Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 30, 2010 / Notices 74073 

Dated: November 23, 2010. 

Hope Grey, 

Information Collection Clearance Officer, 

Fish and Wildlife Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–29979 Filed 11–29–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

[FWS–R1–ES–2010–N250; 10120–1113– 

0000–C2] 

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife 

and Plants; Draft Revised Recovery 

Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl 

(Strix occidentalis caurina); Reopening 

of Public Comment Period 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of document availability; 

reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, recently announced 

the availability of the Draft Revised 

Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted 

Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) for 

public review and comment. See 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for details. 

We now reopen the comment period. If 

you have previously submitted 

comments, please do not resubmit them, 

because we have already incorporated 

them in the public record and will fully 

consider them in developing our final 

recovery plan. 

DATES: To ensure consideration, please 

send your written comments by 

December 15, 2010. 

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the 

draft revised recovery plan are available 

online at: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/ 

recovery_plan/100915.pdf and http:// 

www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/ 

NorthernSpottedOwl/Recovery/. Printed 

copies of the draft revised recovery plan 

are available by request from the Field 

Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife 

Office, 2600 SE. 98th Avenue, Ste. 100, 

Portland, OR 97266 (phone: 503/231– 

6179). Written comments regarding this 

recovery plan, or requests for copies of 

the plan, should be addressed to the 

above Portland address or sent by e-mail 

to: NSORPComments@fws.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Brendan White or (for draft copies of 

population response model output) 

Diana Acosta, Fish and Wildlife 

Biologists, at the above address and 

phone number. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On 

September 15, 2010, we published a 

Federal Register notice (75 FR 56131) 

announcing the availability of the Draft 

Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern 

Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) 

for public review and comment under 

the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C 

1531 et seq.). We originally opened this 

comment period for 60 days, from 

September 15, 2010, to November 15, 

2010. We are re-opening the public 

comment period until December 15, 

2010, in response to several requests for 

additional time to review and comment 

on the draft revised recovery plan. 

For background information on the 

draft revised recovery plan, see our 

September 15, 2010, notice. As stated in 

that notice, we particularly seek 

comments concerning portions of the 

draft revised recovery plan that have 

been updated from the 2008 recovery 

plan. Appendix C of the draft revised 

recovery plan described stages 1 and 2 

of our ongoing three-stage spotted owl 

modeling effort. Since its release we 

have continued this effort, initiating 

population response modeling using the 

individual-based population program 

HexSim. Though still at preliminary 

draft stage, population response 

simulations from this portion of the 

modeling process are available for 

public review by request from our 

office. These simulations do not 

estimate what will occur in the future, 

but provide comparative information on 

potential population responses to 

different conservation scenarios as 

described in the draft revised recovery 

plan. 

Public Availability of Comments 

Before including your address, phone 

number, e-mail address, or other 

personal identifying information in your 

comment, you should be aware that 

your entire comment—including 

personal identifying information—may 

be made publicly available at any time. 

While you may ask us in your comment 

to withhold personal identifying 

information from public review, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. 

Authority 

The authority for this action is section 

4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 

U.S.C. 1533(f). 

Dated: November 15, 2010. 

Richard R. Hannan, 

Acting Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–30069 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] 

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife 

Refuge, Cameron and Willacy 

Counties, TX; 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 

Laguna Atascosa 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: mark_sprick@fws.gov. Include 

‘‘Laguna Atascosa final CCP’’ in the 

subject line of the message. 

Mail: Mark Sprick, AICP, 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 

505–248–7411 to make an appointment 

during regular business hours at 500 

Gold Avenue, SW., Albuquerque, NM 

87102. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sonny Perez, Refuge Manager, Laguna 

Atascosa NWR, 22817 Ocelot Road, Los 

Fresnos, TX 78566; by phone, 956–748– 

3607; or by e-mail, 

sonny_perez@fws.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction 

With this notice, we finalize the CCP 

process for the Laguna Atascosa NWR. 

We started this process through a notice 

in the Federal Register July 19, 2004 (69 

FR 43010). 

