80 FR 54799 - Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge, Accomack County, Virginia; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 176 (September 11, 2015)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 176 (September 11, 2015)
| Page Range | 54799-54800 | |
| FR Document | 2015-21925 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 176 (Friday, September 11, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 54799-54800] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-21925] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R5-R-2015-N090;BAC-4311-K9-S3] Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge, Accomack County, Virginia; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; final comprehensive conservation plan and environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability for review of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental impact statement (EIS) for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (NWR, refuge) and Wallops Island NWR. The CCP/ EIS describes how we propose to manage both the staffed 14,032-acre Chincoteague NWR and the unstaffed 373-acre Wallops Island NWR over the next 15 years. DATES: We will sign a record of decision no sooner than 30 days after the publication of this notice. ADDRESSES: You may view, obtain, or request CD-ROM copies of the final CCP/EIS by any of the following methods. Agency Web site: Download a copy of the document at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Chincoteague/what_we_do/conservation.html. Email: Send requests to northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include ``Chincoteague NWR'' in the subject line of your email. U.S. Mail: Thomas Bonetti, Natural Resource Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035. In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Visit during regular business hours at refuge headquarters, 8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336. To view comments on the final CCP-EIS from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or for information on EPA's role in the EIS process, see EPA's Role in the EIS Process under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Bonetti, Natural Resource Planner, 413-253-8307 (phone); northeastplanning@fws.gov (email). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Chincoteague NWR and Wallops Island NWR, which we began by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 57056) on September 17, 2010. For more about the initial process and the history of the refuges, see that notice. On May 15, 2014, we announced the release of the draft CCP/EIS to the public and requested comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register (79 FR 27906). We subsequently extended the public comment period in another notice in the Federal Register (79 FR 41300) on July 15, 2014. In addition, EPA published a notice announcing the draft CCP and EIS (79 FR 29759; May 23, 2014), as required under section 309 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.). We now announce the final CCP and EIS. Under the CAA, EPA also will announce the final CCP and EIS via the Federal Register. EPA's Role in the EIS Process The EPA is charged under section 309 of the Clean Air Act to review all Federal agencies' EISs and to comment on the adequacy and the acceptability of the environmental impacts of proposed actions in the EISs. EPA also serves as the repository (EIS database) for EISs prepared by Federal agencies and provides notice of their availability in the Federal Register. The EIS Database provides information about EISs prepared by Federal agencies, as well as EPA's comments concerning the EISs. All EISs are filed with EPA, which publishes a notice of availability on Fridays in the Federal Register. The notice of availability is the start of the 45-day public comment period for draft EISs, and the start of the 30-day ``wait period'' for final EISs, during which agencies are generally required to wait 30 days before making a decision on a proposed action. For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/eisdata.html. You may search for EPA comments on EISs, along with EISs themselves, at https://cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-public/action/eis/search. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment in the final CCP/EIS, and responded to public comments. The CCP will guide us in managing and administering the refuges for 15 years. Alternative B, as we described in the final CCP/EIS, is our preferred alternative. Background The CCP Process 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 develop a CCP for each NWR. The purpose for developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge purposes and goals and contributing to the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. CCPs should be consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our policies, as well as respond to key issues and public concerns. 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/EIS Alternatives We evaluated three alternatives for managing Chincoteague NWR and Wallops Island NWR; alternative B is our preferred alternative. Based on feedback on the draft CCP/EIS, some modifications have been made to alternative B and are summarized below. A full description of all alternatives, including changes to our preferred alternative, can be found in the final CCP/EIS at the sources identified in ADDRESSES. Changes to Alternative B, the Service's Preferred AlternativeThe assigned area, consisting of the 1-mile recreational beach, associated parking, and new Visitor Contact Station, would extend south 1 more mile to the terminus of Swan Cove Trail (2 miles total), thus doubling the length of the assigned area. Over sand vehicles (OSV) and hiking access would continue via Beach Road across Toms Cove south to Fishing Point September 16 through March 14. A new \1/2\-mile, OSV zone to facilitate the six priority uses (March 15 through September 15) would be [[Page 54800]] developed south of new recreational beach, and added to the new assigned area. We would continue current management of the Overwash and Hook area for shorebirds until the new recreational beach is established, at which time the March 15 through September 15 closure would go into effect. We will keep current biking access open via Swan Cove Trail and will not propose an alternative bike route north to the relocated public beach (from Wildlife Loop to Mallard (C Dike)). The Service Road would continue to be open year-round to hikers north to the refuge/National Seashore boundary. A section of the Affected Environment (Chapter 3) on cultural resources was inadvertently left out of the draft CCP/EIS. This section, which has been coordinated with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, is included in the final CCP/EIS. Other Features of Alternative B Alternative B would continue established habitat and wildlife management strategies but focus them in light of the new goals and vision established by the CCP. The alternative balances habitat management, public use and access, and administration of the refuge. We would continue to preserve approximately 2,650 acres of