[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 23 (Friday, February 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6031-6033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2182]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation 
Plan/Environmental Assessment for Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge 
in Baldwin County, Alabama.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Draft 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment for Bon Secour 
National Wildlife Refuge is available for review and comment. The 
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended 
by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 
requires the Service to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for 
each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a 
comprehensive conservation plan is to provide refuge managers with a 
15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward 
the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with 
sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal 
mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad 
management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the 
plan identifies wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available 
to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation.
    Proposed goals for the refuge include:
     Identifying, conserving, managing, enhancing, and 
restoring populations of native fish and wildlife species 
representative of coastal Alabama, with special emphasis on migratory 
birds and threatened and endangered species.
     Identifying, conserving, managing, enhancing, and 
restoring the natural diversity, abundance, and ecological functions of 
refuge habitats and associated plant communities, with an emphasis on 
managing designated critical habitat for threatened and endangered 
species.
     Identifying and conserving archaeological and natural 
resources on the refuge and promoting conservation through interagency 
and private landowner cooperation, partnerships, and land protection 
programs on the Fort Morgan Peninsula and coastal Alabama.
     Providing the public with quality interpretation, outreach 
opportunities, environmental education programs, and recreational 
activities that lead to a greater understanding, enjoyment, and 
appreciation of fish, wildlife, habitats, and cultural resources of 
coastal Alabama.
    Compatibility determinations for recreational fishing, wildlife 
observation, photography, hiking, environmental education and 
interpretation, swimming and beach use, scientific research, dogs on 
the beach, and bicycling are included in the draft plan.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action is to adopt and implement a comprehensive 
conservation plan for the refuge that best achieves the refuge's 
purpose, vision, and goals; contributes to the National Wildlife Refuge 
System mission; addresses the significant issues and relevant mandates; 
and is consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife 
management. The Service analyzed four alternatives for managing the 
refuge and chose Alternative D as the one to best achieve all of these 
elements.

Alternatives

    Alternative A--Represents the status quo; e.g., no changes from 
current management of the refuge. Existing refuge management and public 
outreach practices would be favored under this alternative. All refuge 
management actions would be directed towards achieving the refuge's 
primary purposes including: (1) Preserving habitat to ensure the well-
being of nationally threatened and endangered species; (2) conserving 
an undisturbed beach/dune ecosystem which includes a diversity of fish, 
wildlife, and their habitats; (3) serving as a living laboratory for 
scientists and students; and (4) providing wildlife-oriented recreation 
for the public.
    Refuge management programs would continue to be developed and 
implemented with little baseline biological information. Active habitat 
management would include beach/dune habitat improvement and 
restoration, protection of nesting sea turtles, and prescribed burning 
designed to reduce fuel loads. Land would be acquired from willing 
sellers within the current acquisition boundary totaling approximately 
12,570 acres.
    Fishing and wildlife observation would continue to be the major 
focuses of the refuge public use program, with no expansion of current 
opportunities. Current restrictions or prohibitions would remain. No 
new trails would be developed, but the refuge staff would continue to 
maintain the existing trails. Environmental education and 
interpretation and wildlife photography would be accommodated on a 
case-by-case basis. Funding to construct a maintenance facility and to 
rehabilitate existing facilities would be requested.
    Alternative B--Expands wildlife and habitat management activities, 
while maintaining current public use and education. Under this 
alternative, the emphasis would be to improve refuge resources for 
wildlife, while still maintaining those public use opportunities which 
presently exist. Most refuge management actions would be directed 
toward preserving, enhancing, restoring, and managing the beach/dune 
habitat for the benefit of the Alabama beach mouse and nesting sea 
turtles. Prescribed burning would be used to improve habitat for 
neotropical migratory birds. Other national, regional, and state goals 
to protect and restore forest, grassland, and scrub/shrub bird 
populations would be supported secondarily in habitats that are inland 
from the beach/dune habitat. Baseline data would be collected, 
standardized surveys implemented, and populations monitored.
    Additional staff would include a biological technician and a law 
enforcement officer to accomplish objectives for establishing baseline 
data on refuge resources, managing habitats, and protecting biological 
resources.
    Under this alternative the refuge would continue to seek lands from 
willing sellers within the acquisition boundary. Non-traditional land 
protection methods would be developed and employed.
    Public uses would include wildlife observation and photography, 
limited interpretation, and fishing. Under this alternative, outreach 
and environmental education would occur on a sporadic, time-permitting 
basis. No evaluation of existing uses would occur. Fishing and wildlife 
observation would continue to be the major focus for the public use 
program, with no expansion of enhancement of current opportunities. No 
new trails would be developed, but the refuge staff would continue to 
maintain the existing trails. All new

