[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 21 (Thursday, January 31, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5867-5868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1729]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Assessment for Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge, South Dakota

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the 
availability of our Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Plan), 
Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) for Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). This Final 
Plan describes how the Service intends to manage the Refuge for the 
next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Plan may be obtained by writing to U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box 25486, 
Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225; or by download from 
http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Refuge was established as a Limited-
interest Refuge in the late 1930s with the acquisition of easements 
from private landowners, the State of South Dakota (State) and the War 
Department (now transferred to the Bureau of Land Management at Fort 
Meade), to maintain an area for ``migratory bird, wildlife 
conservation, and other purposes.'' The Refuge is 374.20 acres and has 
no fee title. The easement obtained from the State only applies to 
lands below the ordinary high-water mark of the lake. A Cooperative 
Agreement was entered into with the State on July 12, 1967, to 
administer, operate, and maintain the Refuge pursuant to the rights and 
interest in real property acquired by the United States, and more 
particularly described in the easement agreements.
    The draft Plan and EA was made available for public review and 
comment following the announcement in the Federal Register on February 
8, 2007 (72 FR 5990). The draft Plan and EA identified and evaluated 
two alternatives for managing the Refuge for the next 15 years. Under 
the No Action Alternative (Current Management), the Service would 
continue to manage the Refuge within the parameters of the Cooperative 
Agreement with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Existing habitat 
within the easement and all

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public programs would continue to be administered and maintained by the 
State. Current habitat and wildlife management practices would be 
carried out by State Game, Fish, and Parks personnel and levels of 
public use would remain the same. The facilities and activities 
(hiking, picnicking, designated camping, fishing and a horse camp) 
would remain the same.
    Alternative B, the Proposed Action (Relinquish Easement to Current 
Landowners), would take the Refuge out of the National Wildlife Refuge 
System and transfer the easements to current landowners. Under this 
Alternative, the habitat, public use, cultural resources and operations 
would be managed by the landowners (primarily the State). The Service's 
easement requirements would no longer exist. The Service would divest 
its interest in the Refuge. This would be carried out within the 15-
year life of the Plan. Once the Plan was approved, the managing station 
would work with the Division of Realty and the Division of Planning to 
prepare a proposal to divest this Refuge. The proposal would be 
submitted to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission for concurrence 
and then submitted for Congressional approval.
    The Service evaluated whether or not to divest the Refuge. After 
careful consideration of tribal concerns and issues raised by the 
public, the Preferred Alternative was changed from Alternative B: 
Proposed Action (Relinquish Easement to Current Landowners) to 
Alternative A: No Action (Current Management). A large number of 
comments were received from tribal governments expressing concern 
regarding divesting this Limited-interest Refuge. While there was 
recognition that the Service interests are extremely limited, there was 
overwhelming support for the Service to continue its presence, 
particularly in light of the National significance of Bear Butte itself 
(not part of the Refuge). Therefore, the Refuge will continue to be 
managed according to its 1967 Cooperative Agreement with the State. 
According to Refuge Planning Policy (May 25, 2000), the Plan and EA 
should be revised when significant new information becomes available. 
This should occur every 15 years or sooner, if necessary. It is 
important to note, that if conditions change, the Service could 
reconsider actions approved in the Plan. If revisions were considered, 
full disclosure through extensive public involvement utilizing the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and other 
compliance procedures would be closely followed.
    The Service is furnishing this Notice to advise other agencies and 
the public of the availability of the final Plan and EA, to provide 
information on the desired conditions for the Refuge, and to detail how 
the Service will implement management strategies. Based on the review 
and evaluation of the information contained in the EA, the Regional 
Director has determined that implementation of the Final Plan does not 
constitute a major Federal action that would significantly affect the 
quality of the human environment within the meaning of Section 
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act. Therefore, an 
Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared.

    Dated: January 24, 2008.
Gary G. Mowad,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-1729 Filed 1-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P