[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 55 (Thursday, March 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13508-13509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5211]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Arrowwood National 
Wildlife Refuge, Foster and Stutsman Counties, ND

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that 
the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is 
available. This draft CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to 
manage this Refuge for the next 15 years.

DATES: We must receive written comments on the draft CCP/EA by April 
23, 2007. Submit comments by one of the methods under ADDRESSES.

ADDRESSES: Please provide written comments to Michael Spratt, Chief, 
Division of Refuge Planning, Mountain-Prairie Region, P.O. Box 25486, 
Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225-0486, or electronically 
to [email protected]. A copy of the CCP can be obtained by 
writing to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, 
134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80228; or by download from 
http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Spratt, 303-236-4366 (phone); 
303-236-4792 (fax); or [email protected] (e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed 
Executive Order 7168 on September 4, 1935, ``establishing Arrowwood 
Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.'' Now known as Arrowwood National Wildlife 
Refuge, the 15,973-acre Refuge is in east-central North Dakota. The 
Refuge covers 14 miles of the James River Valley in Foster and Stutsman 
counties, approximately 30 miles north of Jamestown. The purposes of 
the Refuge are for use by migratory birds with emphasis on waterfowl 
and other water birds; the conservation of fish and wildlife resources; 
use as an inviolate sanctuary; or for any other management purposes, 
for migratory birds; and a Refuge and

[[Page 13509]]

breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.
    The Refuge lies on the Central Flyway migratory corridor and is an 
important stopover for many birds. The prairie grassland and wetland 
complex habitats provides a nesting and feeding habitat for waterfowl 
in the spring and summer. Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl migrate 
through the area and use the wetlands in the spring and fall for 
feeding and resting. The Refuge contains approximately 6,000 acres of 
native prairie; 5,340 acres of seed grasses; 3,850 acres of wetlands; 
660 acres of wooded ravines and riparian woodlands; and 125 acres of 
planted trees including shelterbelts. It is important to note that 
3,430 acres of wetlands are managed impoundments and pools. Public use 
and recreation at the Refuge includes the six priority wildlife-
dependent uses: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife 
photography, interpretation, and education.
    This draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three alternatives for 
managing the Refuge for the next 15 years. Under Alternative A, the No 
Action alternative, the Service would manage habitats, wildlife, 
programs, and facilities at current levels as time, staff, and funds 
allow. There would be an emphasis on waterfowl migration and 
reproduction habitat. The Service would not develop any new management, 
restoration, or education programs at the Refuge. Target elevations of 
each wetland impoundment would be managed independently to achieve 
optimal habitat conditions.
    Alternative B would maximize the biological potential of the Refuge 
for both wetland and upland habitats, and support a well-balanced and 
diverse flora and fauna representative of the Prairie Pothole Region. A 
scientific-based monitoring program would be developed as part of the 
habitat management plan (HMP). Public use opportunities would be 
expanded with the construction of additional facilities and development 
of educational programs.
    Alternative C, the Proposed Action, would include those features 
described in Alternative B, as well as including a plan to improve the 
water quality entering the Refuge, and reducing peak flows in the upper 
James River watershed during spring runoff and summer rainfall events. 
This watershed management component would include working with private 
landowners through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for 
Fish and Wildlife program and other federal, state, and private 
conservation programs. The focus would be to protect and restore 
wetlands and grasslands, and reduce the impact on water quality from 
cropland and livestock operations. Improving the health of the upper 
James River watershed would not only benefit wildlife habitat in the 
watershed and at the Refuge, it would also benefit the Jamestown 
Reservoir and all downstream users.
    The Proposed Action was selected because it best meets the purposes 
and goals of the Refuge, as well as the goals of the National Wildlife 
Refuge System. The Proposed Action will also benefit federally listed 
species, waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, grassland birds, and 
songbirds. Environmental education and partnerships will result in 
improved wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities. Cultural and 
historical resources, as well as federally listed species, will be 
protected.
    Opportunities for public input will also be provided at a public 
meeting. Exact dates and times for these public meetings are yet to be 
determined, but will be announced via local media and a newsletter. All 
information provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or at public meetings 
(e.g., names, addresses, letters of comment, input recorded during 
meetings) becomes part of the official public record. If requested 
under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen or 
organization, the Service may provide copies of such information. The 
environmental review of this project will be conducted in accordance 
with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 
1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations; Executive 
Order 12996; the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 
1997; and Service policies and procedures for compliance with those 
laws and regulations.

    Dated: November 17, 2006.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 6, Denver, Colorado.

    Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the 
Federal Register on March 19, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7-5211 Filed 3-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P