[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 159 (Friday, August 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47964-47966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18445]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2008-N0145; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


Hanford Reach National Monument, Adams, Benton, Franklin and 
Grant Counties, WA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the final comprehensive conservation 
plan and environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Hanford Reach National 
Monument (Monument). In this final CCP/EIS, we describe how the 
Monument will be managed for the next 15 years.

DATES: We will sign a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days after 
publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP/EIS by any of 
the following methods:
    Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the CCP/EIS at http://www.hanfordreach.fws.gov.
    E-mail: E-mail your request to [email protected]. Unless 
otherwise specified, copies of the final CCP/EIS will be provided on a 
compact disk.
    Mail: Mail your request to Dan Haas, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 3250 Port of Benton Boulevard, Richland, WA 99354.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: The final CCP/EIS can be obtained at 
the address above, Monday thru Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and 
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    Local Libraries: The final CCP/EIS is available at public libraries 
in Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, Washington (see http://www.hanfordreach.fws.gov for details).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Hughes or Dan Haas, at (509) 371-
1801 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we announce the availability of the final CCP/EIS 
for the Monument in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. The Service completed a 
thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, which are 
included in the final EIS for the CCP. The CCP identifies Alternative 
C-1 as the Service's preferred alternative. We released the Draft CCP/
EIS to the public, announcing and requesting comments in a notice of 
availability in the Federal Register (71 FR 239 74929-74931; December 
13, 2006).
    The Monument was established in 2000 by Presidential Proclamation 
7319 (Proclamation) under the authority of the American Antiquities Act 
of 1906 (16 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  431-33, 34 Stat. 225). The Monument's 
lands forms a horseshoe shape around the Department of Energy's (DOE) 
Hanford Nuclear Reservation, comprising 196,000 acres of the 375,000-
acre site. The Monument is managed by both the Service and DOE, with 
the Service-managed areas administered under a permit from the DOE.

Natural and Cultural Resources

    The Monument was established to protect a wide variety of natural 
and cultural resources. It contains one of

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two remaining large expanses of shrub-steppe habitat in Washington, 
supporting shrub-steppe obligate bird and reptile species, healthy 
populations of mule deer and coyotes, game birds including gray 
partridge and chukars, and a large elk herd. Forty-seven miles of the 
last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River flows through the 
Monument, maintaining commercially viable populations of fall Chinook 
salmon, healthy waterfowl populations, game fish such as largemouth 
bass and walleye, many of the last remaining big sturgeon in the 
Columbia River system, and large populations of waterbirds such as 
white pelicans, black-crowned night herons, and overwintering bald 
eagles. The Monument also supports several endangered, threatened, or 
sensitive species, including spring Chinook salmon, Columbia River 
steelhead, ferruginous hawks, persistentsepal yellowcress, Umtanum 
desert buckwheat, and White Bluffs bladderpod. The Monument also may 
provide viable habitat for northern wormwood, western sage grouse, and 
pygmy rabbits.
    The abundance of wildlife has led to a millennia of use by American 
Indians, resulting in a rich base of cultural resources, including 
prehistoric and traditional activities still in practice. The Monument 
also contains many of the modern cultural artifacts related to 
operation of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), which amended the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act of 1966, requires the Service to develop a CCP for 
each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is to 
provide refuge managers a 15-year plan for achieving refuge purposes 
and contributing toward the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, 
consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, 
conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to 
outlining broad management direction for conserving wildlife and 
habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities 
including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. Each CCP is reviewed 
periodically and updated at least once every 15 years in accordance 
with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act and NEPA.

CCP Alternatives

    The Draft CCP/EIS addressed priority issues raised by the Service, 
other governmental partners, American Indian tribes, special interest 
groups, and the public. To address these priority issues, we developed 
and evaluated eight alternatives--A, B, B-1, C, C-1, D, E, and F--
during the planning process. We solicited comments on the Draft CCP/EIS 
from December 6, 2006, to March 10, 2007. We received 308 comment 
communications. When possible and appropriate, comments were 
incorporated into the final CCP/EIS. In Appendix B of the final CCP/EIS 
responses to all substantive comments are provided. All the 
alternatives address all significant issues.
    Alternative A: No Action. Alternative A assumes no change from 
existing management and thus provides a baseline for evaluating impacts 
of the other alternatives. Current management practices would be 
continued in accordance with Proclamation mandates and agreements, to 
conserve and protect biological, geological, paleontological and 
cultural resources. Conservation activities would involve inventory and 
monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species control, fire 
protection, fire rehabilitation, and maintenance of existing 
facilities. Land use designations in place at the time of Monument 
establishment would be maintained. Public access for recreational, 
interpretive and educational purposes would continue year-round in 
designated areas and would be restricted from sensitive resource areas. 
Limited interpretive and educational programs would be presented on 
request, dependent upon staff availability.
    Alternative B. Alternative B emphasizes restoration of native 
plants and animals in upland, riparian and aquatic habitats. Compared 
to the other alternatives, Alternative B would provide the greatest 
emphasis on conservation, protection and monitoring of the biological, 
geological, paleontological and cultural resources described in the 
Proclamation. Increased opportunities for restoration-based research of 
the native landscape and habitats for species of concern would be 
promoted, and information sharing between partners and researchers 
would be encouraged. Public access for day-use recreation, 
interpretation, and education would continue year-round in designated 
areas, with a greater degree of management controls and use 
restrictions in place to ensure resource protection, when compared to 
other alternatives. Visitor facilities would be developed only in the 
Monument's least sensitive areas and only after a comprehensive 
inventory of resources is conducted and sensitive resources are 
identified in the area under consideration. Interpretation and 
education programs would be provided; however, fewer people would be 
served than in Alternatives C, C-1, D, E and F.
    Alternative B-1. Alternative B-1 is identical to Alternative B, 
except that hunting would not be allowed anywhere on the Monument.
    Alternative C. Alternative C would protect and conserve biological, 
geological, paleontological and cultural resources described in the 
Proclamation, by creating and maintaining extensive areas within the 
Monument that are free of facility development. This would serve 
conservation, restoration, protection, and recreation purposes by 
maintaining large natural landscapes, protecting sensitive resources, 
and providing opportunities for solitude. The facilities and access 
points that would be provided would be concentrated to minimize overall 
impacts to the Monument and to provide economies of scale in management 
and maintenance. Public access points and recreational facilities would 
be planned and developed along highways and in perimeter areas of the 
Monument. Certain existing facilities and infrastructure currently 
present within the Monument would be relocated. Vehicle access into the 
interior of the Monument would be limited; however, much of the 
Monument would be open to foot and other non-motorized access. 
Facilities, such as the boat-in campsites along the Hanford Reach 
provided for in this alternative, would be developed after inventories 
of resources are conducted and sensitive resources are identified in 
the areas under consideration. Interpretation and education programs 
would serve greater numbers of people than Alternatives A, B, C-1 and 
F, but fewer than Alternatives D and E.
    Alternative C-1. Alternative C-1 was developed in response to 
comments received on the draft CCP from tribes, cooperating agencies, 
local governments, and the general public. Like Alternative C, 
Alternative C-1 would protect and conserve the biological, geological, 
paleontological and cultural resources described in the Proclamation, 
by creating and maintaining extensive areas free of facility 
development. This would serve conservation, restoration, protection, 
and recreation purposes by maintaining large natural landscapes, 
protecting sensitive resources, and providing

