[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44037-44038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15876]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2015-N161; 1256-0000-10137-S3]


K[imacr]lauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kaua`i County, HI; 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact 
for Environmental Assessment

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 our comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding 
of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA) 
for K[imacr]lauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The CCP will 
guide management of the Refuge for 15 years, or until it is revised, 
and actions will be implemented as funding becomes available.

ADDRESSES: You may view, download, or request printed or CD-ROM copies 
of the CCP and FONSI by the following methods:
    Agency Web site: Download the documents at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Kilauea_Point/what_we_do/planning.html.
    Email: [email protected]. Include ``K[imacr]lauea Point 
final CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Michael Mitchell, Acting Project Leader, (808) 828-6381.

[[Page 44038]]

    U.S. Mail: Kaua`i National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 1128, 
K[imacr]lauea, HI 96754.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call (808) 828-1413 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at the K[imacr]lauea Point 
National Wildlife Refuge, 3500 K[imacr]lauea Road, K[imacr]lauea, HI 
96754. For more information on locations for viewing documents, see 
``Public Availability of Documents'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Mitchell, Acting Project 
Leader, Kaua`i National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 1128, 
K[imacr]lauea, HI 96754; phone (808) 828-1413 and fax (808) 828-6381.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for the Refuge. We 
started this process through a notice in the Federal Register (74 FR 
49399; September 28, 2009). For more information about the history of 
the Refuge, see that notice. We also released the draft CCP/EA to the 
public and requested comments through a notice in the Federal Register 
(80 FR 7876; February 12, 2015).
    We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI and 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/EA. The CCP will guide management of 
the Refuge for 15 years, or until it is revised, and actions will be 
implemented as funding becomes available.
    We selected a slightly modified Alternative D for implementation. 
We made changes and clarifications to the final CCP, where appropriate, 
to address public comments we received on the draft CCP/EA. A summary 
of the public comments is included in the final CCP with our responses.

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 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 compatible 
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public. 
We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance 
with the Refuge Administration Act.

Selected Alternative

    Under the selected alternative, we will expand long-term 
protections and population and habitat enhancements for migratory 
seabirds and the endangered n[emacr]n[emacr] (Hawaiian goose, Branta 
sandvicensis). We will restore native coastal plant communities. 
Priority research, inventories, monitoring, and other scientific 
assessments will increase.
    The majority of public use activities offered at the Refuge will 
continue to revolve around wildlife observation and photography, 
environmental education, and interpretation located on K[imacr]lauea 
Point proper (Point) or at the K[imacr]lauea Road terminus (Overlook). 
We will offer guided interpretive hikes on Crater Hill, and our 
outreach, environmental education, and volunteer programs will be 
expanded.
    To address transportation issues at the Point and Overlook, we will 
implement short-, medium-, and long-term strategies in a phased manner. 
The K[amacr]hili Quarry area will continue to be open 24 hours a day to 
some wildlife-dependent uses (fishing, wildlife observation, and 
photography) and as public access to off-Refuge areas (K[imacr]lauea 
River, K[imacr]lauea Bay, and K[amacr]hili Beach) for boating and other 
stream, beach, and ocean uses. Traditional cultural practices, such as 
native Hawaiian fishing at K[imacr]lauea (East) Cove, will remain open.
    The Refuge will maintain current infrastructure; however, a step-
down Master Site Plan will be developed to evaluate and detail building 
use and remodeling/maintenance needs. We will develop a new maintenance 
baseyard (e.g., storage sheds, bays, pole barns, and nursery) off-
Refuge.

Public Availability of Documents

    You can view documents at the following libraries:

 Princeville Public Library, 4343 Emmalani Dr., Princeville, HI 
96722
 L[imacr]hu`e Public Library, 4344 Hardy St., L[imacr]hu`e, HI 
96766
 Kapa`a Public Library, 4-1464 Kuhio Hwy., Kapa`a, HI 96746
 Koloa Public Library, 3451 Poipu Rd., Koloa, HI 96756
 Hanapepe Public Library, 4490 Kona Rd., Hanapepe, HI 96716
 Waimea Public Library, 9750 Kaumualii Hwy., Waimea, HI 96796

    Dated: June 6, 2016.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, Portland, Oregon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-15876 Filed 7-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P