wetland impoundments, but make adjustments in accordance with a new impoundment management plan that takes into account various factors, such as the habitat needs of black ducks and monarch butterflies, climate change and natural coastal processes, and relocated beach access and parking. The refuge would continue to protect and enhance the wilderness character of the 1974 proposed wilderness area, and there would be no change in its size (1,300 acres) or location. In recognition of the vulnerability of the current parking, the refuge would develop and implement a site design plan for parking and access to a new beach location, approximately 1.5 miles north of the existing beach. We are committed to working with the National Park Service (NPS) and others to future design, refine, and analyze beach relocation infrastructure in a separate National Environmental Policy Act document. Over the next 15 years, the refuge would maintain and, where possible, expand current hunting opportunities by including additional species, extending hours, and providing special events. The refuge would add mourning doves, light geese, and non-migratory Canada goose hunting opportunities to the refuge's migratory bird hunting program. Additionally, the refuge would allow migratory bird hunting on Federal holidays within the Commonwealth of Virginia hunting seasons. The refuge would also add turkeys to the big game hunting program and pursue development of a trapping program for furbearers. The refuge would continue sika hunting and would conduct research to identify a desired population size. The refuge would pursue partnerships to enhance land conservation, environmental education, and interpretation on the Delmarva Peninsula. The ``Chincoteague ponies'' have a strong cultural tie to the community, and the refuge would implement a Chincoteague pony management plan that meets multiple objectives: visitor viewing, habitat management, and pony health. The refuge would allow grazing of the current pony population, with a maximum pony herd size of 150, per the management agreement with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Public Availability of Documents You can view or obtain the final CCP/EIS as indicated under ADDRESSES. Comments During the public comment period, a total of 236 emails and 94 letters were received, including official comments from the town of Chincoteague, the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, The Nature Conservancy, NPS, Environmental Protection Agency, various departments from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and other local interest groups. In addition a petition was submitted supporting Alternative ``A plus,'' an alternative with elements of both alternative A and B, with approximately 600 individuals signing. Another petition supporting the preferred alternative (alternative B) was submitted with 112 individuals signing. We held two public open house meetings in Chincoteague, and additional meetings in Melfa, Virginia, and Pocomoke City, Maryland. As part of the public involvement process, we held a public hearing on June 26, 2014, in Chincoteague with 28 people formally raising a variety of issues and concerns. We evaluated all the letters and emails sent to us during that comment period, along with comments recorded at our public hearing, and addressed all substantive comments. A summary of those comments and our responses to them is included in the final CCP/EIS as appendix R. Next Steps We will document the final decision in a record of decision, which will be published in the Federal Register after a 30-day ``wait period'' that begins when EPA announces this final CCP-EIS. For more information, see EPA's Role in the EIS Process. Dated: August 18, 2015. Deborah Rocque, Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2015-21925 Filed 9-10-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 176 / Friday, September 11, 2015 / Notices 54799
development. The full agenda and EPA’s role in the EIS process, see EPA’s The CCP will guide us in managing
related briefing materials will be posted Role in the EIS Process under and administering the refuges for 15
for review by September 22, 2015, at SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. years. Alternative B, as we described in
http://www.fema.gov/TMAC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the final CCP/EIS, is our preferred
Dated: September 4, 2015. Thomas Bonetti, Natural Resource alternative.
Roy E. Wright, Planner, 413–253–8307 (phone); Background
Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance
northeastplanning@fws.gov (email).
and Mitigation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CCP Process
[FR Doc. 2015–22950 Filed 9–10–15; 8:45 am] Introduction The National Wildlife Refuge System
BILLING CODE 9110–12–P Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
With this notice, we continue the CCP 668dd-668ee) (Refuge Administration
process for Chincoteague NWR and Act), as amended by the National
Wallops Island NWR, which we began Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR by publishing a notice of intent in the Act of 1997, requires us to develop a
Federal Register (75 FR 57056) on CCP for each NWR. The purpose for
Fish and Wildlife Service September 17, 2010. For more about the
developing a CCP is to provide refuge
[FWS–R5–R–2015–N090;BAC–4311–K9–S3] initial process and the history of the
managers with a 15-year plan for
refuges, see that notice. On May 15,
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge achieving refuge purposes and goals and
2014, we announced the release of the
and Wallops Island National Wildlife contributing to the mission of the
draft CCP/EIS to the public and
Refuge, Accomack County, Virginia; National Wildlife Refuge System. CCPs
requested comments in a notice of
Final Comprehensive Conservation should be consistent with sound
availability in the Federal Register (79
Plan and Environmental Impact principles of fish and wildlife
FR 27906). We subsequently extended
Statement management, conservation, legal
the public comment period in another
mandates, and our policies, as well as
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, notice in the Federal Register (79 FR
41300) on July 15, 2014. In addition, respond to key issues and public
Interior. concerns. In addition to outlining broad
EPA published a notice announcing the
ACTION: Notice of availability; final
draft CCP and EIS (79 FR 29759; May management direction on conserving
comprehensive conservation plan and 23, 2014), as required under section 309 wildlife and their habitats, CCPs
environmental impact statement. of the Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. identify wildlife-dependent recreational
7401 et seq.). We now announce the opportunities available to the public,
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and including opportunities for hunting,
Wildlife Service, announce the final CCP and EIS. Under the CAA, EPA
also will announce the final CCP and fishing, wildlife observation and
availability for review of our final photography, and environmental
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) EIS via the Federal Register.
