[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48183-48185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19052]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R6-R-2013-N147; FXRS1265066CCP0-134-FF06R06000]


Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, 
CO; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement; 
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge, Arvada, CO; Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife 
Refuge in Commerce City, Colorado. The Service also intends to prepare 
a CCP and an Environmental Assessment for the Two Ponds National 
Wildlife Refuge in Arvada, Colorado. These refuges are currently being 
managed under Comprehensive Management Plans developed in the mid-1990s 
and as part of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to 
advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our 
intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of 
issues to consider in the planning process of revising the management 
plans for these refuges.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
October 11, 2013. Submit comments by one of the methods under 
ADDRESSES. We will announce opportunities for public input in local 
news media throughout the CCP process.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods.
    Email: [email protected]. Include ``Rocky Mountain 
Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge CCP'' or ``Two Ponds National Wildlife 
Refuge CCP,'' as appropriate, in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Bernardo Garza and Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leaders, 
303/236-4792.
    U.S. Mail: Bernardo Garza and Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leaders, 
Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box 25486, Denver, CO 80225-0486.
    In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular 
business hours at the above address, or at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal 
National Wildlife Refuge Complex administrative office located at 6550 
Gateway Road, Commerce City, CO 80022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernardo Garza, 303/236-4377 (phone) 
or [email protected] (email); Toni Griffin, 303/236-4378 (phone) 
or [email protected] (email); or David C. Lucas, Chief, Division of 
Planning, 303/236-4366 (phone), P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, 
Denver, CO 80225-0486.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing CCPs for 
the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, 
CO, and the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge in Arvada, CO. This 
notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other Federal and 
State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intention to conduct 
detailed planning on these refuges and (2) to obtain suggestions and 
information on the scope of issues to consider in the environmental 
document and during development of the CCPs.

Background

The CCP Process

    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 unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). The 
purpose for developing a CCP is to provide the managers of the units of 
the NWRS with a 15-year plan for achieving the units' purposes and 
contributing toward the mission of the NWRS, 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 
compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to 
the public, including, where appropriate, opportunities for hunting, 
fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental 
education and interpretation. We will review and update the CCPs at 
least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act.
    Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use 
these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the 
management goals and objectives for each unit within the NWRS and to 
determine how the public can enjoy public uses in the NWRS units. 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

[[Page 48184]]

opportunities that are compatible with each of the unit's establishing 
purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
    Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal, 
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public. 
At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas, 
and suggestions for the future management of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal 
and Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuges.
    We will conduct the environmental review of these projects in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA 
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508 and 43 CFR part 46); other 
appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and 
procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

    The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is one of the 
nation's premier urban national wildlife refuges. Located within the 
highly urbanized Denver Metropolitan Area, it is approximately 16,000 
acres in size and consists of a number of important fish and wildlife 
habitats, including native shortgrass and mixedgrass prairies, riparian 
corridors, numerous wetlands, and multiple lakes. The U.S. Army and 
Shell Corporation recently finished their remediation of the site, 
which included restoring thousands of acres of native grasslands, and 
the site is now being managed for wildlife conservation and compatible, 
wildlife-dependent public uses. This refuge supports many animals, 
including more than 271 species of birds, such as bald eagles, 
burrowing owls, and Swainson's hawks; coyote and red fox; bison and 
deer; raccoon and several other species of small mammals, amphibians, 
reptiles, and fish. Without traveling far from the Colorado Front Range 
region, people have a unique opportunity to connect with their natural 
environment. There are a variety of wildlife-dependent recreational 
opportunities available to the over 300,000 annual visitors, such as 
hiking trails, observing wildlife from the Auto Tour Route or the 
Wildlife Drive, participating in environmental education programs, and 
experiencing one of the best catch-and-release fisheries in Colorado. 
As part of the planning process, this refuge is considering 
reintroducing the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). 
This federally listed species is the only ferret native to North 
America and is considered one of the most endangered mammals in the 
world. Historically, this ferret species occurred throughout the Great 
Plains wherever prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) were found. As a highly 
specialized predator, black-footed ferrets prey upon prairie dogs and 
use their underground burrows for shelter. Black-footed ferrets and 
prairie dogs are part of an ecosystem that has been dramatically 
altered and reduced in size over the past century. The proposed 
reintroduction of the black-footed ferret to this refuge is a positive 
step toward the recovery of this iconic prairie species.

