[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 94 (Monday, May 17, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27576-27578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11684]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2010-N052; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


J.N. ``Ding'' Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Lee County, FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability: Draft comprehensive conservation plan 
and environmental assessment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan and 
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for J.N. ``Ding'' Darling 
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for public review and comment. In the 
Draft CCP/EA, we describe the alternative we propose to use to manage 
this refuge for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by June 16, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the Draft CCP/EA by contacting Ms. 
Cheri M. Ehrhardt, via U.S. mail at J.N. ``Ding'' Darling NWR, 1 
Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957, or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. Alternatively you may download the document 
from our Internet Site at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning under 
``Draft Documents.'' Submit comments on the Draft CCP/EA to the above 
postal address or e-mail address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Cheri M. Ehrhardt, Natural 
Resource Planner, telephone: 321/861-2368; or Mr. Paul Tritaik, Refuge 
Manager, telephone: 239/472-1100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process for J.N. ``Ding'' 
Darling NWR. We started the process through a notice in the Federal 
Register on June 27, 2007 (72 FR 35254), and extended the comment 
period in a notice in the Federal Register on April 2, 2008 (73 FR 
17991). For more about the refuge, its purposes, and our CCP process, 
please see those notices.

Background

The CCP Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to develop a CCP for each national 
wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to provide refuge 
managers with a 15-year strategy 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 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 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 6,406.79-acre refuge supports hundreds of species of wildlife 
and plants, providing protection for 13 Federal-listed species and 49 
State-listed species, as well as for migratory birds and native 
wildlife. It also supports habitat diversity through tropical hardwood 
forests, beaches, mangrove swamps, mixed wetland shrubs, salt marshes, 
open waters and seagrass beds, and lakes and canals. Comprising roughly 
half of Sanibel Island and most of Buck Key, the J.N. ``Ding'' Darling 
NWR provides key habitats supporting a variety of species in a highly 
developed landscape. The city of Sanibel, Lee County, Sanibel-Captiva 
Conservation Foundation, and the Service work together to continue 
conservation work on Sanibel Island, which is one of the top birding 
hot spots in the nation, with beautiful beaches, shelling, fishing, and 
wildlife. This partnership has resulted in land use planning to guide 
growth and development, ensuring that future generations will be able 
to enjoy the special ambience and quiet harmony that Sanibel Island 
offers.
    The priority management issues facing this refuge are addressed in 
the Draft CCP/EA, including: (1) Increasing and changing human 
population, development of the landscape, recreational uses and 
demands, and associated impacts; (2) issues and impacts associated with 
water quality, water quantity, and timing of flows; (3) invasion and 
spread of exotic, invasive,

[[Page 27577]]

and nuisance species; (4) climate change impacts; (5) need for long-
term protection of important resources; (6) declines in and threats to 
rare, threatened, and endangered species; (7) insufficient baseline 
wildlife and habitat data and lack of a comprehensive habitat 
management plan; and (8) insufficient resources to address refuge 
needs.

CCP Alternatives, Including Our Proposed Alternative

    We developed four alternatives for managing the refuge and chose 
Alternative C as the proposed alternative. A full description of each 
alternative is in the Draft CCP/EA. We summarize each alternative 
below.

Alternative A (Current Management, No Action)

    Alternative A would continue management activities and programs at 
levels similar to past management, providing a baseline for the 
comparison of the action alternatives. Funding and staffing levels 
would remain similar to current levels, and programs would follow the 
same direction, emphasis, and intensity as under current management. 
Working with partners, we would conduct several surveying and 
monitoring activities, providing information for a variety of birds; 
juvenile and baitfish populations; and key rare, threatened, and 
endangered species. Habitat management activities on the refuge would 
include an impounded wetland reconnection/mangrove restoration project, 
impoundment management, prescribed fire, fuel and fire-effect 
monitoring, exotic plant control, limited water quality monitoring, and 
limited ditch clearing. Further, we would work with the partners to 
address exotic, invasive, and nuisance animals; water quality, 
quantity, and timing of flows concerns; and climate change. We would 
continue to offer a robust visitor services program, facilitating 
fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental 
education and interpretation, while continuing to use a concessionaire 
to help provide these opportunities. Management and use of the 
Wilderness Area would continue. We would work with numerous 
governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other 
partners to foster and promote refuge management goals, including 
through existing management and cooperative agreements.

