Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 189 / Friday, September 28, 2012 / Notices 59639

Dated: September 24, 2012. opportunity for nominee submissions, In-Person Drop-off, Viewing or Erika C. Poethig, the Department is extending this Pickup: You may drop off comments Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy nomination period for an additional 15 during regular business hours at Refuge Development and Research. days. The new nomination and Headquarters at 322 North 4th St. [FR Doc. 2012–23900 Filed 9–27–12; 8:45 am] comment period ends October 11, 2012. (Oregon Trail Center), Montpelier, ID. BILLING CODE 4210–67–P If you have already submitted your FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: nomination materials, you are not Annette de Knijf, Refuge Manager, 208– required to resubmit. 847–1757. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Dated: September 25, 2012. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Paul A. Mussenden, Introduction Office of the Secretary Deputy Assistant Secretary for Natural With this notice, we continue the CCP [Docket No. ONRR–2012–0003] Resources Revenue Management. [FR Doc. 2012–23940 Filed 9–26–12; 11:15 am] process at Bear Lake NWR and Oxford Slough WPA. We started this process 15-Day Extension of Call for BILLING CODE 4310–T2–P through a notice in the Federal Register Nominations for the U.S. Extractive (75 FR 35829; June 23, 2010). Industries Transparency Initiative Advisory Committee DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Office of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Service Bear Lake NWR was established in 1968 and is located in Bear Lake Revenue, U.S. Department of the [FWS–R1–R–2012–N095; 1265–0000–10137– Interior. County, near the community of S3] Montpelier, in southeast Idaho. The ACTION: Notice. Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Refuge lies in Bear Lake Valley at SUMMARY: The United States Department Bear Lake County, ID and Oxford approximately 5,925 feet in elevation in of the Interior (DOI) published a request Slough Waterfowl Production Area, the historic location of Dingle Swamp. for nominees and comments on July 27, Franklin and Bannock Counties, ID; The Thomas Fork Unit is a 1,015-acre 2012. Subsequently, DOI published a Draft Comprehensive Conservation tract of land managed by the Refuge and 30-day extension of this nomination Plan and Environmental Assessment situated at an elevation of 6,060 feet, period. This Federal Register Notice approximately 20 miles east of extends the nomination and comment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Montpelier, Idaho, along U.S. Hwy. 30, period end date by an additional 15 Interior. near Border, Wyoming. The Unit’s days. ACTION: Notice of availability; request eastern boundary is the Wyoming State for comments. line. It contains upland and wet DATES: Nominations will be accepted meadows used by sandhill cranes, and through October 11, 2012. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and stream habitat important to the ADDRESSES: You may submit Wildlife Service (Service), announce the conservation of Bonneville cutthroat nominations to the Committee by any of availability of our draft comprehensive trout. the following methods. conservation plan and environmental The Refuge is composed of a 16,000- • Mail or hand-carry nominations to assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for the Bear acre emergent marsh, 1,200 acres of Ms. Shirley Conway; Department of the Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR, uplands, 550 acres of wet meadows, and Interior; Office of Natural Resources Refuge), 7 miles south of Montpelier, 5 miles of riparian streams. Revenue; 1849 C Street NW—MS 4211; Idaho; the Refuge-managed Thomas Approximately 100 species of migratory Washington, DC 20240. Fork Unit (Unit) in Montpelier; and the birds nest at Bear Lake NWR, including • Email nominations to Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production large concentrations of colonial [email protected] or Area (WPA) in Oxford, Idaho, for public waterbirds, and many other species of [email protected]. review and comment. The Draft CCP/EA wildlife utilize the Refuge during describes our proposal for managing the various periods of the year. In the early FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Refuge for the next 15 years. 1900s, the Telluride Canal Company Shirley Conway, Office of Natural DATES: To ensure consideration, we substantially modified the natural Resources Revenue; telephone (202) need to receive your written comments hydrology of the former Dingle Swamp 513–0598; fax (202) 513–0682; email by October 29, 2012. by diverting Bear River to flow into Bear [email protected]. Mailing ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, Lake for irrigation storage. The indirect address: Department of the Interior; requests for more information, or effects were numerous and significantly Office of Natural Resources Revenue; requests for copies by any of the altered the hydrology and ecological 1849 C Street NW.