81 FR 31655 - Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, Polk County, Minnesota; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 97 (May 19, 2016)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 97 (May 19, 2016)
| Page Range | 31655-31656 | |
| FR Document | 2016-11803 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 97 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 31655-31656] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-11803] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R3-R-2016-N073; FXRS1261030000-167-FF03R02000] Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, Polk County, Minnesota; 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 Glacial Ridge 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 June 20, 2016. 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 ``Glacial Ridge Draft CCP/EA'' in the subject line of the message. Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, Glacial Ridge NWR, 218- 687-2225. U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, Glacial Ridge NWR, 17788 349th St. SE., Erskine, MN 56535. 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/glacialridge/index.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregg Knutsen, 218-687-2229 x16. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Glacial Ridge 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/glacialridge/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 [[Page 31656]] discussions of three alternative refuge management options. The Service's preferred alternative is reflected in the draft CCP. The alternatives analyzed in detail include: Alternative A: Current Management (No Action)--This alternative reflects the current management direction of Glacial Ridge 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: Focused Habitat Management (Preferred Alternative)--Under this alternative, refuge management actions would approximate ecological processes that maintained native habitats prior to European settlement, emphasizing the use of multiple habitat disturbance regimes (e.g., fire, grazing, mowing). These actions would maintain and increase the diversity of native vegetation and wildlife communities that mimic pre-settlement conditions. Management activities would be ``focused'' via a refuge prioritization effort to maximize the intended impacts on priority units, given reduced refuge staff and funding. Public use opportunities would continue with minimal changes. Staff time and funding would focus on improving opportunities for self- guided interpretation of refuge habitats and wildlife using existing infrastructure. Alternative C: Woody Vegetation Reduction Focus--The focus of this alternative would be the reduction of invasive woody vegetation cover (e.g., willow, aspen) across the refuge landscape during the lifespan of this CCP. The extent of woody cover is increasing due to a lack of regular vegetative disturbance and other factors. Management actions would focus on refuge units exhibiting woody vegetation cover that exceeds the amount found prior to European settlement. Public use opportunities would continue with minimal change. Staff time and funding would focus on improving opportunities for self-guided interpretation of refuge habitats and wildlife using existing infrastructure. 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. 2016-11803 Filed 5-18-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 97 / Thursday, May 19, 2016 / Notices 31655
Completion Total annual
Number of time per
Activity burden hours
responses response (minutes)
(minutes)
Follow-Up Interviews with Nonrespondents ................................................................................ 80 5 7
TOTALS ................................................................................................................................ 2,520 ........................ 458
Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden ACTION:Notice of availability; request Background
Cost: None. for comments. The National Wildlife Refuge System
III. Comments Administration Act of 1966, as amended
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and by the National Wildlife Refuge System
We invite comments concerning this Wildlife Service (Service), announce the Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C.
information collection on: availability of a draft comprehensive 668dd–668ee) (Administration Act),
• Whether or not the collection of conservation plan (CCP) and requires us to develop a CCP for each
information is necessary, including environmental assessment (EA) for the national wildlife refuge. The purpose in
whether or not the information will Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge developing a CCP is to provide refuge
have practical utility; (refuge, NWR) for public review and managers with a 15-year strategy for
• The accuracy of our estimate of the comment. In this draft CCP/EA we achieving refuge purposes and
burden for this collection of describe how we propose to manage the contributing toward the mission of the
information; refuge for the next 15 years. National Wildlife Refuge System
• Ways to enhance the quality, utility, DATES: To ensure consideration, we (NWRS), consistent with sound
and clarity of the information to be must receive your written comments by principles of fish and wildlife
collected; and June 20, 2016. We will hold an open management, conservation, legal
• Ways to minimize the burden of the house–style meeting during the mandates, and Service policies. In
collection of information on comment period to receive comments addition to outlining broad management
respondents. and provide information on the draft direction on conserving wildlife and
Comments that you submit in plan. In addition, we will use special their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
response to this notice are a matter of mailings, newspaper articles, internet dependent recreational opportunities
public record. We will include or postings, and other media available to the public, including
summarize each comment in our request announcements to inform people of opportunities for hunting, fishing,
to OMB to approve this IC. Before opportunities for input. wildlife observation and photography,
including your address, phone number, ADDRESSES: Send your comments or
and environmental education and
email address, or other personal requests for more information by any of interpretation. We will review and
identifying information in your the following methods: update the CCP at least every 15 years
comment, you should be aware that in accordance with the Administration
• Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include
your entire comment, including your Act.