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opportunities for solitude. The facilities and access points that would 
be provided would be concentrated together to minimize overall impacts 
to the Monument and to provide economies of scale in management and 
maintenance. Public access points and recreational facilities would be 
planned and developed along highways and in perimeter areas. Unlike 
Alternative C, existing facilities and infrastructure currently present 
would not be relocated or closed, such as the White Bluffs Boat Launch. 
Vehicle access into the Monument's interior would be less limited, 
although like Alternative C, much of the Monument would be open to foot 
and other non-motorized access. Facilities, such as the boat-in 
campsites along Hanford Reach provided for in this alternative, would 
be developed after inventories of resources are conducted and sensitive 
resources are identified in the area under consideration. 
Interpretation and education programs would serve greater numbers of 
people than Alternatives A, B, B-1 and F, but fewer than Alternatives 
C, D and E.
    Alternative D. Alternative D provides the greatest degree of public 
access, recreational opportunities, and facilities development. The 
conservation, protection and monitoring of the biological, geological, 
paleontological and cultural resources described in the Proclamation 
would still be the primary priorities; however, more time, effort and 
resources would be devoted to public use than in the other 
alternatives, likely decreasing the resources and attention available 
to restoration activities. Resource inventories, identification of 
sensitive areas, and restoration activities would be concentrated in 
the areas of highest public use. Resource protection, restoration 
research, and monitoring would focus on the impacts created from 
recreational activities. Public access sites and facilities would be 
developed throughout the Monument and to a greater extent than 
Alternatives A, B, B-1, C, C-1 and F; access would be restricted from 
the most sensitive areas. Visitor facilities would include improved 
boat launches, auto tour routes, and campgrounds. Interpretation and 
education programs would serve the highest number of people of all the 
alternatives.
    Alternative E. Alternative E was formulated by the Monument's 
Federal Advisory Committee during a workshop held June 16-17, 2004. It 
provides an alternate public use emphasis to that of Alternative D. 
Alternative E provides a high degree of public access and facilities 
development. It does this through the combination of elements from 
Alternatives C and D. The underlying open space concept of Alternative 
C is maintained through the concentration of facilities in perimeter 
areas; however, access and areas open to the public more closely 
resemble Alternative D. Again, the conservation, protection and 
monitoring of the biological, geological, paleontological, and cultural 
resources described in the Proclamation is the top priority, but as in 
Alternative D, substantial effort and resources would be devoted to 
public use, likely decreasing the resources available for restoration 
activities. Resource inventories, identification of sensitive areas and 
restoration activities would be concentrated in areas of highest public 
use. Resource protection, restoration research, and monitoring would 
focus on impacts created from recreational activities. Public access 
points and facilities would be developed in perimeter areas and to a 
greater extent than Alternatives A, B and F; access would be restricted 
from the most sensitive areas. Visitor facilities would include 
improved boat launches and campgrounds. Interpretation and education 
programs would serve a high number of people, although not as many as 
Alternative D.
    Alternative F. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian 
Reservation (CTUIR) developed this alternative using Alternative B as 
its basis for management emphasis and public access. While similar to 
Alternative B, Alternative F would provide a slight increase in the 
areas open to public access. The one significant difference is the 
proposed addition of a public access permit system, with the possible 
establishment of fee areas. Interpretation and education programs would 
be provided; however, fewer people would be served than in Alternatives 
C, C-1, D and E.
    Preferred Alternative. We have identified Alternative C-1, as 
described above, as our preferred alternative, pending a final 
selection to be documented in a Record of Decision.

    Dated: May 23, 2008.
Renne R. Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E8-18445 Filed 8-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P