period, we
published a second notice in the
Federal Register (80 FR 26084; May 6,
2015), announcing the availability of the
draft comprehensive conservation plan
(CCP) and draft EIS and our intention to
hold public meetings, and requesting
comments. We then published a third
notice in the Federal Register (80 FR
52056, August 27, 2015), announcing
the publication of the final EIS for the
refuge.
The primary planning area for this
decision includes the Rocky Mountain
Arsenal NWR, which is located within
the Denver Metropolitan Area, in
Adams County, Colorado.
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR
encompasses nearly 16,000 acres and is
home to more than 468 plant species
and 350 wildlife species, including the
endangered black-footed ferret, bald
eagle, prairie dog, bison, deer, a wide
variety of resident and migratory birds
and raptors, amphibians, reptiles, fishes,
and insects. The refuge’s habitats
include short and mixed grass prairie,
interspersed with native shrubs,
riparian corridors, lacustrine habitats on
the refuge reservoirs, and woodlands
planted by settlers around historic
homesteads. The refuge is surrounded
by the cities of Commerce City and
Denver, and the Denver International
Airport, along the Colorado Front
Range.
Visitors take part in a variety of
wildlife-dependent recreational
activities on the refuge. The refuge is
open for catch-and-release fishing,
wildlife observation, photography,
interpretation, and environmental
education. As part of the CCP and EIS
process, we have considered opening
the refuge to limited special hunts.
Over 12,000 years of prehistory and
history have been recorded in the site of
the refuge, and the refuge contains
significant cultural resources.
In accordance with National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40
CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements, this notice
announces the availability of the ROD
for the final EIS for the Rocky Mountain
Arsenal NWR. We completed a thorough
analysis of the environmental, social,
and economic considerations associated
with our actions. The ROD documents
our selection of alternative C, the
preferred alternative.
Alternative C—Urban Refuge, as we
described in the final EIS and ROD, is
the foundation for the CCP which we
will finalize by winter 2016.
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. We
will finalize the CCP for the refuge by
winter 2016 and will update it at least
every 15 years in accordance with the
Administration Act.
CCP Alternatives and Selected
Alternative
Our final EIS (80 FR 52056, August
27, 2015) addressed several issues. To
address these, we developed and
evaluated the following alternatives:
Alternative A—No Action, Alternative
B—Traditional Refuge, Alternative C—
Urban Refuge, and Alternative D—
Gateway Refuge.
Based on our environmental
consequences analysis, we concluded
that alternative B constituted the
environmentally preferable alternative
as it would have caused the least
damage to the biological and physical
environment.
However, after consideration of the 90
comments that we received on the draft
CCP and draft EIS and a minor comment
we received following the release of the
final EIS, we selected alternative C—
Urban Refuge as the preferred
alternative. It is the alternative that best
meets the purposes of the refuge; the
mission of the National Wildlife Refuge
System; the vision and management
goals set for the refuge; adheres to
Service policies and guidelines, and
seeks to implement the Service’s Urban
Wildlife Conservation Program. It
considers the interests and perspectives
of many agencies, organizations,
municipalities, and the public.
Under alternative C and in
cooperation with our partners, we will
continue to restore and maintain refuge
habitats and manage wildlife
populations in accordance with
approved plans. We will increase the
visibility of the refuge in the Denver
Metropolitan Area and welcome many
more nontraditional visitors to the
refuge. Through an expanded visitor
services program, an abundance of
instructional programming, and
widespread outreach, we will endeavor
to connect more people with nature. We
will work with nontraditional users’
trusted avenues of communication to
increase outreach success. We will
expand our conservation education in
surrounding communities and schools,
develop youth-specific outreach, and
employ social marketing to broaden our
agency’s reach. We will make the refuge
more accessible to outlying
communities by opening additional
access points and enhancing the refuge
transportation systems.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to any one method in
you can view or obtain
documents at the following public
libraries:
ADDRESSES,
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Library
Address
Aurora Central Public Library .....................................
Commerce City Public Library ...................................
Denver Central Library ...............................................
Montbello Public Library .............................................
Rangeview Library District .........................................
14949 E Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012 ..................................
7185 Monaco Street, Commerce City, CO 80022 ...............................
10 W Fourteenth Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 .....................................
12955 Albrook Drive, Denver, CO 80239 ............................................
327 E Bridge Street, Brighton, CO 80601 ............................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:49 Jun 27, 2016
Jkt 238001
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM
Phone No.
28JNN1
(303)
(303)
(720)
(720)
(303)
739–6600
287–0063
865–1111
865–0200
405–3230
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Notices
Next Steps
We will work with our cooperating
agencies to finalize the CCP by winter
2016 and will begin its implementation
immediately thereafter.
Dated: March 29, 2016.
Matt Hogan,
Deputy Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie
Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–15292 Filed 6–27–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–21274;
PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion:
History Colorado, formerly Colorado
Historical Society, Denver, CO
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
History Colorado, formerly
Colorado Historical Society, has
completed an inventory of human
remains, in consultation with the
appropriate Indian tribes or Native
Hawaiian organizations, and has
determined that there is no cultural
affiliation between the human remains
and any present-day Indian tribes or
Native Hawaiian organizations.
