[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65371-65372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26666]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2010-N081; 80230-1265-0000-S3]


Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Klamath County, OR

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability: Final comprehensive conservation plan 
and finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Klamath Marsh National 
Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The CCP describes how we will manage the Refuge 
for the next 15 years.

DATES: The CCP and FONSI are available now. The FONSI was signed on 
June 14, 2010. Implementation of the CCP may begin immediately.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA 
by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM.
    Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/KlamathMarshCCP/kmarshccp.html.
    Email: [email protected]. Include ``Klamath Marsh CCP'' in 
the subject line.
    Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Mark Pelz, Chief, 
Refuge Planning, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 541-783-3380 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at Klamath Marsh National 
Wildlife Refuge, HC 63 Box 303, Chiloquin, OR 97624.
    Local Library or Libraries: The document(s) are also available for 
review at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Pelz, Chief, Refuge Planning, 
2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA, 95825, phone (916) 414-6500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Klamath Marsh was established in 1958 and is located in south 
central Oregon on the east slope of the Cascade Mountain Range along 
the Williamson River. The Service owns approximately 40,960 acres 
within the 49,583-acre acquisition boundary. The Refuge protects one of 
the largest remaining natural freshwater marshes on the west coast. 
Other important habitats on the refuge include sedge meadow, grassland, 
riverine, riparian scrub, and ponderosa pine forest. The Refuge 
protects habitat for a variety of unique species including greater 
sandhill cranes, yellow rails, Oregon spotted frogs, red-naped 
sapsuckers, pygmy nuthatches, bald eagles, beaver, and red band trout. 
The entire Refuge is located within the former reservation of the 
Klamath Tribes.
    We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the 
final CCP in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
(40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of 
impacts on the human environment, which we included in the EA that 
accompanied the draft CCP.
    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 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 on conserving wildlife 
and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational 
opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for 
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update 
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration 
Act.
    Our Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA) were available for 
a 45-

[[Page 65372]]

day public review and comment period, which we announced via several 
methods, including press releases, updates to constituents, and a 
Federal Register notice (74 FR 38668, August 4, 2009). The Draft CCP/EA 
identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing the Refuge for 
the next 15 years. Alternative A was the no-action alternative, which 
described current Refuge management activities. Alternative B (the 
selected alternative) would restore the portion of the Williamson River 
and Big Spring Creek on the Refuge; and expand visitor services. 
Alternative C would also restore the portions of the Williamson River 
and Big Springs Creek on the Refuge; and recommend 11,165 acres for 
wilderness designation.
    We received 56 comment letters on the Draft CCP and EA during the 
review period. We incorporated these received comments into the CCP 
when possible, and we responded to the comments in an appendix to the 
CCP. In the FONSI, we selected Alternative B, the basis for the CCP, 
for implementation. The FONSI documents our decision and is based on 
the information and analysis contained in the EA.
    Under the selected alternative, the Service would restore the 
portion of the Williamson River and Big Spring Creek on the Refuge; 
substantially improve management of emergent marsh, meadows, ponderosa 
pine forest and aspen to increase habitat value for migratory birds and 
other wildlife; improve and expand visitor services by developing new 
trails, interpretive exhibits, an environmental education program, and 
a visitor contact station; maintain existing hunting and fishing 
programs with minor modifications; increase cultural resources 
protection; and recommend no units for wilderness designation. The 
Service would also revise and update the MOU with the Klamath Tribes 
regarding subsistence hunting and gathering. The selected alternative 
best meets the Refuge's purposes, vision, and goals; contributes to the 
Refuge System mission; addresses the significant issues and relevant 
mandates; and is consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife 
management.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain 
documents at the following locations:
     Our Web site: http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/KlamathMarshCCP/kmarshccp.html
     Public Libraries: During regular library hours, at the 
following libraries:

 
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                  Library                              Address
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Chiloquin.................................  216 South 1st Street,
                                             Chiloquin, OR 97624.
Klamath County............................  126 South Third Street,
                                             Klamath Falls, OR 97601.
USFWS-NCTC................................  698 Conservation Way,
                                             Shepherdstown, WV 25443.
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    Dated: June 14, 2010.
Ren Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 2010-26666 Filed 10-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P