[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 83 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10361]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 2, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[MT-930-4320-01]
Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment, Decision
Record, and Finding of No Significant Impact for Predator Management in
the Lewistown District Office; MT
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: An Environmental Assessment (EA), Decision Record (DR), and
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) have been reissued for
predator management in the Lewistown District. The EA, DR, and FONSIs
were vacated from IBLA. The analysis was clarified and revised, and the
analysis and decision have been reissued (April 1994).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Brooks, Project Lead, Montana
State Office, P.O. Box 36800, Billings, Montana 59107, 406-255-2929.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EA for Predator Management in Montana
addresses four alternatives which affect predator management to varying
degrees:
Alternative I--Integrated Pest Management (APHIS-ADC, DOL, and BLM
Proposed Action): This alternative emphasizes an Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) approach to reduce animal damage. The IPM approach
incorporates a variety of practical, lethal, and nonlethal methods for
prevention and control to minimize animal damage to livestock or human
health. The use of M-44s would be permitted after authorization is
obtained for specific areas. Preventive control would be allowed in
areas where historical livestock losses have been documented.
Alternative II--No M-44s: This alternative would be similar to
Alternative I, except the use of M-44s would not be authorized. All
other approved methods for control would be permitted. Preventive
control would be allowed in areas where historical livestock losses had
been documented.
Alternative III--No Action (Emergency Control Only): Preventive
control measures would not be authorized, and corrective control would
be applied only where APHIS-ADC have confirmed recent loss of livestock
to predation. Emergency predator management would be requested by a
livestock producer when losses are occurring. The BLM would review and
approve or disapprove these requests on a case-by-case basis. The
requests would be handled using the emergency control procedures.
Alternative IV--No APHIS-ADC or DOL Predator Management on BLM
Lands: Under this alternative, APHIS-ADC predator management activities
would not be authorized on BLM land in Montana. However, private
landowners could continue to conduct predator management on BLM lands
and could continue to enter into agreements with APHIS-ADC to carry out
predator management on private, state, and other non-BLM lands.
The Predator Management EA for Montana was available for public
review from September 15 to October 15, 1993. An EA, DR, and FONSI were
issued in November 1993. Since that time, the BLM decided to vacate the
EA and decisions from IBLA to clarify and revise the analysis. The
revised EA, DR, and FONSI have been reissued (April 1994) and are
available upon request.
Based upon careful consideration of the analysis of alternatives
within the Predator Management EA, including consideration of
applicable laws, regulations, public and agency comments, I have
decided to implement Alternative I--Integrated Pest Management (APHIS-
ADC, DOL, and BLM Proposed Action). Management actions will be directed
towards localized populations and/or individual offending predators.
Requests for control will come directly from the permittees to APHIS-
ADC. In response to public concern regarding the use of lethal methods,
the following mitigating measure has been adopted as part of my
decision: Livestock producers will be provided information on nonlethal
methods. When services are requested by permittees, APHIS-ADC will
provide a factsheet to the producer on nonlethal methods. In addition,
information on nonlethal methods will also be mailed out in the annual
grazing applications by BLM. This will ensure that permittees are aware
of the variety of nonlethal methods available to them; such as animal
husbandry practices, guard dogs, scare devices, etc.
Implementation of Alternative I will require strict adherence to
reasonable and prudent measures, provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS), and the mitigation and stipulations incorporated in
the EA, and my decision for the protection of threatened and endangered
species. The USFWS has concurred with the BLM finding that the proposed
predator management strategy is not likely to adversely affect
threatened and endangered species. Restrictions will be placed on
predator management activities within four outstanding natural areas
located west of Choteau because of the presence of threatened and
endangered species. The other special areas in the Lewistown District
closed to predator management are Azure Cave and Square Butte
Outstanding Natural Area. These areas are closed to predator management
because of the high recreational values. The human safety zones
identified on Map No. 1 in the EA will be closed to predator
management. These areas also include appropriate buffer zones. Bird-
hunting areas, as identified on Map No. 2 in the EA, will have timing
restrictions placed on some predator management activities.
It is my conclusion that the proposed action will not result in
significant environmental impacts, and that no species will be
substantially or permanently reduced in numbers as a result of my
decision. In addition, the predator population is not substantially
impacted. Statewide, 7,847 coyotes were taken by APHIS-ADC and DOL on
lands of all ownership, or 1.5 to 13.7 percent of the population
statewide (based on the scientific model) or 2.6 percent of the
population statewide (based on the coyote density indices sampling). In
the Lewistown District, approximately 171 coyotes and 10 red foxes were
taken on BLM lands by APHIS-ADC. Based on the analysis in the EA, the
implementation of Alternative I will result in the smallest amount of
livestock lost, and provides the most flexibility in correcting or
preventing damaged based on the circumstances and the surrounding
environment. My decision ensures that predator management will be
carried out in a systematic manner which responds to resource
protection, human health, and livestock protection needs while
protecting public safety, domestic animals, and nontarget wildlife.
This decision is compatible with resource objectives identified in the
Lewistown District land use plans. The Secretary of Interior will put
the decision in full force and effect for the 30-day appeal period. To
appeal this decision, please follow the appeal procedures. To obtain a
copy of the appeal procedures, contact Sandy Brooks, Project Lead,
Montana State Office, 406-255-2929.
Dated: April 25, 1994.
Wayne Zinne,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 94-10361 Filed 4-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P
