[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 8054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2541]
[[Page 8054]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for
Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District, Kearney, NE
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that
the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Rainwater Basin
Wetland Management District (WMD) is available. This CCP, prepared
pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes how the
Service intends to manage the Rainwater Basin WMD, which administers 61
waterfowl production areas and 35 conservation easements for the next
15 years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the CCP or Summary may be obtained by writing to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, 134 Union
Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, Colorado 80228; or download from http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernardo Garza, 303-236-4377 (phone);
303-236-4792 (fax); or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The District encompasses Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Gosper,
Hall, Hamilton, Kearney, Phelps, Polk, Saline, Seward, and York
Counties in south-central Nebraska.
The WMD was established in 1963 when the Service began acquiring
critical migratory waterfowl habitat in south-central and southeast
Nebraska with Duck Stamp dollars. The WMD's establishment purposes are:
(1) ``* * * to assure the long-term viability of the breeding
waterfowl population and production through the acquisition and
management of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs), while considering the
needs of other migratory birds, threatened and endangered species and
other wildlife.'' (purpose statement developed for all WMDs in Region 6
in June 2004);
(2) To acquire small wetland and pothole areas to be designated as
`Waterfowl Production Areas' as an inviolate sanctuary or for any other
management purpose, for migratory birds and to restore and develop
adequate wildlife habitat under the Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamp Promotion Act ``see'' [16 U.S.C. 715d(2), 715i(a) &
718(c)];
(3) ``for conservation purposes'' under the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act [7 U.S.C. 2002 (a)];
(4) ``promote * * * the conservation of the wetlands of the Nation
in order to maintain the public benefits they provide and to help
fulfill international obligations in various migratory bird treaties
and conventions with Canada, Mexico, Japan, the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics, and with various countries in the Western
Hemisphere'' under the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act [16 U.S.C.
3901(b)]; and
(5) ``to protect waterfowl production areas'' under Public Land
Orders 6979 [May 25, 1993], and 7206 [June 24, 1996].
Today, the WMD manages 24,210.09 acres in 61 waterfowl production
areas within the geographic area called the Rainwater Basin. Current
public use opportunities at this WMD include hunting, environmental
education and interpretation, wildlife observation, and photography.
All WPAs are subject to all provisions of the Migratory Bird
Conservation Act except the inviolate sanctuary provisions, for any
other management purposes, for migratory birds, and for conservation
purposes.
This final CCP identifies goals, objectives, and strategies for the
management of Rainwater Basin WMD that emphasize restoration and
maintenance of native habitats in vigorous condition for migratory
birds. The CCP places high importance on the control of invasive plant
species with partners and integrated pest management. It seeks to
provide habitats in order to contribute to conservation, enhancement,
and production of migratory bird species while protecting federally
listed species.
The availability of the draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA)
for a 30-day public review and comment period was announced in the
Federal Register on July 18, 2007. The draft CCP/EA evaluated two
alternatives for managing Rainwater Basin WMD for the next 15 years.
The preferred alternative will expand the scope and level of
efforts of the current management of habitats by maintaining existing
and seeking new partnerships. This alternative will seek to address all
management aspects in a holistic manner. The WMD will work with formal
and informal partnerships, including landowners, to improve waterfowl
production areas at a landscape level. Actions would strive to build a
``neighborly interaction'' between privately-owned, State, and WMD
lands within each watershed. The WMD would work with partners to
complete the engineering and funding and would continue to support and
work cooperatively to further the goals of the Rainwater Basin Joint
Venture.
This alternative was selected because it best meets the purposes
and goals of the WMD, as well as the mission and goals of the National
Wildlife Refuge System. The preferred alternative also will benefit
federally listed species, shore birds, migrating and nesting waterfowl,
neotropical migrants, and resident wildlife. Environmental education
and partnerships will result in improved wildlife-dependent
recreational opportunities. Cultural and historical resources as well
as federally listed species will be protected.
The Service is furnishing this notice to advise other agencies and
the public of the availability of the final Plan, to provide
information on the desired conditions for the Wetland Management
District, and to detail how the Service will implement management
strategies. Based on the review and evaluation of the information
contained in the EA, the Regional Director has determined that
implementation of the Final Plan does not constitute a major federal
action that would significantly affect the quality of the human
environment within the meaning of Section 102(2) (c) of the National
Environmental Policy Act. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement
will not be prepared.
Dated: February 5, 2008.
Gary G. Mowad,
Acting Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. E8-2541 Filed 2-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P