[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 111 (Friday, June 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13370]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 10, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, OR; Environmental 
Statements

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS) on the proposed comprehensive management plan 
for Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Lake County, Oregon, is 
available for public review. Five alternatives are being considered, 
including the Preferred Alternative. This notice is being furnished 
pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969.

DATES: The review period ends on July 11, 1994 (30 days from the 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register).

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to: Refuge Complex 
Manager, Sheldon-Hart Mountain Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 111, Lakeview, 
OR 97630.
    Copies of the FEIS may be inspected at locations listed in 
Supplementary Information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ruth Anne Miller, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Sheldon-Hart Mountain 
Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 111, Lakeview, Oregon 97630, (503) 947-3315.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service developed and analyzed five 
alternatives for the management of wildlife, habitat, and public use of 
Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. The purpose of this FEIS is to 
recommend a course of action that would best guide the management of 
the Refuge's resources.

    The FEIS analyzes five alternative approaches to resolving the 
Refuge's core problems, which are: (1) Unnaturally high densities of 
shrubs and junipers throughout Refuge uplands, and lack of periodic 
fire in these habitats; (2) eroded stream channels and deficiency of 
riparain vegetation along a majority or Refuge streams; and (3) 
insufficient resources and inadequate facilities to manage the 
increasing number of Refuge visitors. These problems are the underlying 
factors currently preventing Refuge goals from being achieved, and thus 
provide a focal point for the proposed comprehensive management plan.
    The five alternatives being considered are: (1) Baseline 
Management, which continues emphasis on a livestock grazing program as 
the primary means of managing Refuge vegetation; (2) Featured Species 
Management, which combines the uses of livestock grazing, prescribed 
burning and herbicides to manage vegetation; (3) Habitat Restoration 
Alternative, which would emphasize restoration of Refuge habitats, 
although not to the extent proposed by the Ecosystem Management 
Alternative; (4) Native Community Restoration (Preferred Alternative), 
which proposes an ecosystems management approach to restoration of 
Refuge habitats and natural processes; and (5) Custodial Maintenance, 
which emphasizes the total exclusion of human intervention.
    The Preferred Alternative, if implemented, would (1) reduce shrub 
and juniper cover on 22,000 to 40,000 acres within 15 years following 
implementation of the comprehensive management plan, primarily through 
prescribed burning; (2) allow riparian areas to restore passively, 
except in limited areas where prescribed burning, willow plantings, and 
check dams would be used; (3) discontinue the use of livestock on 
Refuge lands during the next 15 years; (4) redesign one of the existing 
campgrounds and close the other; (5) create three additional camping 
areas as mitigation; (6) maintain 162 miles of roads open to the 
public; (7) continue limited quality hunts for pronghorn, mule deer, 
and bighorn sheep; and (8) recommend 80,541 acres for further study for 
potential wilderness designation, and 11,276 acres for further study 
for potential Research Natural Areas designation.
    Copies of the FEIS may be viewed at the following locations:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Div. of Refuges & Wildlife, Third 
floor, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181
Sheldon-Hart Mountain Refuge Complex, 18 South g. Street, Third floor, 
Lakeview, Oregon 97630
Lake County Library, 513 Center Street, Lakeview, Oregon 97630
Harney County Library, 80 West D Street, Burns, Oregon 97720
Klamath County Library, 126 South 3rd Street, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 
97601
Deschutes County Library, 507 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon 97701
Kerr Library, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
Central Library, Multnomah County Library System, 801 SW 10th Street, 
Portland Oregon 97205.

    Individuals desiring a copy of the FEIS for review should 
immediately contact the individual in the For Further Information 
Contact Section. Copies have been sent to all agencies and individuals 
who participated in the scoping process and were added to the mailing 
list, and to those people that requested to be added to the mailing 
list.

    Dated: May 25, 1994.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 94-13370 Filed 6-9-94; 8:45 am]
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