75644 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 246 / Friday, December 21, 2012 / Notices

Fort Bliss ACTION: Notice of availability. include: ‘‘A refuge and breeding ground El Paso TX 79916 for migratory birds and other wild life’’ Landholding Agency: Army SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and and ‘‘for use as an inviolate sanctuary, Property Number: 21200830031 Wildlife Service (Service), announce the or for any other management purpose, Status: Unutilized availability of the final comprehensive Directions: 1048, 1050, 1071, 1083, 1087, for migratory birds.’’ conservation plan and environmental The Refuge consists of more than 1091 impact statement (CCP/EIS) for the Comments: CHANGE IN UNSUITABILITY 187,000 acres of open water (marsh, REASON: Located in a secured area; pre- Malheur National Wildlife Refuge river, and stream), wetlands, springs, 9/11; where public access is denied and (Refuge). In the final CCP/EIS, we riparian areas, irrigated meadows, grain there is no alternative method to gain describe alternatives, including our fields, and shrub-steppe uplands. The access without comprising national preferred alternative, for managing the Refuge’s abundance of water in an security Refuge for the next 15 years. otherwise arid landscape attracts a Reasons: Secured Area DATES: We will sign a record of decision significant portion of the Pacific 11 Bldgs. no sooner than 30 days after publication Flyway’s migrating bird population Fort Bliss of this notice. El Paso TX 79916 during the spring. The large Landholding Agency: Army ADDRESSES: You may download a copy concentration of migrating birds is Property Number: 21200930023 of the final CCP/EIS, or contact us to recognized in flyway and regional bird Status: Unutilized request a printed or CD–ROM copy of conservation plans, and BirdLife Directions: 6901, 6906, 6907, 6908, 6909, the document, as follows. International designated the Refuge an 6912, 6914, 6915, 6917, 6918, 6919 Agency Web Site: Download the final Important Bird Area. Populations of Comments: CHANGE IN UNSUITABILITY CCP/EIS at www.fws.gov/pacific/ breeding waterfowl and waterbirds on REASON: Located in a secured area; pre- planning. Malheur Lake and other Refuge 9/11; where public access is denied and there is no alternative method to gain Email: wetlands have, however, dropped access without comprising national [email protected]. substantially from historic levels. This security Include ‘‘Malheur NWR CCP/EIS’’ in the decline is widely attributed to high Reasons: Secured Area subject line of your request for a printed populations of nonnative common carp 6 Bldgs. or CD–ROM copy of the final CCP/EIS. living in the lake and in adjacent water Fort Bliss Fax: Attn: Tim Bodeen, Project bodies. The bottom-feeding carp El Paso TX 79916 Leader, (541) 493–2405. impacts bird populations by competing Landholding Agency: Army Mail: Tim Bodeen, Project Leader, for insect and plant food sources, and Property Number: 21200930024 Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, uprooting vegetation and disturbing silt Status: Unutilized 36391 Sodhouse Lane, Princeton, OR in ponds and lakebeds. The resulting Directions: 6921, 6922, 6925, 6949, 6950, 97221. silt plumes degrade aquatic habitat and 6951, 6953 In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Comments: CHANGE IN UNSUITABILITY interfere with plant and insect REASON: Located in a secured area; pre- Schedule an appointment with Refuge production. 9/11; where public access is denied and staff to view or obtain a final CCP/EIS We announce the availability of the there is no alternative method to gain during regular business hours by calling Refuge’s final CCP/EIS in accordance access without comprising national (541) 493–2612. with National Environmental Policy Act security Local Libraries: The final CCP/EIS is (NEPA) 40 CFR 1506.6(b) requirements. Reasons: Secured Area available for review at the libraries We included a thorough analysis of Virginia listed under SUPPLEMENTARY impacts on the human environment in INFORMATION. the final CCP/EIS. OO2 & OO3 4000 Coast Guard Blvd. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim The CCP will guide us in managing Portsmouth VA 23703 Bodeen, (541) 493–2612. and administering the Refuge for the next 15 years. Alternative 2, as we Landholding Agency: Coast Guard SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Property Number: 88201240001 described in the final CCP/EIS, is our Status: Excess Introduction preferred alternative, and the Comments: Located on secured area; public foundation of the CCP. access denied & no alternative method to With this notice, we announce the gain access w/out compromising nat’l availability of the final CCP/EIS for the Background Refuge. We started this process through security The CCP Process Reasons: Secured Area a notice in the Federal Register (74 FR [FR Doc. 2012–30489 Filed 12–20–12; 8:45 am] 31046; June 29, 2009). We released the The National Wildlife Refuge System Draft CCP/EIS to the public, and Administration Act of 1966, 16 U.S.C. BILLING CODE 4210–67–P requested comments on it in a notice of 668dd–668ee (Refuge Administration availability in the Federal Register (77 Act), as amended by the National FR 13141, March 5, 2012). Wildlife Refuge System Improvement DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The Refuge was established by Act of 1997, requires us to develop a Fish and Wildlife Service President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as CCP for each national wildlife refuge. the Lake Malheur Bird Reservation, to The purpose for developing a CCP is to [FWS–R1–R–2012–N169; 1265–0000–10137– prevent plume hunters from decimating provide refuge managers with a 15-year S3] colonial nesting bird populations. The plan for achieving refuge purposes and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Refuge protected unclaimed lands contributing toward the mission of the Harney County, OR; Final encompassed by Malheur, Mud, and National Wildlife Refuge System, Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Harney Lakes as a preserve and breeding consistent with sound principles of fish Final Environmental Impact Statement ground for native birds. The Refuge was and wildlife management, conservation, expanded to include the Blitzen Valley legal mandates, and our policies. In AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, in 1935, and the Double-O Unit in 1941. addition to outlining broad management Interior. The Refuge’s establishing purposes direction for conserving wildlife and

VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:28 Dec 20, 2012 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 246 / Friday, December 21, 2012 / Notices 75645

their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife- meadows would continue, because During periods of active plant growth, dependent recreational opportunities extended flood irrigation creates management tools would include highly available to the public, including favorable conditions for cattails. prescriptive grazing, mowing, farming, opportunities for hunting, fishing, Public uses, including hunting, and extended dewatering, to reclaim wildlife observation and photography, fishing, wildlife observation and acres overrun with invasive common and environmental education and photography, and environmental cattail and reed canarygrass plants, or to interpretation. We will review and education and interpretation, would rehabilitate plant communities. update the CCP at least every 15 years continue using the current facilities. No We would upgrade or develop in accordance with the Refuge new public use facilities would be overlooks, elevated viewing platforms, Administration Act. developed. Areas not on the main roads and photography blinds. We would closed to public access would remain maintain and replant cottonwood trees CCP Alternatives, Including the closed to provide sanctuary for wildlife. and other trees and shrubs at six historic Preferred Alternative Cultural resources, specifically sites, to provide rare and incidental We evaluated three alternatives for archaeological resources, would passerine habitat and high-quality managing the Refuge for the next 15 continue to be considered during Refuge wildlife viewing experiences for birders. years in the final CCP/EIS. Based on our project planning. Historic resources Trails would be built or upgraded to analysis, we identified Alternative 2 as would continue to be stabilized and provide access for visitors with mobility our preferred alternative; it was restored as funding becomes available. impairments, in compliance with the modified in the final CCP/EIS to address Paleontological resources would Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). the comments we received on the Draft continue to be protected. Interpretation Docent-led Refuge tours would occur CCP/EIS. Summaries of our alternatives of archaeological and historic resources approximately monthly at different follow. would remain the same under locations, including guided kayak and Alternative 1. Alternative 1 (No Action) canoe tours on Malheur Lake. We would emphasize modern media Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) Under Alternative 1, the Refuge for interpretation. The George Benson would continue current practices. Under Alternative 2, our preferred Memorial Museum would be enhanced, Malheur, Harney, and Mud Lakes would alternative, our principal focus for and additional outdoor interpretive remain largely unmanaged, flooding and habitat management would be to panels would be placed. Special Refuge retreating according to annual weather improve the aquatic health of lakes and events and presentations would be fluctuations, with nonnative carp wetlands, primarily by controlling expanded. Environmental education populations continuing to degrade these nonnative common carp. As turbidity (EE) would be provided, and we would habitats. Other lake and wetland decreases and submergent vegetation develop an outdoor EE shelter and habitats in the Blitzen Valley and and associated invertebrate species learning area at Refuge Headquarters. Double-O Units would be managed become more abundant, the Increased vehicle access would be using rotational flooding and productivity of Malheur Lake, Boca provided at three sites year round—Boat dewatering, to enhance productivity for Lake, Warbler Pond, and other water Landing Road near Refuge waterfowl and to control carp. The bodies within the Refuge would Headquarters, Krumbo Lane to Krumbo Blitzen River’s six dams, fish screens, increase for a variety of