Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 30, 2010 / Notices 74075 

organizations responded prior to the 

end of the 60-day public comment 

period. Based on the comments 

received, we changed the Draft Plan/EA 

to include: Improved inventory and 

assessment of water resources to meet 

protection goals, recommended 

strategies for bird surveys, modification 

of a wildlife objective to clarify 

protections for falcons, and strategies to 

address future establishment of artificial 

water sources. 

Selected Alternative 

After considering the comments we 

received, we have selected Alternative B 

for implementation. This alternative 

describes how habitat objectives will be 

accomplished through a combination of 

management activities to encourage 

ecological integrity, promote restoration 

of coastal prairie habitats, control 

invasive plant species, and provide/ 

enhance brush land, wetland and 

grassland habitat for ocelots, migratory 

waterfowl, and other resident wildlife. 

This alternative was selected because it 

best meets refuge purposes and goals of 

the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife 

Refuge. This action will not adversely 

impact endangered or threatened 

species or their habitat. Opportunities 

for wildlife-dependent recreation 

activities, such as hunting, fishing, 

observation, photography, 

environmental education, and 

interpretation, will be enhanced. Future 

management actions will have a neutral 

or positive impact on the local 

economy, and the recommendations in 

the Plan will ensure that Refuge 

management is consistent with the 

mission of the National Wildlife Refuge 

System. 

Public Availability of Documents 

In addition to the methods in 

ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain 

documents at the following locations: 

• Our Web site: http://www.fws.gov/ 

southwest/refuges/texas/STRC/laguna/ 

Index_Laguna.html. 

• At the following libraries: 

Library Address Phone 

number 

City of Brownsville Public Library .................. 2600 Central Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78520–8824 ................................................... 956–548–1055 

Harlingen Public Library ................................ 410 ’76 Drive, Harlingen, TX 78550 ........................................................................ 956–427–8841 

Laguna Vista Public Library .......................... 1300 Palm Blvd., Laguna Vista, TX 78578 ............................................................. 956–943–7155 

Los Fresnos Public Library ........................... 402 W. Ocean, Los Fresnos, TX 78566 ................................................................. 956–233–5330 

Port Isabel Public Library .............................. 213 Yturria St., Port Isabel, TX 78578 .................................................................... 956–943–2265 

Willacy County/Reber Memorial Library ........ 190 N. 4th. St., Raymondville, TX 78580 ................................................................ 956–689–2930 

Rio Hondo Public Library .............................. 121 N. Arroyo Blvd., Rio Hondo, TX 78583 ............................................................ 956–748–3322 

San Benito Public Library .............................. 101 W. Rose St., San Benito, TX 78586 ................................................................ 956–361–3860 

Dated: October 19, 2010. 

Joy Nicholopoulos, 

Regional Director, Region 2, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–30003 Filed 11–29–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

[FWS–R2–R–2010–N203; 20131–1265– 

2CCP–S3] 

Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, 

Johnston County, OK; Final 

Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 

Finding of No Significant Impact for 

Environmental Assessment 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of availability. 

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 

availability of our final comprehensive 

conservation plan (CCP) and finding of 

no significant impact (FONSI) for the 

environmental assessment (EA) for the 

Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge 

(NWR). In this final CCP, we describe 

how we will manage this Refuge for the 

next 15 years. 

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain 

copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA 

by any of the following methods. You 

may request a hard copy or CD–ROM. 

Agency Web Site: Download a copy of 

the document(s) at http://www.fws.gov/ 

southwest/refuges/Plan/index.html. 

E-mail: Joseph_Lujan@fws.gov. 

Include ‘‘Tishomingo Final CCP’’ in the 

subject line of the message. 

Mail: Joseph R. Lujan, Natural 

Resource Planner, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, Division of Planning, 

P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 

87103–1306. 

