[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9279-9280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03523]



[[Page 9279]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-R-2013-N279; 1265-0000-10137-S3]


Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, Canyon, Payette, Owyhee, and 
Washington Counties, ID, and Malheur County, OR; Final Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 
that our final comprehensive conservation plan and environmental impact 
statement (CCP/EIS) for the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) 
is available. In the final CCP/EIS, we describe how we propose to 
manage the Refuge for 15 years.

DATES: We will complete a record of decision 30 days after publication 
of this notice.

ADDRESSES: The libraries providing public viewing of the final CCP/EIS 
are listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. You may view, obtain, or 
request CD-ROM copies of the final CCP/EIS by the following methods.
    Web site: http://www.fws.gov/deerflat/refugeplanning.html.
    Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#244041415642484550644253570a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e084858592868c8194a0869793ce878f96">[email protected]</span></a>. Include ``Deer Flat Refuge draft CCP/EIS'' 
in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Refuge Manager, 208-467-1019.
    U.S. Mail: Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, 13751 Upper 
Embankment Road, Nampa, ID 83686.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 208-467-9278 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Refuge Manager, 208-467-9278 (phone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we announce the availability of the Refuge's 
final CCP/EIS in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) 40 CFR 1506.6(b) requirements. We started this process through a 
notice published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2010 (75 FR 
41232). We released the draft CCP/EIS to the public, and requested 
public comments, in a notice of availability published in the Federal 
Register on March 15, 2013 (78 FR 16526). We completed a thorough 
analysis of impacts on the human environment in the final CCP/EIS, and 
responded to public comments.
    The CCP will guide us in managing and administering the Refuge for 
15 years. Alternative 2, as we described in the Final CCP/EIS, is our 
preferred alternative.

Background

The CCP Process

    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 (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 
wildlife-dependent 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/EIS Alternatives

    We evaluated four alternatives for managing Deer Flat Refuge; 
Alternative 2 is our preferred alternative. Based on feedback on the 
draft CCP/EIS, some modifications have been made to Alternative 2 and 
are summarized below. A full description of all alternatives, including 
changes to our preferred alternative, can be found in the final CCP/EIS 
at the sources identified in ADDRESSES.

Changes to Alternative 2

    [ssquf] A youth waterfowl hunt would be opened in all waterfowl 
hunt zones.
    [ssquf] Ice fishing would be allowed in Fishing Areas A and B 
within 200 yards of the dams, subject to areas posted by the Bureau of 
Reclamation.
    [ssquf] Sailing regattas would be allowed on Lake Lowell in April 
and May with stipulations.
    [ssquf] Swimming would be encouraged in designated areas, and would 
continue to be allowed elsewhere in Lake Lowell with stipulations.
    [ssquf] Organized group events (e.g., weddings, reunions) that are 
not wildlife-dependent would be allowed at the Lower Dam Recreation 
Area with stipulations.

Other Features of Alternative 2

    Under Alternative 2, we would emphasize connecting families to 
nature by providing access to new recreational facilities and programs 
on the Refuge such as developing a visitor contact station, new trails, 
and a platform for fishing and wildlife observation at the Lower Dam 
Recreation Area. Nearly all existing upland and on-water recreation 
would continue. Fishing access would be promoted, and wildlife 
interpretation would be emphasized and integrated into all Refuge 
visitor activities. Other compatible wildlife-dependent public uses 
would continue, including wildlife observation, and waterfowl and 
upland game hunting. Gotts Point would be opened for automobiles after 
we complete a law enforcement cooperative agreement with Canyon County. 
Activities would be managed to protect wildlife, reduce conflicts 
between uses, and increase safety.
    Alternative 2 also includes protections and enhancements for Refuge 
wildlife. Seasonally closed areas and no-wake zones on Lake Lowell 
would protect heron rookeries, eagle nests, and grebe nesting colonies, 
and shoreline feeding and nesting habitats. Motorized boats would be 
allowed in no-wake zones, at speeds that do not create a wake 
(generally 5 mph or slower). The lake would continue to be closed 
October 1-April 14 each year. The no-wake zone on the lake's southeast 
end would expand to include Gotts Point. A no-wake zone would be added 
in the Narrows, and a 200-yard no-wake zone would be added along the 
lake's south side between Parking Lots 1 and 8.
    Habitat enhancement would increase. We would implement an 
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan to conduct more intensive and 
targeted invasive species removal and vegetation manipulation. We would 
increase wildlife and habitat research and assessments, to build a 
strong scientific base for future management decisions.
    On the Snake River Islands Unit, we would increase wildlife 
inventory and monitoring under Alternative 2, and implement an IPM plan 
to control invasive species and restore habitat. We would prioritize 
the islands' management needs and manage accordingly. Management 
techniques would include prescribed fire and aerial application of 
herbicide and seed. Island closure dates would be adjusted to better 
protect nesting geese, wading birds, gulls, and terns.

[[Page 9280]]

    Existing compatible public uses provided on the islands, including 
wildlife observation, deer hunting, and hunting for upland species and 
waterfowl, would continue on more than 1,200 acres. Most of the islands 
would be open for off-trail/free-roam activities June 15-January 31, 
including shoreline fishing. Heron and gull-nesting islands (4-6 
islands) would be open for free-roam activities July 1-January 31.

Public Availability of Documents

    Review the CCP/EIS at the following libraries, and sources under 
ADDRESSES.
    [ssquf] Caldwell Public Library, 1010 Dearborn St, Caldwell, ID 
83605.
    [ssquf] Homedale Public Library, 125 W Owyhee Ave, Homedale, ID 
83628.
    [ssquf] Lizard Butte District Library, 111 3rd Ave W, Marsing, ID 
83639.
    [ssquf] Nampa Public Library, 101 11th Ave S, Nampa, ID 83651.
    [ssquf] Payette Public Library, 24 S 10th St, Payette, ID 83661.
    [ssquf] Ada County District Library, 10664 W Victory Rd, Boise, ID 
83709.

Comments

    We received comments on the draft CCP/EIS from 170 agencies, 
organizations, and individuals, and a petition with 426 signatures. We 
addressed the comments in the final CCP/EIS by making changes and 
clarifications to Alternative 2 as appropriate. The changes are 
explained in the final CCP/EIS, in Appendix H Public Involvement.

    Dated: February 11, 2015.
Richard Hannan,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2015-03523 Filed 2-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P


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