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Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Daniels, Wibaux Counties, MT

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.



[Federal Register: August 7, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 151)]
[Notices]
[Page 44170-44171]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07au07-76]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Medicine Lake National Wildlife
Refuge Complex, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Daniels, Wibaux Counties, MT

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that
the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex
(Complex) is available. This draft CCP/EA describes how the Service
intends to manage Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), the
Northeast Montana Wetland Management District (WMD), and Lamesteer NWR
for the next 15 years.

DATES: We must receive written comments on the draft CCP/EA by
September 6, 2007. Submit comments by one of the methods under ADDRESSES.

ADDRESSES: Please provide written comments to Laurie Shannon, Planning
Team Leader, Division of Refuge Planning, Mountain-Prairie Region, P.O.
Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225-0486, or
electronically to Laurie_Shannon@fws.gov. A copy of the CCP can be
obtained by writing to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of
Refuge Planning, at the address above; or by download from 
http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Shannon, 303-236-4317 (phone);
303-236-4792 (fax); or Laurie_Shannon@fws.gov (e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Medicine Lake Complex is located within
the highly productive prairie pothole region of the Northern Great
Plains, along the western edge of the Missouri Coteau, in Northeastern
Montana. It is composed of three individual units--the Medicine Lake
NWR, the Northeast Montana WMD, and the Lamesteer NWR. These refuges
are managed as one complex, and together they are dispersed across four
counties and require management of more than 29,757 hectares (73,532
acres) of Service-owned lands and wetland and/or grassland easements or
leases on privately-owned land. Medicine Lake NWR encompasses about
12,761 hectares (31,534 acres) including 4,597 hectares (11,360 acres)
of designated wilderness and was established in 1935 as ``* * * a
refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife''
(Executive Order 7148, dated August 29, 1935). The Northeast Montana
WMD was established in 1968 and consists of Waterfowl Production Areas
and wetland and grassland easements. The purpose of these acquired
Waterfowl Production Areas and easements is to function as ``waterfowl
production areas subject to * * * all of the provisions of the
Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Act * * * except the inviolate
sanctuary provisions'' (16 U.S.C. Section 718). Lamesteer NWR,
established in 1942 as an easement refuge, was described as ``800 acres
in Wibaux County, Montana * * * as refuge and breeding ground for
migratory birds and other wildlife'' (Executive Order 9166, dated May
19, 1942).
    The refuge complex is home to more than 270 species of birds, 38
species of mammals, and 17 species of reptiles and amphibians. Each
unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), including the
Medicine Lake Complex, has specific purposes for which it was
established and for which legislation was enacted. Those purposes are
used to develop and prioritize management goals and objectives within
the NWRS mission, and to guide which public uses will occur on these
refuges. The planning process is a way for the Service and the public
to evaluate management goals and objectives for the best possible
conservation efforts of this important wildlife habitat, while
providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are
compatible with the refuges' establishing purposes and the mission of
the NWRS.
    This draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three alternatives for
managing the Medicine Lake NWR and Northeast WMD and two alternatives
for management of Lamesteer NWR for the next 15 years.
    For Medicine Lake NWR and the Northeast Montana WMD, under
Alternative A, the no action alternative, the Service would manage
habitats, wildlife, programs, and facilities at current levels as time,
staff, and funds allow. The Service would not develop any new
management, restoration, or education programs at the refuge.
Improvements of native prairie or mixed-native and nonnative grasslands
and tame grasslands would be undertaken when and where feasible.
Current wildlife-dependent uses (hunting, fishing, observation,
photography, environmental education, and interpretation) would
continue at existing levels (about 16,000 visitors annually).
    Alternative B, the Service's proposed action would conserve the
natural resources of Northeast Montana by restoring or protecting the
native and mixed-grass prairie grasslands and maintaining high-quality
nesting habitats within the refuge complex. The refuge would reduce
populations of selected species of invasive plants, and control of
crested wheatgrass would be the management priority. The approved
refuge administrative boundary would be expanded through willing
sellers or buyers by about 722 hectares (1,784 acres) based on three
priority areas. This alternative would focus visitor-use resources on
developing access and improving opportunities for wildlife-dependent
uses while also encouraging a greater understanding and appreciation
for the mixed grass prairie ecosystem.
    Alternative C would maximize the conservation of natural resources
by restoring or protecting native or mixed-grass prairie and
maintaining high-quality nesting habitats within the refuge complex.
Reducing the populations of invasive and nonnative plants would be the
management priority. The approved refuge administration boundary would
be expanded to allow purchase of 3,399 hectares (8,400 acres) primarily
in the Big Muddy Creek floodplain corridor between the Medicine Lake
and Homestead Units. Visitor services would focus on encouraging a
greater understanding and appreciation for the mixed-grass prairie
while maintaining access and opportunities for wildlife-dependent uses.
    The proposed action was selected because it best meets the purposes
and goals of the refuge and wetland management district, as well as the
goals of the NWRS. The proposed action also will benefit federally
listed species, waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, grassland birds,
and songbirds.

[[Page 44171]]

Environmental education and partnerships will result in improved
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities. Cultural and historical
resources, as well as federally listed species, will be protected.
    For Lamesteer NWR, under Alternative A, the no action alternative,
the Service would continue to manage the site as an easement refuge
superimposed on privately owned lands to serve as a resting place for
migratory birds while on migration. The Service would maintain the dam
and spillway, including the funding of all maintenance costs. The
landowner would continue to control access to the site, including all
hunting access and other public uses.
    Alternative B, the Service's proposed action, would relinquish the
easement at Lamesteer NWR to the current landowners. The Service would
divest its interest in the refuge.
    Opportunities for public input also will be provided at a public
meeting. Exact dates and times for these public meetings are yet to be
determined, but will be announced via local media and a planning
update. All information provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or at
public meetings (e.g., names, addresses, letters of comment, input
recorded during meetings) becomes part of the official public record.
If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen
or organization, the Service may provide copies of such information.
The environmental review of this project will be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws
and regulations; Executive Order 12996; the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997; and Service policies and procedures for
compliance with those laws and regulations.

    Dated: June 28, 2007.
J. Mitch King,
Regional Director, Region 6, Denver, CO.
[FR Doc. E7-15291 Filed 8-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

 
 

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