[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89497-89498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29672]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2016-N134; FXRS1261030000-178-FF03R02000]


Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, Polk County, Minnesota; 
Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Environmental Assessment, and 
Finding of No Significant Impact

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 final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP), 
environmental assessment (EA), and finding of no significant impact 
(FONSI) for the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (refuge, NWR). 
In this final CCP we describe how we propose to manage the refuge for 
the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: You will find the final CCP, a summary of the final CCP, and 
the EA/FONSI on the planning Web site at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/GlacialRidge/index.html. A limited number of hard copies and 
CD-ROMs are available. You may request one by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``Glacial Ridge Final 
CCP/EA'' in the subject line of the message.
     U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, Glacial Ridge NWR, 
17788 349th St. SE., Erskine, MN 56535.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregg Knutsen, 218-687-2229 x16.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we complete the CCP process for Glacial Ridge 
National Wildlife Refuge, which we began by publishing a notice of 
intent in the Federal Register (78 FR 3909) on January 17, 2013. For 
more about the initial process and the history of this refuge, see that 
notice. We released the draft CCP and EA to the public, announcing and 
requesting comments in a notice of availability (81 FR 31655) on May 
19, 2016. The 42-day comment period ended on June 20, 2016. A summary 
of public comments and the agency responses are included in the final 
CCP.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), requires us to develop a 
CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP 
is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving 
refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish 
and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service 
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 Administration Act.
    Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use 
these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the 
management goals and objectives for each refuge within the NWRS 
mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. The 
planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management 
goals and objectives that will ensure the best possible approach to 
wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for 
wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with 
each refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.

Additional Information

    The final CCP/EA may be found at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/
planning/glacialridge/index.html. The document incorporates an EA and 
FONSI, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The CCP/EA includes detailed 
information about the planning process, refuge, issues, and management 
alternatives considered and proposed. The EA includes discussions of 
three alternative refuge management options. The Service's preferred 
alternative is reflected in the final CCP.
    The selected alternative for Glacial Ridge NWR includes refuge 
management actions that approximate ecological processes that 
maintained native habitats prior to European

[[Page 89498]]

settlement, emphasizing the use of multiple habitat disturbance regimes 
(e.g., fire, grazing, mowing). These actions would maintain and 
increase the diversity of native vegetation and wildlife communities 
that mimic pre-settlement conditions. Management activities would be 
``focused'' via a refuge prioritization effort to maximize the intended 
impacts on priority units, given reduced refuge staff and funding. 
Public use opportunities would continue with minimal changes. Staff 
time and funding would focus on improving opportunities for self-guided 
interpretation of refuge habitats and wildlife using existing 
infrastructure.

Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-29672 Filed 12-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P