80 FR 8894 - North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Washington
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
National Park Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)
Fish and Wildlife Service
National Park Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)
| Page Range | 8894-8895 | |
| FR Document | 2015-03504 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 8894-8895] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-03504] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service National Park Service [NPS-ANRSS-17182; PPWONRADE2, PMP00EI05.YP0000] North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement, Washington AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are jointly preparing a North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Plan/EIS) to determine how to restore the grizzly bear to the North Cascades ecosystem (NCE), a portion of its historical range. DATES: The FWS and NPS request that comments be submitted by March 23, 2015, or 15 days after the last public open house, whichever is later. Open houses will be announced in local media. For more information on submitting public comments, see How To Provide Comments, under Public Comment in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/NCEG; in the Office of the Superintendent, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 (360-854-7200, telephone); and in the Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Dr. SE., Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503 (360-753-9440). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise Shultz, Public Information Officer, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 (360-854-7302, telephone), or Brent Lawrence, Public Affairs Specialist, FWS Pacific Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97232 (503-231-6211). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (NEPA), the National Park Service (NPS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are jointly preparing a North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Plan/EIS) to determine how to restore the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) to the North Cascades ecosystem (NCE), a portion of its historical range. Background Situated in the core of the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE), the North Cascades National Park Complex is surrounded by more than 2.6 million contiguous acres of federally designated wilderness, including protected lands and de facto wilderness in British Columbia, Canada. The United States portion of the NCE is contiguous with habitat north of the international border in British Columbia, Canada, but isolated from other grizzly bear populations in both the United States and Canada. Research indicates that this wilderness landscape is capable of supporting a self-sustaining grizzly bear population. However, there has only been one observation of a solitary bear during the past 10 years. Given the low number of grizzly bears, very slow reproductive rate, and other recovery constraints, grizzly bears in the NCE are [[Page 8895]] the most at-risk grizzly bear population in the United States today. The FWS recently reaffirmed (78 FR 70104, November 22, 2013) that the NCE grizzly bear warrants uplisting from threatened to endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). However, a change in listing status remains precluded by lack of funding and the Service's need to make listing determinations for other species not yet protected under the ESA. The main threat to grizzly bears in this recovery zone is a small population size, with resulting demographic and genetic risks. Natural recovery in the NCE is challenged by the absence of verified reproduction, as well as isolation from any contiguous population in British Columbia, Canada, and the United States. A nationwide Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan was finalized by the FWS in 1982, and updated in 1993. The NCE recovery plan chapter was finalized in 1997. Current recovery efforts in the United States are focused on limiting human-caused mortality, protecting habitat by emphasizing no net loss of core habitat, providing information and education efforts regarding grizzly bears and their habitat, and enhancing sanitation by enforcing proper garbage and food storage in bear habitat. Education programs continue to inform people about grizzly bear biology and techniques to avoid conflicts when living or recreating in bear habitat. Restoration Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Draft Purpose, Need, and Objectives The NCE recovery plan chapter identifies four priority actions: (1) Develop a strategy for implementation of the NCE chapter; (2) develop an intensive ongoing educational program to provide information about grizzly bears and grizzly bear recovery to the public; (3) initiate the NEPA process; and (4) conduct an intensive research and monitoring effort to determine grizzly bear population size and distribution, habitat use, and home ranges in the NCE. In accordance with the NCE recovery plan chapter, the NPS and the FWS are initiating a NEPA planning process as joint lead agencies for grizzly bear restoration in the U.S. portion of the NCE. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service will serve as cooperating agencies. The following are the draft purpose, need, and objectives for the NCE Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/EIS: Purpose The purpose of this Plan/EIS is to determine how to restore the grizzly bear to the North Cascades ecosystem (NCE), a portion of its historical range. Need Since the NCE grizzly bears are at risk of local extinction, action is needed at this time to:Avoid the permanent loss of grizzly bears in the NCE; Contribute to the restoration of biodiversity of the ecosystem for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations of people; Enhance the probability of long-term survival and conservation of grizzly bears within the lower 48 States and thereby contribute to overall grizzly bear recovery; and Support the eventual removal of the grizzly bear from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Objectives The objectives of this Plan/EIS are to: Restore a grizzly bear population as part of the natural and cultural heritage of the North Cascades. Provide Pacific Northwest residents