81 FR 89497 - Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, Polk County, Minnesota; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Finding of No Significant Impact
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 238 (December 12, 2016)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 238 (December 12, 2016)
| Page Range | 89497-89498 | |
| FR Document | 2016-29672 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 89497-89498] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-29672] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R3-R-2016-N134; FXRS1261030000-178-FF03R02000] Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, Polk County, Minnesota; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Environmental Assessment, and Finding of No Significant Impact AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP), environmental assessment (EA), and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (refuge, NWR). In this final CCP we describe how we propose to manage the refuge for the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: You will find the final CCP, a summary of the final CCP, and the EA/FONSI on the planning Web site at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/GlacialRidge/index.html. A limited number of hard copies and CD-ROMs are available. You may request one by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include ``Glacial Ridge Final CCP/EA'' in the subject line of the message. U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, Glacial Ridge NWR, 17788 349th St. SE., Erskine, MN 56535. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregg Knutsen, 218-687-2229 x16. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we complete 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. We released the draft CCP and EA to the public, announcing and requesting comments in a notice of availability (81 FR 31655) on May 19, 2016. The 42-day comment period ended on June 20, 2016. A summary of public comments and the agency responses are included in the final CCP. 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 final CCP/EA may be found at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ planning/glacialridge/index.html. The document incorporates an EA and FONSI, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The CCP/EA includes detailed information about the planning process, refuge, issues, and management alternatives considered and proposed. The EA includes discussions of three alternative refuge management options. The Service's preferred alternative is reflected in the final CCP. The selected alternative for Glacial Ridge NWR includes refuge management actions that approximate ecological processes that maintained native habitats prior to European [[Page 89498]] 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. Charles M. Wooley, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2016-29672 Filed 12-9-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 238 / Monday, December 12, 2016 / Notices 89497
Today’s delegation also supersedes all Dated: November 28, 2016. Background
prior delegations of authority for Julián Castro, The National Wildlife Refuge System
OLHCHH. Secretary. Administration Act of 1966, as amended
[FR Doc. 2016–29653 Filed 12–9–16; 8:45 am] by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Section A. Authority Delegated
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C.
The Secretary hereby delegates to the 668dd–668ee) (Administration Act),
Director of OLHCHH, all authority of the requires us to develop a CCP for each
Secretary pursuant to the Lead-Based DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR national wildlife refuge. The purpose in
Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 developing a CCP is to provide refuge
U.S.C. 4821 et seq.), the Residential Fish and Wildlife Service managers with a 15-year strategy for
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act [FWS–R3–R–2016–N134; FXRS1261030000– achieving refuge purposes and
of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4851 et seq.), sections 178–FF03R02000] contributing toward the mission of the
501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban National Wildlife Refuge System
Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C. Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, (NWRS), consistent with sound
1701z–1 and 1701z–2), and authorizing Polk County, Minnesota; Final principles of fish and wildlife
legislation pertaining to lead hazard Comprehensive Conservation Plan, management, conservation, legal
control and/or healthy homes contained Environmental Assessment, and mandates, and Service policies. In
within annual appropriations acts for Finding of No Significant Impact addition to outlining broad management
matters pertaining to lead hazard direction on conserving wildlife and
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
control and healthy homes. This their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
Interior.
includes the oversight and enforcement dependent recreational opportunities
ACTION: Notice of availability. available to the public, including
of the Lead Disclosure Rule and the
oversight of the Lead Safe Housing Rule SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and opportunities for hunting, fishing,
(24 CFR part 35, subparts A through R) Wildlife Service (Service), announce the wildlife observation and photography,
for all HUD programs and enforcement availability of a final comprehensive and environmental education and
of the Lead Safe Housing Rule for conservation plan (CCP), environmental interpretation. We will review and
Multifamily Housing programs, the assessment (EA), and finding of no update the CCP at least every 15 years
Single Family Asset Management significant impact (FONSI) for the in accordance with the Administration
program, and PIH programs. PIH Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge Act.
enforcement actions include Each unit of the NWRS was
(refuge, NWR). In this final CCP we
coordination with the appropriate PIH established for specific purposes. We
describe how we propose to manage the
field office. The Director of OLHCHH use these purposes as the foundation for
refuge for the next 15 years.
