80_FR_13469 80 FR 13420 - Theodore Roosevelt and Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuges, Mississippi; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

80 FR 13420 - Theodore Roosevelt and Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuges, Mississippi; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 49 (March 13, 2015)

Page Range13420-13422
FR Document2015-05721

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Theodore Roosevelt and Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in Sharkey and Washington Counties, Mississippi, for public review and comment. In this Draft CCP/EA, we describe the alternative proposed to manage these refuges for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 49 (Friday, March 13, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13420-13422]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05721]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2014-N152; FXRS12650400000S3-123-FF04R02000]


Theodore Roosevelt and Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuges, 
Mississippi; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Theodore Roosevelt and Holt 
Collier National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in Sharkey and Washington 
Counties, Mississippi, for public review and comment. In this Draft 
CCP/EA, we describe the alternative proposed to manage these refuges 
for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by April 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the Draft CCP/EA by contacting 
Justin Sexton, Refuge Manager, by mail at Yazoo National Wildlife 
Refuge, 595 Yazoo Refuge Rd., Hollandale, MS 38748, or by phone at 
(662) 839-2638. Alternatively, you may download the document from our 
Internet Site at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning under ``Draft 
Documents.'' Comments on the Draft CCP/EA may be submitted to the above 
postal address or by email to Justin Sexton at Justin_Sexton@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Sexton, (662) 839-2638 (phone) 
or Justin_Sexton@fws.gov (email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process, which started 
through a notice in the Federal Register on July 30, 2013 (78 FR 
18231). For more about the refuges and our CCP process, please see that 
notice.
    The refuges are located in Central Mississippi. They are two of 
seven refuges in the Theodore Roosevelt NWR Complex. The two refuges 
were established for conservation purposes. The enacting legislation 
for both refuges is section 145 of Public Law 108-199, the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act of 2004. This Act renamed The Bogue Phalia Unit of 
Yazoo NWR as Holt Collier NWR. This is the first NWR to be named in 
honor of an African American historical legend and famed hunting guide 
to President Roosevelt. Legislative authority for Holt Collier NWR 
therefore also comes from the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, which 
established Yazoo NWR.
    Holt Collier NWR consists of approximately 2,233 acres of Farm 
Service Agency lands in Washington County, and it is located 5 miles 
east of Hollandale in the Darlove area. Its approved acquisition 
boundary is 18,000 acres. The refuge is open year-round for wildlife-
related activities such as hunting, wildlife observation, and nature 
photography. The refuge habitat is former agricultural lands, most of 
which, in the past 15 years, have been reforested to bottomland 
hardwood.
    Theodore Roosevelt NWR is located in Sharkey County south of Cary, 
Mississippi. Congress authorized 6,600 acres to be acquired through 
donation and land exchange. To date 1,674 acres have been established 
in fee title. The habitat consists mainly of converted, agricultural 
lands now reforested to trees more indicative of the native bottomland 
hardwood forest. Farmlands and open water also occur. The refuge is not 
open to the public. There are no public facilities located on either 
refuge.

Background

The CCP Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System Improvement Act of 1997 
(Improvement Act) requires us to develop a CCP for each national 
wildlife refuge. CCPs are developed to provide refuge managers with a 
15-year plan for achieving refuges' purposes and contributing toward 
the mission of the NWR System, consistent with sound principles of fish 
and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our 
policies. CCPs describe a broad management direction for conserving 
wildlife and their habitats. They propose wildlife-dependent 
recreational opportunities to be made available to the public. These 
include opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, 
wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation. 
We will review the CCP annually and revise it as needed in accordance 
with the Improvement Act.
    Priority resource issues addressed in the Draft CCP/EA include: 
Fish and Wildlife Populations, Habitat Management, Resource Protection, 
Visitor Services, and Refuge Administration. See Chapter III in the 
Draft CCP for a full description.

CCP Alternatives, Including Our Proposed Alternative (B)

    We developed three alternatives for managing the refuge 
(Alternatives A, B, and C), with Alternative B as our proposed 
alternative. A full description of each alternative is in the CCP 
(Chapter IV) and Chapters III and IV of the EA. We summarize each 
alternative below.

