[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53755-53757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-25139]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2009-N118; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


Ke[amacr]lia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and Kakahai`a National 
Wildlife Refuge, Maui County, HI

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan 
and National Environmental Policy Act document and announcement of 
public open house meetings.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the Ke[amacr]lia 
Pond and Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). We will also 
prepare an evaluation under the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) to analyze the potential environmental effects of various CCP 
alternatives. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy 
to advise the public, other Federal and State agencies, and Native 
Hawaiian organizations of our intentions and to obtain suggestions and 
information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning 
process. We are also announcing two public open

[[Page 53756]]

house meetings; see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for details.

DATES: Please provide written comments on the scope of the CCP by 
November 19, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods:
    E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Maui NWRC Scoping 
Comments'' in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Glynnis Nakai, (808) 875-2945.
    U.S. Mail: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, Maui National Wildlife 
Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 1042, K[imacr]hei, HI 96753.

Additional information about the CCP planning process is available on 
the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/kealiapond and http://www.fws.gov/kakahaia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, (808) 
875-1582, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The CCP Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee (Administration Act), as amended by the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1977, requires us to develop 
a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose of developing a 
CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving 
refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish 
and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our 
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on 
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including 
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife 
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will 
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with 
the Administration Act.
    The Service will prepare a CCP/NEPA document in compliance with 
NEPA of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA regulations (40 
CFR parts 1500-1508); other applicable Federal laws and regulations; 
and our policies and procedures for compliance with those laws and 
regulations.
    Each unit of the NWRS is established for specific purposes. These 
purposes guide development and prioritization of management goals and 
objectives within the NWRS mission and determine how the public can use 
each refuge. The planning process is a way for us and the public to 
evaluate management goals and objectives for the best possible 
conservation of important wildlife habitat, while providing for 
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities that are compatible with 
the refuges' establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
    We will conduct a planning process that provides opportunities for 
the public, Federal and local government agencies, Native Hawaiian 
organizations, and others to participate in issue scoping and public 
comment. We request input for issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions 
for the future management of Ke[amacr]lia Pond and Kakahai`a NWRs.
    We will also give the public an opportunity to provide input at 
open houses to identify issues and concerns. All information provided 
voluntarily by mail, phone, or at public meetings becomes part of our 
official public record. We will handle requests for comments received 
in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA, and Service 
and Departmental policies and procedures.

The Refuges

    Ke[amacr]lia Pond and Kakahai`a NWRs are part of the Maui National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex. Located along the southern shore of Maui, 
Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR was established in 1992 for the purpose of 
providing habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, specifically the 
ae'o or Hawaiian stilt, and 'alae ke'oke'o or Hawaiian coot.
    Ke[amacr]lia Pond is one of the largest natural wetlands remaining 
in the Hawaiian Islands. The 691-acre Refuge is administered under a 
perpetual conservation easement from Alexander and Baldwin, Inc. 
Habitats found on the Refuge include open water, fresh to brackish 
water marsh, mudflat, grassland, upland shrub, and coastal beach 
strand.
    Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR contains one of the largest concentrations of 
wetland birds in Hawai'i and is an important breeding, feeding, and 
resting area for the Hawaiian stilt and Hawaiian coot. In addition, 
Ke[amacr]lia Pond NWR provides a strategic landfall for migratory birds 
coming from Alaska, Siberia, and Asia, including koloa mapu or Northern 
pintail, koloa moha or Northern shoveler, lesser scaup, kolea or 
Pacific golden-plover, and 'akekeke or ruddy turnstone. A total of 110 
bird species have been documented on the Refuge. The majority of the 
Refuge is closed to general public access; however, trails, overlooks, 
and educational programs provide the public with opportunities to view 
and appreciate some of Hawai'i's endangered and migratory wildlife.
    Kakahai`a NWR is located on the southeastern coast of Moloka'i. It 
was established to protect and provide habitat for endangered species. 
Habitats found on this Refuge include open water, freshwater marsh, 
mudflat, grassland, and shrubland. An inland Hawaiian fishpond is also 
located on the Refuge. The Refuge provides important breeding, feeding, 
and resting areas for endangered waterbirds, a variety of migratory 
waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wetland birds. Some of the more common 
migrants are koloa mapu or Northern pintail, and kolea or Pacific 
golden-plover. Kakahai`a NWR is closed to the general public; however, 
volunteers occasionally conduct wetland education programs.

Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

    We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities 
to be addressed in the CCP. Additional issues may be identified through 
public scoping.
    During the CCP planning process, the Service will analyze methods 
for enhancing the wildlife and habitat resources, visitor services, 
protection of cultural and historic resources, and facilities 
maintenance of the Ke[amacr]lia Pond and Kakahai`a NWRs while providing 
quality opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation.

Public Meetings

    Public open house meetings will be held at the following locations 
to provide information on the CCP and receive public comments. 
Opportunities for additional public input will be announced throughout 
the planning process.

[[Page 53757]]



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             Date                      Time               Location
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Wednesday, November 4, 2009...  6:30-8:30 p.m....  Mitchel Pauole
                                                    Center, Conference
                                                    Room, 90 Ainoa
                                                    Street, Kaunakakai,
                                                    Moloka'i, HI 96748.
Thursday, November 5, 2009....  6:30-8:30 p.m....  Kihei Community
                                                    Center, Main Hall,
                                                    303 East Lipoa
                                                    Street, Kihei, Maui,
                                                    HI 96753.
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Public Availability of Comments

    All comments--including your personal identifying information--may 
be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your 
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: October 13, 2009.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E9-25139 Filed 10-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P