[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58124-58125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25485]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan
and Environmental Assessment for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge,
Muleshoe, TX and Grulla National Wildlife Refuge, Arch, NM
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Analysis
(EA) for the Muleshoe and Grulla National Wildlife Refuges is available
for review and comment. This CCP/EA, prepared pursuant to the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes how the Service
intends to manage these refuges over the next 15 years.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 24,
2003.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Carol Torrez, Biologist/Natural Resource
Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque,
New Mexico, 87103-1306, Telephone: (505) 248-6821, Fax: (505) 248-6874.
Comments may also be sent via electronic mail to: [email protected]
The draft CCP/EA is available on compact diskette or hard copy, and
may be obtained by writing, telephoning, faxing, or e-mailing Carol
Torrez at the above listed address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Torrez, Biologist/Natural
Resource Planner, 505-248-6821 or Harold Beierman, Refuge Manager, 806-
946-3341.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Involvement
The draft CCP/EA is available for public review and comment for a
period of 45 days. Copies of the document can be obtained as indicated
in the ADDRESSES section. In addition, documents will be available for
public inspection during normal business hours (8-4:30) at the Muleshoe
NWR Headquarters Office, 20 miles south of Muleshoe, Texas, off Highway
214, and at the following libraries:
Muleshoe Public Library, 322 West 2nd Street, Muleshoe, Texas 79347,
Lamb County Library, 232 Phelps Avenue, Littlefield, Texas 79339,
Cochran County Love Memorial Library, 318 South Main Street, Morton,
Texas 79346,
City of Portales Library, 218 South Avenue B, Portales, New Mexico
88130.
A public meeting to receive comments on the Draft CCP/EA will be
held at the Muleshoe NWR Headquarters Office during the open comment
period (in November 2003). Special mailings, newspaper articles, and/or
other media announcements will be used to inform the public of the date
and time of the meeting.
All comments received from individuals become part of the official
public record. Requests for such comments will be handled in accordance
with the Freedom of Information Act and the Council on Environmental
Quality's NEPA regulations [40 CFR 1506.6 (f)].
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 et seq.) requires a CCP. The purpose in
developing CCPs 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, consistent with sound principles
of fish and wildlife science, conservation, legal mandates, and Service
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on
conserving wildlife and their habitats, the 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 these CCPs at least every 15 years in accordance with
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997,
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4370d).
The Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge was established on October
24, 1935 by the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16
U.S.C. 712d) `` * * * for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or any other
management purpose, for migratory birds.'' Located in the south plains
of west Texas, the 5,809 acre refuge is comprised of three shallow
playa lakes and almost 5,000 acres of native short to mid-grass
prairie. Only small areas of refuge land have been farmed. Much of the
refuge grasslands are pristine examples of what the surrounding area
was like before agricultural development. Management efforts focus on
enhancing and restoring native grassland and wetland communities for
sandhill cranes, waterfowl, other migratory birds, and resident
wildlife.
The Grulla National Wildlife Refuge was established on November 6,
1969 by the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (45 Stat.
1222, as amended; U.S.C. 715) ``* * * for a migratory bird refuge
primarily for the benefit and use of the lesser sandhill crane.''
Located on the High Plains of eastern New Mexico adjacent to the Texas
state line, this 3,236 acre refuge consists of a 2,330 acre shallow
lake (Salt Lake) and 906 acres of native grasses and shrubs. The
boundary of this refuge is very irregular and runs through the lake bed
in several places. Only one access point is currently available to the
public and the Service. The refuge provides outstanding wildlife
habitat and viewing opportunities when Salt Lake holds
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water; however, these opportunities are limited by local precipitation.
Opportunities for active management of this refuge have been limited
due to its remote location, lack of resident staff, and access issues.
Future management efforts will focus on improving access and public
wildlife viewing opportunities.
The Draft CCP/EA addresses a range of topics including habitat and
wildlife management, public use opportunities, invasive species
control, and administration and staffing for the refuges. The key
refuge issues and how they are addressed in the plan alternatives are
summarized below. Alternative A is the current management, or what is
currently offered, at the refuge. Alternative B is the proposed action.
Under Alternative C, refuge habitats would be managed solely by the
uses of prescribed fire. Under Alternative D, management of refuge
habitats would be accomplished through mechanical means such as haying
or mowing. Alternative E would call for no active management on the
refuge.
Habitat management activities: Alternative A: Grazing has
historically been the primary grassland management tool used on the
refuge. Efforts to use prescribed fire and control invasive species
have been limited. Alternative B: The managed grazing program would be
modified and integrated with prescribed fire and mechanical vegetative
manipulation to encourage ecological integrity, promote native prairie
restoration, control invasive plant species, and provide/enhance
habitat for grassland birds and other resident wildlife. Alternative C:
Grazing would be discontinued. Prescribed fire would be the primary
tool used to manage refuge habitats and control invasive plants.
Alternative D: Grazing would be discontinued. Mechanical means such as
haying and mowing would be used to manage refuge grassland habitats and
control invasive plant species. Alternative E: No active management of
grassland habitat. Habitats would be allowed to evolve into climax
conditions. Limited use of biological controls would be used as an
experiment to control invasive plant species.
Improvements to public use opportunities: Alternative A: The public
use program would remain at current levels and no new facilities would
be developed on the refuge. Hunting would continue to be prohibited.
Alternative B: The public use program would increase and/or enhance
educational and outreach activities, recreational opportunities
(including consideration of hunting opportunities), community
involvement, and improve facilities. Alternative C: The public use
program would be similar to Alternative B. Alternative D: The public
use program would be similar to Alternative B. Alternative E: The
public use program would be discontinued.
Refuge Land and Boundary Protection: Alternative A: There would be
no acquisition and no exploration of possible refuge boundary
expansion. Alternative B: Land protection would be accomplished through
partnerships with adjacent owners. Refuge boundary expansion would only
occur as a means to improve access to the public and would be
considered under a separate public process. Any mention of acquisition
is conceptual in nature only. Alternative C: Same as Alternative B.
Alternative D: Same as Alternative B. Alternative E: Same as
Alternative A.
Dated: August 15, 2003.
Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque,
New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 03-25485 Filed 10-7-03; 8:45 am]
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