and visitors with the opportunity to again experience grizzly bears in their native habitat. Seek to support Tribal cultural and spiritual values, as well as environmental and natural resource objectives related to the grizzly bear. Expand outreach efforts to inform and involve the public and build understanding about grizzly bear recovery. Environmental Impact Statement Alternatives and Their Impacts As part of the planning and EIS process, the NPS and FWS will evaluate various approaches for the restoration of a grizzly bear population to the NCE. Preliminary alternatives to be considered in the Plan/EIS include the no action alternative (passive restoration) as well as active restoration alternatives, including moving grizzly bears from other U.S. and/or Canadian populations into the NCE as either threatened or experimental 10(j) populations under the ESA. The Plan/EIS will evaluate the effects of a range of alternatives, including potential impacts to: Rare or unusual vegetation, wildlife and habitat, soundscapes, wilderness (including a minimum requirements analysis), visitor use and experience, socioeconomics, human safety, and other resources. Public Comment How To Provide Comments During the scoping period, public open houses will be held on both the east and west sides of the North Cascades Ecosystem to provide an opportunity for the public to share their comments and learn more about grizzly bear restoration. Details regarding the exact times and locations of these meetings will be announced on the project Web site (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/NCEG) and through local and regional media. The meetings will also be announced through email notification to individuals and organizations on the initial distribution list. Those wishing to be added to the project information distribution list should send an email request to [email protected]. If you wish to comment on the purpose, need, objectives, potential alternatives, or on any other issues associated with development of the draft Plan/EIS, you may submit your comments by any one of several methods. You may comment online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/NCEG. You may also mail or hand deliver comments to the Superintendent, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, 810 State Route 20, Sedro- Woolley, WA 98284. Written comments will also be accepted at the public open houses. Comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or by any method other than those specified above. Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted. 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. Dated: February 6, 2015. Robyn Thorson, Regional Director, Pacific Region, Fish and Wildlife Service. Dated: February 5, 2015. Christine S. Lehnertz, Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park Service. [FR Doc. 2015-03504 Filed 2-18-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
![8894 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices
that the study is focused on gathering precautionary areas will be located at bear to the North Cascades ecosystem
factual and relevant information to aid the starting/ending points of the two- (NCE), a portion of its historical range.
the Coast Guard in reducing the risk of way routes, and the fourth will be DATES: The FWS and NPS request that
marine casualties and increasing the located at the junction of the comments be submitted by March 23,
efficiency of vessel traffic in the region. recommended two-way routes. 2015, or 15 days after the last public
The study will assess whether the See the ADDRESSES section for where open house, whichever is later. Open
creation of a vessel routing system is to obtain a copy of the chart showing houses will be announced in local
advisable to increase the predictability the exact location of the proposed route. media. For more information on
of vessel movements, which may Timeline, Study Area, and Process of submitting public comments, see How
decrease the potential for collisions, oil this PARS: The Seventeenth Coast To Provide Comments, under Public
spills, and other events that could Guard District will conduct this PARS. Comment in the SUPPLEMENTARY
threaten the marine environment. The study will continue upon INFORMATION section.
Based on comments received to date publication of this notice and may take
there is a general sense that a designated ADDRESSES: Information will be
24 months to complete.
traffic route could improve traffic We will publish the results of the available for public review online at
predictability thereby reducing marine PARS in the Federal Register. It is http://parkplanning.nps.gov/NCEG; in
casualties and oil spills; however, a few possible that the study may validate the the Office of the Superintendent, 810
comments received did note that a status quo (no routing measures) and State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA
designated traffic route (depending on conclude that no changes are necessary. 98284 (360–854–7200, telephone); and
location) could adversely impact It is also possible that the study may in the Washington Fish and Wildlife
subsistence hunting, marine mammals recommend one or more changes to Office, 510 Desmond Dr. SE., Suite 102,
and other wildlife more so than widely enhance navigational safety and the Lacey, WA 98503 (360–753–9440).
dispersed vessel traffic. Therefore, the efficiency of vessel traffic management. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Coast Guard puts forth a potential two- The recommendations may lead to Denise Shultz, Public Information
way route as a starting point for future rulemakings or appropriate Officer, North Cascades National Park
analyzing where to put a vessel traffic international agreements. Service Complex, 810 State Route 20,
route should one be deemed needed and Schematic of proposed vessel routing Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 (360–854–
beneficial to the region. system: A chart showing the Coast 7302, telephone), or Brent Lawrence,
The Coast Guard will analyze vessel Guard’s proposed two-way route can be Public Affairs Specialist, FWS Pacific
traffic density, agency and stakeholder downloaded from http:// Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Ave.,
experience in vessel traffic management, www.regulations.gov, type ‘‘USCG– Portland, OR 97232 (503–231–6211).
