[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 81 (Friday, April 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 21037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8076]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Record of Decision for the Final 
Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact 
Statement for Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.

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SUMMARY: This is a notice of availability of the Record of Decision 
(ROD) for the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Final Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Final CCP/EIS). 
The Refuge is located in the Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska. The Final 
CCP/EIS included a thorough analysis of environmental, social, and 
economic considerations. The Final CCP/EIS was released to the public 
and a Notice of Availability was published in the Federal Register on 
October 6, 2006 (71 FR 59105). The ROD documents the selection of 
Alternative D, the Preferred Alternative in the Final CCP/EIS, as the 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Kodiak Refuge. The ROD was signed 
by the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska 
Region, on February 8, 2007.

ADDRESSES: A paper copy of the ROD or Final CCP/EIS (also available on 
a compact disk) may be obtained from the Refuge Manager, Kodiak 
National Wildlife Refuge, 1390 Buskin River Road, Kodiak, Alaska 99615, 
Phone (907) 487-2600 or from Mikel Haase, Planning Team Leader, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, MS 231, Anchorage, 
Alaska 99503-6199, Phone (907) 786-3402. You may access or download the 
ROD or Final CCP/EIS at the following Web site: http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/planning/kodpol.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Refuge Manager at the above address or 
phone.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Kodiak Refuge Comprehensive Conservation 
Plan provides management guidance that conserves refuge resources and 
facilitates compatible fish and wildlife-dependent public use 
activities during the next 15 years. The following is a summary of the 
ROD for the Refuge's Final CCP/EIS.
    The Service has selected Alternative D, the Preferred Alterative, 
as the Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Kodiak Refuge. Alternative D 
addresses key issues and concerns identified during the planning 
process and will best achieve the purposes of the Refuge as well as the 
mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This decision adopts 
the management goals and objectives (Chapter 2) and the stipulations 
and mitigation measures identified in Alternative D and in the 
compatibility determinations (Appendix E). Implementation of 
Alternative D will occur over the next 15 years, depending on future 
staffing levels and funding.

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. The 
Service reviewed and considered the impacts identified in Chapter 4 of 
the Draft and Final CCP/EIS; relevant issues, concerns, and 
opportunities; input received throughout the planning process, 
including the results of various studies and surveys, advice from 
technical experts, and public comments on the Draft and Final CCP/EIS; 
and other factors, including refuge purposes and relevant laws, 
regulations, and policies. The Final EIS/CCP addresses a variety of 
needs, including protection of fish and wildlife populations and their 
habitats and providing opportunities for fish and wildlife-dependent 
recreation, subsistence, and other public uses. The combination of 
these components in Alternative D contributes significantly to 
achieving refuge purposes and goals. Alternative D also strengthens the 
monitoring of fish, wildlife, habitat, and public uses on the Refuge to 
provide means to better respond to changing conditions in the 
surrounding landscape.

    Dated: April 20, 2007.
Thomas O. Melius,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska.
[FR Doc. E7-8076 Filed 4-26-07; 8:45 am]
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