education and interpretation. We will
and environmental impact statement EPA’s Role in the EIS Process review and update the CCP at least
(EIS) for Chincoteague National Wildlife every 15 years, in accordance with the
The EPA is charged under section 309
Refuge (NWR, refuge) and Wallops of the Clean Air Act to review all Refuge Administration Act.
Island NWR. The CCP/EIS describes Federal agencies’ EISs and to comment
how we propose to manage both the CCP/EIS Alternatives
on the adequacy and the acceptability of
staffed 14,032-acre Chincoteague NWR the environmental impacts of proposed We evaluated three alternatives for
and the unstaffed 373-acre Wallops actions in the EISs. managing Chincoteague NWR and
Island NWR over the next 15 years. EPA also serves as the repository (EIS Wallops Island NWR; alternative B is
DATES: We will sign a record of decision database) for EISs prepared by Federal our preferred alternative. Based on
no sooner than 30 days after the agencies and provides notice of their feedback on the draft CCP/EIS, some
publication of this notice. availability in the Federal Register. The modifications have been made to
ADDRESSES: You may view, obtain, or EIS Database provides information alternative B and are summarized
request CD–ROM copies of the final about EISs prepared by Federal below. A full description of all
CCP/EIS by any of the following agencies, as well as EPA’s comments alternatives, including changes to our
methods. concerning the EISs. All EISs are filed preferred alternative, can be found in
Agency Web site: Download a copy of with EPA, which publishes a notice of the final CCP/EIS at the sources
the document at http://www.fws.gov/ availability on Fridays in the Federal identified in ADDRESSES.
refuge/Chincoteague/what_we_do/ Register.
The notice of availability is the start Changes to Alternative B, the Service’s
conservation.html. Preferred Alternative
Email: Send requests to of the 45-day public comment period for
northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include draft EISs, and the start of the 30-day • The assigned area, consisting of the
‘‘Chincoteague NWR’’ in the subject line ‘‘wait period’’ for final EISs, during 1-mile recreational beach, associated
of your email. which agencies are generally required to parking, and new Visitor Contact
U.S. Mail: Thomas Bonetti, Natural wait 30 days before making a decision Station, would extend south 1 more
Resource Planner, U.S. Fish and on a proposed action. For more mile to the terminus of Swan Cove Trail
Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center information, see http://www.epa.gov/ (2 miles total), thus doubling the length
Drive, Hadley, MA 01035. compliance/nepa/eisdata.html. You of the assigned area.
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Visit may search for EPA comments on EISs, • Over sand vehicles (OSV) and
during regular business hours at refuge along with EISs themselves, at https:// hiking access would continue via Beach
headquarters, 8231 Beach Road, cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-public/ Road across Toms Cove south to Fishing
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336. action/eis/search. We completed a Point September 16 through March 14.
To view comments on the final CCP– thorough analysis of impacts on the • A new 1⁄2-mile, OSV zone to
EIS from the Environmental Protection human environment in the final CCP/ facilitate the six priority uses (March 15
Agency (EPA), or for information on EIS, and responded to public comments. through September 15) would be
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![54800 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 176 / Friday, September 11, 2015 / Notices
developed south of new recreational program. Additionally, the refuge would Next Steps
beach, and added to the new assigned allow migratory bird hunting on Federal We will document the final decision
area. We would continue current holidays within the Commonwealth of in a record of decision, which will be
management of the Overwash and Hook Virginia hunting seasons. The refuge published in the Federal Register after
area for shorebirds until the new would also add turkeys to the big game a 30-day ‘‘wait period’’ that begins when
recreational beach is established, at hunting program and pursue EPA announces this final CCP–EIS. For
which time the March 15 through development of a trapping program for more information, see EPA’s Role in the
September 15 closure would go into furbearers. The refuge would continue EIS Process.
effect. sika hunting and would conduct
• We will keep current biking access research to identify a desired population Dated: August 18, 2015.
