[Federal Register: June 22, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 118)]
[Notices]
[Page 29511-29514]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jn09-97]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2009-N0094; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Bibb and Twiggs Counties, GA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: draft comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Bond Swamp National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for public review and comment. In this Draft CCP/
EA, we describe the alternative we propose to use to manage this refuge
for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by July 22, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send comments, questions, and requests for information to:
Ms. Carolyn Johnson, Assistant Refuge Manager, Piedmont and Bond Swamp
NWRs, 718 Juliette Road, Hillsboro, GA 31038. The Draft CCP/EA is
available on compact disk or in hard copy. The Draft CCP/EA may also be
accessed and downloaded from the Service's Internet Site: http://
southeast.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carolyn Johnson; telephone: 478/
986-5441; e-mail: Piedmont@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 29512]]
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Bond Swamp NWR.
We started the process through a notice in the Federal Register on May
16, 2007 (72 FR 27586).
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, 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 strategy
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, wildlife
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Improvement Act.
Bond Swamp NWR was established on October 16, 1989 to protect,
maintain, and enhance the ecosystem of the Ocmulgee River floodplain.
The refuge did not open for public use until 1999. The original land
was purchased through cooperative efforts of the Service and The Nature
Conservancy. Currently, Bond Swamp NWR consists of approximately 7,348
acres. We own 6,276 acres in fee title, and we manage an additional
1,072 acres through an agreement with the State of Georgia. Within this
agreement, we also manage Brown's Mount, a historic/cultural site that
encompasses 165 acres of upland forest. An expansion proposal in 1999
established the present acquisition boundary, extending from the
current refuge boundaries to the north, west, and especially south. The
approved acquisition area includes portions of Bibb and Twiggs
Counties, Georgia, and encompasses approximately 18,000 acres of
bottomland and adjacent upland habitats along the Ocmulgee River,
representative of those already managed.
Significant issues addressed in the Draft CCP/EA include: wildlife
management, habitat management, feral hog removal, land acquisition,
public access, hunting, staffing, and funding.
CCP Alternatives, Including Our Proposed Alternative
We developed three alternatives for managing the refuge and chose
Alternative C as the proposed alternative. A full description of each
alternative is in the Draft CCP/EA. We summarize each alternative
below.
Alternative A--No Action Alternative
Bond Swamp NWR would continue to be managed as it is at present--
there would be no change to refuge management. We would continue to
provide a minimum of 4,000 acres of winter flooded bottomland forest
habitat for wintering waterfowl. There would be no active effort to
inventory wintering waterfowl populations. Wood ducks would not be
banded. Wetlands would not be managed for waterfowl habitat
enhancement. There would be no management of forest-dependent
landbirds. Active colonial nesting waterbird rookeries would continue
to be protected from human disturbance. No active management of
amphibians and reptiles would occur. Neither black bear nor bat surveys
would be conducted. With regard to managing species of concern, we
would continue to provide a buffer zone around the existing bald eagle
nest on Stone Creek. To control invasive animals, there would be
limited feral hog hunting, with a harvest of 50-200 hogs per year.
There would be no active forest management. We would continue to
implement the current Fire Management Plan that calls for suppression
as the only appropriate management response. There would be no active
management of open water or wetlands. Invasive plant species would not
be actively controlled. No active management of roadsides and rights-
of-way would occur.
We would continue to comply with Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act, but there would be no additional active
cultural resources management. Cooperation with the Muscogee Creek
Nation in management and protection of Traditional Cultural Properties
would continue.
Under Alternative A, we would continue to share law enforcement
officers with Piedmont NWR, with approximately 700 hours annually
dedicated to Bond Swamp NWR for patrols, trespass and cultural
resources enforcement, and hunting/fishing compliance checks. With
regard to managing environmental contamination, we would continue to
cooperate with State and Federal authorities in periodic surveys of
water quality and contaminant levels in water, sediments, and fish
tissues. With regard to hydrologic function, input to the Ecological
Services Office in Athens, Georgia, on Section 404 permit applications
would continue to be provided. We would also continue to pursue
opportunities for land acquisition as they occur within the approved
acquisition boundary, but at a low rate.
