[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16198-16199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06628]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2015-N089; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, Canyon, Payette, Owyhee, and 
Washington Counties, ID, and Malheur County, OR; Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Record of Decision for 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 the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) 
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and record of decision (ROD) for 
the final environmental impact statement (EIS). The CCP describes the 
Refuge's management direction for the next 15 years, and includes the 
ROD, which explains our selection of Alternative 2 as the Refuge's 
management direction.

DATES: The Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, signed the ROD on April 3, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The libraries providing public viewing of the CCP/ROD are 
listed under SUPPLEMENTARY

[[Page 16199]]

INFORMATION. You may view or download a copy of the CCP/ROD at the 
Refuge's Web site at http://www.fws.gov/deerflat/refugeplanning.html, 
or request a CD-ROM copy of the CCP/ROD by one of the following 
methods:
    Email: [email protected]. Include ``Deer Flat Refuge draft CCP/EIS'' 
in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Refuge Manager, 208-467-1019.
    U.S. Mail: Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, 13751 Upper 
Embankment Road, Nampa, ID 83686.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 208-467-9278 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Refuge Manager, 208-467-9278 (phone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Deer Flat Refuge. 
We started this process by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal 
Register on July 15, 2010 (75 FR 41232). We requested public comments 
on the draft CCP/EIS in a notice of availability published in the 
Federal Register on March 15, 2013 (78 FR 16526). For more information 
about the history and purposes of the Refuge, see that notice.
    We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human 
environment and responded to public comments in the final CCP/EIS 
released to the public through a Federal Register notice published on 
February 20, 2015 (80 FR 9279).
    We announce our decision and the availability of the CCP and ROD in 
accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 
1506.6(b)) requirements. Alternative 2, as we described it in the final 
CCP/EIS, was selected for implementation at the Refuge. The CCP will 
guide Refuge management for 15 years.

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 
complete 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 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.

CCP/ROD

    Based on our comprehensive review and analysis of Deer Flat 
Refuge's resources and issues, the Service selected Alternative 2, our 
preferred alternative, for implementation, as it is described in the 
final CCP/EIS, with two modifications described below. In reaching our 
decision to implement Alternative 2, we identified and analyzed its 
impacts to the Refuge environment in the Draft and Final CCPs/EISs. 
Issues, comments, concerns, and opportunities identified by all 
stakeholders throughout the planning process were considered and 
addressed. A summary of public comments and our responses is available 
in the CCP, in Appendix H.

Changes Made to the Selected Alternative

    The following changes were made to wildlife-dependent public uses 
in the Lake Lowell Unit in Alternative 2 after the final CCP/EIS was 
released:
    [ssquf] Noncompetitive jogging, bicycling, and horseback riding 
groups of 10 or fewer people are allowed without a special use permit 
(SUP). An SUP is still required for groups larger than 10, and 
competitive events are still prohibited.
    [ssquf] Boats using wake-generating devices (wake-boats) are 
compatible with stipulations, including requiring wake-boats to use 
ballast filtering systems to prevent invasive species introductions. 
Wakes that impact grebe nests are a concern; however, the new no-wake 
zones will provide some additional protection, and we will continue to 
evaluate effects on wildlife to ensure the use remains compatible.

Other CCP Actions

    We will protect Lake Lowell's shoreline feeding and nesting sites 
for wintering and migratory birds by closing the lake October 1-April 
14, establishing a 200-yard no-wake zone on the south side and in the 
Narrows, and expanding the southeast no-wake zone to Gotts Point.
    Fishing and wildlife interpretation will be emphasized, and with 
increased law enforcement, Gotts Point will open to vehicles. We will 
increase wildlife inventory and monitoring, invasive species control, 
and restoration on the Snake River Islands Unit, and we will adjust 
closures to protect nesting and wading birds. Wildlife observation and 
hunting for deer, upland species, and waterfowl will be allowed on the 
unit, and most islands will be open for shoreline fishing and free-roam 
activities June 15-January 31; and heron- and gull-nesting islands will 
be open July 1-January 31. For additional details, the CCP/ROD is 
available on the Refuge's Web site: www.fws.gov/deerflat/refugeplanning.html. Implementing some of the CCP actions will be 
subject to the availability of funding and any additional compliance 
requirements.

Public Availability of Documents

    Review the CCP/ROD at the following libraries and sources under 
ADDRESSES.
    [ssquf] Caldwell Public Library, 1010 Dearborn St., Caldwell, ID 
83605.
    [ssquf] Homedale Public Library, 125 W Owyhee Ave., Homedale, ID 
83628.
    [ssquf] Lizard Butte District Library, 111 3rd Ave. W, Marsing, ID 
83639.
    [ssquf] Nampa Public Library, 101 11th Ave. S, Nampa, ID 83651.
    [ssquf] Payette Public Library, 24 S 10th St., Payette, ID 83661.
    [ssquf] Ada County District Library, 10664 W Victory Rd., Boise, ID 
83709.

Richard Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2016-06628 Filed 3-24-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P