Alternative A: Current Management (No Action)

    Alternative A continues the refuges' limited management activities 
and programs at levels similar to the current and past few years of 
management. Theodore Roosevelt NWR would remain

[[Page 13421]]

closed until a sufficient land area is accumulated to accommodate 
public use.
    We would continue to approve and support Special Use Permits to 
outside agencies to conduct research on the refuges. While there is no 
active research or management for listed species that may occur on the 
refuges, the Service supports State research efforts for the Louisiana 
black bear. Waterfowl are the priority species for management on the 
Complex. Both refuges have a passive role in providing sanctuary for 
waterfowl. Native wildlife species benefit from waterfowl and timber 
management on the Complex. At Holt Collier NWR, hunting programs aim to 
manage white-tailed deer and there are partnerships for healthy herd 
efforts and studies.
    The refuges' primary mission is to provide sanctuary for wildlife, 
particularly migratory birds (waterfowl). Major reforestation efforts 
in recent decades returned converted agricultural lands to bottomland 
hardwood forest. The Service would continue to acquire lands to grow 
the refuges. There is no active management of forest or water 
resources. Invasive species such as feral swine would be controlled, 
and grant opportunities and partnerships would be pursued to fund and/
or conduct trapping.
    Efforts to promote visitor safety, protect resources, and ensure 
public compliance with refuge regulations would continue as a 
collateral duty of one law enforcement officer for three refuges. 
Complex personnel also provide safety and refuge regulation 
information. A law enforcement step-down plan is under development for 
the Complex. In keeping with the Service's responsibilities under 
cultural and historic preservation laws, cultural resource protection 
is addressed in refuge operations.
    The Delta area is known for its cultural history, and these refuges 
were created to honor and promote it. The Consolidated Appropriations 
Act of 2004 established the refuges and appropriated funds for an 
environmental education and interpretive center. The Congressional 
sponsors of the Act intended for it to be named for Holt Collier, a 
historic figure of the area. The Service would incorporate the 
environmental education and interpretive facilities within a Visitor 
Center for the Complex located at Theodore Roosevelt NWR. Efforts would 
continue to identify a site for the Visitor Center to showcase the 
Delta's rich cultural heritage. At present the Complex provides 
information and interpretation via its and each refuge's Web sites and 
by staffing events or public talks. There are no volunteer or Friends 
programs to provide a base of support for staff assistance.
    Access to both refuges is via State roads and highways that pass 
through the refuges. Wildlife viewing opportunities for both refuges 
are limited. Theodore Roosevelt NWR is closed to public use, and Holt 
Collier NWR has limited public use, mainly hunting. The only facility 
on either refuge is the hunter information station at Holt Collier NWR. 
When Theodore Roosevelt NWR has acquired enough land to support public 
use, it would be opened to wildlife-dependent public uses including 
hunting and fishing. No funding would be sought for positions to 
further manage the refuges.