Representatives of any Indian tribe or
Native Hawaiian organization not
identified in this notice that wish to
request transfer of control of these
human remains should submit a written
request to History Colorado. If no
additional requestors come forward,
transfer of control of the human remains
to the Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations stated in this notice may
proceed.
DATES: Representatives of any Indian
tribe or Native Hawaiian organization
not identified in this notice that wish to
request transfer of control of these
human remains should submit a written
request with information in support of
the request to History Colorado at the
address in this notice by July 28, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Sheila Goff, NAGPRA
Liaison, History Colorado, 1200
Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, telephone
(303) 866–4531, email sheila.goff@
state.co.us.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
Notice is
here given in accordance with the
Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C.
3003, of the completion of an inventory
of human remains under the control of
History Colorado, Denver, CO. Seven
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:49 Jun 27, 2016
Jkt 238001
sets of human remains were received
from the Montezuma County Coroner.
They were recovered from the vicinity
of Cortez or Mancos, CO.
This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service’s administrative
responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25
U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and 43 CFR 10.11(d).
The determinations in this notice are
the sole responsibility of the museum,
institution, or Federal agency that has
control of the Native American human
remains. The National Park Service is
not responsible for the determinations
in this notice.
Consultation
A detailed assessment of the human
remains was made by History Colorado
professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Hopi Tribe of
Arizona; Jicarilla Apache Nation, New
Mexico; Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma;
Mescalero Apache Tribe of the
Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico;
Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico &
Utah; Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico
(previously listed as the Pueblo of San
Juan); Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico;
Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of
Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe,
New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New
Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New
Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico;
Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico;
Pueblo of Santa Clara, New Mexico;
Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Southern
Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute
Indian Reservation, Colorado; Ute
Mountain Ute Tribe (previously listed as
the Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute
Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New
Mexico & Utah); and Ysleta del Sur
Pueblo of Texas (previously listed as the
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas). The
Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, Crow Creek
Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek
Reservation, South Dakota; Fort Sill
Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Pueblo of
Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of San
Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of San
Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of
Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia,
New Mexico; and the Zuni Tribe of the
Zuni Reservation, New Mexico were
invited to consult, but did not
participate. Hereafter, all tribes listed
above are referred to as ‘‘The Consulted
and Invited Tribes.’’
History and Description of the Remains
At an unknown date, human remains
representing, at minimum, two
individuals were removed from the
vicinity of Cortez, CO, by an 8 year old
boy. As an adult, in August 2015, he
relinquished them to the Montezuma
County Coroner, who ruled out a
forensic interest. The human remains
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
41989
were transferred to the Office of the
State Archaeologist (OSAC) in October
2015, where they were assigned Office
of Archaeology and Historic
Preservation (OAHP) Case Number 311.
Osteological analysis conducted at
Metropolitan State University indicates
that the human remains represent a
child and subadult and are likely of
Native American ancestry. No known
individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
At an unknown date, human remains
representing, at minimum, five
individuals were removed from an
unknown place, possibly in the vicinity
of Mancos, CO. The human remains
were discovered in the estate of a
deceased man. In November 2015, the
son of the man turned them over to the
Montezuma County Coroner, who ruled
out forensic interest. In February 2016,
the human remains were transferred to
the Office of the State Archaeologist,
where they were assigned Office of
Archaeology and Historic Preservation
(OAHP) Case Number 313. Osteological
analysis at Metropolitan State
University indicates that the human
remains represent two adult females,
two children and one male and are
likely of Native American ancestry. No
known individuals were identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
History Colorado, in partnership with
the Colorado Commission of Indian
Affairs, Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the
Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado,
and the Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute
Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New
Mexico & Utah, conducted tribal
consultations among the tribes with
ancestral ties to the State of Colorado to
develop the process for disposition of
culturally unidentifiable Native
American human remains and
associated funerary objects originating
from inadvertent discoveries on
Colorado State and private lands. As a
result of the consultation, a process was
developed, the Process for Consultation,
Transfer, and Reburial of Culturally
Unidentifiable Native American Human
Remains and Associated Funerary
Objects Originating From Inadvertent
Discoveries on Colorado State and
Private Lands (2008, unpublished, on
file with the Colorado Office of
Archaeology and Historic Preservation).
The tribes consulted are those who have
expressed their wishes to be notified of
discoveries in the Southwest Region as
established by the Process, where these
individuals appear to have originated.
The Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Review
Committee (Review Committee) is
responsible for recommending specific
actions for disposition of culturally
E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM
28JNN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41987-41989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15292]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2015-N206]; [FF06R06000-FXRS12610600000-167]
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, CO; Availability
of Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement
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 record of decision (ROD) for the final environmental
impact statement (EIS) for the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife
Refuge (refuge, NWR) in Adams County, Colorado.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the ROD, the final EIS, or
other project information by any of the following methods:
Agency Web site: Download a copy of the documents at https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/refuges/co_rkm.php.