—MS 4211; following methods. You may request a processes of the Bear Lake Watershed. Washington, DC 20240. hard copy or a CD–ROM of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production documents. Area 27, 2012, the Department published in Email: the Federal Register a notice of [email protected]. Oxford Slough is the only waterfowl establishment of the United States Include ‘‘Bear Lake NWR CCP’’ in the production area in the Service’s Pacific Extractive Industries Transparency subject line. Northwest region. It is located 10 miles Initiative (USEITI) Multi-Stakeholder Fax: Attn: Annette de Knijf, Refuge north of Preston, Idaho, abutting the Group (MSG). This notice also included Manager, 208–847–1757. small town of Oxford in the Cache a request for nominees and comments U.S. Mail: Annette de Knijf, Refuge Valley. Oxford Slough is the drainage under a standard 30-day period. In Manager, Bear Lake NWR, Box 9, for Oxford and Deep Creeks, as well as response to feedback and public Montpelier, ID 83254. other streams and creeks in the requests, the Department extended this Web site: http://www.fws.gov/ surrounding mountain ranges. Oxford period for an additional 30 days to bearlake/refuge_planning.html; select Slough WPA provides valuable foraging September 26, 2012. To maximize the ‘‘Contact Us.’’ habitat for species such as cranes, geese,

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Franklin’s gulls, and white-faced ibis, Alternative 1 (No-Action) Alternative 2 and nesting habitat for many shorebird Wildlife and Habitat: This alternative species. This alternative represents current management. would decrease emphasis on waterfowl Background production, and increase emphasis on Wildlife and Habitat: Under maximizing all waterbird productivity, The CCP Process Alternative 1, the current emphasis on through intensively manipulating consistent availability of quality The National Wildlife Refuge System seasonal water levels to mimic the wetlands and croplands would varied hydrology of the historic Dingle Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. continue. High-quality marsh habitat 668dd–668ee) (Refuge Administration Swamp. The Refuge would still provide would continue to be provided for Act), as amended by the National sizeable emergent marsh habitats for waterfowl and colonial waterbirds. Wildlife Refuge System Improvement waterfowl and colonial birds through Management would primarily occur on Act of 1997, requires us to develop a the summer and fall, but there would be CCP for each national wildlife refuge. Refuge lands, but the Refuge would a substantial increase in temporarily The purpose for developing a CCP is to continue to seek cooperative agreements flooded (spring and fall) wetlands. All provide refuge managers with a 15-year and partnerships to improve habitats grain farming (214 acres) and haying plan for achieving refuge purposes and and promote the application of best (3,533 acres) would be discontinued in contributing toward the mission of the management practices for farming, the first year (2013) of CCP National Wildlife Refuge System haying, pesticide application, and water implementation. Former cropland and (NWRS), consistent with sound management. hayed areas would be restored to native wet meadow or grassland communities principles of fish and wildlife The Refuge’s meadows and uplands and flooded in spring and fall to provide management, conservation, legal would be cooperatively hayed and seasonal and temporary wetlands for mandates, such as the National farmed to provide forage and short-grass waterbirds. The Refuge would study the Environmental Policy Act, and our habitat for migratory birds such as the policies. In addition to outlining broad feasibility of reducing sediment loads in sandhill crane and Canada goose. the Mud Lake Complex and make management direction on conserving Farming would occur on approximately wildlife and their habitats, CCPs recommendations by 2020 to reduce the 214 acres annually at Bear Lake, sedimentation rate of Bear River water identify compatible wildlife-dependent Thomas Fork, and Oxford Slough WPA. recreational opportunities available to diversions and to better exclude carp Approximately 3,500 acres of wet from Refuge wetlands. Upland and the public, including opportunities for meadow, upland meadow, and shallow hunting, fishing, wildlife observation riparian management activities would emergent habitat (including about 90 increase considerably from Alternative and photography, and environmental percent of meadow habitat at Bear Lake education and interpretation. We will 1. NWR) would be hayed annually to Public Use: On Bear Lake NWR, review and update the CCP at least provide green browse for migratory increased emphasis would be placed on every 15 years in accordance with the birds and other wildlife. nonconsumptive, compatible wildlife- Refuge Administration Act. Public Use: Bear Lake NWR and dependent recreation compared to Public Outreach