waterbirds, Reservoir, and the southern portion of and ladders would remain in place. waterfowl, and shorebirds. East Canal Road north to the confluence Existing river conditions would remain. Based on site-specific science, a of Bridge Creek. We would provide up Native fish passage structures, variety of assessment and control tools to eight outdoor welcome and maintenance of existing carp barriers, may be used with the aid of partners to orientation panels to guide visitors. and rehabilitation of riparian vegetation reduce carp populations. Control Visitor amenities, such as picnic tables, would continue. Additional riverine strategies would include the application shelters, and vault toilets, would be enhancement would consist of small- of piscicide, chemo-attractants, and upgraded and provided in new scale in-stream improvements, when chemo-repellants; barrier placements; locations. We would develop an resources are available. We would commercial harvest; recreational expanded visitor contact station and gift continue to focus on information angling; water manipulation; and other shop at Refuge Headquarters, and a gathering for carp control. control methods. The need for seasonal contact station at the P Ranch Current habitat management in continued amendments to and Unit, to facilitate contact between meadows, marshes, and uplands would construction of strategically placed in- visitors, Refuge staff, and volunteers. continue. We would continue to address stream structures, such as traps, screens, The upland game hunt would open the needs of various waterbirds, and fish wheels that allow native fish approximately three weeks earlier than shorebirds, and waterfowl by providing passage and impede carp movement, it currently opens. The northern part of meadow and marsh habitat conditions would also be considered. We would Malheur Lake and the Buena Vista Unit necessary for nesting, pairing, and initiate necessary assessments and would remain open under existing migration. Flood irrigation on meadow actions to develop a riverine strategy as regulations. Proposed waterfowl hunt habitats with diversions from the resources become available. If aquatic areas would more than double the Blitzen River would continue March 1 health and carp objectives are met and existing hunt area, by opening a new through July 25. Plant litter, which sustained, more staff time would be access point, a portion of the south- becomes detrimental to some wildlife available for river related issues. central area of Malheur Lake, and the species over time, would continue to be Wetlands and terrestrial habitats Buena Vista Unit to waterfowl hunting. reduced using prescribed burning, would be managed for the life history The hunting season in the new areas haying (on or after August 10), and needs of focal species, with a strong would begin on the fourth Saturday in rakebunch grazing (on or after emphasis on flexibility. Tools would October, and end on the last day of the September 1). Approximately 40 percent include, but not be limited to, late State’s waterfowl season. The existing of Refuge meadows would continue to summer haying and autumn/winter youth hunt would be promoted, and be hayed or grazed annually. Emergent rakebunch grazing to meet the foraging access improvements would be made to vegetation encroachment into wet needs of early arriving wildlife species. Saddle Butte. In partnership with

VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:28 Dec 20, 2012 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with 75646 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 246 / Friday, December 21, 2012 / Notices

potential users, the Refuge would also management function of the Blitzen Alternative 2, except that vehicle access support adding ADA-compatible River would occur for the first 7 years. to fishing areas would be less, which facilities for waterfowl hunters with This site-specific scientific information could limit the number of people mobility impairments in the Buena will then form the basis for any needed fishing. Volunteer programs, EE and Vista Unit. pilot projects and implementation of a interpretation, docent-led tours, the We would pursue a land exchange comprehensive management strategy. land exchange with BLM, cultural and with BLM, transferring lands within the Management under Alternative 3 for paleontological management, energy Boundary Unit west of State Highway wildlife viewing, photography, and independence, and inventory and 205 and other small parcels to BLM, in welcome and orientation would be monitoring would be managed the same exchange for appropriate BLM lands. similar to Alternative 2, but there would as under Alternative 2. The land exchange would not affect be less emphasis on developed facilities, hunting opportunities. and more emphasis on self-guided and Comments Fishing opportunities would continue off-trail experiences. To promote this, a We solicited comments on the Draft at Krumbo Reservoir, along the upper variety of access changes would occur. CCP/EIS from March 5 to May 4, 2012 Blitzen River, at the southern portion of The 42-mile Blitzen Valley auto tour (77 FR 13139, March 5, 2012). We East Canal, and at Mud and Bridge route (Center Patrol Road) would be received comments from agencies, Creeks, and vehicle access to fishing