Alternative B: Minimally Developed Refuges

    As these are newer refuges authorized by Congress in 2004, the 
focus of this plan is to develop them. Congress established the refuges 
with a mandate to expand them to their designated land acreages. 
Therefore, our efforts over the next 15 years will be focused on land 
acquisition to build-out the refuges to their approved acquisition 
boundaries. Passive habitat protection and the addition of new resource 
lands beneficial to wildlife will help preserve habitat in perpetuity 
and to lessen fragmentation. This plan has the objective of providing 
sanctuary to migratory species as a group, not just priority waterfowl 
species. White-tailed deer management would continue through the Holt 
Collier NWR hunt program and eventually at Theodore Roosevelt NWR. 
Integrated damage control of invasive and nuisance species would lessen 
the negative effects on the refuges' habitats.
    Another primary focus of the plan is to create a visitor services 
program to enhance environmental education and outreach efforts 
substantially and to reach larger numbers of residents, students, 
educators, and visitors. It places priority on wildlife-dependent uses, 
such as hunting, fishing and wildlife observation. The details of these 
allowable uses are specified in appropriate use and compatibility 
determinations (Appendices E and F).
    Priority public uses, such as hunting, are allowed at Holt Collier 
NWR. At a time when sufficient land is amassed to allow for ample 
public use opportunities, Theodore Roosevelt NWR would be opened to 
hunting. Public use would be phased into both refuges. Compatibility 
determinations are updated and proposed for the priority public uses 
and for research and monitoring. For both refuges, some commercial uses 
would be allowed under a Commercial Special Use Permit, including 
commercial photography, firewood gathering, timber harvest for forest 
management, and trapping.
    The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 appropriated funds for 
a Visitor Center to provide visitor services and to promote the Delta 
area's natural resources and cultural heritage. A major focus of this 
plan and Service efforts will be to site, build, and staff the Visitor 
Center. Key interpretive messages would focus on natural resources 
(e.g., Louisiana black bear) and cultural heritage and would reach a 
broader audience and geographic area. Currently the Service is working 
on accepting a 5-acre land donation and purchasing the adjacent 20 
acres to serve as the site for the Visitor Center. All preliminary, 
site-suitability work has been completed. Once a location is secured 
for the Visitor Center, regular Service procedures would be followed 
for site and building design and construction. Staffing is proposed to 
run the Visitor Center, to provide environmental and interpretive 
programs, and to coordinate volunteers.
    This CCP assumes a modest growth of refuge resources over its 15-
year implementation period. This plan proposes to staff the refuges 
with three new positions as new funding is available. Current 
partnerships would be maintained and new ones would be sought. Daily 
operation of the refuges will be guided by this CCP and through the 
implementation of nine projects and six step-down management plans as 
detailed in Chapter V, Plan Implementation.
    The goals, objectives, and strategies presented are the Service's 
responses to the issues, concerns, and needs expressed by the planning 
team, refuge partners, and the public. They reflect the Service's 
commitment to achieve the mandates of the Improvement Act, the mission 
of the Refuge System, and the purposes and vision of the refuges. 
Assuming adequate resources are provided through Congressional budget 
and grant funding, the Service aims to accomplish these goals, 
objectives, and strategies within the next 15 years.

Alternative C: Optional Alternative

    Like Alternative B, Alternative C presents a management scenario in 
which the newer refuges are minimally developed to allow for basic 
natural resource management, for the promotion of cultural heritage, 
and for wildlife-dependent public use. It also provides for modest 
staffing and management capability, adding three positions to the

[[Page 13422]]

three identified in Alternative B. Whereas the facilities for public 
use will mainly be off site and associated with the administrative 
Visitors Center site for both Alternatives A and B, Alternative C adds 
facilities to the refuges proper to provide for basic visitor use and 
to promote wildlife-dependent recreation, mainly fishing and wildlife 
observation and photography. The refuges would add a maintenance 
compound on each refuge and visitor services facilities to promote 
access and use. These include adding a system of trails for each refuge 
and providing fishing access via a primitive boat launch at Coon Bayou. 
To enhance wildlife viewing, a photography observation platform and/or 
photo blinds would be constructed at each refuge.
    The Service would expand its survey and monitoring of priority 
species as proposed in Alternative B to obtain baseline data for native 
species, none of which have been inventoried or their presence 
documented (e.g., selected mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and 
invertebrates). Also, active habitat management (e.g., cooperative 
farming, moist soil management) could occur. Nuisance animal control 
and invasive plant species management would continue as described in 
Alternative B and conducted opportunistically.
    Alternative C includes adding the positions proposed in Alternative 
B plus three others: A Federal Wildlife Officer position, a Visitor 
Services Specialist, and an office/administrative assistant or clerk 
position, which, among administrative duties, would serve as a 
receptionist at the Visitor Center. With additional staffing, the 
Visitor Center could be open more hours.

Next Step

    After the comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and 
address them.

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.

Authority

    This notice is published under the authority of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et 
seq.).

    Dated: January 5, 2015.
Mike Oetker,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-05721 Filed 3-12-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P



                                                  13420                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 49 / Friday, March 13, 2015 / Notices

