[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49516-49517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19803]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2010-N111; 1265-0000-10137]


Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge and the Julia Butler 
Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability: 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 and 
environmental impact statement (final CCP/EIS) for the Lewis and Clark 
National Wildlife Refuge and the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the 
Columbian White-tailed Deer (refuge or collectively, refuges). These 
refuges are located in Wahkiakum County, Washington, and Clatsop and 
Columbia Counties, Oregon. In the final CCP/EIS, we describe how we 
propose to manage these refuges 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 request copies of the final CCP/EIS by any 
of the following methods. You may request a printed copy or CD-ROM.
    Agency Web Sites: Download a copy of the document at http://www.fws.gov/lc/ or http://www.fws.gov/jbh/.
    E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Lewis and Clark and Julia 
Butler Hansen Final CCP/EIS'' in the subject line of the message.
    Mail: Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, 
Ilwaco, WA 98624.
    Fax: (360) 484-3109.
    In person viewing: Copies of the final CCP/EIS may be viewed at the 
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 3888 SR 101, Ilwaco, WA 
98624; and the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-
tailed Deer, 46 Steamboat Slough Road, Cathlamet, WA 98612.
    Local Libraries: The final documents are available for review at 
the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Stenvall, (360) 484-3482.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we announce the availability of the final CCP/EIS 
for the refuges. We started this process through a notice in the 
Federal Register (71 FR 55214; September 21, 2006). We released the 
draft CCP/EIS to the public, announcing and requesting comments in a 
notice of availability in the Federal Register (75 FR 6694; February 
10, 2010).
    The Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge was established in 
1972 to preserve vital fish and wildlife habitat of the Columbia River 
estuary. The refuge's riverine islands encompass a variety of habitat 
types, from tidal sand flats and marshes to forested swamps. This 
combination of habitats supports large numbers of waterfowl, gulls, 
terns, wading birds, shorebirds, and a variety of raptors and 
songbirds. The Lewis and Clark Refuge islands are only accessible by 
boat and include 18 named islands, a number of unnamed islands, and 
marshes stretching over 25 miles of the Columbia River.
    The Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer 
was established in 1971 to protect and manage the endangered Columbian 
white-tailed deer. The refuge contains over 6,000 acres of pastures, 
forested tidal swamps, brushy woodlots, marshes, and sloughs along the 
Columbia River.
    The final CCP/EIS was completed in accordance with National 
Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) and National Wildlife 
Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) 
requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human 
environment, which we included in the final EIS for the CCP. The CCP 
will guide us in managing and administering the refuges for the next 15 
years.
    We analyzed two alternatives for future management of the Lewis and 
Clark National Wildlife Refuge and three alternatives for future 
management of the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-
tailed Deer. Alternative 2 is our preferred alternative for both 
refuges, and is the foundation for the CCP. We addressed public 
comments on the draft CCP/EIS in the final CCP/EIS.

Background

The CCP Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge Administration Act), 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 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 our 
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction for 
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including 
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and 
photography,

[[Page 49517]]

and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and 
update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Refuge 
Administration Act.

CCP Alternatives We Are Considering

Lewis and Clark Refuge Alternative 1

    No changes to the current refuge management programs would occur 
under Alternative 1. Habitat management would consist of monitoring 
refuge islands and treating invasive plant infestations as funding 
allows. Refuge staff members would continue to protect and maintain 
wintering and foraging habitat for migratory waterfowl, and nesting and 
roosting habitat for bald eagles. Existing public uses, including 
hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation and photography, would 
continue at current levels.

Lewis and Clark Refuge Alternative 2

    Under Alternative 2 (the preferred alternative), current wildlife 
and habitat management would be maintained. Key refuge enhancements 
would include establishing or expanding partnerships for managing 
invasive species, recruiting graduate students to conduct wildlife and 
habitat research, and exploring options for managing Oregon Department 
of State Lands property within the approved refuge boundary. The refuge 
would also expand opportunities for wildlife observation and 
photography, study potential wilderness lands, and work with partners 
to ensure that dredge-spoil islands provide benefits for wildlife.

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 1

    Under Alternative 1, no changes to the current refuge management 
programs would occur at Julia Butler Hansen Refuge. We would continue 
to maintain and protect habitats, establish early successional riparian 
forest habitat, maintain predator management January through April, and 
continue wildlife-dependent public use programs.

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 2

    Refuge management changes under Alternative 2 (the preferred 
alternative) would include opening Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl 
hunting, closing portions of refuge lands along the lower Elochoman 
River to waterfowl hunting for public safety purposes, studying 
potential wilderness lands, developing two trails, and improving 
interpretive media. To achieve the recovery goals for the Columbian 
white-tailed deer, predator management would take place on an as-needed 
basis year-round under this alternative. We would also expand the 
Columbian white-tailed deer population by establishing an experimental 
population upriver.

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Alternative 3

    Refuge management changes under Alternative 3 would include opening 
Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl hunting, closing portions of 
refuge lands along the lower Elochoman River to waterfowl hunting for 
public safety purposes, studying potential wilderness lands, developing 
a bicycling and hiking trail, installing interpretive panels, and 
developing curriculum for refuge study sites. To achieve the recovery 
goals for the Columbian white-tailed deer, predator management would 
take place January through August under this alternative.

Comments

    We solicited comments on the Draft CCP/EIS from February 10, 2010, 
to April 12, 2010. Public comments were considered and addressed in the 
final CCP/EIS, resulting in only minor changes to the final document.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view documents at 
the following libraries:
     Blanch Bradley Library, 100 Main Street, Cathlamet, WA 
98612.
     Astoria Public Library, 450 10th Street, Astoria, OR 
97103.
     Clatskanie Library District, 11 Lillich Street, 
Clatskanie, OR 97016.
     Ilwaco Timberline Regional Library, 158 1st Ave. Ilwaco, 
WA 98624.
     Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview, 
WA 98632.
     Fort Vancouver Regional Library, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., 
Vancouver WA 98663.

    Dated: June 10, 2010.
Carolyn A. Bohan,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2010-19803 Filed 8-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P