[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 159 (Thursday, August 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47511-47512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13558]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: draft comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment
(EA). It describes how we intend to manage Rachel Carson NWR during the
next 15 years. We prepared this Draft CCP/EA in conformance with the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act, as amended.
DATES: The Draft CCP/EA is available for public review and comment. We
must receive your comments on or before September 18, 2006. During the
30-day comment period, we plan to host public meetings in the local
area. We will post the details of each meeting at least 2 weeks in
advance to our project mailing list in local papers, at the refuge, and
at our Web site, http://www.fws.gov/northeast/rachelcarsonrefuge/.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain copies of the draft CCP/EA on compact disk or
in print by writing to Carl Melberg, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Northeast Regional Office, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley,
Massachusetts 01035-9589, or e-mailing [email protected]. You
may also view the draft on the Web at http://library.fws.gov/ccps.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Melberg, 413-253-8521.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 et seq.), requires the
Service to develop a CCP for each refuge. The purpose of developing a
CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving
refuge purposes and contributing to the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), in conformance with the sound principles
of fish and wildlife science, natural resources conservation, legal
mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad
management direction on conserving wildlife and habitats, CCPs identify
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public,
including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental interpretation and education. The
Service will review and update each CCP at least once every 15 years,
in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act
of 1997 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321-4370d) (NEPA).
This Draft CCP/EA identifies goals, long-range objectives, and
strategies for achieving the purposes for which this refuge was
established. The document poses three management alternatives:
Alternative A (Current Management): This alternative is the no
action alternative required by NEPA. Alternative A defines our current
management activities, including those planned, funded, or under way,
and serves as the baseline against which to compare the other two
action alternatives. It would maintain our present levels of approved
refuge staffing and the biological and visitor programs now in place.
Three new facilities are incorporated in this alternative to support
current and approved management, staffing, and administrative
obligations. The refuge would continue to acquire the 3,833 acres
remaining within its current approved boundary.
Alternative B (the Service-preferred alternative): This alternative
represents the combination of actions that we believe will most
effectively achieve the purposes and goals of the refuge and address
the major issues. It builds on the programs identified under current
management. Funding and staffing would need to increase to adequately
support the program expansions we propose. We propose to expand the
refuge by 5,558 acres beyond its current approved boundary of 9,126
acres. We would add acreage to Brave Boat Harbor, Upper Wells,
Spurwink, Biddeford, Mousam River, Little River, and Moody Divisions,
and we would establish a new York River Division, encompassing the
largest undeveloped salt marsh south of Portland. Alternative B also
includes removing 101 parcels totaling 164 acres from the current
approved boundary that are no longer suitable for Service acquisition.
The refuge would continue to acquire the 3,833 acres remaining within
its current approved boundary. This proposal increases the protection
and management of migratory wildlife, endangered and threatened
species, and other species of concern by protecting additional aquatic
and upland habitat. It includes expanded management and additional
public use opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation such as
hunting and fishing, as well as wildlife observation, photography, and
interpretation. A new administrative complex, including office space,
maintenance facilities, and visitor contact station, will be built.
This alternative includes combining the Moody, Lower Wells, Upper
Wells, and Mousam River Divisions into one, the Wells Bay Division.
This alternative will also increase the number and quality of wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities, and allow us to use Rachel Carson
NWR's proximity to Portland and urban communities to better promote
NWRS principles and improve public support for national wildlife
refuges.
Alternative C is the same as alternative B, however, it proposes to
expand the refuge by 11,397 acres beyond the current approved boundary.
That 11,397-acre expansion includes the 5,558 acres in Alternative B.
It would add acreage to Brave Boat Harbor, Upper Wells, Spurwink,
Biddeford, and Moody Divisions, and would establish a new York River
Division, encompassing the largest undeveloped salt marsh south of
Portland. This alternative will also increase the number and quality of
wildlife-dependent recreational
[[Page 47512]]
opportunities, especially hunting and fishing, further protect
threatened and endangered species, and control invasive species.
After the 30-day review and comment period ends, we will analyze,
address, and consider all comments received and prepare a final CCP.
Availability of the final CCP will be published in the Federal
Register. The Director must approve the proposed refuge boundary
expansion before the Regional Director considers approving the
expansion.
All comments, including names and addresses, become part of the
official public record. Requests for the public record of this plan
will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, the
Council on Environmental Quality's NEPA regulations, and other Service
and Departmental policies and procedures.
Dated: August 11, 2006.
Marvin E. Moriarty,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, MA 01035-
9589.
[FR Doc. E6-13558 Filed 8-16-06; 8:45 am]
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