Oxford Slough WPA would remain open Alternative 1, while making modest improvements to hunting and fishing We began public outreach in June to public use. The Thomas Fork Unit would remain closed to all public use. opportunities. Bear Lake NWR hunting 2010 by publishing a Notice of Intent in areas would alternate every five years the Federal Register announcing our 7,450 acres (40 percent) of Bear Lake NWR would be open for waterfowl from the east side (current hunt area, intent to prepare a CCP/EA and inviting 7,450 acres) to the west side of the hunting during the State season. Two public comments; in addition, we Outlet Canal (the Bloomington and accessible hunting blinds would distributed Planning Update 1 to our Bunn Lake units, currently closed to continue to be available at Bear Lake mailing list and public outlets. On July hunting, 5,800 acres). An additional NWR from October to January. To 1, 2010, we held a public scoping accessible hunting blind (3 total) and facilitate waterfowl hunting, motorized meeting in Montpelier, Idaho, to meet increased Youth Hunt opportunities with the public and obtain comments. and non-motorized boats would still be would be provided. Upland hunting The meeting was announced through allowed September 20 to January 15 in would continue as in Alternative 1. local media outlets, on the Refuge’s Web the Salt Meadow, the Rainbow Sub- Fishing opportunities would be site, and in Planning Update 1. The Impoundment, and the Rainbow Units, increased by allowing boat access to the initial public scoping period ended on as well as in the Merkley Lake Unit, and Mud Lake Unit from September 1 until July 23, 2010, and all comments were the Mud Lake Unit as far south as the freeze-up. Improved signage and small considered and evaluated. In November buoys. The Refuge would remain open piers or fishing platforms would be 2010, we distributed Planning Update 2, for small game and upland bird hunting constructed along the Outlet Canal which included a summary of the (gray partridge, grouse, ring-necked north of the Paris Dike. As in comments we received, a planning pheasant, and cottontails). On Bear Lake Alternative 1, the Thomas Fork Unit schedule, and a description of the CCP’s NWR, the Outlet Canal north of the would remain closed to all public scope. former Paris Dike and Paris Dike south access, and Oxford Slough WPA would CCP Alternatives We Are Considering to its former location, and the area north remain open to hunting and trapping. of the Lifton Pumping Station would Within 5 years of CCP completion, During the public scoping process, remain open to pole-and-line fishing for plans for a combined Refuge office and we, along with other governmental carp, perch, and trout, and bow fishing visitor contact station on or near the agencies, Tribes, and the public, raised for carp. Oxford Slough WPA would Refuge would be completed, and several issues which our Draft CCP/EA remain open to hunting and trapping in funding would be sought to construct addresses. To address these issues, we accordance with State regulations. these facilities. Up to eight vehicle developed and evaluated the following There are no fishing opportunities at the turnouts with interpretive panels would alternatives, summarized below: WPA. be constructed along Merkley Lake

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Road, overlooking the Mud Lake Unit. A Lake NWR would continue to be information from the public, we cannot boardwalk and observation platform managed as described in Alternative 1. guarantee that we will be able to do so. would be constructed on the southeast Compatible fishing opportunities would Dated: May 3, 2012. border of the Refuge along North Beach be expanded through construction of Jason Holm, Road. A step-down plan for these improved signage and small piers or Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, facilities would be completed within 2 fishing platforms along the Outlet Canal Portland, Oregon. years of CCP completion. A new staff north of the Paris Dike. Fishing would [FR Doc. 2012–23676 Filed 9–27–12; 8:45 am] position would be dedicated to public also be allowed from the banks along outreach, and developing and delivering Merkley Lake Road, consistent with BILLING CODE 4310–55–P on-site interpretive and environmental State regulations. As in Alternatives 1 education programs to local schools and and 2, the Thomas Fork Unit would DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR community groups. remain closed to all public access, but Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative) compatible hunting and trapping would Bureau of Indian Affairs remain open at Oxford Slough WPA. Wildlife and Habitat: Alternative 3, Opportunities for observation and Indian Gaming the Service’s Preferred Alternative, education would improve as additional would emphasize partially restoring AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, facilities are developed, and a more long-term habitat function, providing an Interior. diverse