81 FR 947 - Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge, Accomack County, VA; Record of Decision for Final Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 5 (January 8, 2016)

Page Range		947-948
FR Document		2016-00176

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and record of decision (ROD) for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Wallops Island NWR. We prepared this ROD pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and its implementing regulations. The Service is furnishing this notice to advise the public and other agencies of our decision and of the availability of the ROD.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 5 (Friday, January 8, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 5 (Friday, January 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 947-948]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00176]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R5-R-2015-N216; BAC-4333-99]


Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Wallops Island National 
Wildlife Refuge, Accomack County, VA; Record of Decision for Final 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; final comprehensive conservation plan 
and record of decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and 
record of decision (ROD) for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge 
(NWR) and Wallops Island NWR. We prepared this ROD pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and its implementing 
regulations. The Service is furnishing this notice to advise the public 
and other agencies of our decision and of the availability of the ROD.

DATES: The ROD was signed on November 6, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and ROD 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 [email protected]. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Bonetti, Natural Resource 
Planner, 413-253-8307 (phone); [email protected] (email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Chincoteague NWR 
and Wallops Island NWR. We began this process through 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/
Environmental Impact Statement (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. We 
released the final CCP/EIS for public review on September 11, 2015 (80 
FR 54799).
    In the draft and final CCP/EIS, we evaluated three alternatives for 
managing the refuge and completed a thorough analysis of the 
environmental, social, and economic considerations of each alternative. 
Based on comments received on the draft CCP/EIS, we made minor 
modifications to alternative B, the Service's preferred alternative in 
the final CCP/EIS. During the public review period for the final CCP/
EIS, we did not receive any comments that raised significant new 
issues, resulted in changes to our analysis, or warranted any further 
changes to alternative B.
    In accordance with NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements, this 
notice announces our decision to select alternative B for 
implementation and the availability of the ROD and final CCP for 
Chincoteague NWR and Wallops Island NWR. The final CCP will guide our 
management and administration of the refuges over the next 15 years.

Background

    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 (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 Alternatives

    During the scoping phase of the planning process, we identified 
issues and concerns based on input from the public, State or Federal 
agencies, other Service programs, and our planning team. We developed 
refuge management alternatives to address issues; help achieve refuge 
goals, objectives, and purposes; and support the Refuge System mission. 
Our draft CCP/EIS (79 FR 27906) and final CCP/EIS (80 FR 54799) fully 
analyze three alternatives for the future management of the refuge: (1) 
Alternative A, Current Management; (2) Alternative B, Balanced 
Approach; and (3) Alternative C, Reduced Disturbance. Alternative A 
satisfies the NEPA requirement of a ``No Action'' alternative. Both the 
draft and final plans identify alternative B as the Service-preferred 
alternative. Please refer to the final CCP/EIS for more details on each 
of the alternatives.

Basis for Selected Alternative

    Our decision is to adopt alternative B, as described in the final 
CCP. We provide a brief summary of our decision below. For the full 
basis of our decision, please see the ROD (see ADDRESSES).
    The decision to adopt alternative B for implementation was made 
after considering the follow factors: (1) The impacts identified in 
Chapter 4, Environmental Consequences, of the draft and final CCP/EIS; 
(2) The results of public and agency comments; (3) How well the 
alternative achieves the stated purpose and need for a CCP and the 
seven goals presented in the final CCP/EIS chapter 1; (4) How well the 
alternative addresses the relevant issues, concerns, and opportunities 
identified in the planning process; and (5) Other relevant factors, 
including fulfilling the purposes for which the refuge was established, 
contributing to the mission and goals of the Refuge System, and 
statutory and regulatory guidance.
    Compared to the other two alternatives, alternative B includes the

