[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 231 (Monday, December 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72826-72828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28416]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2008-N0207; 1265000010137-S3]


James Campbell and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuges, Oahu, 
HI

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan 
and environmental assessment; announcement of public open house 
meetings; and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the James Campbell 
and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuges (refuges). We will also 
prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate the effects of 
various CCP alternatives. This notice also announces two public open 
house meetings; see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for the details. Both 
refuges are located on the island of O`ahu, HI. We furnish this notice 
in compliance with CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public 
of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the 
scope of issues to consider in the planning process.

DATES: Please provide written comments by January 15, 2009. We will 
hold two public open house meetings to begin the CCP planning process; 
see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for date, time, and location.

ADDRESSES: Send your written comments or requests for more information 
by any of the following methods.
    U.S. Mail: Sylvia Pelizza, Refuge Manager, O`ahu National Wildlife 
Refuge Complex, 66-590 Kamehameha Highway, Hale'iwa, HI 96712.
    Fax: (808) 637-3578.
    E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``James Campbell and 
Pearl Harbor Refuges'' in the subject line of the message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sylvia Pelizza, Refuge Manager, phone 
(808) 637-6330.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this notice, we initiate the CCP 
planning process for the James Campbell and Pearl Harbor Refuges 
located on the island of Oahu, HI.

Background

The CCP Planning Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 
(Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), requires us to 
develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose of 
developing a CCP is to provide a refuge manager a 15-year plan for 
achieving refuge purposes, and contributing toward the mission of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System consistent with sound principles of 
fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service 
policies.

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    In addition to outlining broad management direction for conserving 
wildlife and habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational 
opportunities compatible with each refuge's establishing purposes and 
the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, including 
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife 
photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
    The Service will prepare an EA to evaluate the environmental 
effects of CCP alternatives in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq. ); NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other Federal laws 
and regulations; and our policies and procedures for compliance with 
those laws and regulations.
    Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established for 
specific purposes. We use a refuge's purposes to develop and prioritize 
its management goals and objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge 
System's mission. The CCP planning process provides opportunities for 
the public to participate in evaluating our management goals and 
objectives for conserving important wildlife habitat while providing 
for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible 
with a refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System.

Public Involvement

    We will conduct the CCP planning process for the refuges in a 
manner that will provide participation opportunities for the public; 
other Federal, State, and local government agencies; Native Hawaiian 
organizations; and other interested parties. We request your input 
regarding issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions important to you and 
the future management of the James Campbell and Pearl Harbor Refuges.

An Overview of the Refuges

    The James Campbell and Pearl Harbor Refuges are part of the larger 
O`ahu National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Both refuges encompass two or 
more units. A brief summary of each refuge and their units, and the 
habitat each unit contains, follows.

James Campbell Refuge

    The James Campbell Refuge is located near O`ahu's North Shore, the 
northern most point on the island, it contains two wetland units, the 
Ki'i and Punamano Units. It was established in 1976 for the purpose of 
providing habitat for Hawai'i's four endangered waterbirds, the 
Hawaiian stilt, Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian moorhen, and Hawaiian duck.
    The Ki`i Unit is a 126-acre remnant of a much larger historic marsh 
system, and the 134-acre Punamano Unit is a natural spring-fed marsh. 
Both units are managed to protect and provide habitat for Hawaii's 
endangered waterbirds. Habitats found on these units include open 
water, freshwater marsh, mudflat, grassland, and shrubland.
    The James Campbell Expansion Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-225), 
expanded the refuge's boundary to approximately 1,100 acres, 
incorporating additional wetland acreage, and the last remaining intact 
coastal dune system on O`ahu. The purpose of this expansion is to: 
Permanently protect an ecologically intact unit; provide habitat for 
migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, seabirds, endangered and native plant 
species, endangered Hawaiian monk seals, and green turtles; allow 
increased wildlife-dependent public uses; and assist with reducing 
flood damage to the refuge and local community.
    The James Campbell Refuge contains one of the largest 
concentrations of wetland birds in Hawai`i. It is an important 
breeding, feeding, and resting area for the Hawaiian stilt, Hawaiian 
coot, and Hawaiian moorhen. The Hawaiian duck is also found here. In 
addition, the refuge supports significant numbers of migrating and 
wintering bristle-thighed curlews. The refuge provides a strategic 
landfall for migratory birds coming from Alaska, Siberia, and Asia. It 
also supports a substantial variety of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, 
and other wetland birds. Although these migratory populations are small 
by continental standards, they represent some of the largest 
concentrations in Hawai`i and the Pacific Ocean. A total of 117 bird 
species has been documented on the refuge. The refuge is closed to 
general public access, however, guided tours and grade school 
educational programs are periodically offered.

Pearl Harbor Refuge

    The Pearl Harbor Refuge is located on the southern coast of the 
island of O`ahu and encompasses three units. Two wetland units, 
Honouliuli and Waiawa, are located on the shores of Pearl Harbor. The 
Kalaeloa Unit is a coastal upland unit located on O`ahu's southwestern 
point, on a portion of the decommissioned Barbers Point Naval Air 
Station.
    All units were established to protect and provide habitat for 
endangered species. The 37-acre Honouliuli Unit and the 25-acre Waiawa 
Unit were established in 1972 as mitigation for construction of the 
Honolulu International Airport's Reef Runway, to protect and enhance 
habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds. In addition, these refuge 
units support a variety of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and other 
wetland birds. Although small by continental standards, these units 
contain some of the largest concentrations of wetland birds found in 
Hawai`i and the Pacific Ocean.
    The 38-acre Kalaeloa Unit was transferred in fee title to the 
Service from the U.S. Navy in 2001, to protect and enhance habitat for 
the endangered 'Ewa hinahina plant. This unit contains the largest 
remnant stand of 'Ewa hinahina, and a reintroduced population of the 
endangered 'akoko plant. The Kalaeloa Unit also contains a unique 
microhabitat called anchialine pools or sinkholes which support unique 
insects, plants, and animals including two imperiled species of native 
shrimp.

Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

    We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities 
that we may address in the CCP, including--methods for protecting the 
refuges' resources for the long term while providing high quality 
opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation; wildlife and habitat 
management; inholdings acquisition; visitor services management; 
historic and cultural resources protection; floodwater management; and 
facilities maintenance. During public scoping we may identify 
additional issues.

Public Open House Meetings

    Two public open house meetings will be held to provide information 
on the CCP and receive public comments. Opportunities for additional 
public input will be announced throughout the planning process. Details 
on the upcoming public meetings follow.
    1. December 9, 2008, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Leeward Community 
College, 96-045 Ala Ike, General Technology Bldg., Room 105, Pearl 
City, HI.
    2. December 11, 2008, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Kahuku Community 
Center, 56-576 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, HI.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be 
made publicly available at any time. While

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you can ask us in your comments to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    We will make all comments part of the official public record. We 
will handle requests for such comments in accordance with the Freedom 
of Information Act, NEPA, and Service and Departmental policies and 
procedures.

    Dated: November 24, 2008.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
 [FR Doc. E8-28416 Filed 11-28-08; 8:45 am]
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