array of wetland habitats allows acceptable range of natural habitat ACTION: Notice of Approved Tribal-State a wider variety of waterbirds and other variability, increasing habitat resilience Class III Gaming Compact. species to flourish. Two turn-out in the face of external stress, and parking areas (one with an observation increasing the long-term vigor of SUMMARY: This notice publishes an platform and spotting scope) would be wildlife populations. While the Refuge extension of Gaming between the constructed along Merkley Lake Road, would continue to provide breeding and Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the State of above the Mud Lake Unit. As in fall migration habitat for waterfowl, the South Dakota. Alternative 2, a boardwalk and viewing emphasis would be on providing a range DATES: Effective Date: September 28, of habitats, not only for waterfowl, but platform would be constructed on the 2012. southeast border of the Refuge along other migratory waterbirds. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: North Beach Road; plans for a combined Management actions and water-level Paula L. Hart, Director, Office of Indian manipulations would simulate natural Refuge office and visitor contact station on or near the Refuge would be Gaming, Office of the Deputy Assistant ‘‘drought,’’ ‘‘normal,’’ or ‘‘flood’’ Secretary—Policy and Economic scenarios, and provide a variety of completed within 5 years of CCP completion, and funding would be Development, Washington, DC 20240, permanent, semi-permanent, seasonal, (202) 219–4066. and temporary wetland habitats. The sought to construct these facilities; a new staff position would be dedicated SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under acreage of each habitat would vary section 11 of the Indian Gaming annually within each unit, but the total to public outreach, and developing and delivering on-site interpretive and Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA), Public Refuge acreage of each habitat would Law 100–497, 25 U.S.C. 2710, the remain the same from year to year. environmental education programs to local schools and community groups. Secretary of the Interior shall publish in Compared to Alternative 1, there would the Federal Register notice of approved be a moderate increase in spring and fall Public Availability of Documents Tribal-State compacts for the purpose of seasonal and moist soil wetland engaging in Class III gaming activities habitats. Approximately 154 acres of In addition to the information in ADDRESSES, you can view copies of the on Indian lands. This amendment small grain and legume crops would allows for the extension of the current continue to be cultivated for waterfowl Draft CCP/EA on the Internet at http:// www.fws.gov/bearlake/ Tribal-State Compact until February 20, and other key wildlife species. Haying 2013. would be reduced to 1,492 acres (44 refuge_planning.html, and printed percent of current hayed acres), and copies will be available for review at the Dated: September 20, 2012. 2,041 acres of previously hayed habitats following libraries: Bear Lake County Donald E. Laverdure, would be restored or rehabilitated to Library, 138 North 6th Street, Acting Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs. native wet meadow or upland grass Montpelier, ID 83254; Larsen-Sant [FR Doc. 2012–23978 Filed 9–27–12; 8:45 am] habitats by 2027. The Refuge would Public Library, 109 South 1st East, BILLING CODE 4310–4N–P phase the reduction in haying over three Preston, ID 83263. 5-year cycles: 2013–2017; 2018–2022; Next Steps and 2023–2027. An approximate 60:40 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ratio of hayed-to-unhayed meadow After this comment period ends, we would be managed for goose brooding will analyze the comments and address Bureau of Indian Affairs and foraging areas. As in Alternative 2, them in a final CCP and decision the Refuge would study the feasibility of document. Indian Gaming reducing sediment loads in the Mud Public Availability of Comments AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lake Complex and make Interior. recommendations by 2020 to reduce the Before including your address, phone ACTION: Notice of Deemed Approved sedimentation rate of Bear River water number, email address, or other Amended Tribal-State Class III Gaming diversions and better exclude carp from personal identifying information in your Compact. Refuge wetlands. As in Alternative 2, comment, you should be aware that upland and riparian management your entire comment—including your SUMMARY: This notice publishes the activity would increase considerably personal identifying information—may Deemed Approved Amendment to the from Alternative 1. be made publicly available at any time. Tribal-State Compact between the State Hunting and Fishing: The waterfowl While you can ask us in your comment of Oregon and the Cow Creek Band of and upland hunting program at Bear to withhold your identifying Umpqua Indians.

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