[[Page 948]]

suite of actions that best meet the factors above using the most 
balanced and integrated approach, and with due consideration for both 
the biological and human environment. Alternative B will best fulfill 
the CCP's biological goals, by managing for particular Federal trust 
species and habitats that are of regional conservation concern. It 
clearly defines which Federal trust species and habitat will be a 
management priority in both uplands and wetlands, and details specific 
objectives and strategies for their management. The refuge's 
establishment purposes emphasize the conservation of migratory birds; 
thus, protecting the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental 
health of Chincoteague NWR and its habitat and wildlife, particularly 
migratory birds, is paramount.
    In summary, we selected alternative B for implementation because it 
best meets the factors identified above when compared to alternatives A 
and C. Alternative B provides the greatest number of opportunities for 
Chincoteague NWR and Wallops Island NWR to contribute to the 
conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat in the Region, will 
increase the capacity of the refuges to meet their purposes and 
contribute to the Refuge System mission, and will provide the means to 
better respond to changing ecological conditions within the surrounding 
environment.

Public Availability of Documents

    You can view or obtain the final CCP and ROD as indicated under 
ADDRESSES.

    Dated: December 9, 2015.
Wendi Weber,
Regional Director, Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00176 Filed 1-7-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

948 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 5 / Friday, January 8, 2016 / Notices

suite of actions that best meet the factors FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. distance of 355.84 feet to a mag nail set
above using the most balanced and Sharlene Round Face, Bureau of Indian at the southerly sideline of Sampsons
integrated approach, and with due Affairs, Division of Real Estate Services, Mill Road;
consideration for both the biological and MS–4642–MIB, 1849 C Street NW., Thence S 70°51′50″ E along the
human environment. Alternative B will Washington, DC 20240, at (202) 208– southerly sideline of Sampsons Mill
best fulfill the CCP’s biological goals, by 3615. Road a distance of 528.32 feet to a
managing for particular Federal trust SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This concrete bound at the point of
species and habitats that are of regional notice is published in the exercise of curvature;
conservation concern. It clearly defines authority delegated by the Secretary of Thence easterly along the southerly
which Federal trust species and habitat the Interior to the Assistant Secretary— sideline of Sampsons Mill Road a curve
will be a management priority in both Indian Affairs by part 209 of the to the left having a radius of 191.36 feet,
uplands and wetlands, and details Departmental Manual. an arc distance of 132.25 feet, a chord
specific objectives and strategies for A proclamation was issued according bearing N 89°20′15″ E and a chord
their management. The refuge’s to the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984; length of 129.63 feet to point of
establishment purposes emphasize the 25 U.S.C. 467) for the lands described tangency;
conservation of migratory birds; thus, below. The land was proclaimed to be Thence N 69°32′13″ E along the
protecting the biological integrity, the Mashpee Wampanoag Reservation of southerly sideline of Sampsons Mill
diversity, and environmental health of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. The Road a distance of 195.68 feet to a point
Chincoteague NWR and its habitat and approximate acreages described below of curvature;
wildlife, particularly migratory birds, is are those identified in Attachment I of Thence easterly along the southerly
paramount. the Record of Decision signed by the sideline of Sampsons Mill Road a curve
In summary, we selected alternative B Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs on to the right having a radius of 171.59
for implementation because it best September 18, 2015. feet, an arc distance of 120.46 feet, a
meets the factors identified above when chord bearing N 89°38′54″ E and a chord
compared to alternatives A and C. Parcel 1—213 Sampsons Mill Road
length of 118.00 feet to point of
Alternative B provides the greatest (Assessor’s Parcel 63–10–0–R)
tangency;
number of opportunities for Description of land in the Thence S 70°14′27″ E along the