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funding would support the wildlife and habitat management programs, 
with annual maintenance funding to support upkeep of existing public 
use facilities. Partnership opportunities would not be feasible, as 
full attention would be on managing refuge lands and collecting 
biological information. This alternative in no way addresses the 
increase in visitation that has occurred in the past 5 years and that 
is predicted to continue.
    Alternative C--Maintains current wildlife and habitat management 
activities, while expanding public use and education. This approach 
would maintain the current wildlife and habitat management activities 
while allowing for significantly more public recreational uses. 
Additional staff needed to implement this alternative includes an 
outdoor recreation planner, a law enforcement officer, and a seasonal 
maintenance worker. Trails, parking lots, and interpretive signage 
would be constructed in every refuge unit, along with added 
environmental education and watchable wildlife programs. Additional 
staff would be used for developing and presenting both on- and off-site 
outreach and interpretation programs. A user fee and permit system 
would be implemented for fishing and beach use. A visitor center and 
headquarters office would be constructed on the refuge and would 
include an environmental education classroom and meeting facilities.
    Land acquisition within the current acquisition boundary would 
continue with emphasis on those lands that can provide additional 
public use opportunities and beach access.
    Sporadic beach mouse live-trapping and monitoring of sea turtle 
nests on refuge beaches would continue. No new surveys on migratory 
songbirds, breeding songbirds, shorebirds and marshbirds, and wintering 
shorebirds would occur. Baseline data on herpetofauna would not be 
collected. Only dune restoration habitat projects would occur. 
Grassland and scrub/shrub habitat would not be restored and managed and 
prescribed fire would continue to focus on fuel reduction versus 
enhancing bird habitats. All new partnerships would be related to 
visitor services, public outreach, and environmental education.
    Alternative D--Expands wildlife and habitat management activities, 
while optimizing public use and involvement. The Service planning team 
has identified Alternative D as the preferred alternative. This 
alternative was developed based on public input and the best judgment 
of the planning team. The strategies presented in the draft plan were 
developed as a direct result of the selection of Alternative D.
    This alternative would promote a greater understanding and 
protection of fish, wildlife, and their habitats, and higher quality, 
balanced recreational opportunities for visitors. Fishing would 
continue with greater emphasis on the quality of the experience. 
Education and interpretation would be promoted through regular programs 
and partnerships with local schools. Wildlife observation and 
photography opportunities would be expanded, including a kayak trail 
and observation towers, highlighting refuge management programs and 
unique wildlife habitats. A user fee and permit would be implemented to 
facilitate night fishing at Mobile Point. A visitor center and 
headquarters office would be constructed on the refuge with space for 
interpretation, environmental education, and staff.
    Research studies on the refuge would be fostered and partnerships 
developed with other agencies and universities to provide needed 
resources and experiment sites, while meeting the needs of the refuge's 
wildlife and habitat management programs. Research would also benefit 
conservation efforts throughout the Central Gulf Coast to preserve, 
enhance, restore, and manage coastal barrier island habitat. New 
surveys on birds, reptiles, and amphibians would be initiated to 
develop baseline information.
    Additional staff would include both biological and outreach 
personnel. A biological technician, outdoor recreation planner, 
seasonal maintenance worker, and full-time law enforcement officer 
would be added to accomplish objectives for establishing baseline data 
on refuge resources, managing habitats, providing opportunities and 
facilities for wildlife observation and photography, providing 
educational programs that promote a greater understanding of refuge 
resources, and protecting natural and cultural resources and refuge 
visitors.
    Under this alternative, the refuge would continue to seek 
acquisition of all lands within the present acquisition boundary. Lands 
acquired as part of the refuge would be made available for compatible 
wildlife-dependent public recreation and environmental education 
opportunities, where appropriate. Pristine lands that provide high 
quality habitat and connectivity to existing refuge lands would be 
priority acquisitions. Equally important acquisition tools to be used 
include: transfer lands, partnerships with conservation organizations, 
conservation easements with adjacent landowners, and leases/cooperative 
agreements with state agencies.