also has responsibility for ensuring developing and prioritizing the
ADDRESSES: You will find the final CCP, management goals and objectives for
compliance, within assistance programs a summary of the final CCP, and the EA/
administered by OLHCHH, with each refuge within the NWRS mission,
FONSI on the planning Web site at and to determine how the public can
relevant environmental requirements http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/
described in 24 CFR part 50, and with use each refuge. The planning process is
GlacialRidge/index.html. A limited a way for us and the public to evaluate
HUD responsibilities under 24 CFR part number of hard copies and CD–ROMs management goals and objectives that
58 in accordance with the Memorandum are available. You may request one by will ensure the best possible approach
of Understanding Regarding U.S. any of the following methods: to wildlife, plant, and habitat
Department of Housing and Urban • Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include conservation, while providing for
Development Compliance with the ‘‘Glacial Ridge Final CCP/EA’’ in the wildlife-dependent recreation
National Environmental Policy Act and subject line of the message. opportunities that are compatible with
Related Laws and Authorities, See, 81 • U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge each refuge’s establishing purposes and
FR 66075, September 26, 2016. Manager, Glacial Ridge NWR, 17788 the mission of the NWRS.
349th St. SE., Erskine, MN 56535.
Section B. Authority Excepted Additional Information
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The authority delegated in this Gregg Knutsen, 218–687–2229 x16. The final CCP/EA may be found at
document does not include the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/
authority to sue or be sued or to issue glacialridge/index.html. The document
or waive regulations. Introduction incorporates an EA and FONSI,
With this notice, we complete the prepared in accordance with the
Section C. Authority To Redelegate CCP process for Glacial Ridge National National Environmental Policy Act
The Secretary authorizes the Director Wildlife Refuge, which we began by (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The
of OLHCHH to redelegate the authority publishing a notice of intent in the CCP/EA includes detailed information
described in Section A. Federal Register (78 FR 3909) on about the planning process, refuge,
January 17, 2013. For more about the issues, and management alternatives
Section D. Authority Superseded initial process and the history of this considered and proposed. The EA
refuge, see that notice. We released the includes discussions of three alternative
This delegation supersedes all draft CCP and EA to the public, refuge management options. The
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
previous delegations of authority to announcing and requesting comments Service’s preferred alternative is
OLHCHH. The Secretary may revoke the in a notice of availability (81 FR 31655) reflected in the final CCP.
authority authorized herein, in whole or on May 19, 2016. The 42-day comment The selected alternative for Glacial
part, at any time. period ended on June 20, 2016. A Ridge NWR includes refuge
Authority: Section 7(d) of the Department summary of public comments and the management actions that approximate
of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 agency responses are included in the ecological processes that maintained
U.S.C. 3535(d)). final CCP. native habitats prior to European
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![89498 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 238 / Monday, December 12, 2016 / Notices
settlement, emphasizing the use of Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, restrictions should the species become
multiple habitat disturbance regimes North Florida Ecological Services Field listed as threatened or endangered
(e.g., fire, grazing, mowing). These Office, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite under the Act. Application
actions would maintain and increase the 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Documents requirements and issuance criteria for
diversity of native vegetation and are also available for public inspection enhancement of survival permits
wildlife communities that mimic pre- by appointment during normal business through CCAAs are found in 50 CFR
settlement conditions. Management hours at the Fish and Wildlife Service’s 17.22(d) and 17.32(d).
activities would be ‘‘focused’’ via a Regional Office, 1875 Century Under the CCAA, the applicant agrees
refuge prioritization effort to maximize Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345, or at the to voluntarily undertake conservation
the intended impacts on priority units, Service’s North Florida Ecological practices on the enrolled lands to
given reduced refuge staff and funding. Services Field Office. Note that requests protect, enhance, restore, and/or
Public use opportunities would for application documents must be in maintain habitat benefiting the covered
continue with minimal changes. Staff writing to be processed. When species. In turn, the applicant will
time and funding would focus on requesting information about or receive regulatory assurances and
improving opportunities for self-guided submitting comments regarding this incidental take authorization should a
interpretation of refuge habitats and notice, please reference ‘‘Camp covered species be federally listed in the
wildlife using existing infrastructure. Blanding Candidate Conservation future. The conservation practices vary
Agreement with Assurances; TE according to the six habitat types that
Charles M. Wooley, support the covered species on the
72196B’’ in your correspondence.
