[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 230 (Friday, November 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 72519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28214]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2008-N0298; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of decision and availability of the record of decision.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce our decision 
and availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Hanford Reach 
National Monument (Monument) Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Impact Statement (Final CCP/EIS). The ROD documents our 
selection of Alternative C-1, the Preferred Alternative in our Final 
CCP/EIS, for implementation as the Monument's CCP. Alternative C-1 
addresses the key issues identified during the planning process and 
will best achieve the purposes and goals of the Monument as well as the 
mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). The Monument is 
located in Adams, Benton, Franklin, and Grant Counties, Washington.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the ROD or Final CCP/EIS may be obtained from Greg 
Hughes, Project Leader, Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex, 64 Maple Street, Burbank, Washington 99323, Telephone (509) 
546-8300, or from the Monument's Web site: http://hanfordreach.fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Greg Hughes, Project Leader, 
phone (509) 546-8300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final CCP/EIS was released to the public 
and a Notice of Availability was published in the Federal Register on 
August 15, 2008 (71 FR 74929). A thorough analysis of the 
environmental, social and economic considerations was completed and 
presented in the Final CCP/EIS. In this notice, we announce our 
decision to implement Alternative C-1 as the CCP for the Monument, as 
documented in the ROD. The ROD was signed by the Fish and Wildlife 
Service's Regional Director for the Pacific Region, on September 25, 
2008.
    The CCP will provide management guidance for conserving resources 
and providing public use activities. This decision includes adoption of 
stipulations and mitigation measures identified in Alternative C-1 and 
Appendix I in the Final CCP/EIS. Implementation of the CCP 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. 
During the decision-making phase of the CCP process, the Service 
reviewed and considered: the impacts identified in Chapter 4 of the 
Draft and Final CCP/EIS; the results of various studies and surveys 
conducted in conjunction with the Draft and Final CCP/EIS; relevant 
issues, concerns and opportunities; comments on the Draft CCP/EIS; and 
other relevant factors, including the purposes for which the Monument 
was established and statutory and regulatory guidance. Alternative C-1 
incorporates several components addressing a variety of needs including 
fish and wildlife sanctuary, habitat restoration and protection, public 
safety, and the NWRS's six priority public uses. It is, however, the 
unique combination of these components that contributes most to 
achieving the Monument's purposes and goals. Alternative C-1 
strengthens the monitoring of fish, wildlife, habitat, and public uses 
on the Monument, which will provide the means to better respond to 
rapidly changing conditions within the surrounding environment. 
Alternative C-1 was selected for implementation because it provides the 
greatest number of opportunities to contribute to the fish, wildlife 
and habitat needs of the Mid-Columbia River Basin.

    Dated: October 21, 2008.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E8-28214 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]
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