[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 234 (Monday, December 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67491-67492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32387]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent to Issue a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and Associated Environmental Assessment for Sevilleta National Wildlife 
Refuge, San Acacia, New Mexico

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) has prepared a draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
(CCP) and associated Environmental Assessment for the Sevilleta 
National Wildlife Refuge, San Acacia, New Mexico pursuant to the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and its implementing regulations.
    If the draft CCP is approved, various management objectives, 
strategies, and actions will be adopted inclusive of the following:
     Continue implementation of Mexican wolf captive 
propagation program on Refuge, and ensure continued operation within 
all regulations, protocols, and safety guidelines.
     Preserve Refuge habitat diversity and important habitat 
for threatened and endangered species by preserving and restoring 
habitats to their natural condition.
     Maintain a viable population of Silvery minnows on the 
Refuge's stretch of the Rio Grande river.
     Evaluate Refuge grasslands potential as an introduction 
site for the endangered northern Aplomado falcon.
     Protect threatened and endangered species on Refuge and 
adjacent properties through outreach, educational activities and 
effective enforcement of fish and wildlife laws.

[[Page 67492]]

     Promote and support the introduction of native threatened 
and endangered species on the Refuge.
     Insure integrity of all naturally occurring biotic 
communities on the Sevilleta NWR.
     Maintain migratory bird populations at healthy levels in 
the Upper/Middle Rio Grande Ecosystem.
     Reverse declining trends in quality and quantity of 
riparian/wetland habitats; restore, maintain, and enhance the species 
composition, aerial extent, and spatial distribution of riparian/
wetland habitats.
     Protect, restore, and maintain upland terrestrial 
communities at the landscape level within the Upper/Middle Rio Grande 
Ecosystem.
     Use sound land use practices and management tools to 
protect upland terrestrial habitats in the Upper/Middle Rio Grande 
Ecosystem.
     Through the Rio Grande Initiative, preserve, enhance and 
restore hydrological regimes which perpetuate a healthy river 
ecosystem. The Initiative will result in the creation of partnerships 
which address water management, habitat enhancement and restoration, 
and impacts of non-native flora and fauna on native biodiversity and 
endangered species.
     Compile a data base of the baseline natural conditions, 
processes, and species associated within refuge ecosystems by October 
2004.
     Attain baseline natural conditions, processes, and 
populations of species in 50% of each habitat type by 2010. When 
attainment is not possible, assess desired condition and implement 
adaptive management strategies.
     Restore and maintain natural hydrological regimes.
     Contribute to the integrity of the Upper Middle Rio Grande 
Watershed using sound management tools and practices.
     Develop partnerships, relationships, and communication to 
improve implementation of Refuge wildlife and habitat management goals.
     Minimize human impacts to Refuge ecosystems.
     Encourage research that improves management and monitoring 
of species, communities and processes on the Refuge and the Upper 
Middle Rio Grande.
     Permit research from a wide range of interested parties 
and institutions while protecting the faunal and floral components of 
the ecosystem from the detrimental aspects of human intrusion and 
manipulative research protocols.
     Minimize impacts of research activities.
     Provide the research community a unique opportunity to 
conduct wildlife related research which provides the Refuge with 
management direction.
     Obtain (purchase or mitigation) sufficient water rights to 
manage refuge wetlands associated with the Rio Grande.
     Acquire in stream flow rights for the perennial portion of 
the Rio Salado.
     Protect upland seeps, springs and wetlands of the Refuge.
     Provide the general public with high quality compatible 
wildlife dependent experiences on and off the Refuge.
     Provide the general public with high quality environmental 
education and wildlife dependent experiences on and off the Refuge.
     Develop sound management practices to protect cultural 
resources, within the scope of Part 614 of the Service Manual and all 
applicable Federal laws and regulations.
     Minimize obtrusive impacts to Refuge lands or adjacent 
lands.
     Document the need for additional staffing.
     Obtain adequate staffing to implement management plans 
benefitting the Middle Rio Grande Ecosystem both on and off Refuge 
lands.
     Effect improvements to facilities that will result in 
enhancement of Refuge capabilities and resources including the 
construction of an approximately 6,000 square foot visitor center/
administrative complex, 2 1,500 foot staff residences, and a multi-unit 
living accommodation facility for refuge volunteers.
     Develop and apply the Ecosystem Management approach.
     Solicit input from involved agencies, institutions, and 
groups to help coordinate and evaluate Refuge activities.

DATES: The Service will be open to written comments through January 4, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Copies may be obtained by writing to: Mr. Tom Baca, Natural 
Resource Planner, Division of Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103-1306. Comments should be submitted 
to: Lou Bridges, Project Coordinator, Research Management Consultants, 
Inc., 1746 Cole Blvd., Bldg. 21, Suite 300, Golden, CO 80401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It is Service policy to have all lands 
within the National Wildlife Refuge System managed in accordance with 
an approved CCP. The CCP guides management decisions and identifies 
refuge goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving 
refuge purposes. The planning process has considered many elements, 
including habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection and 
acquisition, public and recreational uses, and cultural resources. 
Public input into this planning process has assisted in the development 
of the draft documents. The CCP will provide other agencies and the 
public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the 
Refuges and how the Service will implement management strategies.
    The Service intends to consider comments and advice generated in 
response to the draft documents prior to the preparation of a final 
CCP. The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with Service 
CCP policy: (1) to advise other agencies and the public of the 
availability of the draft documents, and (2) to obtain suggestions and 
advice for consideration in preparation of final documents.
    The Service anticipates that final CCP documents and any associated 
NEPA documents will be available by February 28 1998, or sooner.

    Dated: November 23, 1998.
Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 98-32387 Filed 12-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P