[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 71422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27023]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Decision and Availability of the Record of Decision for 
the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact 
Statement for Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Thurston and Pierce 
Counties, Washington

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of decision and availability of the record of decision.

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SUMMARY: This is a notice of decision and availability of the Record of 
Decision (ROD) for the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Final 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement 
(Final CCP/EIS). The Refuge is located in Thurston and Pierce Counties, 
Washington. A thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and 
economic considerations was completed and presented in the Final CCP/
EIS. The Final CCP/EIS was released to the public and a Notice of 
Availability was published in the Federal Register on August 31, 2004 
(69 FR 53084). The ROD documents the selection of Alternative D, the 
Preferred Alternative in the Final CCP/EIS, as the CCP for Nisqually 
Refuge. The ROD was signed by the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Pacific Region, on November 1, 2004.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the ROD or Final CCP/EIS may be obtained from the 
Refuge Manager, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 100 Brown 
Farm Road, Olympia, Washington 98516, Phone (360) 753-9467, or from the 
following Web site: http://pacific.fws.gov/planning.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the Refuge Manager, Nisqually 
National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia, 
Washington 98516, Phone (360) 753-9467.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Nisqually Refuge's CCP will provide 
management guidance for conservation of Refuge resources and public use 
activities during the next 15 years. The following is a summary of the 
Nisqually Refuge's Final CCP/EIS ROD.
    The Service has selected Alternative D, the Preferred Alternative, 
as the CCP for Nisqually Refuge. Alternative D addresses the key issues 
and conflicts identified during the planning process and will best 
achieve the purposes and goals of the Refuge as well as the mission of 
the National Wildlife Refuge System. This decision includes adoption of 
stipulations and mitigation measures identified in Alternative D, 
Appendix G Compatibility Determinations, and Appendix I Goals, 
Objectives and Strategies, of the Final CCP/EIS. Implementation of the 
CCP will occur over the next 15 years, depending on future staffing 
levels, funding, and willing sellers.

Factors Considered in Making the Decision

    The decision was based on a thorough analysis of the environmental, 
social, and economic considerations presented in the Final CCP/EIS. 
During the decision making phase of the CCP process, the Service 
reviewed and considered: the impacts identified in Chapter 4 of the 
Draft and Final CCP/EIS; the results of various studies and surveys 
conducted in conjunction with the Draft and Final CCP/EIS; relevant 
issues, concerns, and opportunities; comments on the Draft and Final 
CCP/EIS; and other relevant factors, including the purposes for which 
the Refuge was established, and statutory and regulatory guidance. 
Alternative D incorporates several components addressing a variety of 
needs including fish and wildlife sanctuary, habitat restoration and 
protection, Refuge expansion, and the National Wildlife Refuge System's 
six priority public uses. It is, however, the unique combination of 
these components that contributes the most to achieving the Refuge's 
purposes and goals. Alternative D strengthens the monitoring of fish, 
wildlife, habitat, and public uses on the Refuge which will provide the 
means to better respond to rapidly changing conditions within the 
surrounding, growing urban environment. Alternative D was selected for 
implementation because it provides the greatest number of opportunities 
for the Refuge to contribute to the fish, wildlife, and habitat needs 
of the Nisqually River watershed and the greater Puget Sound region.

David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 04-27023 Filed 12-8-04; 8:45 am]
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