navigation, ship handling, the effects of 2014–0941’’ into the search bar and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
weather, impacts to subsistence click search, next to the displayed to the National Environmental Policy
hunting, impacts to marine mammals search results click ‘‘Open Docket Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)
and other wildlife concerns into the Folder’’, which will display all (NEPA), the National Park Service (NPS)
decision making process of the study. comments and documents associated and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
We encourage you to participate in the with this docket. are jointly preparing a North Cascades
study process by submitting comments Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan
Dated: February 3, 2015.
in response to this notice. and Environmental Impact Statement
The expanded study area is described D.B. Abel,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, (Plan/EIS) to determine how to restore
as an area bounded by a line connecting the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)
the following geographic positions: Seventeenth Coast Guard District.
to the North Cascades ecosystem (NCE),
• 67°30′ N, 168°58′37″ W; [FR Doc. 2015–03332 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am]
a portion of its historical range.
• 67°30′ N, 167°30′ W; BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
• 54°50′ N, 164°40′ W; Background
• 54°03′ N, 166°25′ W;
• 63°20′ N, 173°43′ W; thence Situated in the core of the North
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Cascades Ecosystem (NCE), the North
following the Russian Federation/
United States maritime boundary line to Fish and Wildlife Service Cascades National Park Complex is
the first geographical position. surrounded by more than 2.6 million
The proposed ship routing measures National Park Service contiguous acres of federally designated
are described as follows: wilderness, including protected lands
(1) A four nautical mile wide, two- [NPS–ANRSS–17182; PPWONRADE2, and de facto wilderness in British
PMP00EI05.YP0000] Columbia, Canada. The United States
way route extending from Unimak Pass
in the Aleutian Islands that proceeds portion of the NCE is contiguous with
North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly habitat north of the international border
Northward through the Bering Sea and Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental
Bering Strait before terminating in the in British Columbia, Canada, but
Impact Statement, Washington isolated from other grizzly bear
Chukchi Sea.
(2) A four nautical mile wide, two- AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service and populations in both the United States
way route extending from a location National Park Service, Interior. and Canada.
North of the Western side of St. ACTION: Notice of intent. Research indicates that this
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Lawrence Island and near the US/ wilderness landscape is capable of
Russian Federation maritime border, SUMMARY: The National Park Service supporting a self-sustaining grizzly bear
then proceeding Northeast to a junction (NPS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service population. However, there has only
with the first two way route located to (FWS) are jointly preparing a North been one observation of a solitary bear
the West of King Island. Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear during the past 10 years. Given the low
(3) A total of four precautionary areas, Restoration Plan and Environmental number of grizzly bears, very slow
each circular and 8 nautical miles wide Impact Statement (Plan/EIS) to reproductive rate, and other recovery
in diameter. Three of these determine how to restore the grizzly constraints, grizzly bears in the NCE are
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 33 / Thursday, February 19, 2015 / Notices 8895
the most at-risk grizzly bear population Purpose Public Comment
in the United States today. The purpose of this Plan/EIS is to How To Provide Comments
The FWS recently reaffirmed (78 FR determine how to restore the grizzly
70104, November 22, 2013) that the NCE bear to the North Cascades ecosystem During the scoping period, public
grizzly bear warrants uplisting from (NCE), a portion of its historical range. open houses will be held on both the
threatened to endangered under the east and west sides of the North
Need Cascades Ecosystem to provide an
Endangered Species Act (ESA, 16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.). However, a change in Since the NCE grizzly bears are at risk opportunity for the public to share their
listing status remains precluded by lack of local extinction, action is needed at comments and learn more about grizzly
of funding and the Service’s need to this time to: bear restoration. Details regarding the
make listing determinations for other • Avoid the permanent loss of grizzly exact times and locations of these
species not yet protected under the ESA. bears in the NCE; meetings will be announced on the
The main threat to grizzly bears in this • Contribute to the restoration of project Web site (http://
recovery zone is a small population size, biodiversity of the ecosystem for the parkplanning.nps.gov/NCEG) and
with resulting demographic and genetic benefit and enjoyment of present and through local and regional media. The
risks. Natural recovery in the NCE is future generations of people; meetings will also be announced
through email notification to
challenged by the absence of verified • Enhance the probability of long-
reproduction, as well as isolation from individuals and organizations on the
term survival and conservation of
any contiguous population in British initial distribution list. Those wishing to
grizzly bears within the lower 48 States
be added to the project information
Columbia, Canada, and the United and thereby contribute to overall grizzly
distribution list should send an email
States. bear recovery; and
request to NCE_grizzly@nps.gov.
