[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51205-51206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20234]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2013-N058; FXRS12650400000S3-123-FF04R02000]


Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, PR; Final Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for the 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the final comprehensive conservation plan and finding 
of no significant impact for the environmental assessment (Final CCP/
FONSI) for Culebra National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in the municipality 
of Culebra, Puerto Rico. In the Final CCP/FONSI, we describe how we 
will manage this refuge for the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the Final CCP/FONSI by writing to: 
Ms. Ana Rom[aacute]n, via U.S. mail at P.O. Box 510, Boquer[oacute]n, 
PR 00622. Alternatively, you may download the document from our 
Internet Site at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning under ``Final 
Documents.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ana Rom[aacute]n, at 787/851-7258 
(telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Culebra NWR. We 
started the process through a notice in the Federal Register on 
December 19, 2008 (73 FR 77827). For more about the refuge and planning 
process, please see that notice.
    Culebra NWR is located within the municipality of Culebra, Puerto 
Rico, and consists of several units on the main island of Culebra and 
numerous small islands surrounding Culebra.

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 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, wildlife photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update 
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration 
Act.

Comments

    We made copies of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) available for a 30-day public 
review and comment period via a Federal Register notice on July 11, 
2012 (77 FR 40895). We received comments on the Draft CCP/EA from two 
Federal agencies, nine non-governmental organizations, and eight 
members of the general public. Some of the comments we received dealt 
with the following: (1) Controlling access and utilization of Culebrita 
beaches; (2) ensuring a consistent policy for special use permits; (3) 
clarifying all unresolved boundary issues; (4) developing plans to 
repair the Observation Point at Punta Flamenco; (5) increasing funding 
for sea turtle projects; (6) controlling or eliminating invasive 
species; (7) developing hiking trails; and (8) permitting the 
development of renewable energy projects (i.e., particularly wind 
energy) on the refuge.

CCP Alternatives, Including Our Preferred Alternative

    We developed three alternatives for managing the refuge 
(Alternatives A, B, and C), with Alternative C selected for 
implementation. This alternative expands both wildlife and habitat 
management and public use activities.
    The preferred alternative provides for expanded seasonal surveys to 
determine seabird abundance, research on nesting success, manipulation 
of vegetation to improve nesting habitat, and control of invasive 
predators.
    We will also continue surveys and protection of sea turtles, 
develop and implement annual surveys for resident and migratory birds, 
and establish additional populations of two species of listed plants--
Pepperomia wheelerii and Leptocereus grantianus.
    This management action also calls for restoring hydrology to areas 
of degraded mangrove habitat and restoring dry forest through selective 
invasive species removal and planting of propagated trees. We will also 
intensify efforts at invasive species control and eradication and 
pursue habitat restoration on offshore cays.
    Within 5 years of the date of the Final CCP/FONSI, we will clearly 
delineate all refuge boundaries, work to resolve boundary issues, and 
pursue opportunities for boundary expansion through acquisitions from 
willing sellers. We will also complete and begin to implement a 
cultural resources management plan.
    We will maintain our current schedule of being open to the public 
during daylight hours only. Working with the Army Corps of Engineers to 
determine safety of areas cleared of unexploded ordnance, we will 
evaluate the potential for opening additional areas to the public, 
considering both safety and biological factors. We will continue to 
permit water taxis under special use permit for access to cays. We will 
also develop partnerships to restore and reopen the Observation Post 
for

[[Page 51206]]

environmental research and/or education purposes.
    We will continue to provide for opportunistic wildlife observation 
and photography opportunities. We will develop additional public use 
facilities, such as trails, towers, boardwalks, and blinds, to increase 
opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. We will also 
develop environmental education and interpretation programs and 
materials (e.g., curriculum, teacher training) to be used both on and 
off the refuge.
    Based on the availability of funding, we will add the following 
positions: Public use specialist, biologist, one full-time and one 
part-time biological technician, and maintenance worker.
    This management action provides for the maintenance of all current 
equipment and facilities, including two boats and the office and 
residence buildings. It also provides for the development and 
maintenance of additional trails, towers, boardwalks, blinds, and the 
construction of a new headquarters/visitor contact station.
    We will facilitate the formation of a friends group, increase 
cooperation with partners in habitat and wildlife management and public 
use, and establish formal agreements.
    Contingent upon adding a public use specialist, we will develop and 
begin to implement a communication's plan.

Authority

    This notice is published under the authority of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et 
seq.).

    Dated: April 25, 2013.
Mike Oetker,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-20234 Filed 8-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P