Under Alternative A, we would continue to serve the public with a
Hunt Plan and Law Enforcement Plan, but without a Visitor Services
Plan. We would continue to operate with current levels of contact
facilities and information, such as signage, parking lots, kiosks, and
trails. Existing vehicular access would be maintained via State and
county roads on the east side of the refuge; there would be no public
access on the west side of the refuge. Public access by boat would
continue to be limited.
The priority public recreational uses of the National Wildlife
Refuge System (e.g., hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and environmental education and interpretation) would
continue at Bond Swamp NWR under Alternative A. A non-quota, 23-day
archery deer and hog hunt, and a 36-day hog-only firearm hunt would
continue to be provided every fall. Limited bank fishing on the east
side of the refuge would continue from March 15-October 15. Wildlife
observation and photography along the Beaver Swamp and Longleaf Pine
Trails would be allowed. Brown's Mount would remain closed to all
public access. Very limited environmental education and interpretation
would continue on- and off-refuge. We would continue to provide news
releases about refuge events and phenomena as appropriate.
The refuge operations specialist position assigned to Bond Swamp
NWR, based out of Piedmont NWR, would be abolished. We would continue
to partner with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the
Georgia Forestry Commission, and the Muscogee Creek Nation on refuge
and cultural management questions. No volunteers would be used. Bond
Swamp NWR would continue to be administered from Piedmont NWR. Limited
facilities would be maintained and maintenance would be conducted,
using Piedmont NWR's equipment.
Alternative B--Custodian Management
The focus of Alternative B would be custodial management in which
we would cease all active management of upland and wetland habitats at
Bond Swamp NWR, employing ``passive
[[Page 29513]]
management'' instead. Management of fish and wildlife populations would
be identical to Alternative A. We would continue to provide a minimum
of 4,000 acres of winter flooded bottomland forest habitat for
wintering waterfowl. There would be no active effort to inventory or
census wintering waterfowl populations. Wood ducks would not be banded.
Wetlands would not be managed for waterfowl habitat enhancement. There
would be no management of forest-dependent landbirds. Active colonial
nesting waterbird rookeries would continue to be protected from human
disturbance. No active management of amphibians and reptiles would
occur. Neither black bear nor bat surveys would be conducted. With
regard to managing species of concern, we would continue to provide a
buffer zone around the existing bald eagle nest on Stone Creek. With
regard to controlling invasive animals, there would be continued
limited feral hog hunting with a harvest of 50-200 hogs per year.
Habitat management would be identical as under Alternative A. There
would be no active forest management. We would continue implementing
the current Fire Management Plan, which calls for suppression as the
only appropriate management response. There would be no active
management of open water or wetlands. Invasive plant species would not
be actively controlled. No active management of clearings and rights-
of-way would occur.
As under Alternative A, we would continue to comply with Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, but there would be no
additional active cultural resources management. Cooperation with the
Muscogee Creek Nation in management and protection of Traditional
Cultural Properties would continue.
Alternative B would reduce the hours of the law enforcement officer
from Alternative A, and focus would be on trespass and cultural
resources enforcement. Managing environmental contamination would be
identical to Alternative A; we would continue to cooperate with State
and Federal authorities in periodic surveys of water quality and
contaminant levels in water, sediments, and fish tissues. With regard
to hydrologic function, we would continue to provide input to
Ecological Services, but at a reduced level. There would be no
additional land acquisition over the life of the CCP.
We would continue to operate with only a Law Enforcement Plan and a
Hunt Plan, but no Visitor Services Plan. The refuge would continue to
be open to the public, with no maintained facilities. With regard to
access, foot travel would be invited but no trails, trailheads, or
roads would be maintained.
