[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 98 (Friday, May 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29259-29260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12411]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2011-N024; 30136-1265-0000-S3]


Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Chariton County, MO; Final 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact 
for Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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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 Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Goals and 
objectives in the CCP describe how the agency intends to manage the 
refuge over the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final CCP and FONSI/EA may be viewed at the 
Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge Office or at public libraries near 
the refuge. You may also request a copy by any of the following 
methods.
    1. Agency Web site: View or download a copy of the document at 
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/SwanLake/.
    2. E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Swan Lake Final CCP/EA'' 
in the subject line of the message.
    3. Mail: Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 16194 Swan Lake 
Avenue, Sumner, MO 64681.
    4. In Person: A limited number of hardcopies will be available for 
distribution at the Refuge Headquarters.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitson, 660-856-3323.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we complete the CCP process for Swan Lake NWR, 
which we began by publishing a notice of intent on (71 FR 20722, April 
21, 2006). For more information about the initial process, see that 
notice. We released the draft CCP and EA to the public, announcing and 
requesting comments in a notice of availability (75 FR 30422) on June 
1, 2010.
    Swan Lake NWR was established in 1937 by Executive Order 7563 to 
serve as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other 
wildlife. The Refuge includes more than 11,000 acres and is also 
responsible for managing 57 easements and outlying fee-title tracts 
scattered across 15 counties in Missouri.
    The Draft CCP and EA were officially released for public review on 
June 1, 2010, opening a 35-day comment period that ended on July 5, 
2010. Planning information was sent to approximately 200 individuals, 
organizations, elected officials, and local, State, and Federal 
agencies, and an electronic copy of the Draft CCP and EA was made 
available on the Service's Web site. During the comment period, the 
Refuge also hosted an open house to receive public comments and 
feedback. An estimated 385 people attended the event and submitted more 
than 130 written comments. In total, more than 500 comments were 
received by the Service during the public review period. Based on 
comments received, a fourth alternative was developed, followed by 
another public comment period, which produced 50 additional comments 
and a number of minor changes to the fourth alternative.

[[Page 29260]]

Selected Alternative

    Based on input and feedback during the planning process, 
alternative 4 was selected as the preferred alternative. The 
alternative maintains a mixture of woodland, wetland, and grassland 
habitats, with an emphasis on increasing native habitats such as 
prairie and wet meadow. Moist soil management would continue, and there 
would be additional study on methods for increasing the amount of 
native foods for waterfowl within a 2,100-acre reservoir on the Refuge. 
The alternative also calls for measuring Refuge water needs, 
identifying source water, and working with others to address watershed 
issues, including water quality and flooding. Monitoring migratory 
birds and threatened and endangered species would inform management 
actions to benefit these species. The introduction of duck hunting and 
small game hunting would add to existing wildlife-dependent recreation 
opportunities available on the Refuge.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee et seq.), requires the Service to develop a CCP 
for each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose in 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 Service policies. In 
addition to outlining broad management direction for conserving 
wildlife and their habitats, the CCP identifies 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 National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act 
of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement 
Act of 1997, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321-4370d).

    Dated: February 24, 2011.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota.
[FR Doc. 2011-12411 Filed 5-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P