[PCA] Availability of Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Columbia, SD
Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov
Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov
Thu Mar 9 13:50:02 CST 2006
For your information, the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Columbia, SD, is now available at:
<http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning>. The Federal Register notice
announcing the final plan is below.
Notable excerpts from the plan...
" The vegetative diversity of grasslands will be greatly enhanced by
reseeding for native plants or rejuvenated dense nesting cover."
"This CCP proposes to reduce the base acreage farmed for resident wildlife
to 800 acres per year. Farming will be used on 200–600 acres per year as
a
management tool to restore grasslands. Cooperative farming activities are
compatible only on areas that are not native prairie."
"Approximately 8,000 acres of tame grass and legumes (DNC) and restored
native grass plantings are on the refuge."
"Nearly 500 acres of cropland has been removed from production and planted
to restored native grass. These native sites generally consist of six or
seven
grass species, which may include big and little bluestem, green
needlegrass, western wheatgrass,"
"Management of native woodland vegetation has not been emphasized in
previous habitat management efforts."
-----http://epa.gov/EPA-SPECIES/2006/March/Day-09/
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[Federal Register: March 9, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 46)]
[Notices]
[Page 12213]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09mr06-93]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Sand
Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Columbia, SD
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Summary for Sand Lake
National Wildlife Refuge is available. This CCP, prepared pursuant to
the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 and the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes how the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service intends to manage this refuge for the next 15
years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the CCP or Summary may be obtained by writing to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge,
39650 Sand Lake Drive, Columbia, SD 57433; or downloaded from <A HREF="
http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning">
http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning</A>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Williams, Project Leader, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 39650
Sand Lake Drive, Columbia, South Dakota, 57433; telephone 605-885-6320;
fax 605-885-6333; or e-mail: <A HREF="mailto:gene_williams at fws.gov
">gene_williams at fws.gov</A>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was
established in the mid-1930s as a refuge and breeding ground for
migratory birds and other wildlife. The 21,498-acre refuge lies in the
James River basin within Brown County, South Dakota. This northeastern
area of South Dakota is the heart of the prairie-pothole region of the
northern Great Plains and plays a major role for migratory birds.
Sand Lake NWR was established by Executive Order 7169 (September 4,
1935) ``* * * as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and
other wildlife * * *'' Four other sets of authorities and purposes
follow: The Migratory Bird Conservation Act, ``* * * for uses as an
inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory
birds * * *''; the Fish and Wildlife Act, ``* * * for the development,
advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and
wildlife resources * * *''; the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act, for ``* * * conservation, management, and
protection of fish and wildlife resources * * *''; and the Refuge
Recreation Act, ``* * * for (1) incidental fish and wildlife-oriented
recreational development, (2) the protection of natural resources, and
(3) the conservation of endangered species or threatened species * * *''
The availability of the Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA)
for 30-day public review and comment was announced in the Federal
Register on June 20, 2005, (FO FR 35449). The Draft CCP/EA identified
and evaluated three alternatives for managing Sand Lake NWR for the
next 15 years. Alternative 1, the No Action Alternative, would have
continued current management of the refuge. Alternative 3 (Preferred
Alternative) takes an integrated approach with management practices
that would serve to improve bird populations. This alternative balances
the best management practices for producing migratory birds and finds a
balance with reducing cropland, while ensuring depredation is
minimized. Alternative 2 would maximize the biological potential of the
refuge for species of grassland-nesting birds. Based on this assessment
and comments received, the Preferred Alternative 3 was selected for
implementation. The preferred alternative was selected because it best
meets the purposes and goals of the refuge, as well as the goals of the
National Wildlife Refuge System. The preferred alternative will also
maximize the biological potential for migratory birds, and the
vegetative diversity of grasslands would be greatly enhanced by
reseeding for native plants or rejuvenated dense nesting cover.
Environmental education and partnerships will result in improved
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities that will be expanded and
improved on- and off-refuge. Cultural and historical resources will be
protected.
Dated: October 17, 2005.
Sharon R. Rose,
Acting Deputy Regional Director, Region 6, Denver, CO.
Note: This document was received at the Office of the Federal
Register on March 6, 2006.
[FR Doc. E6-3344 Filed 3-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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