The priority public recreational uses of the National Wildlife
Refuge System would continue in a limited way or be eliminated
altogether at Bond Swamp NWR under Alternative B. Hunting would be the
same as in Alternative A--non-quota, 23-day archery deer and hog hunts,
and a 36-day hog-only firearm hunt would continue to be provided every
fall--or administration of hunts would be offered to the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources. Fishing would be the same as under
Alternative A--limited bank fishing on the east side of the refuge
would continue from March 15-October 15. Trails would cease to be
maintained, but visitors could still view and photograph wildlife
opportunistically throughout the refuge. Environmental/cultural
education and interpretive programs would be eliminated, and there
would be no outreach.
With regard to staffing, there would be no dedicated full-time
positions for Bond Swamp NWR. As under Alternative A, we would continue
to partner with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the
Georgia Forestry Commission, and the Muscogee Creek Nation on refuge
and cultural management questions. No volunteers would be used. Bond
Swamp NWR would continue to be administered from Piedmont NWR.
Alternative C--Enhanced Biological/Visitor Service (Proposed
Alternative)
Alternative C would emphasize enhanced biological programs and
visitor services. Alternative C would increase our contribution to the
Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV) of the North American Waterfowl
Management Plan by adding 1,000 acres of winter flooded bottomland
forest habitat through acquisition for management of wintering
waterfowl. The mid-winter waterfowl survey would be reinstated in
cooperation with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Fifty
wood ducks would be annually banded between July 1 and September 20.
Within 5 years of CCP approval, sites within the ACJV focus areas
conducive to waterfowl habitat enhancement and feasible types of
manipulation would be identified. For the duration of the CCP, within
the context of forest planning, priority landbirds (e.g., species of
concern from Partners in Flight) would be considered when implementing
silvicultural treatments. Colonial nesting waterbirds would be managed
the same as under Alternative A--active rookeries would continue to be
protected from human disturbance. In addition, rookery sites would be
incorporated in forest management planning to protect active nesting
areas during forestry operations. Rookeries would be actively improved
by providing platforms and/or natural structures.
Within 10 years of CCP approval, baseline surveys of reptiles and
amphibians would be conducted, using a variety of techniques. Alligator
surveys would be conducted in conjunction with the State. Within 5
years of CCP approval, we would cooperate with the Georgia Department
of Natural Resources to conduct annual surveys of black bears on the
refuge, contributing to our knowledge of central Georgia bear
population. Within 5 years of CCP approval, the diversity and relative
occurrence of bats would be documented through use of proper inventory
and survey methods. Within 5 years of CCP approval, and on a regular
basis subsequently, periodic targeted surveys for listed species of
plants and animals would be conducted in cooperation with partners. We
would implement a feral hog management plan within 1 year of CCP
approval, resulting in increased hog harvest.
Within 10 years of CCP approval, the desired future conditions for
habitats of Bond Swamp NWR would be defined and a Forest Management
Plan would be developed. This would include appropriate forest
inventory and silvicultural treatments deemed necessary for attaining
desired future conditions and improving forest habitats for migratory
birds, threatened and endangered species, and other trust resources. A
new Fire Management Plan would be developed within 10 years of CCP
approval that may allow for prescribed fire for habitat improvement.
Within 10 years of CCP approval, we would inventory and identify
potential sites for establishment of greentree reservoirs to benefit
wintering waterfowl in open water/wetland areas. Within 5 years of CCP
approval, an Integrated Pest Management Plan would be prepared that
would identify, inventory, prioritize, and suggest appropriate control
methods. We would collaborate with the Georgia Power Company to
maintain open habitats within rights-of-way to benefit butterflies and
certain bird species (e.g., indigo buntings and blue grosbeaks).
Opening the forest canopy beside some road segments in the refuge road
system to increase understory structure would be considered.
