Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Charles M
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Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge Montana September 2010 Prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge Airport Road Lewistown, Montana 59457 406 /538 8706 and Region 6, Mountain-Prairie Region Division of Refuge Planning 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300 Lakewood, Colorado 80228 303 /236 8145 Abstract Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Montana Type of Action: Administrative Lead Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Responsible Official: Steve Guertin, regional director, region 6, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Abstract: This draft comprehensive conservation plan ation with partners to emphasize abundant wildlife and environmental impact statement identifies the pur- populations using both (1) natural ecological processes pose and need for a management plan, outlines the legal such as fire and wildlife ungulate herbivory (grazing) foundation for management of two refuges in Montana, and (2) responsible synthetic methods such as farming Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and UL practices or tree planting. Wildlife-dependent public Bend National Wildlife Refuge, and describes and eval- use would be encouraged, but economic uses would uates four alternative plans for managing wildlife, habi- be limited when they compete for habitat resources. tat, and wildlife-dependent public use. This process has About 106 miles of road would be closed. involved the development of a vision, goals, objectives, Under alternative C’s public use and economic use and strategies that meet the legal directives of the U.S. emphasis, the Service would manage the landscape in Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and has considered cooperation with partners to emphasize and promote the input of interested groups and the public. maximum levels of compatible, wildlife-dependent Under the no-action alternative (A), few changes public use and economic use. Wildlife populations and would occur in managing existing wildlife populations habitats would be protected with various manage- and habitat. The habitat regime would be maintained ment tools that would minimize damaging effects to mostly through a fire suppression program with little wildlife and habitats while enhancing and diversify- use of prescribed fire. There would be continued empha- ing public and economic opportunities. sis on big game management, annual livestock grazing, Under the Service’s proposed action—alterna- fencing, invasive species control, and water develop- tive D’s ecological processes emphasis—the Service ment. Habitats would continue to be managed in 65 would work with partners to use natural, dynamic, units, and residual cover would be measured. Wildlife- ecological processes along with active management in dependent public use would occur at current levels, a balanced, responsible manner to restore and main- which includes hunting, fishing, and limited interpreta- tain biological diversity, biological integrity, and en- tion and environmental education programs. About 670 vironmental health. Once natural processes were miles of road would remain open. The Service would con- restored, more passive approaches would be favored. tinue to manage the 20,819-acre UL Bend Wilderness The Service would provide for quality wildlife- and 155,288 acres of proposed wilderness in the Charles dependent public use and experiences and would M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. limit economic uses when they were injurious to eco- Under alternative B’s wildlife population emphasis, logical processes. About 23 miles of road would be the Service would manage the landscape in cooper- closed. Commenting: Comments are due 60 days after the notice will be made available for inspection by the public, and of availability of this document is published in the Fed- copies may also be provided to the public. For further eral Register. Comments should be mailed to U.S. Fish information, contact Laurie Shannon at 303/236 4317. and Wildlife Service, Attention: Laurie Shannon, Plan- Cooperating Agencies: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; ning Team Leader, Division of Refuge Planning, P.O. Box Bureau of Land Management; Montana Department 25486, Denver, Colorado 80225. In addition, comments of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; Montana Department of can be delivered to 134 Union Boulevard, Lakewood, Natural Resources; Fergus, Garfield, McCone, Petro- Colorado 80228. Comments may also be sent by email leum, Phillips, and Valley Counties; and Missouri River to [email protected]. All comments received from Council of Conservation Districts (for the previously the public and interested groups will be placed in the listed counties). agency’s record for this planning process. Comments Contents Abstract .........................................................................................iii Summary ......................................................................................xv Abbreviations ................................................................................xxviii CHAPTER 1–Introduction. 1 1.1 Purpose and Need for Action ................................................................2 Decision to Be Made ..........................................................................2 1.2 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Refuge System ......................................3 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ....................................................................3 National Wildlife Refuge System .................................................................3 1.3 National and Regional Mandates ............................................................5 1.4 Refuge Contributions to National and Regional Plans ..........................................5 Fulfilling the Promise ..........................................................................5 Bird Conservation ............................................................................5 Recovery Plans for Threatened and Endangered Species .................................................6 State Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy .............................................6 1.5 Strategic Habitat Conservation ..............................................................7 Climate Change ..............................................................................7 1.6 Planning Process ..........................................................................8 1.7 Public Involvement ........................................................................9 Cooperating Agencies .........................................................................9 Tribal Coordination. 11 Involvement of Interested Groups and the Public .....................................................11 1.8 Significant Issues to Address ..............................................................11 Habitat and Wildlife .........................................................................12 Water Resources ...........................................................................12 Public Use and Access ........................................................................12 Wilderness ................................................................................12 Socioeconomics ............................................................................12 Partnerships and Collaboration ..................................................................12 Cultural Values, Traditions, and Resources ..........................................................13 1.9 Issues Not Addressed .....................................................................13 Enhancement Act ...........................................................................13 Exercise of Private Property Rights for Mineral Extraction ...............................................13 Fort Peck Lake Levels .........................................................................13 Livestock Grazing Fees, Transfer of Grazing Permits, and Animal Unit Months .................................14 Refuge Revenue-sharing Payments and Payments in Lieu of Taxes .........................................14 Roads under Revised Statute 2477 and Petitioned Roads ...............................................14 Military Overflights ..........................................................................15 1.10 Scope of the Document ....................................................................15 Decision Area ..............................................................................15 Analysis Area ..............................................................................15 CHAPTER 2–Refuge History and Vision ........................................................19 2.1 Establishment, Acquisition, and Management History .........................................19 Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge ........................................................20 UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge ................................................................26 Existing Management ........................................................................27 vi Draft CCP and EIS, Charles M. Russell and UL Bend National Wildlife Refuges, Montana vii 2.2 Special Values ...........................................................................28 2.3 Vision ...................................................................................29