‘‘Glacial Ridge Draft CCP/EA’’ in the Each unit of the NWRS was
personal identifying information, may
subject line of the message. established for specific purposes. We
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment • Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, use these purposes as the foundation for
to withhold your personal identifying Glacial Ridge NWR, 218–687–2225. developing and prioritizing the
information from public review, we • U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge management goals and objectives for
cannot guarantee that we will be able to Manager, Glacial Ridge NWR, 17788 each refuge within the NWRS mission,
do so. 349th St. SE., Erskine, MN 56535. and to determine how the public can
Dated: May 13, 2016. • In-Person Drop Off: You may drop use each refuge. The planning process is
off comments during regular business a way for us and the public to evaluate
Tina A. Campbell,
hours at the above addresses. management goals and objectives that
Chief, Division of Policy, Performance, and will ensure the best possible approach
Management Programs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife You will find the draft CCP/EA, as
Service. well as information about the planning to wildlife, plant, and habitat
process and a summary of the CCP, on conservation, while providing for
[FR Doc. 2016–11762 Filed 5–18–16; 8:45 am]
the planning Web site at http:// wildlife-dependent recreation
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/ opportunities that are compatible with
glacialridge/index.html. each refuge’s establishing purposes and
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR the mission of the NWRS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gregg Knutsen, 218–687–2229 x16. Additional Information
Fish and Wildlife Service
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft CCP/EA may be found at
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/
[FWS–R3–R–2016–N073; FXRS1261030000– Introduction
glacialridge/index.html. That document
167–FF03R02000]
With this notice, we continue the CCP incorporates an EA, prepared in
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, process for Glacial Ridge National accordance with the National
Polk County, Minnesota; Draft Wildlife Refuge, which we began by Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and publishing a notice of intent in the U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The draft CCP/EA
Environmental Assessment Federal Register (78 FR 3909) on includes detailed information about the
January 17, 2013. For more about the planning process, refuge, issues, and
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, initial process and the history of this management alternatives considered
Interior. refuge, see that notice. and proposed. The EA includes
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![31656 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 97 / Thursday, May 19, 2016 / Notices
discussions of three alternative refuge personal identifying information in your 2719(b)(1)(B)(iii), to the general
management options. The Service’s comment, you should be aware that prohibition contained in 25 U.S.C.
preferred alternative is reflected in the your entire comment—including your 2719(a) on gaming on lands acquired in
draft CCP. personal identifying information—may trust after October 17, 1988.
The alternatives analyzed in detail be made publicly available at any time. The Assistant Secretary—Indian
include: While you can ask us in your comment Affairs, on behalf of the Secretary of the
• Alternative A: Current Management to withhold your personal identifying Interior, will immediately acquire title
(No Action)—This alternative reflects information from public review, we in the name of the United States of
the current management direction of cannot guarantee that we will be able to America in trust for the Cloverdale
Glacial Ridge NWR. It provides the do so. Rancheria of Pomo Indians, California.
baseline against which to compare other
alternatives. For NEPA purposes, this is Charles M. Wooley, Legal Description
referred to as the ‘‘No Action’’ Acting Regional Director. The 61.83 acres, more or less, are
alternative. [FR Doc. 2016–11803 Filed 5–18–16; 8:45 am] located in the County of Sonoma, State
• Alternative B: Focused Habitat BILLING CODE 4333–15–P of California, and are described as
Management (Preferred Alternative)— follows:
Under this alternative, refuge APN: 116–310–039–000, 116–310–035–
management actions would approximate DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 000 and 116–310–040–000
ecological processes that maintained
native habitats prior to European Bureau of Indian Affairs Parcel One
settlement, emphasizing the use of [167 A2100DD/AAKC001030/ Commencing at a point in the center
multiple habitat disturbance regimes A0A501010.999900] of the main public road leading from
(e.g., fire, grazing, mowing). These Cloverdale to Healdsburg, at the
actions would maintain and increase the Land Acquisitions; Cloverdale southwesterly corner of the land of
diversity of native vegetation and Rancheria of Pomo Indians of Allegrini, and which said point of
wildlife communities that mimic pre- California beginning is the northwesterly corner of
settlement conditions. Management AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, the land described in that certain deed
activities would be ‘‘focused’’ via a Interior. dated February 16, 1916 executed by
refuge prioritization effort to maximize Mary M. Markell to Fred J. Daniels and
ACTION: Notice of final agency
the intended impacts on priority units, recorded February 24, 1917, in liber 350
given reduced refuge staff and funding. determination.
