[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45443-45444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15883]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability for the Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Flattery Rocks, Quillayute 
Needles, and Copalis National Wildlife Refuges, Clallam, Jefferson, and 
Grays Harbor Counties, WA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has completed a 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) for the Flattery Rocks, Quillayute Needles, and Copalis 
National Wildlife Refuges (Washington Islands Refuges, or Refuges). The 
CCP was developed to provide a foundation for the management and use of 
the Washington Islands Refuges. The Service is furnishing this notice 
to advise other agencies and the public of the availability of the CCP 
and FONSI, and the decision to implement Alternative B as described in 
the CCP. The Service's Regional Director for the Pacific Region 
selected Alternative B for managing the Refuges for the next 15 years. 
The Washington Islands Refuges are located off the Pacific Coast of 
Washington.

DATES: The CCP and FONSI are now available. Implementation of the CCP 
may begin immediately.

ADDRESSES: Printed copies of the CCP and FONSI are available for 
viewing at Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex 
Headquarters, 33 S. Barr Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362, and may be 
obtained by visiting or writing to the Refuge Complex. These documents 
are also available for viewing and downloading on the Internet at 
http://pacific.fws.gov/planning.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Ryan, Project Leader, Washington 
Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, phone (360) 457-8451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Washington Islands Refuges are part of 
the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the Service. The 
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (Refuge 
Administration Act), as amended, requires all units of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System to be managed in accordance with an approved 
CCP. A CCP provides management direction, and identifies refuge goals, 
objectives,

[[Page 45444]]

and strategies for achieving refuge purposes. We prepared the CCP and 
FONSI for the Washington Islands Refuges pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370d), as 
amended, and its implementing regulations, the Refuge Administration 
Act, and Service policies.
    The Washington Islands Refuges are located in Clallam, Jefferson, 
and Grays Harbor Counties, Washington. Planning for the Refuges was 
conducted together because many of the same physical characteristics, 
management issues, and conservation opportunities occur on, or are 
relevant to the management of each of the Refuges.
    During the CCP planning process for the Refuges many elements were 
considered, including wildlife management and habitat protection, off-
refuge wildlife-dependent recreational and educational opportunities, 
and coordination with tribal, State, and Federal agencies and other 
interested groups. The Draft CCP and associated Environmental 
Assessment identified and evaluated two alternatives for managing the 
Refuges. The Draft CCP was available for a 30-day public review and 
comment period, which occurred May 31 through June 30, 2005 (May 31, 
2005, 70 FR 30967). The Service received 24 comment letters on the 
Draft CCP, which were incorporated into, or otherwise responded to in 
the final CCP. No substantive changes where required to address public 
comments.
    By implementing the CCP, the Service will minimize disturbance to 
wildlife, reduce contaminants, enhance oil spill response preparedness, 
initiate and participate in cooperative monitoring and research, and 
enhance the Refuges' public education program.
    Wildlife disturbances will be minimized by enforcing access 
restrictions to Refuge islands, educating boaters and pilots about 
wildlife disturbances, promoting a voluntary 200-yard boat-free zone, 
pursuing tideland leases with the State, and enforcing wildlife 
disturbance regulations. Working with partners to reduce impacts from 
oil spills and remove derelict fishing gear and other wildlife hazards 
is a high priority for the Refuges. Long-term wildlife monitoring 
efforts will continue, and Refuge staff will assist with developing a 
monitoring manual for seabirds. The Service will develop partnerships 
to pursue joint research projects and develop and staff an off-refuge 
interpretive center. The proposal in the CCP for eradication of 
European rabbits on Destruction Island will be addressed in a separate 
planning effort with full public involvement.

    Dated: June 14, 2007.
Renne R. Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
 [FR Doc. E7-15883 Filed 8-13-07; 8:45 am]
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