                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:         Kyle           availability of a Draft Comprehensive                 which, in the past 15 years, have been
                                                  Hensley, (503) 808–6132, Branch of                      Conservation Plan and Environmental                   reforested to bottomland hardwood.
                                                  Geographic Sciences, Bureau of Land                     Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for                            Theodore Roosevelt NWR is located
                                                  Management, 1220 SW. 3rd Avenue,                        Theodore Roosevelt and Holt Collier                   in Sharkey County south of Cary,
                                                  Portland, Oregon 97204. Persons who                     National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in                   Mississippi. Congress authorized 6,600
                                                  use a telecommunications device for the                 Sharkey and Washington Counties,                      acres to be acquired through donation
                                                  deaf (TDD) may call the Federal                         Mississippi, for public review and                    and land exchange. To date 1,674 acres
                                                  Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–                  comment. In this Draft CCP/EA, we                     have been established in fee title. The
                                                  800–877–8339 to contact the above                       describe the alternative proposed to                  habitat consists mainly of converted,
                                                  individual during normal business                       manage these refuges for the 15 years                 agricultural lands now reforested to
                                                  hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a                 following approval of the final CCP.                  trees more indicative of the native
                                                  day, 7 days a week, to leave a message                  DATES: To ensure consideration, we                    bottomland hardwood forest. Farmlands
                                                  or question with the above individual.                  must receive your written comments by                 and open water also occur. The refuge
                                                  You will receive a reply during normal                  April 13, 2015.                                       is not open to the public. There are no
                                                  business hours.                                         ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of                   public facilities located on either refuge.
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A person                     the Draft CCP/EA by contacting Justin                 Background
                                                  or party who wishes to protest against                  Sexton, Refuge Manager, by mail at
                                                  this survey must file a written notice                  Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, 595                   The CCP Process
                                                  with the Oregon State Director, Bureau                  Yazoo Refuge Rd., Hollandale, MS                         The National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
                                                  of Land Management, stating that they                   38748, or by phone at (662) 839–2638.                 System Improvement Act of 1997
                                                  wish to protest. A statement of reasons                 Alternatively, you may download the                   (Improvement Act) requires us to
                                                  for a protest may be filed with the notice              document from our Internet Site at                    develop a CCP for each national wildlife
                                                  of protest and must be filed with the                   http://southeast.fws.gov/planning under               refuge. CCPs are developed to provide
                                                  Oregon State Director within thirty days                ‘‘Draft Documents.’’ Comments on the                  refuge managers with a 15-year plan for
                                                  after the protest is filed. If a protest                Draft CCP/EA may be submitted to the                  achieving refuges’ purposes and
                                                  against the survey is received prior to                 above postal address or by email to                   contributing toward the mission of the
                                                  the date of official filing, the filing will            Justin Sexton at Justin_Sexton@fws.gov.               NWR System, consistent with sound
                                                  be stayed pending consideration of the                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      principles of fish and wildlife
                                                  protest. A plat will not be officially filed            Justin Sexton, (662) 839–2638 (phone)                 management, conservation, legal
                                                  until the day after all protests have been              or Justin_Sexton@fws.gov (email).                     mandates, and our policies. CCPs
                                                  dismissed or otherwise resolved. Before                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            describe a broad management direction
                                                  including your address, phone number,                                                                         for conserving wildlife and their
                                                  email address, or other personal                        Introduction                                          habitats. They propose wildlife-
                                                  identifying information in your                            With this notice, we continue the CCP              dependent recreational opportunities to
                                                  comment, you should be aware that                       process, which started through a notice               be made available to the public. These
                                                  your entire comment—including your                      in the Federal Register on July 30, 2013              include opportunities for hunting,
                                                  personal identifying information—may                    (78 FR 18231). For more about the                     fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife
                                                  be made publicly available at any time.                 refuges and our CCP process, please see               photography, and environmental
                                                  While you can ask us in your comment                    that notice.                                          education and interpretation. We will
                                                  to withhold your personal identifying                      The refuges are located in Central                 review the CCP annually and revise it as
                                                  information from public review, we                      Mississippi. They are two of seven                    needed in accordance with the
                                                  cannot guarantee that we will be able to                refuges in the Theodore Roosevelt NWR                 Improvement Act.
                                                  do so.                                                  Complex. The two refuges were                            Priority resource issues addressed in
                                                  Timothy J. Moore,
                                                                                                          established for conservation purposes.                the Draft CCP/EA include: Fish and
                                                                                                          The enacting legislation for both refuges             Wildlife Populations, Habitat
                                                  Acting Chief Cadastral Surveyor of Oregon/
                                                  Washington.
                                                                                                          is section 145 of Public Law 108–199,                 Management, Resource Protection,
                                                                                                          the Consolidated Appropriations Act of                Visitor Services, and Refuge
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–05746 Filed 3–12–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          2004. This Act renamed The Bogue                      Administration. See Chapter III in the
                                                  BILLING CODE 4310–33–P
                                                                                                          Phalia Unit of Yazoo NWR as Holt                      Draft CCP for a full description.
                                                                                                          Collier NWR. This is the first NWR to
                                                                                                          be named in honor of an African                       CCP Alternatives, Including Our
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                                                                                    Proposed Alternative (B)
                                                                                                          American historical legend and famed
                                                  Fish and Wildlife Service                               hunting guide to President Roosevelt.                   We developed three alternatives for
                                                                                                          Legislative authority for Holt Collier                managing the refuge (Alternatives A, B,
                                                  [FWS–R4–R–2014–N152;                                    NWR therefore also comes from the Fish                and C), with Alternative B as our
                                                  FXRS12650400000S3–123–FF04R02000]                       and Wildlife Coordination Act, which                  proposed alternative. A full description
                                                  Theodore Roosevelt and Holt Collier                     established Yazoo NWR.                                of each alternative is in the CCP
                                                                                                             Holt Collier NWR consists of                       (Chapter IV) and Chapters III and IV of
                                                  National Wildlife Refuges, Mississippi;
                                                                                                          approximately 2,233 acres of Farm                     the EA. We summarize each alternative
                                                  Draft Comprehensive Conservation
                                                                                                          Service Agency lands in Washington                    below.
                                                  Plan and Environmental Assessment
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                                                                                                          County, and it is located 5 miles east of
                                                                                                          Hollandale in the Darlove area. Its                   Alternative A: Current Management (No
                                                  AGENCY:    Fish and Wildlife Service,
                                                                                                          approved acquisition boundary is                      Action)
                                                  Interior.
                                                  ACTION:  Notice of availability; request                18,000 acres. The refuge is open year-                  Alternative A continues the refuges’
                                                  for comments.                                           round for wildlife-related activities such            limited management activities and
                                                                                                          as hunting, wildlife observation, and                 programs at levels similar to the current
                                                  SUMMARY:  We, the Fish and Wildlife                     nature photography. The refuge habitat                and past few years of management.
                                                  Service (Service), announce the                         is former agricultural lands, most of                 Theodore Roosevelt NWR would remain


