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DATES: The request to terminate the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR a haven for a diversity of native flora Environmental Impact Statement and and fauna, including endemic, proceed with an Environmental Fish and Wildlife Service threatened, endangered, and candidate species. Assessment was approved by the Chief [FWS–R4–R–2009–N162; 40136–1265–0000– of the NPS Environmental Quality S3] NWR Division on November 4, 2009. The Located west of Key West and draft general management plan and Lower Keys Refuges, Monroe accessible only by boat, the refuge Environmental Assessment is expected County, FL consists of the and 13 to be distributed for a 30 day public AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, other keys distributed across over 375 comment period early in 2011 and a Interior. square miles of open water. Key West decision is expected be made in the fall ACTION: Notice of availability: final NWR is among the first refuges of 2011. The NPS will notify the public Comprehensive Conservation Plan and established in the United States. by mail, Web site, and other means, and finding of no significant impact. President Roosevelt created the refuge will include information on where and in 1908 as a preserve and breeding how to obtain a copy of the GMP/EA, SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife ground for colonial nesting birds and how to comment on the plan, and the Service (Service), announce our other wildlife. The refuge encompasses dates of the public comment period. decision and the availability of the final 208,308 acres of land and water with CCP and finding of no significant only 1 percent (2,019 acres) being land. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: impact (FONSI) for the Environmental Most islands are dominated by Steve Riley, Superintendent, Gila Cliff Assessment for the Lower mangrove plant communities. Dwellings National Monument, HC 68 Refuges in accordance with the National The refuge provides habitat and Box 100, Silver City, NM 88061. Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) protection for Federally listed species, Telephone (575) 536–9461. requirements. We completed a thorough including piping plovers and roseate SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In place of analysis of impacts on the human terns. The refuge harbors the largest the EIS, the NPS will prepare an environment, which are included in the wintering population of piping plovers Environmental Assessment (EA) that Environmental Assessment (Appendix and the largest colony of white-crowned pigeons in the Florida Keys. It is a analyzes four alternatives (no-action and N of the CCP). The CCP will guide us haven for over 250 species of birds, three action alternatives) that look at in managing and administering the including 10 wading-bird species that different ways of protecting resources, Lower Florida Keys Refuges for the next 15 years. nest in the refuge. Other notable providing appropriate visitor imperiled species include sea turtles. ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of experiences, and addressing joint NPS/ More loggerhead and green sea turtle the CCP by writing to: Ms. Anne Forest Service operations: nests are found each year in Key West Morkill, Refuge Manager, Florida Keys NWR than in any area of the Florida —Alternative 1 (No-Action) would National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Keys except the . Waters continue the present management 28590 Watson Boulevard, Big Pine Key, within the refuge’s administrative direction. FL 33043. You may also access and boundaries are important download the document from the —Alternative 2 would emphasize and developmental habitat for these sea Service’s Web site: http:// expand high-quality visitor services turtle species, as well as hawksbills and southeast.fws.gov/planning. and experiences by providing more Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. In 1975, comprehensive interpretation of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Public Law 93–632 designated all Gila Headwaters area and its 2,000 Anne Morkill; telephone: 305/872–2239; islands in Key West NWR, except years of human occupation. or Mary Morris, Natural Resource Ballast Key, which is privately owned, Planner; telephone 850/567–6202. —Alternative 3 would enhance visitor as a part of the National Wilderness understanding and enjoyment of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preservation System. These islands total Gila Headwaters’ natural and cultural Introduction 2,109 acres. heritage by providing a more unified With this notice, we finalize the CCP Great White Heron NWR management approach to the two process for the Lower Florida Keys Great White Heron NWR was units of the monument. Refuges. We started this process through established in 1938, by Executive Order —Alternative 4 would forge more a notice in the Federal Register on May 7993 signed by President Roosevelt, as personal connections between visitors 9, 2003 (68 FR 25058). a haven for great white herons, and the ancient cultures and The Lower Florida Keys Refuges migratory birds, and other wildlife. The wilderness character of the includes three wildlife refuges—Key refuge encompasses 117,683 acres of monument. West National Wildlife Refuge (Key land and water with 6,300 acres of land, West NWR), Great White Heron including 1,900 land acres which were Dated: November 12, 2009. National Wildlife Refuge (Great White designated Wilderness Areas in 1975, Michael D. Snyder, Heron NWR), and National also