In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 

505–248–7458 to make an appointment 

during regular business hours at 500 

Gold Avenue SW., Albuquerque, NM 

87102. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kris 

Patton, Refuge Manager, Tishomingo 

NWR, 12000 South Refuge Road, 

Tishomingo, OK 73625; by phone, 580– 

371–2402; or by e-mail, 

kris_patton@fws.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction 

With this notice, we finalize the CCP 

process for the Tishomingo NWR. We 

started this process through a notice in 

the Federal Register November 17, 1999 

(64 FR 62683). 

Tishomingo NWR is located in 

Johnston County, Oklahoma, and 

encompasses 16,464 acres located in 

south-central Oklahoma. Management 

efforts focus on protecting, enhancing, 

and restoring Refuge habitats and water 

management for the benefit of fish and 

wildlife resources. Cumberland Pool, a 

part of Lake Texoma, takes up a quarter 

of the Refuge and serves as the focal 

point for many visitors because of its 

birds and fish. The Refuge also has a 

strong historical context. The Refuge 

was once the homeland of the 

Chickasaw Nation, and later became the 

Washita and Chapman Farms, 

integrating an entire community. 

On January 24, 1946, the Refuge was 

authorized and established to preserve 

nesting grounds for migrating 

waterfowl, by order of President Harry 

S. Truman under Public Land Order 

312. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ and 

the Service’s cooperative agreement, 

along with a cooperative agreement 

between the Service, Oklahoma 

Department of Wildlife Conservation, 

and the Corps, are the foundation of 

refuge management authority for the 

Service. 

We announce our decision and the 

availability of the FONSI for the final 

CCP for the Tishomingo NWR in 

accordance with National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 

CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We 

completed a thorough analysis of 

impacts on the human environment, 

which we included in the EA that 

accompanied the draft CCP. 

The CCP will guide us in managing 

and administering the Tishomingo 

National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 

years. Alternative B, with modifications 


jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
74076 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 30, 2010 / Notices 

as described in Appendix I (Response to 

Public Comments), is selected as the 

management direction for the Final 

Plan. 

Background 

The National Wildlife Refuge System 

Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 

668dd–668ee) (Refuge Administration 

Act), as amended by the National 

Wildlife Refuge System Improvement 

Act of 1997, requires us to develop a 

CCP for each national wildlife refuge. 

The purpose for developing a CCP is to 

provide Refuge managers with a 15-year 

plan for achieving refuge purposes and 

contributing toward the mission of the 

National Wildlife Refuge System, 

consistent with sound principles of fish 

and wildlife management, conservation, 

legal mandates, and our policies. In 

addition to outlining broad management 

direction on conserving wildlife and 

their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities 

available to the public, including 

opportunities for hunting, fishing, 

wildlife observation and photography, 

and environmental education and 

interpretation. We will review and 

update the CCP at least every 15 years 

in accordance with the Refuge 

Administration Act. 

CCP Alternatives, Including Selected 

Alternative 

Our draft CCP and our EA (75 FR 

3753) addressed several issues. To 

address these, we developed and 

evaluated the following alternatives. 

A: No-action 

alternative 

B: Proposed action 

alternative 

C: Expanded public-use alternative 

Issue 1: Habitat Management Activities.Biological program and habitat 

management would continue 

under existing plans; any expansions would occur 

opportunistically.

Integrated biological and habitat 

management efforts with landscape level and ecosystem 

level plans; implement adaptive 

management practices that 

would contribute to ongoing 

monitoring and modification of 

Refuge resources.

Same as Proposed Action (Alternative B). 

Issue 2: Improvements to public 

use opportunities.

Limited to current public use 

under existing plans; Any expansions would occur 

opportunistically.

Improvement of priority public 

uses, particularly hunting, fishing and wildlife observation, to 

meet demand when compatible 

with wildlife needs and Refuge 

purposes; expansion of research efforts and dynamic 

partnerships.

Expand and emphasize all priority 

public uses, particularly hunting 

within the Wildlife Management 

Unit portion of the Refuge. 

Issue 3: Staffing, Facilities, and Infrastructure.Existing staffing (seven permanent positions) and facilities; 

any additional staff and facility 

expansions would occur 

opportunistically.

