[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 238 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76998-76999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31231]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R6-R-2015-N208; FF06R06000-FXRS12610600000-167]


San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, CO; 
Availability of Record of Decision for the Final Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a record of decision (ROD) for the final comprehensive 
conservation plan (CCP) and final environmental impact statement (EIS) 
for the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Refuge 
Complex).

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the ROD, the final CCP and 
final EIS, or other project information by any of the following 
methods:
    Agency Web site: Download a copy of the documents at http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/refuges/alm_bac_mtv.php
    Email: [email protected]. Include ``Request copy of San 
Luis Valley NWR Complex ROD'' in the subject line of the message.
    U.S. mail: San Luis Valley NWR Complex, 8249 Emperius Road, 
Alamosa, CO 81101.
    Local Libraries: The final documents are available for review at 
the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Vaughn, Project Leader, at 719-
589-4021 (phone), or Laurie Shannon, Planning Team Leader, 303-236-4317 
(phone) or [email protected] (email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for The San Luis 
Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. We started this process 
through a notice in the Federal Register (76 FR 14042, March 15, 2011). 
Following a lengthy scoping and alternatives development period, we 
published a second notice in the Federal Register (79 FR 50937, August 
26, 2014), announcing the availability of the draft CCP and draft EIS 
and our intention to hold public meetings, and requesting comments. We 
then published a third notice in the Federal Register (80 FR 48328, 
August 12, 2015), announcing the publication of the final CCP and final 
EIS.
    The primary planning area for this decision includes Alamosa, Monte 
Vista, and Baca National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs), which are located in 
Alamosa, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties in the San Luis Valley, 
Colorado.
    Wildlife habitat on the three national wildlife refuges includes 
diverse wetlands and playas, riparian areas, grasslands, and shrublands 
that provide important resources for many migratory birds, Rocky 
Mountain elk, deer, and a variety of other resident wildlife. About 
18,000 to 20,000 greater sandhill cranes migrate through the valley 
every spring and fall, where they spend several weeks resting and 
foraging for food on and around the Monte Vista NWR. The federally 
endangered southwestern willow flycatcher breeds along the Rio Grande 
on the Alamosa NWR. Baca NWR has one of two aboriginal (natural) 
populations of Rio Grande sucker found in the State.
    Visitors take part in a variety of wildlife-dependent recreational 
activities on the Refuge Complex. Every year, the Monte Vista Crane 
Festival attracts thousands of visitors who come to see sandhill cranes 
and waterfowl. The Monte Vista and Alamosa NWRs are also open for 
waterfowl and limited small game hunting, wildlife observation, 
photography, interpretation, and environmental education. As part of 
this CCP and EIS process, we have considered opening the Baca NWR for 
similar opportunities.
    Over 12,000 years of prehistory and history have been recorded in 
the San Luis Valley, and all three national wildlife refuges contain 
significant cultural resources.

[[Page 76999]]

    In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 
1506.6(b)) requirements, this notice announces the availability of the 
ROD for the final CCP and final EIS for San Luis Valley NWR Complex. We 
completed a thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and 
economic considerations associated with our actions. The ROD documents 
our selection of alternative B, the preferred alternative.
    The CCP will guide us in managing and administering the Refuge 
Complex for the next 15 years. Alternative B, as we described in the 
final EIS/ROD, is the foundation for the CCP.

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. We 
will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance 
with the Administration Act.

CCP Alternatives and Selected Alternative

    Our final CCP and final EIS (80 FR 48328; August 12, 2015) 
addressed several issues. To address these, we developed and evaluated 
the following alternatives: Alternative A--No Action; Alternative B--
Wildlife Populations, Strategic Habitat Restoration, and Enhanced 
Public Uses; Alternative C--Habitat Restoration and Ecological 
Processes; and Alternative D--Maximize Public Use Opportunities.
    After consideration of the more than 1,000 comments that we 
received on the draft CCP and draft EIS, we have selected alternative 
B--Wildlife Populations, Strategic Habitat Restoration, and Enhanced 
Public Uses. It is the alternative that best meets the purposes of the 
refuges, the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and the 
vision and management goals set for the Refuge Complex; and it adheres 
to Service policies and guidelines. It considers the interests and 
perspectives of many agencies, organization, tribes, and the public. 
Additionally, it is the environmentally preferred alternative.
    Under alternative B and in cooperation with our partners, we will 
maintain or restore the composition, structure, and function of the 
natural and modified habitats within the Refuge Complex. We will 
consider the ecological site characteristics and wildlife species needs 
on our Refuge Complex lands by developing sound and sustainable 
management strategies that preserve and restore ecological (biological) 
integrity, productivity, and biological diversity. We will apply 
strategic habitat conservation principles (a structured, science-
driven, and adaptive approach) in determining how to best manage our 
lands for native fish, wildlife, and plant species, with a particular 
emphasis on migratory birds, waterfowl, and declining species listed 
under the Endangered Species Act (listed species). Compatible wildlife-
dependent public uses will be enhanced and expanded to include all 
three refuges. We will facilitate the protection, restoration, and 
conservation of important water resources through partnerships, public 
education, and stewardship.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to any one method in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain 
documents at the following locations:
     Our Web site: http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/refuges/refugesUpdate/alm_bac_mtv.php
     Public libraries:

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            Library                    Address             Phone No.
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Alamosa Public Library........  300 Hunt Avenue,          (719) 589-6592
                                 Alamosa, CO 81101.
Carnegie Public Library.......  120 Jefferson Street,     (719) 852-3931
                                 Monte Vista, CO
                                 81144.
Baca Grande Library...........  67487 County Road T,      (719) 256-4100
                                 Crestone, CO 81131.
Saguache Public Library.......  702 Pitkin Ave.,          (719) 655-2551
                                 Saguache, CO 81149.
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    Dated: December 4, 2015.
Matt Hogan,
Acting Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-31231 Filed 12-10-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P