Actions Common to All Alternatives

    All three alternatives share the following management concepts and 
techniques for achieving the goals of the refuge:
     Restoring native habitats;
     Establishing, maintaining, and improving partnerships with 
landowners and local, state, and federal agencies and organizations;
     Coordinating management actions with local and state land 
and resource management agencies;
     Monitoring Alabama beach mouse populations and sea turtle 
nesting in partnership with others;
     Removing non-native invasive plants;
     Encouraging scientific research on the refuge; and
     Continuing land acquisition within the refuge boundary.

DATES: A meeting will be held at the Gulf Shores Adult Activities 
Center to present the plan to the public. Mailings, newspaper articles, 
and postings on the refuge Web site will be the avenues to inform the 
public of the date and time for this meeting. Individuals wishing to 
comment on the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental 
Assessment for Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge should do so within 
30 days following the date of this notice. Public comments were 
requested, considered, and incorporated throughout the planning process 
in numerous ways. Public outreach has included public scoping meetings, 
technical workgroups, planning updates, and a Federal Register notice.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation 
Plan/Environmental Assessment should be addressed to Robert Cail, 
Refuge Manager, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, 12295 State 
Highway 180, Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542. Comments on the draft may be 
submitted to the above address or via electronic mail to 
[email protected]. Please include your name and return address in your 
Internet message. Our practice is to make comments, including names and 
home addresses of respondents, available for public review during 
regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we 
withhold their home addresses from the record, which we will honor to 
the extent allowable by law.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is 
located on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, 8 miles west of the city of Gulf 
Shores,

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Alabama, in Baldwin and Mobile Counties. The refuge is divided into 
five separate management units along the Fort Morgan Peninsula and 
Little Dauphin Island. Although the refuge was established in 1980, to 
date, only 6,978 acres have been acquired within the acquisition 
boundary totaling approximately 12,570 acres, including the 575 acres 
leased from the State of Alabama. The Service has management 
jurisdiction along the shoreline above mean high tide except on Little 
Dauphin Island, which contains 560 acres of submerged bottoms. The 
potential wildlife habitat values of beach/dune, maritime forest, and 
estuarine habitats provided the impetus to purchase the properties.
    Management efforts since 1985 have emphasized acquiring land, 
securing staff to operate the refuge, and initiating conservation 
programs that benefit endangered wildlife species. However, Service 
acquisition of key properties, such as inholdings and beach/dune 
habitat, may not be realized within the 15-year planning period due to 
budget constraints and landowner preferences. The five units within the 
acquisition boundary have a significant ``edge,'' which contributes to 
the predation of birds, sea turtles, and beach mice. Edge effect is the 
tendency of a transitional zone between communities to support more 
species and higher population densities than any of the surrounding 
communities.
    Current conservation management projects for the refuge include: 
recruiting and training staff and improving existing facilities; 
managing habitats to reduce the threats and problems associated with 
species of concern; acquiring land to complete refuge boundaries; 
assisting in sea turtle and Alabama beach mouse recovery; and defining 
research within the beach/dune area and involving partners and 
volunteers to accomplish this research.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Cail, Refuge Manager, Bon 
Secour National Wildlife Refuge, telephone: 251/540-7720; fax: 251/540-
7301, or mail (write to Refuge Manager at address in ADDRESSES 
section).

    Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Pub. L. 
105-57.

    Dated: January 6, 2005.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 05-2182 Filed 2-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M