Addition of a Visitors Service 

Manager to existing base; addition of over 5 miles of hiking 

trails with pull outs and parking 

areas; development of primitive 

camping areas.

Same as Proposed Action (Alternative B) plus additional 10 

miles of hiking trails, an 8-mile 

canoe interpretive trail and a 

12-mile auto tour route. 

Comments 

We solicited comments on the draft 

CCP and the EA for the Tishomingo 

NWR from January 22, 2010, to March 

23, 2010 (75 FR 3753). The Draft Plan/ 

EA was made available for public 

review on January 22, 2010, at the 

Refuge; at the local library in 

Tishomingo, OK; and at the Regional 

Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A 

total of 12 meetings were held with 

other local, State, and Federal 

governments as well as the local 

Chickasaw nation and nongovernment 

agencies, including one university. An 

open house public meeting was also 

held on February 24, 2010, in the 

Redbud Environmental Education 

Center on the Tishomingo NWR, where 

a total of 15 individuals signed the 

attendance rosters. A total of 82 

comments were submitted in writing to 

the Refuge/Regional Office. 

Additionally, one State agency, one 

university, and two nongovernmental 

organizations responded prior to the 

end of the 60-day public comment 

period. 

Based on the comments received, the 

Draft Plan/EA was changed to include 

rationale on how management direction 

for Lake Texoma is consistent with the 

purpose of establishment of the Refuge 

and remains focused on waterfowl, 

migratory birds, and other wildlife. 

Additional rationale was also 

incorporated to maintain the current 

amount of farming but increase moist 

soil units in an attempt to improve 

waterfowl habitat. 

Selected Alternative 

After considering the comments we 

received, we have selected Alternative B 

for implementation. This alternative 

describes how habitat objectives will be 

accomplished through a combination of 

adaptive management activities to 

encourage ecological integrity, promote 

restoration of grasslands, and control 

invasive plant species to promote 

habitat for migratory birds, waterfowl 

and other resident wildlife. This 

alternative was selected because it best 

meets Refuge purposes and goals. This 

action will not adversely impact 

endangered or threatened species or 

their habitat. Opportunities for wildlifedependent recreation activities, such as 

hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, 

wildlife photography, environmental 

education, and interpretation, will be 

enhanced. Future management actions 

will have a neutral or positive impact on 

the local economy, and the 

recommendations in the Plan will 

ensure that Refuge management is 

consistent with the mission of the 

National Wildlife Refuge System. 

Public Availability of Documents 

In addition to the methods in 

ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain 

documents at the following locations: 

• Our Web site: http://www.fws.gov/ 

southwest/refuges/oklahoma/ 

tishomingo/Index_html. 

• At the following locations: 


jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 30, 2010 / Notices 74077 

Library Address Phone No. 

Johnston County Library—Chickasaw Library System ........... 116 West Main Street, Tishomingo, OK 73460 ...................... (580) 371–3006 

Dated: October 29, 2010. 

Joy E. Nicholopoulos, 

Regional Director, Region 2, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–30001 Filed 11–29–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Indian Affairs 

Information Collection for Native 

American Business Development 

Institute Funding for Economic 

Development Feasibility Studies and 

Long-Term Strategic, ReservationWide Economic Development Plans; 

Comment Request 

AGENCIES: Bureau of Indian Affairs, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed information 

collection. 

SUMMARY: The Division of Economic 

Development (DED), Office of Indian 

Energy and Economic Development 

(IEED) seeks to spur job growth and 

sustainable economies on American 

Indian reservations. DED created the 

Native American Business Development 

Institute (NABDI) to provide Tribes and 

tribal businesses with expert advice 

regarding economic development 

matters. In compliance with the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, DED 

is seeking comments on a proposed 

information collection related to the 

NABDI’s funding of economic 

development feasibility studies (studies) 

and long-term strategic, reservationwide economic development plans 

(plans). Federally recognized Indian 

tribes, on their own behalf or on behalf 

of tribally owned business, may apply 

for the funding by providing certain 

information. Applicants receiving 

funding must provide a final report 

summarizing the progress of and results 

of studies and plans. This notice 

requests comments on the information 

collection associated with the 

application and final report. 