[[Page 29514]]
As under Alternative A, we would continue to comply with Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, but there would be no
additional active cultural resources management. Cooperation with the
Muscogee Creek Nation in management and protection of Traditional
Cultural Properties would continue. Additionally, within 10 years of
CCP approval, a Phase I cultural resources survey of the refuge would
be implemented, and within 15 years of CCP approval, the refuge would
develop and begin to implement an Integrated Cultural Resources
Management Plan.
A law enforcement officer would be added for Bond Swamp NWR,
working 2,080 hours per year in boundary work, public safety, and
cultural resources identification and protection. This would be in
addition to the same tasks as identified under Alternative A--patrols,
trespass and cultural resources enforcement, and hunting/fishing
compliance checks.
For the duration of the CCP, we would cooperate with State and
local government agencies and non-governmental organizations to
characterize status of refuge waters and fish species with regard to
environmental contamination issues, such as presence and levels of
toxins. Fish consumption advisories would be posted as appropriate.
With regard to hydrologic function, as under Alternative A, input to
the Service's Ecological Services Office in Athens, Georgia, on Section
404 permit applications would continue to be provided. Additionally,
communication with the Ecological Services Office would be improved to
provide more effective input and to safeguard the refuge's interests.
Partnerships and funding would be pursued to obtain a North American
Wetland Conservation Act grant through the ACJV to increase land
acquisition within the refuge boundary.
Within 3 years of CCP approval, a Visitor Services Plan would be
prepared and implemented to provide overall management guidance for
public use on the refuge. We would work with State and county partners
to improve directional signage, kiosks, and parking lots. Within the
15-year life of the CCP, access on the east side would be improved by
working with the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Federal
Highway Administration to install turning lanes at entrances, improve
Stone Creek Road, and provide boat and canoe/kayak access to Stone
Creek. Vehicular access on the west side of the refuge would be opened
by locating a right-of-way. We also would work with the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources to locate a boat ramp along the
Ocmulgee River.
The priority public recreational uses of the National Wildlife
Refuge System would continue at Bond Swamp NWR under Alternative C.
Within 5 years of settlement of a lawsuit against the Service, which is
now being litigated, we would maintain or expand existing hunts and add
small game, wild turkey, and waterfowl hunts. The west side of the
refuge would be opened to hunting, once access is provided.
Within 3-5 years of CCP approval, fishing opportunities would be
improved through increased access on the east and west sides of the
refuge. At primary parking and boat launch areas, health advisories
related to consuming fish would be posted. We would work with the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources to consider methods for
controlling flathead catfish.
Within 10 years of CCP approval, a canoe trail on Stone Creek would
be developed, the viewshed at the Brown's Mount overlook would be
improved, and a boardwalk along Stone Creek would be developed.
In cooperation with partners, an educational program would be
developed and implemented that would provide an understanding and
appreciation of the refuge's ecology and historic and present human
influence on the region's ecosystems. A full-time park ranger would be
added to manage the program. We would identify potential outreach
events and decide which could provide the greatest return on
investment, limiting participation to those events only. As time
allows, programs would be presented to local groups (e.g., civic,
library, garden clubs, and schools).
The refuge operations specialist and park ranger would be
reinstated; a law enforcement officer, a forestry technician, and an
engineering equipment operator would be added. In addition to
partnerships with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the
Georgia Forestry Commission, and the Muscogee Creek Nation, as under
Alternative A, we would actively participate with local partnerships in
resource conservation and land planning, such as Ocmulgee Heritage
Greenway, and cooperate with non-governmental organizations and other
organizations. Within 15 years of CCP approval, we would plan and
construct an office and maintenance yard east of State Route 23.
Equipment, such as a tractor, backhoe, 5 trucks, a johnboat with motor,
1 four-wheeler, and trailer, would be acquired.
Next Step
After the comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and
address them.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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.
Authority
This notice is published under the authority of the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105-57.
Dated: May 17,2009.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E9-14567 Filed 6-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P