under Public Law 93–632. While Director, Intermountain Region, National Refuge in Monroe County, Florida. the islands are primarily mangroves, Park Service. These are a collection of low-lying, some of the larger islands contain pine [FR Doc. 2010–443 Filed 1–12–10; 8:45 am] subtropical islands between the Gulf of rockland and tropical hardwood BILLING CODE 4312–FA–P Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean that hammock habitats. This vast area, protect all the vital habitats known locally as the ‘‘backcountry,’’ representative of the Florida Keys provides critical nesting, feeding, and ecosystem, including the globally resting areas for more than 250 species imperiled pine rockland and tropical of birds. We co-manage this area with hardwood hammock. These geologically the State through a ‘‘Management and climatically distinct islands provide Agreement for Submerged Lands Within

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the Boundaries of Key West and Great whole. Each of the three refuges has with other agencies for non-refuge lands White Heron National Wildlife Refuges’’ different enabling legislation and that support the refuges’ missions. (hereinafter referred to as Management purposes. The CCP has been designed Partnerships exist to promote land Agreement). with consideration of the distinct conservation. Exotic plant control to Great white herons are a white color- purposes of each refuge. For the protect and maintain current habitat phase of great blue herons. In the United purposes of each refuge, refer to a notice would occur at existing levels by relying States, nesting is restricted to extreme in the Federal Register dated May 23, on partnerships with the Nature south Florida including the Florida 2008 (73 FR 30139). Conservancy, the Florida Fish and Keys. The refuge was created to protect Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Alternatives, Including the Preferred great white herons from extinction since Monroe County. A predator Alternative the population was decimated by the management program is currently under demand for feathered hats. Protection of The Service developed three development on National Key Deer great white herons was successful, and alternatives for managing the refuges Refuge to reduce the effects of feral cat these magnificent birds can be observed over the next 15 years and chose predation on the endangered Lower feeding on tidal flats throughout the Alternative B as the preferred Keys marsh rabbit and other native refuge. The refuge islands are also used alternative. A description of the three wildlife. for nesting by 10 wading bird species, alternatives follows. Most ecologically sensitive areas and including the reddish egret, and by Alternative A—(Current Management— living resources are protected from many neotropical migratory bird No Action) disturbance or degradation through the species. use of closure areas, law enforcement, The Lower Florida Keys Refuges have and the implementation of the a high diversity of community types and Management Agreement. Impacts from The National Key Deer Refuge was endemic species, with many threatened, concentrated, non-wildlife-dependent established on August 22, 1957, to endangered, candidate, and other uses threaten a limited number of sites, protect and conserve Key deer and other imperiled species. The primary mission particularly islands with accessible sand wildlife resources. It comprises about of these refuges is to provide habitat for beaches. The effects of commercial 8,983 acres of land on several islands wildlife. The refuges currently have a activities and public uses (both wildlife- within the authorized approved small staff and funding source for the dependent and non-wildlife-dependent) acquisition boundary, as well as inventorying and monitoring of natural have not been fully evaluated and additional parcels located outside the resources. Much effort has been put into visitor carrying capacities have not been boundary administered by the refuge. some resources, such as Key deer and quantified. These lands host diverse habitats, most their habitat (pine rocklands), as a result We have an active volunteer program notably globally endangered tropical of cooperative partnerships with to assist in all facets of refuge hardwood hammocks and pine academic and other research management. Partnerships for these rocklands. The refuge provides habitat organizations. Certain species, such as purposes and for research are for hundreds of endemic and migratory great white herons, white-crowned encouraged and maintained. Under this species, including 21 Federally listed pigeons, and sea turtles, have been alternative, the existing level of species, such as Key deer, Lower Keys studied over time by refuge biological administrative resources (e.g., staffing, marsh rabbit, and silver rice rat. It staff. Under this alternative, these facilities and assets, funding, and contains a variety of plants endemic to studies would continue. partnerships) would be maintained. the Florida Keys. Baseline data have yet to be This means some positions may not be The refuge is an important stopping established for some protected species, filled when vacated if funds need to be point for thousands of migrating birds species suites, habitats, and cultural reallocated to meet rising costs or new each year and an important wintering resources. The effects of natural priorities. ground for many North American bird catastrophic disturbances (e.g., Alternative B—(Preferred Alternative) species. Notable species include the in 2005) on the piping plover and peregrine