Alternative B (Native Wildlife and Habitat Diversity)

    Alternative B would expand or initiate our management activities, 
with a focus on native wildlife and habitat diversity, providing a new 
focus for refuge management actions, decisions, and priorities. 
Increased surveying and monitoring activities and increased water 
management capabilities for the impoundments, the Bailey Tract, and the 
State Botanical Site would better serve a variety of species. Habitat 
management and restoration activities would better provide for a mix of 
native species. Control of exotic, invasive, and nuisance plants and 
animals would be expanded. Benefitting numerous species and habitats of 
management concern, we would expand activities to better coordinate 
with the partners to address water quality, quantity, and timing of 
flows related to Lake Okeechobee regulatory releases, drainage in the 
Caloosahatchee Basin, local runoff issues, water quality in Tarpon Bay 
and on the refuge, and operation of the city of Sanibel's weir. With a 
focus on native wildlife and habitat diversity, we would utilize the 
best available science and employ a strategic habitat conservation 
approach to anticipate wildlife and habitat adaptation tendencies and 
to target management actions to facilitate successful adaptation 
responses to the impacts of climate change. We would better protect the 
archaeological and historical resources of the refuge on Sanibel and 
Captiva Islands, including conducting a complete archaeological and 
historical resources survey and protecting in perpetuity the 
historically significant site of ``Ding'' Darling's fishing cabin off 
Captiva Island. We would complete the approved acquisition boundary; 
develop management agreements to protect key resources; and pursue 
additional special designations for the refuge, including Western 
Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and RAMSAR Wetlands of 
International Importance. We would enhance our Wilderness Area program. 
Although we currently have a robust visitor services program, 
Alternative B would focus more on native wildlife and habitat diversity 
and the minimization of human impacts on these resources. In general, 
existing visitor uses would continue, including fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation, while we would increase efforts to improve ethical 
behavior, expand and enhance education and outreach activities, and 
maintain the concession approach to facilitating visitor activities and 
experiences. To provide additional visitor opportunities, we would 
locate and develop an observation tower at the Bailey Tract. The 
Wildlife Drive would be evaluated for any needed changes. We would 
evaluate the need for and ability to provide parking at the Shell Mound 
Trail to address existing ad-hoc parking and Wildlife Drive congestion 
issues at this site. We would convert the temporary fee-funded law 
enforcement officer position to a permanent position and add five 
refuge-specific staff: Wildlife biologist, biological science 
technician, two law enforcement officers, and park ranger 
(Environmental Education/Outreach). Historically, a single commercial 
bait fisherman has operated on the refuge. In line with regional 
compatibility guidance and to limit the impacts from commercial fishing 
activities, we would phase out commercial bait fishing activities from 
the refuge during the life of the CCP.

Alternative C (Migratory Birds, Proposed Action)

    Alternative C would expand management with a focus on the needs of 
migratory birds, providing direction for management actions, decisions, 
and priorities, and prioritizing migratory birds in all restoration 
plans. This alternative addresses the management needs of all birds 
covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, including resident species 
of native birds that are found using the refuge year-round. Expanded 
and new surveying and monitoring activities, habitat management, and 
habitat restoration would benefit a variety of species, including rare, 
threatened, and endangered species, with an emphasis on migratory 
birds. Increased water management capabilities for the impoundments, 
the Bailey Tract, and the State Botanical Site would also benefit a 
variety of species, predominantly migratory birds. Control of exotic, 
invasive, and nuisance plants and animals would be expanded, with a 
focus on migratory birds. To benefit migratory birds while also serving 
numerous species and habitats of management concern, we would expand 
activities to better coordinate with the partners to address water 
quality, quantity, and timing of flows related to Lake Okeechobee 
regulatory releases, drainage in the Caloosahatchee Basin, local runoff 
issues, water quality in Tarpon Bay and on the refuge, and operation of 
the city of Sanibel's weir. We would work with partners to evaluate 
water quality impacts on algal blooms, bird usage, seagrasses, and fish 
populations in and around the refuge. With a focus on migratory birds, 
we

[[Page 27578]]

