[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16198-16199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06628]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-R-2015-N089; 1265-0000-10137-S3]
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, Canyon, Payette, Owyhee, and
Washington Counties, ID, and Malheur County, OR; Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and Record of Decision for Final Environmental Impact
Statement
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge)
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and record of decision (ROD) for
the final environmental impact statement (EIS). The CCP describes the
Refuge's management direction for the next 15 years, and includes the
ROD, which explains our selection of Alternative 2 as the Refuge's
management direction.
DATES: The Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, signed the ROD on April 3, 2015.
ADDRESSES: The libraries providing public viewing of the CCP/ROD are
listed under SUPPLEMENTARY
[[Page 16199]]
INFORMATION. You may view or download a copy of the CCP/ROD at the
Refuge's Web site at http://www.fws.gov/deerflat/refugeplanning.html,
or request a CD-ROM copy of the CCP/ROD by one of the following
methods:
Email: [email protected]. Include ``Deer Flat Refuge draft CCP/EIS''
in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Refuge Manager, 208-467-1019.
U.S. Mail: Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, 13751 Upper
Embankment Road, Nampa, ID 83686.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 208-467-9278 to make an
appointment during regular business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Refuge Manager, 208-467-9278 (phone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Deer Flat Refuge.
We started this process by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal
Register on July 15, 2010 (75 FR 41232). We requested public comments
on the draft CCP/EIS in a notice of availability published in the
Federal Register on March 15, 2013 (78 FR 16526). For more information
about the history and purposes of the Refuge, see that notice.
We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human
environment and responded to public comments in the final CCP/EIS
released to the public through a Federal Register notice published on
February 20, 2015 (80 FR 9279).
We announce our decision and the availability of the CCP and ROD in
accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR
1506.6(b)) requirements. Alternative 2, as we described it in the final
CCP/EIS, was selected for implementation at the Refuge. The CCP will
guide Refuge management for 15 years.
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
complete 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.
CCP/ROD
Based on our comprehensive review and analysis of Deer Flat
Refuge's resources and issues, the Service selected Alternative 2, our
preferred alternative, for implementation, as it is described in the
final CCP/EIS, with two modifications described below. In reaching our
decision to implement Alternative 2, we identified and analyzed its
impacts to the Refuge environment in the Draft and Final CCPs/EISs.
Issues, comments, concerns, and opportunities identified by all
stakeholders throughout the planning process were considered and
addressed. A summary of public comments and our responses is available
in the CCP, in Appendix H.
Changes Made to the Selected Alternative
The following changes were made to wildlife-dependent public uses
in the Lake Lowell Unit in Alternative 2 after the final CCP/EIS was
released:
[ssquf] Noncompetitive jogging, bicycling, and horseback riding
groups of 10 or fewer people are allowed without a special use permit
(SUP). An SUP is still required for groups larger than 10, and
competitive events are still prohibited.
[ssquf] Boats using wake-generating devices (wake-boats) are
compatible with stipulations, including requiring wake-boats to use
ballast filtering systems to prevent invasive species introductions.
Wakes that impact grebe nests are a concern; however, the new no-wake
zones will provide some additional protection, and we will continue to
evaluate effects on wildlife to ensure the use remains compatible.
Other CCP Actions
We will protect Lake Lowell's shoreline feeding and nesting sites
for wintering and migratory birds by closing the lake October 1-April
14, establishing a 200-yard no-wake zone on the south side and in the
Narrows, and expanding the southeast no-wake zone to Gotts Point.
Fishing and wildlife interpretation will be emphasized, and with
increased law enforcement, Gotts Point will open to vehicles. We will
increase wildlife inventory and monitoring, invasive species control,
and restoration on the Snake River Islands Unit, and we will adjust
closures to protect nesting and wading birds. Wildlife observation and
hunting for deer, upland species, and waterfowl will be allowed on the
unit, and most islands will be open for shoreline fishing and free-roam
activities June 15-January 31; and heron- and gull-nesting islands will
be open July 1-January 31. For additional details, the CCP/ROD is
available on the Refuge's Web site: www.fws.gov/deerflat/refugeplanning.html. Implementing some of the CCP actions will be
subject to the availability of funding and any additional compliance
requirements.
Public Availability of Documents
Review the CCP/ROD at the following libraries and sources under
ADDRESSES.
[ssquf] Caldwell Public Library, 1010 Dearborn St., Caldwell, ID
83605.
[ssquf] Homedale Public Library, 125 W Owyhee Ave., Homedale, ID
83628.
[ssquf] Lizard Butte District Library, 111 3rd Ave. W, Marsing, ID
83639.
[ssquf] Nampa Public Library, 101 11th Ave. S, Nampa, ID 83651.
[ssquf] Payette Public Library, 24 S 10th St., Payette, ID 83661.
[ssquf] Ada County District Library, 10664 W Victory Rd., Boise, ID
83709.
Richard Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2016-06628 Filed 3-24-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P