[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 95 (Thursday, May 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22844-22846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10111]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R6-R-2017-N072; FXRS12610600000-178-FF06R00000]


Notice of Intent to Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan; 
Pablo, Lost Trail, and Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuges, and the 
Northwest Montana Wetland Management Districts, Montana

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
gather information necessary to prepare a draft Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan (CCP) and associated Environmental Assessment for 
Pablo, Lost Trail, and Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuges, and the 
Northwest Montana Wetland Management Districts, all of which are units 
of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The three Refuges and Wetland 
Management Districts are all part of the National Bison Range Complex. 
Elsewhere in this Federal Register, we are also publishing a revised 
notice of intent to prepare a draft CCP for the National Bison Range. 
We are accepting comments on these two notices simultaneously.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received or 
postmarked on or before June 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment on the scope of the Comprehensive

[[Page 22845]]

Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment, you may submit your 
comments by any of the following methods:
    [ssquf] Email: [email protected].
    [ssquf] U.S. Mail or Hand-Delivery: Toni Griffin, Refuge Planner, 
NBR CCP, 134 Union Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80228.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Griffin, Refuge Planner, by mail 
(see ADDRESSES), or by telephone at (303) 236-4378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), intend to gather information necessary to prepare a draft 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and associated Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for Pablo, Lost Trail, and Ninepipe National Wildlife 
Refuges, and the Northwest Montana Wetland Management Districts, all of 
which are units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The three 
Refuges and Wetland Management Districts are all part of the National 
Bison Range Complex. Elsewhere in this Federal Register, we are also 
publishing a revised notice of intent to prepare a draft CCP for the 
National Bison Range. We are accepting comments on these two notices 
simultaneously.

Introduction

    The CCP for Pablo, Lost Trail, and Ninepipe National Wildlife 
Refuges, and the Northwest Montana Wetland Management Districts, will 
describe the desired future conditions of the units and provide long-
range guidance and management direction to Refuge staff on how best to 
achieve refuge purposes. The notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) 
advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our 
intention to conduct planning on this refuge complex, and (2) to obtain 
suggestions and information on the scope of additional issues to 
consider during development of the CCP. Through the CCP, the Service 
intends to evaluate how it will manage Pablo, Lost Trail, and Ninepipe 
National Wildlife Refuges, and the Northwest Montana Wetland Management 
Districts.
    This notice is in compliance with Service Refuge Planning policy to 
advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and to obtain 
suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be considered in 
the planning process. Participation in the planning process will be 
encouraged and facilitated by various means, including news releases 
and public meetings. Notification of all such meetings will be 
announced in the local press and on the NBR Web site: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/national_bison_range/.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, 
(Administration Act), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), requires us to develop 
a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose of 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.
    We will conduct environmental review pursuant to the provisions of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
by preparing an environmental assessment (EA). The Service intends to 
consult with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) during 
this process.
    The Service will prepare a CCP and EA that will describe how it 
will manage the units over the next 15 years. To facilitate sound 
planning and environmental assessment, the Service intends to gather 
information necessary for the preparation of the CCP/EA and obtain 
suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the 
scope of issues to be addressed in the CCP/EA.

History of the Refuges and Wetland Management Districts

    Ninepipe and Pablo National Wildlife Refuges were each established 
as easement refuges in 1921 ``as a refuge and breeding ground for 
native birds,'' (Executive Order 3503, Ninepipe; Executive Order 3504, 
Pablo). Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 
24, 1999, and became the 519th refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge 
System. It was established for use by migratory birds, conservation of 
fish and wildlife resources, fish and wildlife oriented recreation, and 
the conservation of endangered or threatened species. Finally, the 
Northwest Montana Wetland Management Districts are lands acquired ``as 
Waterfowl Production Areas'' subject to ``all of the provisions of [the 
Migratory Bird Conservation Act . . . except the inviolate sanctuary 
provisions'' (Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, 16 
U.S.C. 718). Ninepipe and Pablo National Wildlife Refuges, and the 
portion of the Wetland Management District in Lake County, Montana, lie 
within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation of 
the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). Members of the CSKT 
have a cultural, historical, or geographic connection to the land and 
resources of the Range.

Additional Information

    The mission and purposes for which the units were established are 
used to develop and prioritize management goals and objectives within 
the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to guide which public 
uses will occur on the units of the Complex. The planning process is a 
way for the Service and the public to evaluate management goals and 
objectives for the best possible conservation efforts of this important 
wildlife habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation 
opportunities that are compatible with the Refuges' establishing 
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
    We will conduct a comprehensive conservation planning process that 
will provide opportunity for tribal, State, and local governments; 
Federal and State agencies; organizations; and the public to 
participate in issue scoping and public comment. We are requesting 
input for issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future 
management of Pablo, Lost Trail, and Ninepipe National Wildlife 
Refuges, and the Northwest Montana Wetland Management Districts.

[[Page 22846]]

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Dated: April 25, 2017.
Noreen Walsh,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 2017-10111 Filed 5-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P