would utilize the best available science and employ a strategic habitat 
conservation approach to anticipate wildlife and habitat adaptation 
tendencies and to target management actions to facilitate successful 
adaptation responses to the impacts of climate change. We would better 
protect the archaeological and historical resources of the refuge on 
Sanibel and Captiva Islands, including conducting a complete 
archaeological and historical resources survey and protecting in 
perpetuity the historically significant site of ``Ding'' Darling's 
fishing cabin off Captiva Island. We would complete the approved 
acquisition boundary, with a focus on migratory birds; develop 
management agreements to protect key resources, including nesting and 
roosting areas; and pursue additional special designations for the 
refuge, including Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and 
RAMSAR Wetlands of International Importance. We would enhance our 
Wilderness Area program. Although we currently have a robust visitor 
services program, Alternative C would focus more on migratory birds and 
the minimization of human impacts on these resources. In general, 
existing visitor uses would continue, including fishing, wildlife 
observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation, while we would increase our efforts to improve ethical 
behavior, expand and enhance education and outreach activities, and 
maintain the concession approach to facilitating visitor activities and 
experiences. To provide additional visitor opportunities, we would 
locate and develop an observation tower at the Bailey Tract and a 
handicapped-accessible fishing pier at Smith Pond on the Bailey Tract. 
The Wildlife Drive would be evaluated for any needed changes. Further, 
we would evaluate the need for and ability to provide parking at the 
Shell Mound Trail to address existing ad-hoc parking and Wildlife Drive 
congestion issues at this site. We would convert the temporary fee-
funded law enforcement officer position to a permanent position and 
would add five refuge-specific staff: Wildlife biologist, biological 
science technician, two law enforcement officers, and park ranger 
(Environmental Education/Outreach). Historically, a single commercial 
bait fisherman has operated on the refuge. In line with regional 
compatibility guidance and to limit the impacts from commercial fishing 
activities, we would phase out commercial bait fishing activities from 
the refuge during the life of the CCP.

Alternative D (Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species)

    Alternative D would focus on initiating and increasing management 
actions that promote the recovery of rare, threatened, and endangered 
species occurring within the refuge, providing a new direction for 
management actions, decisions, and priorities. Expanded and initiated 
surveying and monitoring efforts, habitat management, habitat 
restoration, and research would benefit a variety of species, with an 
emphasis on rare, threatened, and endangered species. Control of 
exotic, invasive, and nuisance plants and animals would be expanded 
under Alternative D, with a focus on high-priority habitats serving 
rare, threatened, and endangered species. To benefit rare, threatened, 
and endangered species while also serving numerous species and habitats 
of management concern, we would expand activities to better coordinate 
with partners to address water quality, quantity, and timing of flows 
related to Lake Okeechobee regulatory releases, drainage in the 
Caloosahatchee Basin, local runoff issues, water quality in Tarpon Bay 
and the refuge, and operation of the city of Sanibel's weir. We would 
work with partners to evaluate water quality impacts on algal blooms, 
bird usage, seagrasses, and fish populations in and around the refuge 
to better understand the impacts on rare, threatened, and endangered 
species. We would coordinate with researchers and the partners to 
understand the impacts of climate change on refuge resources with a 
focus on rare, threatened, and endangered species, fostering and 
conducting research as possible, establishing benchmarks, and adapting 
management. We would better protect the archaeological and historical 
resources of the refuge on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, including 
conducting a complete archaeological and historical resources survey 
and protecting in perpetuity of the historically significant site of 
``Ding'' Darling's fishing cabin off Captiva Island. We would complete 
the approved acquisition boundary; develop management agreements to 
protect key resources; and pursue additional special designations for 
the refuge, including Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and 
RAMSAR Wetlands of International Importance. In addition, we would 
expand our Wilderness Area program. Although we currently have a robust 
visitor services program, Alternative D would focus more on rare, 
threatened, and endangered species and the minimization of human 
impacts on these resources. In general, existing visitor uses would 
continue, including fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife 
photography, and environmental education and interpretation, while we 
would increase efforts to improve ethical behavior, expand and enhance 
education and outreach activities, and maintain the concession approach 
to facilitating visitor activities and experiences. To provide 
additional visitor opportunities, we would locate and develop an 
observation tower at the Bailey Tract. The Wildlife Drive would be 
evaluated for any needed changes. Further, we would evaluate the need 
for and ability to provide parking at the Shell Mound Trail to address 
existing ad-hoc parking and Wildlife Drive congestion issues at this 
site. To help accomplish the outlined actions, Alternative D would be 
similar to Alternatives B and C. We would convert the temporary fee-
funded law enforcement officer position to a permanent position and 
would add five refuge-specific staff: Wildlife biologist, biological 
science technician, two law enforcement officers, and park ranger 
(Environmental Education/Outreach). Historically, a single commercial 
bait fisherman has operated on the refuge. In line with regional 
compatibility guidance and to limit the impacts from commercial fishing 
activities, we would phase out commercial bait fishing activities from 
the refuge during the life of the CCP.

Next Step

    After the comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and 
address them.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, 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 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.

Authority

    This notice is published under the authority of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105-57.

    Dated: March 22, 2010.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2010-11684 Filed 5-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P