DATES: Interested persons are invited to 

submit comments on or before January 

31, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

on the information collection to Mr. 

Victor Christiansen, Division of 

Economic Development, Office of 

Indian Energy and Economic 

Development, U.S. Department of the 

Interior, Room 14—South Interior 

Building, 1951 Constitution Avenue, 

NW., Washington, DC 20245, fax (202) 

208–4564; e-mail: 

Victor.Christiansen@bia.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You 

may request further information from 

Mr. Victor Christiansen, Division of 

Economic Development, Office of 

Indian Energy and Economic 

Development, U.S. Department of the 

Interior. Telephone: (202) 219–0739. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract 

DED established the NABDI to 

provide technical assistance funding to 

federally recognized American Indian 

tribes seeking to retain universities and 

colleges, private consulting firms, nonacademic/non-profit entities, or others 

to prepare studies of economic 

development opportunities or plans. 

These studies and plans will empower 

American Indian tribes and tribal 

businesses to make informed decisions 

regarding their economic futures. 

Studies may concern the viability of an 

economic development project or 

business or the practicality of a 

technology a tribe may choose to 

pursue. DED will specifically exclude 

from consideration proposals for 

research and development projects, 

requests for funding of salaries for tribal 

government personnel, funding to pay 

legal fees, and requests for funding for 

the purchase or lease of structures, 

machinery, hardware or other capital 

items. Plans may encompass future 

periods of five years or more and 

include one or more economic 

development factors including but not 

limited to land and retail use, industrial 

development, tourism, energy, resource 

development and transportation. 

This is an annual program whose 

primary objective is to create jobs and 

foster economic activity within tribal 

communities. DED will administer the 

program within IEED; and studies and 

plans as described herein will be the 

sole discretionary projects DED will 

consider or fund absent a competitive 

bidding process. When funding is 

available, DED will solicit proposals for 

studies and plans. To receive these 

funds, tribes may use the contracting 

mechanism established by Public Law 

93–638, the Indian Self-Determination 

Act or may obtain adjustments to their 

funding from the Office of SelfGovernance. See 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq. 

Interested applicants must submit a 

tribal resolution requesting funding, a 

statement of work describing the project 

for which the study is requested or the 

scope of the plan envisioned, the 

identity of the academic institution or 

other entity the applicant wishes to 

retain (if known) and a budget 

indicating the funding amount 

requested and how it will be spent. DED 

expressly retains the authority to reduce 

or otherwise modify proposed budgets 

and funding amounts. 

Applications for funding will be 

juried and evaluated on the basis of a 

proposed project’s potential to generate 

jobs and economic activity on the 

reservation. 

II. Request for Comments 

DED requests that you send your 

comments on this collection to the 

location listed in the ADDRESSES section. 

Your comments should address: (a) The 

necessity of the information collection 

for the proper performance of the 

agencies, including whether the 

information will have practical utility; 

(b) the accuracy of our estimate of the 

burden (hours and cost) of the collection 

of information, including the validity of 

the methodology and assumptions used; 

(c) ways we could enhance the quality, 

utility and clarity of the information to 

be collected; and (d) ways we could 

minimize the burden of the collection of 

the information on the respondents, 

such as through the use of automated 

collection techniques or other forms of 

information technology. 

Please note that an agency may not 

sponsor or conduct, and an individual 

need not respond to, a collection of 

information unless it has a valid OMB 

Control Number. 

It is our policy to make all comments 

available to the public for review at the 

location listed in the ADDRESSES section 

during the hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m., 

Eastern Time, Monday through Friday 

except for legal holidays. Before 

including your address, phone number, 

e-mail address or other personally 

identifiable information, be advised that 

your entire comment—including your 

personally identifiable information— 

may be made public at any time. While 

you may request that we withhold your 

personally identifiable information, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. 

III. Data 

OMB Control Number: 1076–0XXX. 


jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES