[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27245-27246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11187]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2012-N069; FXRS1265030000S3-123-FF03R06000]


Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, Big Stone and Lac Qui Parle 
Counties, MN

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and 
environmental assessment (EA) for Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge 
(Refuge, NWR) for public review and comment. In this draft CCP/EA we 
describe how we propose to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by June 8, 2012. We will hold an open house-style meeting during the 
comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft 
plan. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper articles, 
internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of 
opportunities for input.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
one of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``Big Stone Draft CCP/
EA'' in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: Attention: Alice Hanley, 320-273-2231.
     U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, Big Stone National 
Wildlife Refuge, 44843 County Road 19, Odessa, MN 56276.
     In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during 
regular business hours at the above address.
    You may also find information about the draft CCP/EA planning 
process on the planning Web site: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Planning/BigStoneNWR/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Hanley, 320-273-2191.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Big Stone NWR, 
which we began by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register 
(73 FR 76677) on December 17, 2008. For more about the initial process 
and the history of this refuge, see that notice.

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) (Administration Act), requires us 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 (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish 
and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service 
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.
    Each unit of the NWRS, including Big Stone NWR, was established for 
specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for 
developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for 
each refuge within the NWRS mission, and to 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 that will ensure the 
best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, 
while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that 
are compatible with each refuge's establishing purposes and the mission 
of the NWRS.

Refuge Overview

    Big Stone NWR was established in 1975 when lands, purchased by the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Big Stone Lake-Whetstone 
River Project authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1965, were 
transferred to the Service. Today the Refuge includes 11,586 acres and 
is managed for fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

CCP Alternatives and Our Preferred Alternative

Priority Issues

    During the public scoping process, we, other stakeholders and 
partners, and the public identified several priority issues, which 
include habitat management, sedimentation, invasive species, and demand 
for additional recreation opportunities and visitor services. To 
address these issues, we developed and evaluated the following six 
alternatives during the planning process.

Alternative 1: Current Management/No Action

    Alternative 1 is the No Action alternative, which means there would 
be no change from current management practices. Active management of 
Refuge habitats and visitor services would continue at present levels. 
Water movement and associated sediment delivery would continue to 
follow its current route through the Refuge, and the quality of 
riverine habitat would remain within its present range of conditions. 
There would be no change to the management capabilities of West Pool. 
Remnant prairie, restored grasslands, and prairie associated with 
granite outcrops would continue to be managed at present levels. The 
amount of partially restored grasslands would increase by 500 acres. 
The total area of nonnative grassland would decrease to 300 acres. 
Wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and 
interpretation, hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering shed antlers 
and wild edible plants are recreational opportunities that would occur 
under this alternative if they meet the Service definition of 
compatibility. Refuge staff would continue to work with visitors and 
local communities and provide volunteer opportunities to build support 
for the Refuge.

Alternative 2

    Under this alternative the natural alignment, channel capacity, and 
meander relationships would be restored to the upper 5 miles of the 
Minnesota River within the Refuge, and there would be an effort to 
improve water quality within the Minnesota River and its tributaries. 
Redistributing the timing and delivery of waters and sediment would 
improve the ability to increase, distribute, and diversify submerged 
vegetation within West Pool. Remnant prairie and prairie associated

[[Page 27246]]

with granite outcrops would continue to be managed at present levels. 
The target acreage for restored grassland would be 1,100 acres, and for 
partially restored grasslands 1,200 acres. The amount of nonnative 
grassland would decrease by 500 acres. Wildlife observation and 
photography, environmental education and interpretation, hunting, 
fishing, trapping, and gathering wild edible plants are recreational 
opportunities that would occur under this alternative if they meet the 
Service definition of compatibility. Gathering of shed antlers would be 
discontinued. There would be increased outreach efforts to inform the 
public of existing Refuge access and recreational opportunities. 
Existing hunting opportunities would continue, and there would be added 
opportunities for youth and for hunters with disabilities. Fishing 
access and opportunities would increase beyond present levels. Refuge 
staff would continue to work with visitors and local communities to 
provide increased volunteer opportunities to build support for the 
Refuge.

Elements Common to Alternatives 3, 4, 5, and 6

    The other four alternatives have a number of elements in common 
with Alternative 2. They are the same regarding Minnesota River 
restoration, water quality improvements, changes to West Pool, 
management of remnant prairie and prairie associated with granite 
outcrops, the range of recreational opportunities including elimination 
of shed antler gathering, fishing access and opportunities, and 
volunteer opportunities. The alternatives also differ in a number ways 
as indicated below.

Alternative 3

    The target acreage for restored grassland would be 1,600 acres, and 
for partially restored grassland 500 acres. The amount of nonnative 
grassland would decrease by 300 acres. The amount of visitor access for 
wildlife observation and photography would increase. Existing hunting 
opportunities would continue but also be reviewed to determine the need 
for improvements to access, facilities, or opportunities. There would 
be additional hunting opportunities for youth and people with 
disabilities.

Alternative 4

    The target acreage for restored grassland would be 1,600 acres, and 
for partially restored grassland 700 acres. The amount of nonnative 
grassland would decrease by 500 acres, 200 acres more than under 
Alternative 3. The amount of visitor access would remain at present 
levels, but there would be increased outreach efforts to inform the 
public of existing Refuge access and recreational opportunities. 
Existing hunting opportunities would continue. The amount of area open 
to hunting would remain the same, but hunting opportunities, access, 
and facilities would be reviewed to determine the need for 
improvements. There would be an emphasis on additional hunting 
opportunities for youth and people with disabilities.

Alternative 5

    The target acreage for restored grassland would be 1,600 acres, and 
for partially restored grassland 700 acres. The amount of nonnative 
grassland would decrease by 500 acres. The amount of visitor access for 
wildlife observation and photography would increase. The amount of area 
open to hunting or the types of hunting permitted would increase above 
present levels without the emphasis described for Alternatives 2, 4, 
and 6.

Alternative 6 (Preferred Alternative)

    The target acreage for restored grassland would be 1,600 acres, and 
for partially restored grassland 700 acres. The amount of nonnative 
grassland would decrease by 500 acres. The amount of visitor access 
would remain at present levels, but there would be increased outreach 
efforts to inform the public of existing Refuge access and recreational 
opportunities. Existing hunting opportunities would continue but also 
be reviewed to determine the need for improvements to access, 
facilities, or opportunities. There would be additional hunting 
opportunities for youth and people with disabilities.

Public Involvement

    We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public 
meeting. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site 
listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments 
anytime during the comment period.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email 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.

Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11187 Filed 5-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P