[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 131 (Thursday, July 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39446-39447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16764]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R5-R-2015-N049; BAC-4311-K9]


James River National Wildlife Refuge, Prince George County, VA; 
Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant 
Impact for Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and 
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for James River National 
Wildlife Refuge (NWR), located in Prince George County, Virginia. The 
CCP will guide refuge management for the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI by 
any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or a CD-ROM.
    Agency Web site: Download a copy of the document at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/James_River/what_we_do/conservation.html.
    Email: Send requests to [email protected]. Please 
include ``James River CCP'' in the subject line of your email.
    U.S. Mail: Andy Hofmann, Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, P.O. Box 1030, Warsaw, VA 22572.
    Fax: Attention: Andy Hofmann, 804-333-3396.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call Andy Hofmann, Refuge Manager, at 
804-333-1470, extension 112, during regular business hours. For more 
information on locations for viewing documents, see ``Public 
Availability of Documents'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Hofmann, Refuge Manager, at 804-
333-1470, extension 112 (phone) or [email protected] 
(email) (please put ``James River NWR'' in the subject line).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for James River NWR. 
We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register on 
January 11, 2012 (77 FR 1716). We released a draft CCP and 
environmental assessment (EA) to the public and requested comments in a 
notice in the Federal Register on October 22, 2014 (79 FR 63161).
    We have selected alternative B for implementation, as it is 
described in the final CCP for James River NWR. We announce our 
decision and the availability of the FONSI for the final CCP in 
accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) 
requirements. We completed an analysis of impacts on the human 
environment in the draft CCP and EA. We made minor changes and 
clarifications to the final CCP, where appropriate, to address public 
comments we received on the draft CCP and EA. A summary of the public 
comments, and our responses to them, is included as Appendix F in the 
final CCP.
    The 4,324-acre James River NWR lies in the Chesapeake Bay watershed 
and is located along the James River in Prince George County, Virginia, 
approximately 8 miles southeast of the city of Hopewell, and 30 miles 
southeast of Richmond. The refuge was established in 1991 under the 
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1534) to 
protect nationally significant nesting and roosting habitat for the 
bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to 
develop a CCP for each refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to 
provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge 
purposes and contributing to 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 and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update 
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Refuge 
Administration Act.

Selected Alternative

    Alternative B combines the actions we believe would best achieve 
the refuge's purposes, vision, and goals, and respond to public issues. 
The basis of our decision is detailed in the FONSI (Appendix G in the 
final CCP). Under alternative B, we would emphasize the

[[Page 39447]]

management of specific refuge habitats to support priority species 
whose habitat needs would benefit other species of conservation concern 
that are found in the area. We would promote the transition of 2,651 
acres of former pine plantation toward mature pine savanna for resident 
and breeding cavity-dwelling and ground-nesting species, including the 
brown-headed nuthatch, Chuck-will's-widow, red-headed woodpecker, and 
yellow-billed cuckoo. We would also emphasize protecting and promoting 
bald eagle nesting habitat, and protecting the integrity of the 
refuge's other habitats for native species, including migrating 
waterfowl, waterbirds, the federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon, and 
federally threatened sensitive joint-vetch. We would also expand our 
conservation, research, monitoring, and management partnerships to help 
restore and conserve the refuge.
    We would enhance our cultural resource protection to increase 
knowledge and appreciation for the refuge's rich cultural history and 
heritage, as well as expand our visitor services programs to improve 
opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation. Visitor service 
improvements would include expanding the on-refuge opportunities for 
wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and 
interpretation of natural and cultural resources in partnership with 
others. We would also pursue Service administrative requirements to 
expand public deer hunting, open the refuge to spring and fall turkey 
hunting, open the refuge to limited waterfowl hunting by youth, promote 
youth involvement in all hunting opportunities, and open the refuge to 
fishing at two designated locations. Further details on our selected 
alternative and management actions can be found in the CCP.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to sources listed under ADDRESSES, you can view the 
final CCP at the Prince George Library, 6605 Courts Drive, Prince 
George, VA 23875.

    Dated: June 11, 2015.
Deborah Rocque,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-16764 Filed 7-08-15; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P