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                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 49 / Friday, March 13, 2015 / Notices                                          13421

                                                  closed until a sufficient land area is                  Web sites and by staffing events or                   monitoring. For both refuges, some
                                                  accumulated to accommodate public                       public talks. There are no volunteer or               commercial uses would be allowed
                                                  use.                                                    Friends programs to provide a base of                 under a Commercial Special Use Permit,
                                                     We would continue to approve and                     support for staff assistance.                         including commercial photography,
                                                  support Special Use Permits to outside                     Access to both refuges is via State                firewood gathering, timber harvest for
                                                  agencies to conduct research on the                     roads and highways that pass through                  forest management, and trapping.
                                                  refuges. While there is no active                       the refuges. Wildlife viewing                            The Consolidated Appropriations Act
                                                  research or management for listed                       opportunities for both refuges are                    of 2004 appropriated funds for a Visitor
                                                  species that may occur on the refuges,                  limited. Theodore Roosevelt NWR is                    Center to provide visitor services and to
                                                  the Service supports State research                     closed to public use, and Holt Collier                promote the Delta area’s natural
                                                  efforts for the Louisiana black bear.                   NWR has limited public use, mainly                    resources and cultural heritage. A major
                                                  Waterfowl are the priority species for                  hunting. The only facility on either                  focus of this plan and Service efforts
                                                  management on the Complex. Both                         refuge is the hunter information station              will be to site, build, and staff the
                                                  refuges have a passive role in providing                at Holt Collier NWR. When Theodore                    Visitor Center. Key interpretive
                                                  sanctuary for waterfowl. Native wildlife                Roosevelt NWR has acquired enough                     messages would focus on natural
                                                  species benefit from waterfowl and                      land to support public use, it would be               resources (e.g., Louisiana black bear)
                                                  timber management on the Complex. At                    opened to wildlife-dependent public                   and cultural heritage and would reach a
                                                  Holt Collier NWR, hunting programs                      uses including hunting and fishing. No                broader audience and geographic area.
                                                  aim to manage white-tailed deer and                     funding would be sought for positions                 Currently the Service is working on
                                                  there are partnerships for healthy herd                 to further manage the refuges.                        accepting a 5-acre land donation and
                                                  efforts and studies.                                                                                          purchasing the adjacent 20 acres to
                                                     The refuges’ primary mission is to                   Alternative B: Minimally Developed
                                                                                                                                                                serve as the site for the Visitor Center.
                                                  provide sanctuary for wildlife,                         Refuges
                                                                                                                                                                All preliminary, site-suitability work
                                                  particularly migratory birds (waterfowl).                  As these are newer refuges authorized              has been completed. Once a location is
                                                  Major reforestation efforts in recent                   by Congress in 2004, the focus of this                secured for the Visitor Center, regular
                                                  decades returned converted agricultural                 plan is to develop them. Congress                     Service procedures would be followed
                                                  lands to bottomland hardwood forest.                    established the refuges with a mandate                for site and building design and
                                                  The Service would continue to acquire                   to expand them to their designated land               construction. Staffing is proposed to run
                                                  lands to grow the refuges. There is no                  acreages. Therefore, our efforts over the             the Visitor Center, to provide
                                                  active management of forest or water                    next 15 years will be focused on land                 environmental and interpretive
                                                  resources. Invasive species such as feral               acquisition to build-out the refuges to               programs, and to coordinate volunteers.
                                                  swine would be controlled, and grant                    their approved acquisition boundaries.                   This CCP assumes a modest growth of
                                                  opportunities and partnerships would                    Passive habitat protection and the                    refuge resources over its 15-year