Acting Regional Director. enrolled lands. These practices include
Submitting Comments: See the Public
[FR Doc. 2016–29672 Filed 12–9–16; 8:45 am] Comments section under use of prescribed fire and thinning to
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. maintain forest habitats, protection of
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
wetlands and streams through the
Michael Harris, At-Risk Species maintenance of riparian zones and
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR prohibition of impoundments and
Coordinator, at the Atlanta Regional
channelization, and other actions such
Fish and Wildlife Service Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 404–
as monitoring and control of invasive
679–7066; or Ms. Lourdes Mena,
[FWS–R4–ES–2016–N093; FF04E00000– exotic species.
Endangered Species Biologist, at the
1113–0000–178]
North Florida Ecological Services Field Request for Information
Proposed Candidate Conservation Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 904– We specifically request information,
Agreement With Assurances for Camp 731–3119. views, and opinions from the public via
Blanding Joint Training Center, Florida SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This this notice on our proposed Federal
notice advises the public that the action, including our determination that
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Department of Military Affairs the applicant’s proposal, including the
Interior. via the Florida Armory Board proposed mitigation and minimization
ACTION: Notice of availability. (applicant) has applied for an measures, would have minor or
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public enhancement of survival permit (permit) negligible effects on the species covered
that the Florida Department of Military associated with a candidate in their CCAA. Therefore, our proposed
Affairs, via the Florida Armory Board conservation agreement with assurances issuance of the requested permit
(applicant), has applied for an (CCAA) pursuant to the Endangered qualifies as a categorical exclusion
enhancement of survival permit Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 under the National Environmental
associated with a candidate U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit Policy Act, as provided by Department
conservation agreement with assurances application includes a proposed CCAA of the Interior implementing regulations
(CCAA) pursuant to the Endangered between the applicant, the Service, and in part 46 of title 43 of the Code of
Species Act of 1973, as amended. The the Florida Fish and Wildlife Federal Regulations (43 CFR 46.205,
permit application includes a proposed Conservation Commission for 22 46.210, and 46.215). A low-effect CCAA
CCAA between the applicant, the species, including 2 Federal candidate is one involving (1) Minor or negligible
Service, and the Florida Fish and species—the striped newt effects on federally listed or candidate
Wildlife Conservation Commission for (Notophthalmus viridescens) and the species and their habitats, and (2) minor
22 species, including 2 Federal gopher tortoise (Gopherus or negligible effects on other
candidate species—the striped newt and polyphemus)—and 20 other at-risk environmental values or resources. We
the gopher tortoise—and 20 other at-risk species, including Florida State-listed also solicit information regarding the
species, including Florida State-listed species (covered species). The CCAA adequacy of the CCAA per 50 CFR parts
species. The CCAA will cover 46,494 will cover 46,494 acres of the Camp 13 and 17.
acres of the Camp Blanding Joint Blanding Joint Training Center, which is
located in Clay County, Florida Public Comments
Training Center, which is located in Before including your address, phone
Clay County, Florida. The duration of (enrolled lands). The duration of the
CCAA is 15 years. We invite public number, email address, or other
the CCAA is 15 years. We invite public personal identifying information in your
comments on the application. comments on the application.
comment, you should be aware that
DATES: We must receive written Introduction your entire comment—including your
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
comments at our Regional Office (see CCAAs encourage private and other personal identifying information—may
ADDRESSES) on or before January 11, non-Federal property owners to be made publicly available at any time.
2017. implement conservation efforts for While you can request in your comment
ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents for candidate and at-risk species while that we withhold your personal
Review: You may obtain a copy of the providing regulatory assurances to the identifying information from public
application and associated documents property owners that they will not be review, we cannot guarantee that we
by contacting Mr. Jay Herrington, Field subjected to increased property use will be able to do so.
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Document Created: 2018-02-14 09:05:57
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 09:05:57
| 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. | |
| Contact | Gregg Knutsen, 218-687-2229 x16. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 89497 |
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