open via Swan Cove Trail and will not size. Deborah Rocque,
propose an alternative bike route north Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region,
The refuge would pursue partnerships
to the relocated public beach (from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
to enhance land conservation,
Wildlife Loop to Mallard (C Dike)). [FR Doc. 2015–21925 Filed 9–10–15; 8:45 am]
• The Service Road would continue environmental education, and
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
to be open year-round to hikers north to interpretation on the Delmarva
the refuge/National Seashore boundary. Peninsula. The ‘‘Chincoteague ponies’’
• A section of the Affected have a strong cultural tie to the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Environment (Chapter 3) on cultural community, and the refuge would
resources was inadvertently left out of implement a Chincoteague pony Bureau of Land Management
the draft CCP/EIS. This section, which management plan that meets multiple
has been coordinated with the Virginia objectives: visitor viewing, habitat [LLNVB01000. L51100000.GN0000. LVEMF
Department of Historic Resources, is management, and pony health. The 1503550.15X MO# 4500077415]
included in the final CCP/EIS. refuge would allow grazing of the
current pony population, with a Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Other Features of Alternative B maximum pony herd size of 150, per the Environmental Impact Statement for
Alternative B would continue management agreement with the the Proposed Gold Bar Mine Project,
established habitat and wildlife Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Eureka County, NV
management strategies but focus them
Public Availability of Documents AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
in light of the new goals and vision
Interior.
established by the CCP. The alternative You can view or obtain the final CCP/
balances habitat management, public ACTION: Notice.
EIS as indicated under ADDRESSES.
use and access, and administration of SUMMARY: In compliance with the
the refuge. We would continue to Comments
National Environmental Policy Act of
preserve approximately 2,650 acres of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
During the public comment period, a
wetland impoundments, but make Federal Land Policy and Management
total of 236 emails and 94 letters were
adjustments in accordance with a new Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of
received, including official comments
impoundment management plan that Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis
from the town of Chincoteague, the
takes into account various factors, such Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada,
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce,
as the habitat needs of black ducks and intends to prepare an Environmental
The Nature Conservancy, NPS,
monarch butterflies, climate change and Impact Statement (EIS) and by this
Environmental Protection Agency,
natural coastal processes, and relocated notice is announcing the beginning of
various departments from the
beach access and parking. The refuge the scoping process to solicit public
Commonwealth of Virginia, and other
would continue to protect and enhance comments and identify issues.
local interest groups. In addition a
the wilderness character of the 1974
petition was submitted supporting DATES: This notice initiates the public
proposed wilderness area, and there
Alternative ‘‘A plus,’’ an alternative scoping process for the EIS. Comments
would be no change in its size (1,300
with elements of both alternative A and on issues may be submitted in writing
acres) or location.
In recognition of the vulnerability of B, with approximately 600 individuals until October 13, 2015. The date(s) and
the current parking, the refuge would signing. Another petition supporting the location(s) of any scoping meetings will
develop and implement a site design preferred alternative (alternative B) was be announced at least 15 days in
plan for parking and access to a new submitted with 112 individuals signing. advance through local media,
beach location, approximately 1.5 miles We held two public open house newspapers and the BLM Web site at:
north of the existing beach. We are meetings in Chincoteague, and http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_
committed to working with the National additional meetings in Melfa, Virginia, mountain_field/blm_information/
Park Service (NPS) and others to future and Pocomoke City, Maryland. As part national_environmental.html. In order
design, refine, and analyze beach of the public involvement process, we to be included in the Draft EIS, all
relocation infrastructure in a separate held a public hearing on June 26, 2014, comments must be received prior to the
National Environmental Policy Act in Chincoteague with 28 people close of the 30-day scoping period or 15
document. formally raising a variety of issues and days after the last public meeting,
Over the next 15 years, the refuge concerns. whichever is later. We will provide
would maintain and, where possible, We evaluated all the letters and additional opportunities for public
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
expand current hunting opportunities emails sent to us during that comment participation upon publication of the
by including additional species, period, along with comments recorded Draft EIS.
extending hours, and providing special at our public hearing, and addressed all ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
events. The refuge would add mourning substantive comments. A summary of related to the Gold Bar Mine Project by
doves, light geese, and non-migratory those comments and our responses to any of the following methods:
Canada goose hunting opportunities to them is included in the final CCP/EIS as • Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/
the refuge’s migratory bird hunting appendix R. en/fo/battle_mountain_field/blm_
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 10:00:17
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 10:00:17
| 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; final comprehensive conservation plan and environmental impact statement. | |
| Dates | We will sign a record of decision no sooner than 30 days after the publication of this notice. | |
| Contact | Thomas Bonetti, Natural Resource Planner, 413-253-8307 (phone); [email protected] (email). | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 54799 |
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