A nationwide Grizzly Bear Recovery • Support the eventual removal of the
grizzly bear from the Federal List of If you wish to comment on the
Plan was finalized by the FWS in 1982,
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. purpose, need, objectives, potential
and updated in 1993. The NCE recovery
alternatives, or on any other issues
plan chapter was finalized in 1997. Objectives associated with development of the
Current recovery efforts in the United draft Plan/EIS, you may submit your
States are focused on limiting human- The objectives of this Plan/EIS are to:
• Restore a grizzly bear population as comments by any one of several
caused mortality, protecting habitat by methods. You may comment online at
emphasizing no net loss of core habitat, part of the natural and cultural heritage
of the North Cascades. http://parkplanning.nps.gov/NCEG. You
providing information and education may also mail or hand deliver
efforts regarding grizzly bears and their • Provide Pacific Northwest residents
and visitors with the opportunity to comments to the Superintendent, North
habitat, and enhancing sanitation by Cascades National Park Service
enforcing proper garbage and food again experience grizzly bears in their
native habitat. Complex, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-
storage in bear habitat. Education Woolley, WA 98284. Written comments
programs continue to inform people • Seek to support Tribal cultural and
spiritual values, as well as will also be accepted at the public open
about grizzly bear biology and houses. Comments will not be accepted
techniques to avoid conflicts when environmental and natural resource
objectives related to the grizzly bear. by fax, email, or by any method other
living or recreating in bear habitat. than those specified above. Bulk
• Expand outreach efforts to inform
Restoration Plan and Environmental comments in any format (hard copy or
and involve the public and build
Impact Statement Draft Purpose, Need, electronic) submitted on behalf of others
understanding about grizzly bear
and Objectives will not be accepted.
recovery.
Public Availability of Comments
The NCE recovery plan chapter Environmental Impact Statement
identifies four priority actions: (1) Alternatives and Their Impacts Before including your address, phone
Develop a strategy for implementation As part of the planning and EIS number, email address, or other
of the NCE chapter; (2) develop an process, the NPS and FWS will evaluate personal identifying information in your
intensive ongoing educational program various approaches for the restoration of comment, you should be aware that
to provide information about grizzly a grizzly bear population to the NCE. your entire comment—including your
bears and grizzly bear recovery to the Preliminary alternatives to be personal identifying information—may
public; (3) initiate the NEPA process; considered in the Plan/EIS include the be made publicly available at any time.
and (4) conduct an intensive research no action alternative (passive While you can ask us in your comment
and monitoring effort to determine restoration) as well as active restoration to withhold your personal identifying
grizzly bear population size and alternatives, including moving grizzly information from public review, we
distribution, habitat use, and home bears from other U.S. and/or Canadian cannot guarantee that we will be able to
ranges in the NCE. In accordance with populations into the NCE as either do so.
the NCE recovery plan chapter, the NPS threatened or experimental 10(j) Dated: February 6, 2015.
and the FWS are initiating a NEPA populations under the ESA. Robyn Thorson,
planning process as joint lead agencies The Plan/EIS will evaluate the effects Regional Director, Pacific Region, Fish and
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
for grizzly bear restoration in the U.S. of a range of alternatives, including Wildlife Service.
portion of the NCE. The Washington potential impacts to: Rare or unusual
Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Dated: February 5, 2015.
vegetation, wildlife and habitat,
U.S. Department of Agriculture–Forest soundscapes, wilderness (including a Christine S. Lehnertz,
Service will serve as cooperating minimum requirements analysis), Regional Director, Pacific West Region,
agencies. The following are the draft visitor use and experience, National Park Service.
purpose, need, and objectives for the socioeconomics, human safety, and [FR Doc. 2015–03504 Filed 2–18–15; 8:45 am]
NCE Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/EIS: other resources. BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-16 11:12:12
Document Modified: 2018-02-16 11:12:12
| 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 intent. | |
| Dates | The FWS and NPS request that comments be submitted by March 23, 2015, or 15 days after the last public open house, whichever is later. Open houses will be announced in local media. For more information on submitting public comments, see How To Provide Comments, under Public Comment in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. | |
| Contact | Denise Shultz, Public Information Officer, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 (360-854-7302, telephone), or Brent Lawrence, Public Affairs Specialist, FWS Pacific Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97232 (503-231-6211). | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 8894 |
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