[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 2011)] [Notices] [Pages 5196-5198] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2011-1299] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R2-R-2010-N208; 20131-1265-2CCP-S3] Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties, TX; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA) for the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC). In this final CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM. Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Plan/index.html. E-mail: roxanne_turley@fws.gov. Include ``Aransas final CCP'' in the subject line of the message. Mail: Roxanne Turley, Natural Resource Planner, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Division of Planning, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103-1306. In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 505-248-6636 to make an appointment during regular business hours at 500 Gold Avenue SW., Albuquerque, NM 87102. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Alonso, Refuge Manager, Aransas NWRC, P.O. Box 100, Austwell, TX 77050; by phone, 361-286-3559; or by e-mail, dan_alonso@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for the Aransas NWRC. We started this process through a notice in the Federal Register August 30, 2002 (67 FR 55862). Aransas NWRC is located in Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties, Texas, and encompasses 115,931 acres of coastal prairie, oak woodland and savannah, barrier island, and salt and freshwater marshes. Management efforts focus on protecting, enhancing, and restoring Refuge habitats and water management for the benefit of important fish and wildlife resources. The Refuge is world renowned for hosting the largest wild flock of endangered whooping cranes each winter. Other native species on the Refuge include the American alligator, javelina, roseate spoonbill, armadillo, and wildflowers. Aransas NWRC was established ``as a refuge and breeding grounds for birds'', by Executive Order No. 7784 on December 31, 1937. The authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 712d) establishes that each refuge in the system is ``for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or any other management purpose, for migratory birds.'' The Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460-1) states that each refuge in the system is ``suitable for incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development, the protection of natural resources, and the conservation of endangered or threatened species.'' Additionally, Aransas NWRC contains critical habitat for the whooping crane (43 FR 20938, May 15, 1978). We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the final CCP for the Aransas NWRC in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, which we included in the EA that accompanied the draft CCP. The CCP will guide us in managing and administering the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex for the next 15 years. Alternative B, with modifications as described in Appendix J (Response to Public Comments), is selected as the management direction for the Final Plan. 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 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 Alternatives, Including Selected Alternative Our draft CCP and our EA (75 FR 6872) addressed several issues. To address these, we developed and evaluated the following alternatives. [[Page 5197]] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B: Optimal habitat A: No-action management and public C: Maximal habitat alternative use (proposed action) management and public- alternative use alternative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue 1: Habitat Management Biological program and Ecosystem-level Intensive management to Activities. habitat management management actions to achieve a would continue under better protect and predetermined amount existing plans, with preserve the natural of woodlands, the emphasis remaining diversity of unique wetlands, croplands, primarily on migratory habitats and sensitive grasslands, birds, waterfowl, and wildlife, through a shrublands, and water Federally listed holistic, partnered, impoundments to species; the status and publically benefit the highest quo would prevail involved approach, variety of plants and without the benefit of would be implemented; wildlife would be holistic, long-term, current and future implemented. and comprehensive long-term benefits for guidance. migratory and resident birds, wildlife and their habitats, and the recovery of threatened and endangered species would be provided. Issue 2: Improvements to Public Use Current public use An optimal, quality All priority public Opportunities. under existing plans experience for the uses (hunting, would continue; any public. Priority fishing, wildlife expansions would occur wildlife-dependent observation, opportunistically. uses would be photography, and emphasized, and other environmental existing public uses education and would be allowed where interpretation) would appropriate. be expanded above current levels. Visitor facilities and interpretive and environmental education programs would be improved or developed. Issue 3: Refuge Land and Boundary Currently, there is no Same as Alternative A; Same as Alternative A. Protection. active land however, additional acquisition or land land protection to protection plan. address whooping crane However, any future flock expansion in the acquisitions would be vicinity of the Refuge based on an approved would be considered. land protection plan, The emphasis would developed as a step- remain on protecting down plan of the CCP. whooping cranes and Any additional lands available acres of added to the Refuge existing wetland or would be purchased restorable wetland from willing sellers habitat and adjacent as opportunities and uplands in portions of funding arise. Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments We solicited comments on the draft CCP and the EA for the Aransas NWRC from February 12, 2010, to April 13, 2010 (75 FR 7862). Subsequently, the Draft Plan/EA was made available for public review starting on February 12, 2010, at the Refuge, online, and at the Regional Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Two open house meetings were held in communities near the Refuge in March 2010. In all, approximately 30 individuals attended the open house meetings and a total of 73 comments were submitted in writing or phoned in to the Refuge/Regional Office. Additionally, one State agency, two Federal agencies, and four nongovernmental organizations responded prior to the end of the 60-day public comment period. Based on the comments received, the Draft Plan/EA was changed to include an improved assessment of effects to air and water resources, inclusion of wildlife observed at the refuge, added strategies for wildlife-dependent recreation, and updates or added supplemental information throughout the document. Selected Alternative After considering the comments we received, we have selected Alternative B for implementation. This alternative describes how habitat objectives will be accomplished through a combination of management activities to encourage ecological integrity, promote restoration of coastal prairie habitats, control invasive plant species, and provide long-term benefits for migratory and resident birds and the recovery of threatened and endangered species. This alternative was selected because it best meets refuge purposes and goals of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This action will not adversely impact threatened or endangered species or their habitat. Opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation activities, such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation, will be enhanced. Future management actions will have a neutral or positive impact on the local economy, and the recommendations in the Plan will ensure that Refuge management is consistent with the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Public Availability of Documents In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain documents at the following locations:Our Web site: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/STRC/laguna/Index_Laguna.html. At the following libraries: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Library Address Phone number ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Victoria Public Library....... 302 N Main St., 361-572-2701 Victoria, TX 77901. Parkdale Branch Library....... 1230 Carmel Pkwy., 361-853-9961 Corpus Christi, TX 78411. Calhoun County Public Library. 200 West Mahan St., 361-552-7323 Port Lavaca, TX 77979. Aransas County Public Library. 701 E Mimosa St., 361-790-0153 Rockport, TX 78382. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [[Page 5198]] Dated: January 19, 2011. Joy Nicholopoulor. Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Region 2. [FR Doc. 2011-1299 Filed 1-27-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P