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge

    The Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge--located in the heart of the 
City of Arvada, Colorado--is one the smallest urban unit of the NWRS 
and is part of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex. This refuge is about 72 acres in size and consists of 
important fish and wildlife habitats such as native shortgrass prairie, 
native mixed-grass prairie, and wetland. The Two Ponds National 
Wildlife Refuge supports many animals, including more than 120 species 
of birds, coyote and red fox, muskrat, raccoon, and beaver, deer, 
several species of small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. In 
1990, a local citizen's group--the Two Ponds Preservation Foundation--
was instrumental in preserving this site from development. The group's 
efforts contributed to the establishment of this refuge in 1992. Since 
then, the refuge staff has worked to restore, enhance, and preserve a 
diversity of upland and wetland habitats for migratory and resident 
wildlife, and to provide many visitor experiences. Located conveniently 
within the Denver metro area, the refuge provides a unique opportunity 
for people to connect with their natural environment. A variety of 
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities is available annually to 
more than 15,000 visitors--people can hike trails, observe and 
photograph wildlife, participate in environmental education programs, 
volunteer their talents, and join in a diverse array of community 
service projects.

Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR
[ssquf] Possibility of reintroducing black-footed ferrets: Habitat and 
prey needs; protection
[ssquf] Management of the bison herd
[ssquf] The Refuges' urban and wildlife interface as a gateway 
community and urban refuge
[ssquf] The Refuge's role on the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail and 
other such efforts
[ssquf] The Refuges' role in the Service's ``Connecting People with 
Nature'' and other initiatives
[ssquf] Relationship of the CCP to other landscape wide conservation 
efforts
[ssquf] Implications of outdoor recreational opportunities on the 
Refuges' habitats and wildlife
[ssquf] Habitat and invasive species management
[ssquf] Successful outreach and engagement of nontraditional publics
[ssquf] Expanding commercial development and urbanization surrounding 
the Refuge
[ssquf] Necessary infrastructure (e.g., boardwalk, interpretive signs, 
parking lot, etc.)
[ssquf] Involvement of different publics in the Refuge's wildlife-
dependent public uses
[ssquf] Law enforcement
[ssquf] Habitat management tools, such as fire and chemical control, in 
highly urbanized areas
[ssquf] Protection of remedy and facilities under the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and the 
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Two Ponds NWR
[ssquf] Management and implications of the water canals that cross the 
refuge to surrounding cities
[ssquf] The Refuges' urban and wildlife interface as a gateway 
community and urban refuge
[ssquf] The Refuge's role on the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail and 
other such efforts
[ssquf] The Refuges' role in the Service's ``Connecting People with 
Nature'' and other initiatives
[ssquf] Implications of outdoor recreational opportunities on the 
Refuges' habitat and wildlife
[ssquf] Habitat and invasive species management
[ssquf] Existing vs. necessary infrastructure (e.g., buildings, water 
control structures, etc.)
[ssquf] Involvement of different publics in the Refuge's wildlife-
dependent public uses
[ssquf] Habitat management tools, such as fire and chemical control, in 
a highly urbanized area
    We request input on these issues and other concerns affecting 
refuge management or public use during the planning process. We are 
especially interested in receiving public input in the following areas:
    (a) What suggestions do you have for managing wildlife and habitat 
on the

[[Page 48185]]

refuges in the face of possible climate change and declining 
precipitation?
    (b) What ideas do you have regarding visitor services and wildlife-
dependent public uses on the refuges?
    (c) What changes, if any, would you like to see in the management 
of Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuges?
    (d) What concerns do you have regarding bison and prairie dog 
management or the reintroduction of species such as black-footed ferret 
at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR?
    We provide the above questions for your optional use. We have no 
requirement that you provide information; however, any comments the 
planning team receives will be used as part of the planning process.

Public Meetings

    We will give the public opportunities to provide initial input via 
telephone, email, postal mail, fax (see ADDRESSES), and in person at 
public scoping meetings we will host throughout the Denver Metropolitan 
Area in July, August, and September, 2013. We will announce the details 
of the public meetings and other opportunities for public input in 
local news media throughout the CCP process. You may also send comments 
anytime during the planning process by U.S. mail, email, or fax. There 
will be additional opportunities to provide public input and comments 
once we have prepared a draft CCP.

Public Availability of Comments

    Any comments we receive will become part of the administrative 
record and may be available to the public. Before submitting comments 
that include your address, phone number, email address, or other 
personal identifying information, you should be aware that your entire 
comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made 
publicly available at any time. While you may 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.

    Dated: July 10, 2013.
Matt Hogan,
Acting Regional Director, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-
Prairie Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-19052 Filed 8-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P