                                                  be pursued to fund and/or conduct                       addition of new resource lands                        implementation period. This plan
                                                  trapping.                                               beneficial to wildlife will help preserve             proposes to staff the refuges with three
                                                     Efforts to promote visitor safety,                   habitat in perpetuity and to lessen                   new positions as new funding is
                                                  protect resources, and ensure public                    fragmentation. This plan has the                      available. Current partnerships would
                                                  compliance with refuge regulations                      objective of providing sanctuary to                   be maintained and new ones would be
                                                  would continue as a collateral duty of                  migratory species as a group, not just                sought. Daily operation of the refuges
                                                  one law enforcement officer for three                   priority waterfowl species. White-tailed              will be guided by this CCP and through
                                                  refuges. Complex personnel also                         deer management would continue                        the implementation of nine projects and
                                                  provide safety and refuge regulation                    through the Holt Collier NWR hunt                     six step-down management plans as
                                                  information. A law enforcement step-                    program and eventually at Theodore                    detailed in Chapter V, Plan
                                                  down plan is under development for the                  Roosevelt NWR. Integrated damage                      Implementation.
                                                  Complex. In keeping with the Service’s                  control of invasive and nuisance species                 The goals, objectives, and strategies
                                                  responsibilities under cultural and                     would lessen the negative effects on the              presented are the Service’s responses to
                                                  historic preservation laws, cultural                    refuges’ habitats.                                    the issues, concerns, and needs
                                                  resource protection is addressed in                        Another primary focus of the plan is               expressed by the planning team, refuge
                                                  refuge operations.                                      to create a visitor services program to               partners, and the public. They reflect
                                                     The Delta area is known for its                      enhance environmental education and                   the Service’s commitment to achieve the
                                                  cultural history, and these refuges were                outreach efforts substantially and to                 mandates of the Improvement Act, the
                                                  created to honor and promote it. The                    reach larger numbers of residents,                    mission of the Refuge System, and the
                                                  Consolidated Appropriations Act of                      students, educators, and visitors. It                 purposes and vision of the refuges.
                                                  2004 established the refuges and                        places priority on wildlife-dependent                 Assuming adequate resources are
                                                  appropriated funds for an                               uses, such as hunting, fishing and                    provided through Congressional budget
                                                  environmental education and                             wildlife observation. The details of                  and grant funding, the Service aims to
                                                  interpretive center. The Congressional                  these allowable uses are specified in                 accomplish these goals, objectives, and
                                                  sponsors of the Act intended for it to be               appropriate use and compatibility                     strategies within the next 15 years.
                                                  named for Holt Collier, a historic figure               determinations (Appendices E and F).
                                                  of the area. The Service would                             Priority public uses, such as hunting,             Alternative C: Optional Alternative
                                                  incorporate the environmental                           are allowed at Holt Collier NWR. At a                   Like Alternative B, Alternative C
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                                                  education and interpretive facilities                   time when sufficient land is amassed to               presents a management scenario in
                                                  within a Visitor Center for the Complex                 allow for ample public use                            which the newer refuges are minimally
                                                  located at Theodore Roosevelt NWR.                      opportunities, Theodore Roosevelt NWR                 developed to allow for basic natural
                                                  Efforts would continue to identify a site               would be opened to hunting. Public use                resource management, for the promotion
                                                  for the Visitor Center to showcase the                  would be phased into both refuges.                    of cultural heritage, and for wildlife-
                                                  Delta’s rich cultural heritage. At present              Compatibility determinations are                      dependent public use. It also provides
                                                  the Complex provides information and                    updated and proposed for the priority                 for modest staffing and management
                                                  interpretation via its and each refuge’s                public uses and for research and                      capability, adding three positions to the


