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Draft Environmental Assessment for Fallon and Stillwater Hunt Plans

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Draft Environmental Assessment for Fallon and Stillwater Hunt Plans Draft Environmental Assessment for Waterfowl, Other Migratory Birds, Upland Game, and Big Game Hunting at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge and Fallon National Wildlife Refuge Date: March 2020 This Environmental Assessment (EA) is being prepared to evaluate the effects associated with this proposed action and complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1509) and Department of the Interior (43 CFR 46; 516 DM 8) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (550 FW 3) regulations and policies. NEPA requires examination of the effects of proposed actions on the natural and human environment. Proposed Action: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to open hunting opportunities for antelope (also called pronghorn) on Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR or Refuge), and to open Fallon National Wildlife Refuge (NWR or Refuge) to hunting waterfowl, other migratory birds, upland game, big game, and other species. In 2003, the Service signed a Record of Decision for the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (CCP-EIS) for the Stillwater NWR Complex. This draft EA is tiered from the 2002 CCP-EIS and focuses specifically on adding opportunities for antelope hunting at Stillwater NWR and opening the Fallon NWR to hunting as described in the Hunt Plan. This proposed action is often iterative and evolves over time during the process as the agency refines its proposal and learns more from the public, tribes, and other agencies. Therefore, the final proposed action may be different from the original. The final decision on the proposed action will be made at the conclusion of the public comment period for the EA and the Draft 2020-2021 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Hunting Regulations. The Service cannot open a refuge to hunting and/or fishing until a final rule has been published in the Federal Register formally opening the refuge to hunting and/or fishing. Background: National Wildlife Refuges are guided by the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), the purposes of an individual refuge, Service policy, and laws and international treaties. Relevant guidance includes the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Refuge Recreation Act of 1962, and selected portions of the Code of Federal Regulations and Fish and Wildlife Service Manual. Stillwater NWR and the Stillwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA) were established through a 50-year agreement signed in 1948 by the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, Nevada State Board of Fish and Game Commissioners, and the Service (Tripartite Agreement). In 1949, Stillwater NWR was established as a wildlife sanctuary and closed to hunting. In 1990, Public Law (P.L.) 101-618 (§210(b)(1)) expanded the approved boundary of Stillwater NWR to include Stillwater Marsh. The Tripartite Agreement was not renewed and the WMA ceased to exist. P.L. 101-618 shifted the legal authority for managing the lands now within Stillwater NWR from the Tripartite Agreement to the Refuge System Administration Act. In addition to the boundary expansion, Public Law 101-618 §206(b)(2) also outlined four purposes for which the Service must manage Stillwater NWR, which included providing opportunities for fish and wildlife- oriented recreation, including hunting. The primary purposes of Stillwater NWR as established by P.L. 101-618 are: 1. Maintaining and restoring natural biological diversity within the refuge. 2. Providing for the conservation and management of fish and wildlife and their habitats within the refuge. 3. Fulfilling international treaty obligations of the United States with respect to fish and wildlife. 4. Providing opportunities for scientific research, environmental education, and fish and wildlife oriented recreation. Fallon NWR was established in 1931, by Executive Order 5606, with its primary purpose being “as a refuge and breeding ground for birds and other wild animals.” Fallon NWR is managed as part of the Stillwater NWR Complex. Fallon NWR lies 20 miles northeast of the community of Fallon, Nevada, and approximately 70 miles east of Reno. The mission of the NWRS, as outlined by the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (NWRSAA), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), is: “... to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” The NWRSAA mandates the Secretary of the Interior in administering the System to (16 U.S.C. 668dd (a) (4): 2 • provide for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats within the NWRS; • ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of the NWRS are maintained for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans; • ensure that the mission of the NWRS described at 16 U.S.C. 668dd (a) (2) and the purposes of each refuge are carried out; • ensure effective coordination, interaction, and cooperation with owners of land adjoining the refuge and the fish and wildlife agency of the States in which the units of the NWRS are located; • assist in the maintenance of adequate water quantity and water quality to fulfill the mission of the NWRS and the purposes of each refuge; • recognize compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general public uses of the NWRS through which the American public can develop an appreciation for fish and wildlife; • ensure that opportunities are provided within the NWRS for compatible wildlife- dependent recreational uses; and • monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each refuge. Therefore, it is a priority of the Service to provide for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, when those opportunities are compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and the mission of the NWRS. The Stillwater NWR contributes substantially to the conservation of wildlife and its habitat in the western Great Basin. It encompasses a great diversity of habitat, from freshwater to brackish water marshes and alkali playas, and extensive salt desert shrub lands. These habitats attract nearly 400 species of vertebrate wildlife (more than 280 bird species) and countless species of invertebrates. Fallon NWR is comprised of playa and wetland habitat in the Carson Sink. This area, in the Lahontan Valley, is at the terminus of the Carson River. In years of high water flows down the river, the Refuge is important for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action: The purpose of this proposed action is to provide compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities on Stillwater NWR and Fallon NWR. The need of the proposed action is to meet the Service’s priorities and mandates as outlined by the NWRSAA to “recognize compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general uses of the NWRS” and “ensure that opportunities are provided within the NWRS for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses.” (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(4)). The proposed action is consistent with and supports CCP Objectives A.c.4(b), B.e.2, B.e.3, C.a.1, and C.a.2. 3 Alternatives Considered: Alternative A – Proposed Action Alternative: Under the Proposed Action Alternative, 54,063 acres north of Division Road (North Unit) on Stillwater NWR would be opened to antelope hunting. Sport hunting is an ongoing use on the North Unit of Stillwater NWR for big game, other migratory birds, upland game, small game, and other species, (including mule deer, mourning dove, California quail, ring-necked pheasant, mountain cottontail, wild turkey, coyote, and black-tailed jackrabbit). Alternative A adds antelope hunting. The North Unit would be open to antelope hunting 7 days per week during the State-designated hunting season. In addition, the Taber and Dutchbill units would be open to hunting at the conclusion of their life use estates. These two units could be used for youth, veteran, handicapped, and other special hunting opportunities (including antelope hunting). Hunting in all other areas south of Division Road, and on Service-owned properties outside the Refuge boundary would be prohibited. Refuge property south of Division Road serves as a sanctuary area for wildlife during hunting seasons. Overnight stays are allowed at designated sites within the Refuge boundary and limited to four consecutive nights at one location, not to exceed twelve consecutive nights on the refuge. Antelope hunting would be allowed through tags issued through the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). Hunters may obtain only one antelope tag per year. No reservations would be required and antelope hunting would be on a first come, first served basis. Only shotguns, muzzle loading rifles, or bow and arrow are allowed for big game at Stillwater NWR. On Fallon NWR, all 17,954 acres of the Refuge would be opened to hunting for waterfowl, other migratory birds, upland game, big game, and other species. Species hunted would include mule deer, antelope, mourning dove, California quail, ring-necked pheasant, rabbits, wild turkey, coyote, ducks, geese, swans, coots, moorhens, and snipe. Hunting would be permitted in accordance with NDOW regulations for seasons, licensing, legal shooting hours, and weapons restrictions. Artificial lighting would be allowed for hunting coyotes. There are no designated hunting areas, blinds, camping sites, restrooms, drinking water, trashcans, trails picnic areas, or other public use facilities on the Refuge. Roads on the Refuge are passable only when dry. Hunting would occur primarily during the fall and winter in accordance with the NDOW hunt regulations and in accordance with the environmental conditions on the Refuge. When there is sufficient water, boating would be allowed during the waterfowl hunt season.
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