falcon. The refuges’ resources have not been fully This alternative assumes a slow-to- mosaic of upland and wetland habitats assessed and the effect of climate moderate growth of refuge resources found in the Florida Keys are critical change (e.g., sea level rise) is not over the 15-year implementation period breeding and feeding grounds for birds, known. of the CCP. It proposes a proactive and and refuge land acquisition efforts strive We would protect threatened and adaptive ecosystem-management to add to the lands already protected. endangered species through a variety of approach for the enhancement of Loggerhead, green, hawksbill, and management tools, such as area wildlife populations. It will promote a Kemp’s ridley sea turtles forage in the closures, law enforcement, exotic plant natural diversity and abundance of waters surrounding the refuge, but control, etc. Working with partners, we habitats for native plants and animals, nesting is limited to refuge lands on would continue limited research and especially Keys’ endemic, trust, and , where a small number of monitoring of focal species, such as Key keystone imperiled species. Many of the loggerhead nests are laid annually. deer, Lower Keys marsh rabbit, and objectives and strategies are designed to There are 2,278 acres of Wilderness some migratory birds. The National Key maintain and restore native Area designated on this refuge as of Deer Refuge’s prescribed fire communities. Active management 1975 per Public Law 632. management program would continue strategies will be applied particularly with the objectives to reduce fuels and within the globally imperiled pine Refuge Purposes sustain the pine rockland ecosystem for rockland, salt marsh transition, and The purposes of the refuges come the benefit of Key deer. freshwater wetland habitats, and island from the executive orders and As funding and willing sellers are beach berm communities. We will subsequent laws Congress passed as it available, we would continue habitat initiate research and long-term established each refuge. There are also conservation through land acquisition monitoring to expand the collection of specific purposes Congress designated within the approved acquisition baseline data and measure variables of for managing the Refuge System as a boundary and through lease agreements ecosystem health. We will promote

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cooperative studies to monitor and reduce wildland fuels and restore funding of five permanent, full-time model the immediate and/or long-term desirable habitat features where employees. Daily operation of the effects of natural catastrophic events appropriate. Predictive modeling and refuges will be guided by the CCP and (e.g., hurricanes, wildfire) and global fire effects monitoring will be used on the development and implementation of climate change, particularly sea level all prescribed-fire treatments in an 19 projects and 11 step-down rise. adaptive management approach to management plans. Wilderness and Current ongoing and proposed develop site-specific burn prescriptions cultural resource protection objectives programs and efforts focus on and to determine whether objectives and strategies will be incorporated threatened, endangered, and candidate were met. We will conduct research on within the appropriate step-down species of plants and animals. The need fire behavior, fuel response, and fire management plans. The modest growth for more comprehensive inventorying history. The fire management step-down in administrative resources will be used and long-term monitoring is addressed plan will be revised and implemented for wildlife monitoring and habitat in this alternative, particularly for accordingly in conjunction with the enhancement to better serve the refuges’ priority imperiled species and their development of a habitat management purposes and the CCP’s vision. With the habitats within the refuges. The step-down plan. exception of a new Visitor Center that feasibility of managing the core We will continue exotic plant control is proposed, the existing number of population of Key deer to minimize the as an ongoing operation within the facilities will be maintained. Energy effects of over-browsing on native plants refuges to maintain native habitats and efficiency standards will be applied will be considered in accordance with prevent new infestations. Cooperative wherever feasible during facility the Endangered Species Act. efforts will be sought with private maintenance, repair, or renovation Habitat enhancement for critically property owners and homeowners projects. Existing vehicles will be imperiled species, such as the Lower associations to control seed sources replaced with alternative fuel vehicles Keys marsh rabbit and Key tree cactus, from private lands. Existing to increase fuel efficiency and reduce will occur to ensure the long-term partnerships will be reinforced to carbon emissions. sustainability of these species. increase coordinated mapping and Opportunities for land acquisition will monitoring of treated areas with known Alternative C focus more strategically on protecting infestations and ongoing control needs. This alternative assumes a moderate- environmentally sensitive habitat by Management of non-native exotic to-substantial growth of refuge resources contacting specific property owners to predators will be implemented as from internal or external sources. It determine their willingness to sell, with directed by the South Florida Multi- would more fully realize the refuges’ a particular emphasis on enhancing Species Recovery Plan for