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                                                  13422                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 49 / Friday, March 13, 2015 / Notices

                                                  three identified in Alternative B.                      Refuge System Improvement Act of                      your entire comment—including your
                                                  Whereas the facilities for public use will              1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.).                       personal identifying information—may
                                                  mainly be off site and associated with                   Dated: January 5, 2015.                              be made publicly available at any time.
                                                  the administrative Visitors Center site                 Mike Oetker,                                          While you can ask us in your comment
                                                  for both Alternatives A and B,                          Acting Regional Director.
                                                                                                                                                                to withhold your personal identifying
                                                  Alternative C adds facilities to the                                                                          information from public review, we
                                                                                                          [FR Doc. 2015–05721 Filed 3–12–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  refuges proper to provide for basic                                                                           cannot guarantee that we will be able to
                                                                                                          BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
                                                  visitor use and to promote wildlife-                                                                          do so.
                                                  dependent recreation, mainly fishing                                                                          Mount Diablo Meridian, California
                                                  and wildlife observation and                            DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                  photography. The refuges would add a                                                                          T. 32 S., R. 16 E., dependent resurvey and
                                                                                                                                                                    subdivision, accepted February 12, 2015.
                                                  maintenance compound on each refuge                     Bureau of Land Management                             T. 39 N., R. 14 E., dependent resurvey and
                                                  and visitor services facilities to promote                                                                        subdivision, accepted February 12, 2015.
                                                  access and use. These include adding a                  [LLCA942000 L57000000.BX0000 14X
                                                                                                          L5017AR]                                              San Bernardino Meridian, California
                                                  system of trails for each refuge and
                                                  providing fishing access via a primitive                                                                      T. 7 S., R. 13 E., addendum plat of section
                                                                                                          Filing of Plats of Survey: California
                                                  boat launch at Coon Bayou. To enhance                                                                              21, accepted February 12, 2015.
                                                  wildlife viewing, a photography                         AGENCY:   Bureau of Land Management,                  T. 7 S., R. 13 E., addendum plat of section
                                                  observation platform and/or photo                       Interior.                                                  13, accepted February 12, 2015.
                                                  blinds would be constructed at each                     ACTION: Notice.                                         Authority: 43 U.S.C., Chapter 3.
                                                  refuge.                                                                                                         Dated: March 5, 2015.
                                                                                                          SUMMARY:     The plats of survey of lands
                                                    The Service would expand its survey                                                                         Lance J. Bishop,
                                                                                                          described below are scheduled to be
                                                  and monitoring of priority species as                   officially filed in the Bureau of Land                Chief Cadastral Surveyor, California.
                                                  proposed in Alternative B to obtain                     Management, California State Office,                  [FR Doc. 2015–05785 Filed 3–12–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  baseline data for native species, none of               Sacramento, California.                               BILLING CODE 4310–40–P
                                                  which have been inventoried or their
                                                                                                          DATES: April 13, 2015.
                                                  presence documented (e.g., selected
                                                  mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and                 ADDRESSES: A copy of the plats may be
                                                  invertebrates). Also, active habitat                    obtained from the California State                    DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
                                                  management (e.g., cooperative farming,                  Office, Bureau of Land Management,
                                                  moist soil management) could occur.                     2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento,                         Antitrust Division
                                                  Nuisance animal control and invasive                    California 95825, upon required
                                                                                                          payment.                                              Notice Pursuant to the National
                                                  plant species management would
