[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 83 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10362]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 2, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[MT-930-4320-01]

 

Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment, Decision 
Record, and Finding of No Significant Impact for Predator Management in 
the Butte District; MT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: An Environmental Assessment (EA), Decision Record (DR), and 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) have been reissued for 
predator management in the Butte District. The analysis and decisions 
were vacated from IBLA for further clarification and revision. An EA, 
DR, and FONSI have been reissued (April 1994).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Brooks, Project Lead, Montana 
State Office, P.O. Box 36800, Billings, Montana 59107, 406-255-2929.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EA for Predator Management in Montana 
addresses four alternatives which affect predator management to varying 
degrees:
    Alternative I--Integrated Pest Management (APHIS-ADC, DOL, and BLM 
Proposed Action): This alternative emphasizes an Integrated Pest 
Management (IPM) approach to reduce animal damage. The IPM approach 
incorporates a variety of practical, lethal, and nonlethal methods for 
prevention and control to minimize animal damage to livestock or human 
health. The use of M-44s would be permitted after authorization is 
obtained for specific areas. Preventive control would be allowed in 
areas where historical livestock losses have been documented.
    Alternative II--No M-44s: This alternative would be similar to 
Alternative I, except the use of M-44s would not be authorized. All 
other approved methods for control would be permitted. Preventive 
control would be allowed in areas where historical livestock losses 
have been documented.
    Alternative III--No Action (Emergency Control Only): Preventive 
control measures would not be authorized, and corrective control would 
be applied only where APHIS-ADC have confirmed recent loss of livestock 
to predation. Emergency predator management would be requested by a 
producer when losses are occurring. The BLM would review and approve or 
disapprove these requests on a case-by-case basis. The requests would 
be handled using the emergency control procedures.
    Alternative IV--No APHIS-ADC or DOL Predator Management on BLM 
Lands: Under this alternative, APHIS-ADC or DOL predator management 
activities would not be authorized on BLM land in Montana. However, 
private landowners could continue to conduct predator management on BLM 
lands and could continue to enter into agreements with APHIS-ADC to 
carry out predator management on private, state, and other non-BLM 
lands.
    The Predator Management EA for Montana was available for public 
review from September 15 to October 15, 1993. An EA, DR, and FONSI were 
issued in November 1993. Since that time, the BLM decided to vacate the 
EA and decisions from IBLA to clarify and revise the analysis. The 
revised EA, DR, and FONSI (April 1994) have been reissued and are 
available upon request.
    Based upon careful consideration of the analysis of alternatives 
within the Predator Management EA, including consideration of 
applicable laws, regulations, public and agency comments, I have 
decided to implement Alternative I--Integrated Pest Management (APHIS-
ADC, DOL, and BLM Proposed Action). Management actions will be directed 
towards localized populations and/or individual offending predators. 
Requests for control will come directly to APHIS-ADC from permittees. 
In response to public concern regarding the use of lethal methods, the 
following mitigating measure has been adopted as part of my decision: 
Livestock producers will be provided information on nonlethal methods. 
When services are requested by permittees, APHIS-ADC will provide a 
factsheet to the livestock producer on nonlethal methods. In addition, 
information on nonlethal methods will also be mailed out in the annual 
grazing applications by BLM. This will ensure that permittees who 
request control are aware of the variety of nonlethal methods available 
to them; such as livestock producer practices, guard dogs, scare 
devices, etc.
    Implementation of Alternative I will require strict adherence to 
the reasonable and prudent measures provided by the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the mitigation and stipulations provided 
in the EA for the protection of threatened and endangered and candidate 
species. The USFWS has concurred with the BLM finding that the proposed 
predator management strategy is not likely to adversely affect 
threatened and endangered species. Predator management will be 
prohibited in the Bear Trap Wilderness Area to reduce conflicts with 
recreation. Selective aerial predator control will be the only means 
that predatory animals, other than wolves, be removed from the BLM land 
between the town of Lima and Bloody Dick Creek due to possible wolf 
sightings in that area. The National Guard Training Area, located west 
of Townsend, will also be closed to predator management activities. 
However, APHIS-ADC will be allowed to conduct predator management after 
permission is granted from the National Guard and the BLM is notified 
when control work will be conducted. All areas where human health or 
safety are a particular concern, as identified on Map No. 1 in the EA, 
will be closed to predator management. These areas also include 
appropriate buffer zones. Designated bird-hunting areas will have 
timing restrictions placed on predator management activities.
    It is my conclusion that the proposed action will not result in 
significant environmental impacts, and that no species will be 
substantially or permanently reduced in numbers as a result of my 
decision. In addition, the predator population is not substantially 
impacted. Statewide, 7,847 coyotes were taken by APHIS-ADC and DOL on 
lands of all ownership, or 1.5 to 13.7 percent of the population 
statewide (based on the scientific model) or 2.6 percent (based on the 
coyote density indices sampling). In the Butte District, approximately 
31 coyotes were taken on BLM lands, and no red fox were taken on BLM 
lands in the district by APHIS-ADC. Based on the analysis in the EA, 
implementation of Alternative I will result in the smallest amount of 
livestock loss and provides for the most flexibility in correcting or 
preventing damage based on the circumstances and surrounding 
environment. This decision ensures that predator management will be 
carried out in a systematic manner which responds to resource 
protection, human health, and livestock protection needs while 
protecting public safety, domestic animals, and nontarget wildlife. 
This decision is compatible with resource objectives identified in the 
land use plans for the Butte District. The Secretary of Interior will 
put the decision in full force and effect for the 30-day appeal period. 
To appeal this decision, please follow the appeal procedures. To obtain 
a copy of the appeal procedures, contact Sandy Brooks, Project Lead, 
Montana State Office, 406-255-2929.

    Dated: April 25, 1994.
Wayne Zinne,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 94-10362 Filed 4-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P