the benefit of missions and address the large number habitat connectivity and protecting threatened and endangered species. An of threatened, endangered, and marsh rabbit habitat. Off-refuge nursery early detection and rapid response candidate species along with other propagation of the Key tree cactus will program will be implemented in imperiled species and habitat types. be implemented for later translocation cooperation with Federal, State, and While Alternative C contains many of to suitable refuge habitats. Cooperative local authorities to address the the provisions to protect and restore partnerships with nurseries and increasing invasion by and potential habitats similar to Alternative B, it botanical gardens will be developed to establishment of exotic snakes, lizards, emphasizes a broader suite of priority secure seed and plant material of rare and other non-native animals in the species, assuming the addition of and endemic plant species to ensure Florida Keys. several new staff positions and genetically viable sources for future A primary focus of the visitor services increased funding. The long-term restoration needs. Research will be program, as proposed, is to enhance inventorying and monitoring plan initiated to identify causal reasons for environmental education and outreach would be expanded to cover more the marked, long-term decline in the efforts substantially to reach larger species and species suites. Additional great white heron nesting population numbers of residents, students, studies on some species would be and to evaluate the potential impacts of educators, and visitors. This alternative undertaken and additional biological sea level rise on the ecology of wading also focuses on increasing public staffing would be required. The use of birds. awareness, understanding, and support captive, off-refuge sources of some Since a primary purpose of the for the refuges’ conservation mission. It species facing potential extirpation (e.g., refuges is to provide sanctuary for places priority on wildlife-dependent Lower Keys marsh rabbit) would be nesting and migratory birds, we will uses, such as photography and wildlife explored for reintroduction after a provide greater protection from human observation. A new visitor center on natural catastrophe, such as a major disturbance, particularly at colonial U.S. Highway 1 on Big Pine Key and hurricane. In certain habitats, some nesting bird rookeries and at beach enhanced visitor facilities at existing alternative habitat management habitats in the backcountry islands. sites (e.g., Blue Hole and Watson- techniques would be studied and Additional limitations to public use Mannillo Nature Trails) are proposed. applied. Fire management efforts would may be implemented in sensitive beach Non-wildlife-dependent forms of emphasize fire suppression and the areas important for shorebirds, terns, sea recreation will be limited or restricted reduction of hazardous fuels by turtles, and butterflies. in sensitive areas and awareness efforts mechanical or manual means to protect Strategies are proposed to enhance the will be stepped-up to inform visitors private properties, and the use of biological diversity and resiliency of the about protecting wilderness areas. A prescribed fire would be reduced or fire-dependent pine rocklands and also Visitor Services step-down plan will eliminated. Under this alternative, the to enhance fire-adapted habitat features specify program details consistent with CCP anticipates shifts in the Visitor in salt marsh transition and freshwater the Service’s visitor service program Services program in order to increase wetlands that benefit priority species in standards. visitation and public use. A refuge the National Key Deer Refuge. The basic administrative and ranger position is proposed to Prescribed fire and mechanical or operational needs of the refuges have coordinate and enhance volunteerism, manual vegetation treatments will be been addressed. Essential new staffing is to foster expanded relationships with used as habitat management tools to proposed through the addition and the Friends and Volunteers of Refuges

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(FAVOR), and to establish new Comments impacts of sea level rise on wading partnerships for environmental birds, will be expanded. education and outreach programs. Notices of availability of the Draft A primary focus of the visitor services Resource protection and visitor safety Comprehensive Conservation Plan and program is to enhance environmental would be greatly enhanced through this Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/ education and outreach efforts through alternative, with the addition of two law EA) were sent to 200 persons on the existing venues and expanded enforcement officers. This would allow mailing list and copies were made partnerships to reach a diversity of local for more patrol and enforcement of available for a 30-day public review residents, businesses, students, closures and sensitive areas protection, period as announced in the Federal educators, and visitors. This plan especially of wilderness areas or Register on May 23, 2008 (73 FR 30139). focuses on increasing public awareness, cultural resource sites. New areas of the At least 47 persons attended two public understanding, and support for the backcountry would be closed to public meetings held on the Draft CCP/EA refuges’ conservation mission. It places access to protect wildlife resources. We during the open comment period. We priority on wildlife-dependent would seek expanded management received 25 comment letters