Laguna Atascosa NWR is located in 

Cameron and Willacy Counties, Texas, 

and encompasses 97,007 acres of brush 

lands, coastal prairies, freshwater and 

brackish pothole wetlands, estuarine 

wetlands, lomas (clay ridges), wind tidal 

flats, and barrier island beaches and 


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74074 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 30, 2010 / Notices 

dunes. Management efforts focus on 

protecting, enhancing, and restoring 

Refuge habitats and water management 

for the benefit of important fish and 

wildlife resources. The Refuge is a 

premiere bird watching destination with 

415 recorded bird species, more than 

any other national wildlife refuge. A 

total of eight federally listed endangered 

or threatened species occur within the 

Refuge, including four species of sea 

turtles. The largest U.S. population of 

endangered ocelot cats is located on the 

Refuge, making it the center for ocelot 

conservation and recovery. 

Laguna Atascosa NWR was formally 

established by the Migratory Bird 

Commission on October 31, 1945, and 

the first tract forming the Refuge was 

acquired on March 29, 1946. The 

purposes of the Refuge are: ‘‘[F]or use as 

an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other 

management purpose, for migratory 

birds’’ (Migratory Bird Conservation Act 

of 1929 (16 U.S.C. 715d), as amended); 

‘‘for wildlife conservation purposes if 

the real property has particular value in 

carrying out the national migratory bird 

management program’’ (Transfer of 

Certain Real Property for Wildlife 

Conservation Purposes Act of 1948 (16 

U.S.C. 667b–667d), Public Law 80–537, 

as amended); ‘‘for the development, 

advancement, management, 

conservation and protection of fish and 

wildlife resources’’ (Fish and Wildlife 

Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742(a)(4), as 

amended); and ‘‘for the benefit of the 

United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 

in performing its activities and services. 

Such acceptance may be subject to the 

terms of any restrictive or affirmative 

covenant, or condition of servitude’’ 

(Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 

U.S.C. 742(b)(1), as amended). 

We announce our decision and the 

availability of the FONSI for the final 

CCP for the Laguna Atascosa 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 Laguna Atascosa 

National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 

years. Alternative B, with modifications 

as described in Appendix H (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 (74 FR 

66148) addressed several issues. To 

address these, we developed and 

evaluated the following alternatives. 

A: No-action 

alternative 

B: Proposed action 

alternative 

C: Optimize 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 ecosystemlevel plans; emphasis on protection and monitoring of Federal trust species and priority 

species and their habitats..

Same as No-Action Alternative 

(Alternative A). 

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 

and fishing and access to all 

Refuge areas to the maximum 

extent when compatible, based 

on public comments. 

Issue 3: Staffing, Facilities, and Infrastructure.Existing staffing (17 permanent 

positions) and facilities; any additional staff and facility expansions would occur 

opportunistically..

Addition of 11 staff to existing 

base; addition of over 6 miles of 

hike/bike trails; one auto tour 

route; two separate parking 

areas; new visitor center at Laguna Atascosa Unit. Visitor 

contact and research station at 

Bahia Grande..

Base funding and staffing would 

increase by four positions (Outdoor Recreation Planner and 

three Park Rangers); several 

additional miles of auto tour 

routes, seven hike/bike trails 

and associated parking areas; 

visitor contact station; all primarily at Bahia Grande. 

Comments 

We accepted comments on the draft 

CCP and the EA for the Laguna Atascosa 

NWR from December 14, 2009, to 

February 12, 2010 (74 FR 66148). 

Subsequently, the Draft Plan/EA were 

made available for public review 

starting on December 14, 2009, at the 

Refuge, at eight local municipal and 

county libraries in the south Texas area 

near the Refuge, and at the Regional 

Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Four open house meetings were held in 

communities near the Refuge in January 

2010. In all, 98 individuals signed the 

attendance rosters at the open house 

meetings and a total of 52 comments 

were submitted in writing or phoned in 

to the Refuge/Regional Office. 

Additionally, one State agency, one 

university, and six nongovernmental 


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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