[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50441-50442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20088]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2013-N075; FXRS1265030000-134-FF03R06000]


Iowa Wetland Management District, 35 Counties in North-Central 
and Northwest Iowa; Environmental Assessment and Draft Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan

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 an environmental assessment (EA) and draft 
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the Iowa Wetland Management 
District (district, WMD) for public review and comment. In this EA/
draft CCP we describe how we propose to manage the district for the 
next 15 years.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by September 18, 2013. We will hold open house-style meetings during 
the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the 
EA and draft CCP. 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 ``Iowa WMD EA/Draft 
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, 515-928-2230.
     U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager Tim Miller, Iowa 
Wetland Management District, 1710 360th Street, Titonka, IA 50480.
     In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during 
regular business hours at the above address.
    You will find the EA and Draft CCP with an executive summary, as 
well as information about the planning process, on the planning Web 
site: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/iowawetlands/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Miller, 515-928-2523.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP planning process for the Iowa 
Wetland Management District, which we began by publishing a notice of 
intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010. For 
more about the initial process and the history of the district, 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 (including wetland management 
districts). The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide the district 
manager with a 15-year strategy for achieving district 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 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 mission, 
and to determine how the public can use each unit. 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 unit's 
establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.

Additional Information

    The EA/draft CCP, which includes detailed information about the 
planning process, district, issues, and management alternatives 
considered and proposed, may be found at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/iowawetlands/index.html. There are four alternative management 
options considered in the EA. The Service's preferred alternative is 
reflected in the draft CCP. The following regulation would be 
implemented on the Service's fee title property within the district 
under any alternative: ``You may only use or possess approved nontoxic 
shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting 
wild turkey.''
    The alternatives analyzed in detail include:
     Alternative A, Current Management (No Action): This no-
action alternative reflects the current management of the Iowa WMD. It 
provides the baseline against which to compare other alternatives.
     Alternative B, Breeding Waterfowl: This alternative 
focuses on managing for breeding waterfowl by restoring cropland to 
perennial grassland in the uplands and restoring semi- or less 
permanent pothole wetlands in the lowlands. Food plots would be 
eliminated from the district, because they are not essential for 
breeding waterfowl survival. Environmental education, interpretation, 
and outreach would remain at current levels, with more emphasis on 
distributing a consistent message for the entire district. Public use 
opportunities would remain limited to hunting, fishing, and trapping.
     Alternative C, Migrating Waterfowl: This alternative 
focuses on managing for migrating waterfowl by restoring cropland to 
perennial grassland in the uplands. Restoration in the lowlands would 
focus on semi- or less permanent pothole wetlands important to the 
restoration of semi-permanent to shallow lakes. This strategy would 
provide good water quality to support native vegetation and 
invertebrates as high-quality food for migrating waterfowl. Some food 
plots would remain within the district as an additional food source. 
Environmental education, interpretation, and outreach would remain at 
current levels, with more emphasis on distributing a consistent message 
for the entire district. Public use facilities (kiosks, etc.) would be 
provided at key locations, and other recreational opportunities would 
be provided, in addition to hunting, fishing, and trapping.
     Alternative D, Breeding Waterfowl (Preferred Alternative): 
This alternative has components from all other alternatives. As in 
Alternative B, it focuses on managing for breeding

[[Page 50442]]

waterfowl. Restoring cropland to perennial grassland would be the 
dominant activity in the uplands, while a variety of pothole wetlands 
would be the focus for restoration in the lowlands, especially those 
important to restoration of semi-permanent to shallow lakes. A 
diversity of wetland types would provide for a greater diversity of 
wildlife, in particular, grassland and other wetland birds. As in 
Alternative C, public use opportunities, in addition to hunting, 
fishing, and trapping, as well as some additional public use facilities 
(kiosks, etc.), would be provided, and some food plots would remain. 
Once again, environmental education, interpretation, and outreach would 
remain at current levels, with more emphasis on distributing a 
consistent message for the entire district.

Public Involvement

    We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public 
meetings. 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. 2013-20088 Filed 8-16-13; 8:45 am]
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