                                                                                                                                                                Cooperative Research and Production
                                                  continue as described in Alternative B                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                                Act of 1993; Pistoia Alliance, Inc.
                                                  and conducted opportunistically.                        Chief, Branch of Geographic Services,
                                                    Alternative C includes adding the                     Bureau of Land Management, California                    Notice is hereby given that, on
                                                  positions proposed in Alternative B plus                State Office, 2800 Cottage Way W–1623,                February 12, 2015, pursuant to Section
                                                  three others: A Federal Wildlife Officer                Sacramento, California 95825, (916)                   6(a) of the National Cooperative
                                                  position, a Visitor Services Specialist,                978–4310. Persons who use a                           Research and Production Act of 1993,
                                                  and an office/administrative assistant or               telecommunications device for the deaf                15 U.S.C. 4301 et seq. (‘‘the Act’’),
                                                  clerk position, which, among                            (TDD) may call the Federal Information                Pistoia Alliance, Inc. has filed written
                                                  administrative duties, would serve as a                 Relay Service (FIRS) at 1 (800) 877–8339              notifications simultaneously with the
                                                  receptionist at the Visitor Center. With                to contact the above individual during                Attorney General and the Federal Trade
                                                  additional staffing, the Visitor Center                 normal business hours. The FIRS is                    Commission disclosing changes in its
                                                  could be open more hours.                               available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,              membership. The notifications were
                                                                                                          to leave a message or question with the               filed for the purpose of extending the
                                                  Next Step                                               above individual. You will receive a                  Act’s provisions limiting the recovery of
                                                    After the comment period ends, we                     reply during normal business hours.                   antitrust plaintiffs to actual damages
                                                  will analyze the comments and address                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A person                   under specified circumstances.
                                                  them.                                                   or party who wishes to protest a survey               Specifically, Amgen, Thousand Oaks,
                                                                                                          must file a notice that they wish to                  CA; quattro research GmbH, Munich,
                                                  Public Availability of Comments
                                                                                                          protest with the Chief, Branch of                     GERMANY; Cambridgene, Cambridge,
                                                    Before including your address, phone                  Geographic Services. A statement of                   Cambridgeshire, UNITED KINGDOM;
                                                  number, email address, or other                         reasons for a protest may be filed with               Dotmatics Limited, Bishop Stortford,
                                                  personal identifying information in your                the notice of protest and must be filed               Hertfordshire, UNITED KINGDOM; Paul
                                                  comment, you should be aware that                       with the Chief, Branch of Geographic                  Willer (individual member), Sudbury,
                                                  your entire comment—including your                      Services within thirty days after the                 Suffolk, UNITED KINGDOM; H.
                                                  personal identifying information—may                    protest is filed. If a protest against the            Lundbeck A/S, Valby, DENMARK; and
                                                  be made publicly available at any time.                 survey is received prior to the date of               Jeeva Informatics Solutions, Derwood,
                                                  While you can ask us in your comment                    official filing, the filing will be stayed            MD, have been added as parties to this
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  to withhold your personal identifying                   pending consideration of the protest. A               venture.
                                                  information from public review, we                      plat will not be officially filed until the              Also, ChemITment, Amston, CT;
                                                  cannot guarantee that we will be able to                day after all protests have been                      Progenus, Namur, BELGIUM; Answer
                                                  do so.                                                  dismissed or otherwise resolved. Before               Consulting, Woking, UNITED
                                                                                                          including your address, phone number,                 KINGDOM; IrisNote, Inc., Columbus,
                                                  Authority
                                                                                                          email address, or other personal                      OH; Blue Reference, Inc., Bend, OR; and
                                                    This notice is published under the                    identifying information in your                       Ingrid Akerblom, Lansdale, PA, have
                                                  authority of the National Wildlife                      comment, you should be aware that                     withdrawn as parties to this venture.


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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:41:43
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:41:43
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability; request for comments.
DatesTo ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by April 13, 2015.
ContactJustin Sexton, (662) 839-2638 (phone) or [email protected] (email).
FR Citation80 FR 13420 

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