Chincoteague NWR and Wallops Island Commonwealth of Massachusetts, southerly sideline of Sampsons Mill
NWR to contribute to the conservation County of Barnstable, Town of Mashpee Road a distance of 114.00 feet to the
of fish, wildlife, and habitat in the on the east side of Quippish Road, and medial line of the Santuit River;
Region, will increase the capacity of the the south side of Sampsons Mill Road Thence numerous courses along the
refuges to meet their purposes and more particularly shown as Lot 6 on a medial line of Santuit River;
contribute to the Refuge System plan entitled ‘‘Plan of Land in Mashpee, Thence S 26°12′29″ W along the
mission, and will provide the means to Mass. Jill Slaymaker in Mashpee, Ma. medial line of the Santuit River a
better respond to changing ecological Scale 1″ = 100′, Date March 22, 1985’’ distance of 21.27 feet to a point;
conditions within the surrounding prepared by Edward E. Kelley Reg. Land Thence S 06°37′27″ E along the
environment. Surveyor and recorded in Barnstable medial line of the Santuit River a
County Registry of Deeds, Plan Book distance of 98.31 feet to a point;
Public Availability of Documents 401 Page 97. Bounded and described as Thence S 49°39′30″ W along the
You can view or obtain the final CCP follows: medial line of the Santuit River a
and ROD as indicated under ADDRESSES. Beginning at a concrete bound at the distance of 40.85 feet to a point;
Dated: December 9, 2015. intersection of Quippish Road and Thence S 38°48′36″ W along the
Wendi Weber,
Linwood Street and the southwesterly medial line of the Santuit River a
corner of the parcel herein described; distance of 43.45 feet to point;
Regional Director, Northeast Region, U.S. Fish
Thence N 01°28′19″ W along the
and Wildlife Service. Thence S 30°48′45″ E along the
easterly sideline of Quippish Road a
[FR Doc. 2016–00176 Filed 1–7–16; 8:45 am] medial line of the Santuit River a
distance of 258.98 feet to a concrete
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P distance of 27.64 feet to a point;
bound;
Thence N 14°02′10″ W along the Thence S 53°29′40″ E along the
easterly sideline of Quippish Road on a medial line of the Santuit River a
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR distance of 31.73 feet to a point;
distance of 209.57 feet to a concrete
bound; Thence S 29°39′25″ E along the
Bureau of Indian Affairs medial line of the Santuit River a
Thence N 20°57′57″ W along the
[156A2100DD/AAKC001030/ easterly sideline of Quippish Road a distance of 73.97 feet to a point;
A0A501010.999900 253G] distance of 266.53 feet to a point near Thence S 05°07′08″ W along the
a concrete bound disturbed at the land medial line of the Santuit River a
Proclaiming Certain Lands as distance of 81.61 feet to a point;
now or formerly of Willowbend
Reservation for the Mashpee Thence S 19°19′45″ W along the
Community Trust;
Wampanoag Thence N 68°19′49″ E along land now medial line of the Santuit River a
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs. or formerly of Willowbend Community distance of 55.78 feet to a point;
ACTION:Notice of Reservation Trust a distance of 335.86 feet to a Thence S 14°31′54″ E along the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES6

Proclamation. concrete bound; medial line of the Santuit River a
Thence N 18°23′09″ W along land distance of 146.35 feet to a point;
SUMMARY: This notice informs the public now or formerly of Willowbend Thence S 27°27′03″ E along the
that the Assistant Secretary—Indian Community Trust a distance of 391.81 medial line of the Santuit River a
Affairs proclaimed approximately feet to a concrete bound at the easterly distance of 94.14 feet to a point;
321.34 acres, more or less, as the initial sideline of Quippish Road; Thence S 51°23′03″ E along the
reservation of the Mashpee Wampanoag Thence N 18°23′09″ W along the medial line of the Santuit River a
Tribe on December 30, 2015. easterly sideline of Quippish Road a distance of 56.47 feet to a point;

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Document Created: 2016-01-16 01:14:22
Document Modified: 2016-01-16 01:14:22

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 record of decision.
Dates		The ROD was signed on November 6, 2015.
Contact		Thomas Bonetti, Natural Resource Planner, 413-253-8307 (phone); [email protected] (email).
FR Citation		81 FR 947

81 FR 947 - Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge, Accomack County, VA; Record of Decision for Final Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORFish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 5 (January 8, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service