[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 3400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01024]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R7-R-2013-N276; FF07RAM000 FXRS12610700000 145 MNGR]


Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska; Preparation of 
Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements Concerning 
Cattle Grazing on Wosnesenski and Chirikof Islands

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are in the 
process of identifying issues, and developing alternatives, to address 
the unauthorized grazing by cattle on two islands in the Alaska 
Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Wosnesenski and Chirikof. This 
effort is known as ``scoping'' and is an early step in a process to 
develop either Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact 
Statements in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA).
    The purpose of this notice is (1) to advise other Federal and State 
agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intention to address grazing 
issues on Wosnesenski and Chirikof Islands and (2) to advise the public 
on how to provide suggestions and information regarding livestock 
grazing on these two islands.

DATES: Comments on the issues and possible alternatives to be addressed 
in the documents must be received no later than February 20, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Information about the Refuge and grazing on these two 
islands is available on the internet at: http://www.fws.gov/alaska/nwr/akmar/grazing.htm. Comments, questions, and requests for further 
information can be sent via electronic mail to [email protected], 
faxed to (907) 235-7783, or mailed to Refuge Manager, Alaska Maritime 
National Wildlife Refuge, 95 Sterling Highway 1, Homer, AK 
99603.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Delehanty, Refuge Manager, phone 
(907) 235-6546.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Project

    These documents will examine the history of livestock grazing on 
the islands, the impact of grazing on the environment and natural 
biodiversity, identify the need for action and authority to act, 
summarize potential issues, evaluate a reasonable range of 
alternatives, and describe the affected environment and environmental 
consequences of alternatives. Cattle ownership and compatibility of 
grazing with purposes of the refuge will also be addressed.
    Both Wosnesenski and Chirikof islands, located in remote Southwest 
Alaska, are uninhabited and part of the Alaska Maritime National 
Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge was established in 1980 to conserve marine 
mammals, seabirds and other migratory birds, and the marine resources 
upon which they rely. Wosnesenski and Chirikof islands have sustained 
severe impacts to wildlife habitat, native vegetation, and 
archaeological sites from grazing by unauthorized cattle left behind 
when they were left on the islands years ago.

Refuge Background

    Stretching from the Arctic Ocean to the southeast panhandle, the 
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge protects breeding habitat for 
seabirds, marine mammals, and other wildlife on more than 2,500 
islands, spires, rocks, and coastal headlands. Some of these isolated 
islands host unique species not found elsewhere. In 1980, the Alaska 
National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) created the Alaska 
Maritime Refuge by combining and adding to 11 existing coastal refuges.

Public Involvement

    The public's ideas and comments are an important part of the 
planning process, and we invite public participation. We will meet with 
the public in communities within and near the Refuge and in Homer and 
Kodiak. Meetings will be announced locally and posted on our Web site. 
We encourage the public to provide comments, which will help us 
determine the issues and formulate alternatives. We will be accepting 
comments at meetings, via email, U.S. mail, and telephone during this 
open comment period (see DATES), as well as through personal contacts 
throughout the planning process.

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.

Authorities

    NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations; 
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA; 16 U.S.C. 
3111-3126); and the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act 
of 1966 (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Refuge Improvement 
Act).

    Dated: January 13, 2014.
Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 2014-01024 Filed 1-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P