80 FR 15249 - Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Bayfield County, Wisconsin; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 55 (March 23, 2015)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 55 (March 23, 2015)
| Page Range | 15249-15250 | |
| FR Document | 2015-06577 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 15249-15250] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-06577] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R3-R-2015-N032; FXRS1265030000-156-FF03R06000] Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Bayfield County, Wisconsin; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for the Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, NWR) for public review and comment. In this draft CCP/EA we describe how we propose to manage the Refuge for the next 15 years. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by April 22, 2015. We will hold an open house-style meeting during the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft plan. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of opportunities for input. ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include ``Whittlesey Creek Draft CCP/EA'' in the subject line of the message. Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, Whittlesey Creek NWR, 715- 685-2680. U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, Whittlesey Creek NWR, Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, 29270 County Highway G, Ashland, WI 54806. In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during regular business hours at the above addresses. You will find the draft CCP/EA, as well as information about the planning process and a summary of the CCP, on the planning Web site at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/whittleseycreek/index.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Kerr, 715-246-7784. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, which we began by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (78 FR 3909) on January 17, 2013. For more about the initial process and the history of this Refuge, see that notice. Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), requires us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife- dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act. Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for each refuge within the NWRS mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with each refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS. Additional Information The draft CCP/EA may be found at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/whittleseycreek/index.html. That document incorporates an EA, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The draft CCP/EA includes detailed information about the planning process, refuge, issues, and management alternatives considered and proposed. The EA includes discussions of four alternative refuge management options. The Service's preferred alternative is reflected in the draft CCP. [[Page 15250]] The alternatives analyzed in detail include: Alternative A: Current Management (No Action)--This alternative reflects the current management direction of Whittlesey Creek NWR. It provides the baseline against which to compare other alternatives. For NEPA purposes, this is referred to as the ``No Action'' alternative. Alternative B: Refuge and Watershed Restoration; Maintain Visitor Center Partnership (Preferred Alternative)--Under this alternative, prioritized focus areas for habitat restoration would be developed for the watershed and the Refuge using data from sediment and hydrology models. The quantity and quality of habitat for native brook trout and migratory waterfowl and shorebirds would increase. Stream and floodplain hydrology would better emulate natural seasonal and long- term variability. Current Service participation in the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (NGLVC) would continue; Refuge staff would participate in NGLVC programs that align with the NWRS mission and Refuge purposes. Alternative C: Watershed Restoration; Expand Visitor Center Partnership--Under this alternative, habitat restoration would focus on reducing sedimentation and flood peaks in the Whittlesey Creek watershed. The quantity and quality of habitat for native brook trout would increase and stream hydrology would better emulate natural seasonal and long-term variability. Service participation in the NGLVC would increase, and Refuge visitor services activities would focus on NGLVC programs and special events. Alternative D: Refuge Restoration; Reduce Visitor Center Partnership--Under this alternative, habitat restoration would focus on floodplain forest, wetlands, and streams within the Refuge boundary. The quality of habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds would improve and floodplain hydrology would better emulate seasonal and long-term variability. Service participation in the NGLVC would decrease; Refuge staff and visitor services activities would move off site. Public Involvement We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public meeting. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments anytime during the comment period. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Charles M. Wooley, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2015-06577 Filed 3-20-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2015 / Notices 15249
(Zapus hudsonius luteus) in Colorado to DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Federal Register (78 FR 3909) on
identify and avoid occupied habitat January 17, 2013. For more about the
during land reclamation activities for Fish and Wildlife Service initial process and the history of this
the purpose of enhancing the species’ [FWS–R3–R–2015–N032; FXRS1265030000– Refuge, see that notice.
survival. 156–FF03R06000] Background
Permit Application Number TE56902B Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife The National Wildlife Refuge System
Applicant: Bureau of Reclamation, Refuge, Bayfield County, Wisconsin; Administration Act of 1966, as amended
Draft Comprehensive Conservation by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Denver, CO.
Plan and Environmental Assessment Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C.
