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)

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.

[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]


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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.

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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