Email: rockymountainarsenal@fws.gov. Include ``Request copy of the
Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR ROD'' in the subject line of the message.
U.S. Mail: Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR, 6550 Gateway Road, Commerce
City, CO 80022.
Local Libraries: The final documents are available for review at
the libraries
[[Page 41988]]
listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Lucas, Project Leader, at 303-
289-0350 (phone), or Bernardo Garza, Planning Team Leader, 303-236-4377
(phone) or bernardo_garza@fws.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we announce the availability of the ROD for the
final EIS for the refuge. We started this process through a notice in
the Federal Register (78 FR 48183; August 7, 2013). Following a lengthy
scoping and alternatives development period, we published a second
notice in the Federal Register (80 FR 26084; May 6, 2015), announcing
the availability of the draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and
draft EIS and our intention to hold public meetings, and requesting
comments. We then published a third notice in the Federal Register (80
FR 52056, August 27, 2015), announcing the publication of the final EIS
for the refuge.
The primary planning area for this decision includes the Rocky
Mountain Arsenal NWR, which is located within the Denver Metropolitan
Area, in Adams County, Colorado.
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR encompasses nearly 16,000 acres and
is home to more than 468 plant species and 350 wildlife species,
including the endangered black-footed ferret, bald eagle, prairie dog,
bison, deer, a wide variety of resident and migratory birds and
raptors, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, and insects. The refuge's
habitats include short and mixed grass prairie, interspersed with
native shrubs, riparian corridors, lacustrine habitats on the refuge
reservoirs, and woodlands planted by settlers around historic
homesteads. The refuge is surrounded by the cities of Commerce City and
Denver, and the Denver International Airport, along the Colorado Front
Range.
Visitors take part in a variety of wildlife-dependent recreational
activities on the refuge. The refuge is open for catch-and-release
fishing, wildlife observation, photography, interpretation, and
environmental education. As part of the CCP and EIS process, we have
considered opening the refuge to limited special hunts.
Over 12,000 years of prehistory and history have been recorded in
the site of the refuge, and the refuge contains significant cultural
resources.
In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR
1506.6(b)) requirements, this notice announces the availability of the
ROD for the final EIS for the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR. We completed
a thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and economic
considerations associated with our actions. The ROD documents our
selection of alternative C, the preferred alternative.
Alternative C--Urban Refuge, as we described in the final EIS and
ROD, is the foundation for the CCP which we will finalize by winter
2016.
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. We
will finalize the CCP for the refuge by winter 2016 and will update it
at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act.
CCP Alternatives and Selected Alternative
Our final EIS (80 FR 52056, August 27, 2015) addressed several
issues. To address these, we developed and evaluated the following
alternatives: Alternative A--No Action, Alternative B--Traditional
Refuge, Alternative C--Urban Refuge, and Alternative D--Gateway Refuge.
Based on our environmental consequences analysis, we concluded that
alternative B constituted the environmentally preferable alternative as
it would have caused the least damage to the biological and physical
environment.
However, after consideration of the 90 comments that we received on
the draft CCP and draft EIS and a minor comment we received following
the release of the final EIS, we selected alternative C--Urban Refuge
as the preferred alternative. It is the alternative that best meets the
purposes of the refuge; the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge
System; the vision and management goals set for the refuge; adheres to
Service policies and guidelines, and seeks to implement the Service's
Urban Wildlife Conservation Program. It considers the interests and
perspectives of many agencies, organizations, municipalities, and the
public.
Under alternative C and in cooperation with our partners, we will
continue to restore and maintain refuge habitats and manage wildlife
populations in accordance with approved plans. We will increase the
visibility of the refuge in the Denver Metropolitan Area and welcome
many more nontraditional visitors to the refuge. Through an expanded
visitor services program, an abundance of instructional programming,
and widespread outreach, we will endeavor to connect more people with
nature. We will work with nontraditional users' trusted avenues of
communication to increase outreach success. We will expand our
conservation education in surrounding communities and schools, develop
youth-specific outreach, and employ social marketing to broaden our
agency's reach. We will make the refuge more accessible to outlying
communities by opening additional access points and enhancing the
refuge transportation systems.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to any one method in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents at the following public libraries:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library Address Phone No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aurora Central Public Library. 14949 E Alameda (303) 739-6600
Parkway, Aurora, CO
80012.
Commerce City Public Library.. 7185 Monaco Street, (303) 287-0063
Commerce City, CO
80022.
Denver Central Library........ 10 W Fourteenth (720) 865-1111
Avenue, Denver, CO
80204.
Montbello Public Library...... 12955 Albrook Drive, (720) 865-0200
Denver, CO 80239.
Rangeview Library District.... 327 E Bridge Street, (303) 405-3230
Brighton, CO 80601.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 41989]]
Next Steps
We will work with our cooperating agencies to finalize the CCP by
winter 2016 and will begin its implementation immediately thereafter.
Dated: March 29, 2016.
Matt Hogan,
Deputy Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-15292 Filed 6-27-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P