The applicant requests a permit to 668dd–668ee) (Administration Act),
conduct presence/absence surveys for AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, requires us to develop a CCP for each
Interior. national wildlife refuge. The purpose in
pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)
in the Yellowstone River of Montana to ACTION: Notice of availability; request developing a CCP is to provide refuge
develop a baseline analysis of occupied for comments. managers with a 15-year strategy for
habitat. These data will assist in the achieving refuge purposes and
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
evaluation of the effectiveness of a contributing toward the mission of the
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
proposed fish bypass structure. The National Wildlife Refuge System
availability of a draft comprehensive
proposed structure will provide passage (NWRS), consistent with sound
conservation plan (CCP) and
of pallid sturgeon and other native principles of fish and wildlife
environmental assessment (EA) for the
fishes around current impediments management, conservation, legal
Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife
constructed in 1907 for the purpose of mandates, and Service policies. In
Refuge (Refuge, NWR) for public review
addition to outlining broad management
enhancing the species’ survival. and comment. In this draft CCP/EA we
direction on conserving wildlife and
describe how we propose to manage the
National Environmental Policy Act their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
Refuge for the next 15 years.
dependent recreational opportunities
In compliance with the National DATES: To ensure consideration, we available to the public, including
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. must receive your written comments by opportunities for hunting, fishing,
4321 et seq.), we have made an initial April 22, 2015. We will hold an open wildlife observation and photography,
determination that the proposed house-style meeting during the and environmental education and
activities in these permits are comment period to receive comments interpretation. We will review and
categorically excluded from the and provide information on the draft update the CCP at least every 15 years
requirement to prepare an plan. In addition, we will use special in accordance with the Administration
environmental assessment or mailings, newspaper articles, Internet Act.
environmental impact statement (516 postings, and other media Each unit of the NWRS was
DM 6 Appendix 1, 1.4C(1)). announcements to inform people of established for specific purposes. We
opportunities for input. use these purposes as the foundation for
Public Availability of Comments ADDRESSES: Send your comments or developing and prioritizing the
requests for more information by any of management goals and objectives for
All comments and materials we
the following methods: each refuge within the NWRS mission,
receive in response to these requests • Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include
will be available for public inspection, and to determine how the public can
‘‘Whittlesey Creek Draft CCP/EA’’ in the use each refuge. The planning process is
by appointment, during normal business subject line of the message. a way for us and the public to evaluate
hours at the address listed in the • Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, management goals and objectives that
ADDRESSES section of this notice. Whittlesey Creek NWR, 715–685–2680. will ensure the best possible approach
Before including your address, phone • U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge to wildlife, plant, and habitat
number, email address, or other Manager, Whittlesey Creek NWR, conservation, while providing for
personal identifying information in your Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, wildlife-dependent recreation
comment, you should be aware that 29270 County Highway G, Ashland, WI opportunities that are compatible with
your entire comment—including your 54806. each refuge’s establishing purposes and
personal identifying information—may • In-Person Drop Off: You may drop the mission of the NWRS.
be made publicly available at any time. off comments during regular business
hours at the above addresses. Additional Information
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying You will find the draft CCP/EA, as The draft CCP/EA may be found at
information from public review, we well as information about the planning http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/
process and a summary of the CCP, on whittleseycreek/index.html. That
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
the planning Web site at http:// document incorporates an EA, prepared
do so.
www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/ in accordance with the National
Authority whittleseycreek/index.html. Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The draft CCP/EA
We provide this notice under section Kerr, 715–246–7784.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
includes detailed information about the
10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). planning process, refuge, issues, and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Michael G. Thabault, management alternatives considered
Introduction and proposed. The EA includes
Assistant Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie
Region. With this notice, we continue the CCP discussions of four alternative refuge
[FR Doc. 2015–06521 Filed 3–20–15; 8:45 am]
process for Whittlesey Creek National management options. The Service’s
Wildlife Refuge, which we began by preferred alternative is reflected in the
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
publishing a notice of intent in the draft CCP.
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![15250 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2015 / Notices
The alternatives analyzed in detail Public Availability of Comments to contact the above individual during
include: Before including your address, phone normal business hours. The FIRS is
• Alternative A: Current Management number, email address, or other available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
(No Action)—This alternative reflects personal identifying information in your to leave a message or question with the
the current management direction of comment, you should be aware that above individual. You will receive a
Whittlesey Creek NWR. It provides the your entire comment—including your reply during normal business hours.
baseline against which to compare other personal identifying information—may SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wild
alternatives. For NEPA purposes, this is be made publicly available at any time. Horse and Burro Advisory Board
referred to as the ‘‘No Action’’ While you can ask us in your comment advises the Secretary of the Interior, the
alternative. to withhold your personal identifying BLM Director, the Secretary of
information from public review, we Agriculture, and the Chief of the Forest
• Alternative B: Refuge and
cannot guarantee that we will be able to Service on matters pertaining to the
Watershed Restoration; Maintain Visitor
do so. management and protection of wild,
Center Partnership (Preferred
free-roaming horses and burros on the
Alternative)—Under this alternative, Charles M. Wooley, Nation’s public lands. The Wild Horse
prioritized focus areas for habitat Acting Regional Director. and Burro Advisory Board operates
restoration would be developed for the [FR Doc. 2015–06577 Filed 3–20–15; 8:45 am] under the authority of 43 CFR 1784. The
watershed and the Refuge using data BILLING CODE 4310–55–P tentative agenda for the meeting is:
from sediment and hydrology models.
