[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 183 (Thursday, September 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55214-55215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7881]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-
Tailed Deer and the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent and announcement of four public open house 
meetings.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), will be 
developing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the 
Columbian White-tailed Deer and the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife 
Refuge (Refuges). We also announce four public open house meetings. We 
furnish this notice in order to advise other agencies and the public of 
our intentions and obtain public comments, suggestions, and information 
on the scope of issues to include in the Refuges' CCP/EIS.

DATES: Please provide written comments on the scope of the CCP by 
November 6, 2006. Four public open house meetings will be held to begin 
the CCP planning process; see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates, 
times, and locations.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and requests for further 
information to: Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader, Willapa National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, Illwaco, WA, 98624-9707. Comments 
may be faxed to (360) 484-3109, or sent via electronic mail to 
[email protected]. Additional information about the Refuges 
is available on the Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/willapa/WillapaNWR/. Addresses for the public meetings are listed under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Stenvall, Project Leader, 
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, phone (360) 484-3482.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Refuges are comprised of several islands 
located in the lower Columbia River, in Wahkiakum County, Washington, 
and Clatsop and Columbia Counties, Oregon. The Julia Butler Hansen 
Refuge was established in 1971 to protect and manage habitat for the 
endangered Columbian white-tailed deer. The Refuge encompasses more 
than 6,000 acres of fields, forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, 
marshes, sloughs, and islands along the lower Columbia River, and 
supports approximately 300 Columbian white-tailed deer. The Lewis and 
Clark Refuge was established in 1972. The approved Refuge boundary 
includes 33,500 acres of islands, bars, mud flats, and tidal marshes. 
The Refuge contains the largest marsh in western Oregon, which provides 
habitat for wintering and migratory waterfowl, rearing and migratory 
salmon, and bald eagles.
    We furnish this notice in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as amended, and its implementing 
regulations; the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Act); and Service policies.
    The Act requires all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge 
System to be managed in accordance with an approved CCP. A CCP is a 15-
year plan for managing a refuge. Refuge goals and objectives are 
identified in a CCP, as well as strategies for achieving the purposes 
for which a refuge was established. During the CCP planning process, we 
will consider many elements, including wildlife and habitat management 
and public use opportunities. Public input during the planning process 
is essential. The CCP for the Julia Butler Hansen and Lewis and Clark 
Refuges will describe desired conditions for the Refuges, along with 
how we will implement management strategies over a 15-year time period 
to achieve those conditions. We will prepare an EIS in accordance with 
NEPA and its implementing regulations. Until the CCP is completed, the 
Refuges' management will continue to be guided by their official 
purposes; Federal legislation regarding management of National Wildlife 
Refuges; and other legal, regulatory, and policy guidance.

Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

    We have identified the following preliminary issues, concerns, and 
opportunities for the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge, and may address these 
issues in the CCP. We may identify additional issues during the public 
comment period. We will consider public comments during development of 
the goals, management strategies, and alternatives for the draft CCP/
EIS.
    Wildlife and Habitat Management: What actions should we take to 
sustain and restore priority species and habitats? Coyotes prey upon 
Columbian white-tailed deer fawns. Are the methods for coyote removal 
appropriate to maintain recovery of this endangered deer? How will the 
Refuge enhance native fish populations? How will the Refuge respond to 
concerns about West Nile virus and avian influenza virus?
    Wilderness Study: Should specific areas of the Refuge, if 
appropriate and eligible, be designated as wilderness?
    Management of Public Access and Use (including Commercial Guiding): 
What types of recreational opportunities should be provided? Are 
existing public use opportunities adequate and appropriate?
    Education and Outreach: Should existing programs be expanded, to 
better engage and educate the public about Refuge wildlife and habitat 
management activities?
    We have identified the following preliminary issues, concerns, and 
opportunities for the Lewis and Clark Refuge, and may address these 
issues in the CCP. We may identify additional issues during the public 
comment period. We will consider public comments during development of 
the goals, management strategies, and alternatives for the draft CCP/
EIS.
    Dredged materials management: What actions should be taken to 
improve and maximize wildlife benefits in dredge-spoil areas of the 
Refuge?
    Colonial Nesting Bird Management: How should the Refuge manage and 
increase colonial nesting bird populations while limiting their impacts 
on anadromous fish?
    Oregon Department of State Lands Management Agreement: Should the 
Refuge consider developing an agreement with the State to modify 
management of State lands within the Refuge boundary?
    Commercial Guiding: Is commercial guiding for recreational 
activities compatible with the purposes of the Refuge?
    Camping on Refuge Lands: Is camping appropriate and compatible with 
the Refuge's purposes and is there demand for this activity?
    Wilderness Study: Should specific areas of the Refuge, if 
appropriate and eligible, be designated as Wilderness?
    We will evaluate a range of alternatives, and their potential 
effects on the environment and local

[[Page 55215]]

communities, in the EIS. We estimate that the draft CCP/EIS will be 
available for public review in February 2008. We will announce 
opportunities for public input throughout the CCP/EIS planning process.
    Public comments we receive become part of the official public 
record. We will handle requests for comments in accordance with the 
Freedom of Information Act, NEPA, and Service and Department of the 
Interior policies and procedures.

Public Meetings

    We will hold four public open house meetings to facilitate public 
involvement in the CCP planning process. The meetings are scheduled as 
follows.
    1. October 17, 2006, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Cowlitz Public Utility 
District (PUD), 961 12th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632.
    2. October 19, 2006, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Astoria Public Library, Flag 
Room, 450 10th Street, Astoria, OR 97103.
    3. October 23, 2006, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., River Street Meeting Room, 
25 River Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612.
    4. October 24, 2006, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Clatskanie City Hall, 
95 N. Nehalem, Clatskanie, OR 97016.

    Dated: September 13, 2006.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 06-7881 Filed 9-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P