by mail or recreational uses, such as wildlife authority to regulate public and e-mail from 16 persons and 11 non- observation and photography. Non- commercial activities in nearshore governmental organizations. Comments wildlife dependent forms of recreation, waters and submerged lands under the were received from 4 government such as beach picnicking and Management Agreement. A cultural agencies and 1 Tribal government. The sunbathing, will be limited or restricted resources field investigation and Draft CCP/EA was circulated through in sensitive areas. Awareness efforts inventory would be conducted. the Florida State Clearinghouse to 8 will be expanded to inform visitors Implementation of Alternative C State, regional, and local governments. about protecting wilderness values. would also occur through the Selected Alternative The compatibility determinations for development of 11 step-down (1) Environmental education and management plans. New staffing would After considering the comments we interpretation; (2) hiking/daypacking, be proposed through the addition of 6 received, and based on the professional jogging, and walking (National Key Deer permanent, full-time employees. The judgment of the planning team, we Refuge only); (3) bicycling (National Key positions would be in addition to the 5 selected Alternative B to implement the Deer Refuge only); (4) wildlife full-time positions proposed in CCP. It promotes the enhancement of observation and photography; (5) Alternative B, for a total of 11 full-time wildlife populations by maintaining and fishing; (6) beach use (National Key positions in Alternative C. New enhancing a diversity and abundance of Deer Refuge only); (7) public use on maintenance and government housing habitats for native plants and animals, wilderness and backcountry islands; (8) facilities would be proposed along with especially imperiled species that are research and monitoring; (9) mosquito new vehicles and boats to accommodate only found in the Florida Keys. Many of management (National Key Deer Refuge the staff increases. While Alternative C the objectives and strategies are and Great White Heron NWR only); and would promote our vision for these designed to maintain and restore native (10) horseback riding (National Key refuges, the resources available to plant communities and ensure the Deer Refuge only) are available in implement it would not likely be biological integrity across the landscape. Appendix F of the CCP. forthcoming in the current economic Strategies are designed to restore and Authority environment as compared to when first maintain the fire-dependent pine proposed. rocklands and to enhance habitat This notice is published under the Background features of selected salt marsh transition authority of the National Wildlife and freshwater wetland communities Refuge System Improvement Act of The National Wildlife Refuge System 1997, Public Law 105–57. Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. that benefit priority species in the 668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as National Key Deer Refuge. Research and Dated: August 24, 2009. amended by the National Wildlife monitoring will provide essential Patrick Leonard, Refuge System Improvement Act of information for implementing an Acting Regional Director. adaptive management approach to 1997, requires us to develop a CCP for [FR Doc. 2010–447 Filed 1–12–10; 8:45 am] strategic landscape conservation, each national wildlife refuge. The BILLING CODE 4310–55–P purpose for developing a CCP is to providing flexibility in management provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategies in order to incorporate new plan for achieving refuge purposes and information and changing DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR contributing toward the mission of the environmental conditions. The CCP also National Wildlife Refuge System, provides for obtaining baseline data and National Park Service consistent with sound principles of fish monitoring indicator species to detect and wildlife management, conservation, changes in ecosystem diversity and Draft General Management Plan and legal mandates, and our policies. In integrity related to climate change. Environmental Impact Statement, New addition to outlining broad management Since a primary purpose of the River Gorge National River, WV direction on conserving wildlife and refuges is to provide sanctuary for AGENCY: National Park Service, their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife- nesting and migratory birds, protection Department of the Interior. dependent recreational opportunities from human disturbance will be ACTION: Notice of availability of the available to the public, including enhanced, particularly at colonial Draft General Management Plan and opportunities for hunting, fishing, nesting bird rookeries and at beach Environmental Impact Statement for wildlife observation, wildlife habitats in the backcountry islands of New River Gorge National River. photography, and environmental the Key West and Great White Heron education and interpretation. We will NWRs. Ongoing research to identify SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National review and update the CCP at least causal reasons for the marked, long-term Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 every15 years in accordance with the decline in the great white heron nesting U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Administration Act. population, as well as studies on the Service announces the availability of the

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