The quantity and quality of habitat for I. Advisory Board Public Meeting
native brook trout and migratory DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Wednesday, April 22, 2015 (8:00 a.m.–
waterfowl and shorebirds would 5:00 p.m.)
increase. Stream and floodplain Bureau of Land Management
hydrology would better emulate natural 8:00 a.m. Welcome, Introductions, and
[LLWO260000.L10600000.PC0000.
seasonal and long-term variability. Agenda Review
LXSIADVSBD00]
Current Service participation in the 8:50 a.m. Approval of August 2014
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Notice of Wild Horse and Burro Minutes
(NGLVC) would continue; Refuge staff Advisory Board Meeting 9:10 a.m. BLM Response to Advisory
would participate in NGLVC programs Board Recommendations
that align with the NWRS mission and AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 9:30 a.m. Wild Horse and Burro
Refuge purposes. Interior. Program Update
ACTION: Notice.
• Alternative C: Watershed 12:00 p.m. Lunch
Restoration; Expand Visitor Center SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land 1:15 p.m. Program Update continued
Partnership—Under this alternative, Management (BLM) announces that the 3:00 p.m. Public Comment Period
habitat restoration would focus on Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board Begins
reducing sedimentation and flood peaks will conduct a meeting on matters 4:30 p.m. Public Comment Period
in the Whittlesey Creek watershed. The pertaining to management and Ends
quantity and quality of habitat for native protection of wild, free-roaming horses 5:00 p.m. Adjourn
brook trout would increase and stream and burros on the Nation’s public lands.
hydrology would better emulate natural Thursday, April 23, 2015 (8:00 a.m.–
DATES: The Advisory Board will meet on 5:00 p.m.)
seasonal and long-term variability. Wednesday April 22, 2015, from 8 a.m.
Service participation in the NGLVC to 5 p.m. Eastern Time and Thursday 8:00 a.m. Program Update continued
would increase, and Refuge visitor April 23, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 12:00 p.m. Lunch
services activities would focus on p.m. Eastern Time. This will be a two 1:15 p.m. Working Group Reports
NGLVC programs and special events. day meeting. 2:45 p.m. Advisory Board Discussion
• Alternative D: Refuge Restoration; ADDRESSES: This Advisory Board and Recommendations to the BLM
Reduce Visitor Center Partnership— meeting will take place in Columbus, 5:00 p.m. Adjourn
Under this alternative, habitat Ohio at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, The meeting site is accessible to
restoration would focus on floodplain 350 North High Street, Columbus, OH individuals with disabilities. An
forest, wetlands, and streams within the 43215, telephone 614–463–1234. individual with a disability needing an
Refuge boundary. The quality of habitat Written comments pertaining to the auxiliary aid or service to participate in
for waterfowl and shorebirds would April 22–23, 2015, Advisory Board the meeting, such as an interpreting
improve and floodplain hydrology meeting can be mailed to National Wild service, assistive listening device, or
would better emulate seasonal and long- Horse and Burro Program,WO–260, materials in an alternate format, must
term variability. Service participation in Attention: Ramona DeLorme, 1340 notify Ms. DeLorme two weeks before
the NGLVC would decrease; Refuge staff Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89502– the scheduled meeting date. Although
and visitor services activities would 7147, or sent electronically to the BLM will attempt to meet a request
move off site. wildhorse@blm.gov. Please include received after that date, the requested
Public Involvement ‘‘Advisory Board Comment’’ in the auxiliary aid or service may not be
subject line of the email. available because of insufficient time to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
We will give the public an FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: arrange for it.
opportunity to provide input at a public Ramona DeLorme, Wild Horse and The Federal Advisory Committee
meeting. You can obtain the schedule Burro Administrative Assistant, at 775– Management Regulations at 41 CFR
from the address or Web site listed in 861–6583. Persons who use a 101–6.1015(b), requires BLM to publish
this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may telecommunications device for the deaf in the Federal Register notice of a
also submit comments anytime during (TDD) may call the Federal Information public meeting 15 days prior to the
the comment period. Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 meeting date.
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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:47:37
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:47:37
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability; request for comments. | |
| Dates | To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by April 22, 2015. We will hold an open house-style meeting during the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft plan. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of opportunities for input. | |
| Contact | Tom Kerr, 715-246-7784. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 15249 |
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