closed to vehicle access August 15 to organizations, and individuals. To sites would expand. In addition, the the fourth Friday of October in the address the comments, minor changes Refuge would develop a new pedestrian Buena Vista Unit, and August 15 to and clarifications were made to the final crossing at Bridge Creek, and provide a March 1 in the P Ranch Unit, and would CCP/EIS, and documented in Appendix new late-summer bank-fishing be redesigned into two or three shorter, N. opportunity on the Blitzen River, from year-round, auto tour routes. Walk-in Sodhouse Lane to the bridge on Boat free-roam access along the closed Public Availability of Documents Landing Road. Orientation and portions of the Center Patrol Road, and In addition to the information in information would be added to fishing on the dike tops in the Buena Vista and ADDRESSES, printed copies of the areas. Triploid rainbow trout stocking P Ranch Units, would be allowed during document will be available for review at would continue at Krumbo Reservoir, the periods listed above to provide the following libraries: Harney County and a genetic study of redband trout opportunities for self-guided and off- Library at 80 West ‘‘D’’ Street, Burns, would be conducted. trail experiences. This would provide 11 OR 97720; and Bend Public Library, 601 Step-down management plans for weeks of free-roam opportunities in the NW., Wall Street, Bend, OR 97701. historic, archaeological, and Buena Vista Unit, and 27 weeks in the Dated: December 13, 2012. paleontological resources would be P Ranch Unit. Vehicle access to Krumbo Hugh Morrison, developed in cooperation with partners. Reservoir would be permitted from the Interpretation of historic sites would be Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, fourth Friday of November to April; Portland, Oregon. expanded. Opportunities for American walk-in access would be allowed at Indians to collect plant materials for other times of the year. The southern [FR Doc. 2012–30852 Filed 12–20–12; 8:45 am] traditional uses would be expanded. portion of East Canal Road to the BILLING CODE 4310–55–P Monitoring and inventory of confluence of Bridge Creek at the East archaeological resources would Canal would remain open to year-round DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR increase. Step-down habitat and wildlife walk-in access. Year-round vehicle species inventory and monitoring plans access would be allowed on Boat Fish and Wildlife Service would be developed, emphasizing focal Landing Road near Refuge species and national monitoring efforts. Headquarters, to the Malheur Lake [FWS–R7–R–2012–N233; FF07R06000 Plant community responses to meadow elevated viewing platform. Both spur FXRS12650700000] 123 management strategies would be and loop trails a mile or less in length Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, monitored through a third party would be developed, as would a number Soldotna, AK; Draft Environmental scientific process. A database would be of viewing overlooks and platforms. Impact Statement for the Shadura created to track data collected for all Existing trails would be upgraded to Natural Gas Development Project monitoring plans. We would continue to ADA standards. emphasize partnerships to maximize The historic Audubon photography AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, adaptive management. blind at Refuge Headquarters Display Interior. Our volunteer program would Pond would be restored under ACTION: Notice of availability. continue, with an emphasis on Alternative 3. In free-roam areas, increasing recruitment, retention, and temporary photography blinds would be SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and return rates. Refuge staff would pursue permitted. The Refuge would maintain Wildlife Service (Service), announce sustainable practices to achieve energy and replant trees and shrubs at four that the Draft Environmental Impact independence and carbon negative historic sites to provide habitat for and Statement (EIS) for the Shadura Natural Refuge management. viewing of rare and incidental Gas Development Project is available for passerines. public review and comment. The EIS Alternative 3 The upland game and waterfowl was prepared pursuant to the Alaska Under Alternative 3, most of the hunts would be managed similar to National Interest Lands Conservation habitat management practices under Alternative 2, except that a Buena Vista Act of 1980 (ANILCA); the National Alternative 2 would occur. The primary waterfowl hunt would not be permitted, Wildlife Refuge System Administration difference is that we would place equal and ADA facilities would not be Act of 1966 (Refuge Administration emphasis on aquatic health (carp developed. A youth hunt would be Act), as amended by the National control) and developing a explored for the Double-O Unit on the Wildlife Refuge System Improvement comprehensive riverine strategy. A State-designated weekend. Act of 1997 (Refuge Improvement Act); detailed assessment of the Fishing opportunities and and the National Environmental Policy geomorphology, ecology, hydrology, and management would be the same as Act of 1969 (NEPA). It describes five

VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:28 Dec 20, 2012 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with