of deeds, at page 101, Sonoma County
Public use opportunities would SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary— records, reference to which deed is
continue with minimal changes. Staff Indian Affairs made a final agency hereby expressly made; running thence
time and funding would focus on determination to acquire approximately north 47°28′ East, along the southerly
improving opportunities for self-guided 61.83 acres, more or less, of land in trust boundary line of the land of said
interpretation of refuge habitats and for the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Allegrini a distance of 18.03 chains to
wildlife using existing infrastructure. Indians, California, for gaming and other the southeast corner of said Allegrini
• Alternative C: Woody Vegetation purposes on April 29, 2016. property being the point of beginning of
Reduction Focus—The focus of this the property hereby conveyed; thence
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
alternative would be the reduction of continuing north 47°28′ East along the
Paula L. Hart, Director, Office of Indian
invasive woody vegetation cover (e.g., southerly line of the land of Lile
Gaming, Bureau of Indian Affairs, MS–
willow, aspen) across the refuge crossing the right of way of the
3657 MIB, 1849 C Street NW.,
landscape during the lifespan of this Northwestern Pacific Railway Company,
Washington, DC 20240; telephone (202)
CCP. The extent of woody cover is a distance of 35.74 chains to a point on
219–4066.
increasing due to a lack of regular the gravel bar on the Russian River and
vegetative disturbance and other factors. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
being the northeasterly corner of the
Management actions would focus on notice is published in the exercise of land so conveyed as aforesaid by said
refuge units exhibiting woody authority delegated by the Secretary of Mary M. Markell to Fred J. Daniels;
vegetation cover that exceeds the the Interior to the Assistant Secretary— thence south 36°36′ East, on said gravel
amount found prior to European Indian Affairs by 209 Departmental bar 9.78 chains; thence south 47°28′
settlement. Public use opportunities Manual 8.1, and is published to comply West, being parallel with the northerly
would continue with minimal change. with the requirements of 25 CFR line of said lands conveyed by said
Staff time and funding would focus on 151.12(c)(2)(ii) that notice of the Mary M. Markell to Fred J. Daniels a
improving opportunities for self-guided decision to acquire land in trust be distance of 35.61 chains; thence North
interpretation of refuge habitats and promptly provided in the Federal 37°19′ West, a distance 9.77 chains to
wildlife using existing infrastructure. Register. the place of beginning.
On April 29, 2016, the Assistant Excepting therefrom 4.50 acres as
Public Involvement Secretary—Indian Affairs issued a conveyed to the city of Cloverdale by
We will give the public an decision to accept approximately 61.83 deed recorded July 18, 1940 in book 505
opportunity to provide input at a public acres, more or less, of land into trust for of official records, at page 358, Serial
meeting. You can obtain the schedule the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo No. B–21341.
Indians of California (Tribe) under the
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
from the address or Web site listed in Also excepting therefrom that portion
this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may authority of the Indian Reorganization conveyed to the State of California by
also submit comments anytime during Act of 1934, 25 U.S.C. 465. The deed recorded November 7, 1974, in
the comment period. Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs book 2910 of official records, at page
determined that the Tribe’s request also 437, Instrument No. P–28163, Sonoma
Public Availability of Comments meets the requirements of the Indian County Records.
Before including your address, phone Gaming Regulatory Act’s ‘‘restored Also excepting therefrom that portion
number, email address, or other lands’’ exception, 25 U.S.C. of the above described property
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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:01:30
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:01:30
| 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 June 20, 2016. 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 | Gregg Knutsen, 218-687-2229 x16. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 31655 |
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