[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 223 (Monday, November 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70089-70090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22969]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan
and Environmental Assessment for Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge,
Jet, OK
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is
available for review and comment. This CCP/EA, prepared pursuant to the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), and the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370d), describes how the Service intends to
manage this refuge over the next 15 years.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 20, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Chris Perez, Biologist/Natural Resource
Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Route 2, Box 202A, Alamo,
Texas 78516, Telephone: 956-784-7553, Fax: 956-782-0641. Comments may
also be sent via electronic mail to: [email protected].
The draft CCP/EA is available on compact disk or hard copy, and may
be obtained by writing, telephoning, faxing, or e-mailing Chris Perez
at the above-listed address. In addition, the CCP/EA is available on
the Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Plan/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Perez, Biologist/Natural
Resource Planner, 956-784-7553 or Jon M. Brock, Refuge Manager, 580-
626-4794.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Involvement: The draft CCP/EA is
available for public review and comment for a period of 60 days from
the date of publication. Copies of the
[[Page 70090]]
document can be obtained as indicated in the ADDRESSES section. In
addition, documents will be available for public inspection between the
hours of 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Salt Plains NWR
Headquarters Office, 35 miles northwest of Enid, Oklahoma, off State
Highway 38, and at the following libraries: Cherokee Public Library,
602 S. Grand Ave., Cherokee, OK 73728.
An open house to receive comments on the Draft CCP/EA will be held
at the Salt Plains NWR Headquarters Office during the open comment
period on January 12, 2006 from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Special mailings,
newspaper articles, and/or other media announcements will be used to
inform the public of the date and time of the meeting.
All comments received from individuals become part of the official
public record. Requests for such comments will be handled in accordance
with the Freedom of Information Act and the Council on Environmental
Quality's NEPA regulations [40 CFR 1506.6 (f)].
Background: The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act
of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee et seq.), requires a CCP. The
purpose in developing CCPs 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 science, conservation, legal mandates,
and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the CCPs identify
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public,
including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update these CCPs at least every 15 years in accordance with
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997,
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4370d).
Salt Plains NWR was established ``as a refuge and breeding grounds
for birds,'' by Executive Order No. 5314 on March 26, 1930. The
authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 712d)
establishes that each refuge is: ``* * * for use as an inviolate
sanctuary, or any other management purpose, for migratory birds.'' The
Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460-1) states that each refuge is
``suitable for incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational
development, the protection of natural resources, and the conservation
of endangered or threatened species.'' Additionally, Salt Plains NWR
has been designated as critical habitat for the whooping crane (43 FR
20938, May 15, 1978).
Salt Plains NWR is located on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River
at the Great Salt Plains Lake in north-central Oklahoma. The confluence
of several streams and rivers and the salt-encrusted plains produces a
variety of unique wildlife habitats found nowhere else for hundreds of
miles around. The 32,030-acre refuge is roughly equal parts of upland,
open water, and salt flats, making it one of the most important
migratory bird stopover, wintering, and nesting habitats in the Central
Great Plains region. Three federally listed species use the refuge on a
seasonal basis, and the refuge is also designated critical habitat for
endangered whooping cranes. Federally threatened bald eagles winter on
the refuge and endangered least terns nest in large numbers every year
on the salt flats. Management efforts focus on protecting, enhancing,
and restoring refuge habitats and water management for the benefit of
important fish and wildlife resources.
The Draft CCP/EA addresses a range of topics, including habitat and
wildlife management, water management, invasive species control, public
use opportunities, and administration and staffing for the refuge.
Important refuge issues and how they are addressed in the plan
alternatives are summarized below. Alternative A is the current
management, or what is currently offered, at the refuge. Alternative B
is the proposed action. Under Alternative C, a greater emphasis on
public uses such as all types of hunting, hiking, and necessary
facilities, roads, and trails is proposed.
Habitat management activities: Alternative A: Habitat management
such as prescribed fire, farming, moist soil management, invasive
species control, or revegetation and maintenance projects would proceed
to the extent that current base funding and staffing allows.
Alternative B: The actions proposed in this alternative emphasize
updated and integrated land management to progressively restore,
maintain, and enhance native habitats for migratory birds, waterfowl,
federally listed species, and resident wildlife. Alternative C: Habitat
management would essentially be the same as Alternative A so that the
refuge could focus more on public use opportunities.
Improvements to public use opportunities: Alternative A: The public
use program would remain at current levels and no new facilities would
be developed on the refuge. Alternative B: The public use program would
increase and/or enhance educational and outreach activities,
recreational opportunities (including expansion of waterfowl hunting
areas), community involvement, and improvement of facilities and
interpretive trails. Alternative C: The public use program would
emphasize opening the refuge to all types of hunting and increase
roads, trails, and facilities to meet the emphasis on all compatible
public uses.
Refuge Land and Boundary Protection: Alternative A: There would be
no acquisition and no exploration of possible refuge boundary
expansion. Alternative B: Land protection would be accomplished through
partnerships with adjacent owners. Any refuge boundary (none are
currently proposed) expansion would only occur from willing sellers as
a means to improve or protect important habitats that support
accomplishment of species, habitat, and ecosystem goals and/or lands
with high flood potential. Alternative C: Same as Alternative A.
Dated: August 18, 2005.
Larry G. Bell,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque,
New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 05-22969 Filed 11-18-05; 8:45 am]
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