[Federal Register: January 16, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 10)]
[Notices]               
[Page 3667-3673]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16ja01-116]
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Part III





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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Draft Policy on National Wildlife Refuge System: Mission, Goals, and 
Purposes; Notice



Draft Appropriate Refuge Uses Policy Pursuant to the National Wildlife 
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997; Notice



Draft Wildlife-Dependent Recreational Uses Policy Pursuant to the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997; Notice



Draft Wilderness Stewardship Policy Pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 
1964; Notice


[[Page 3668]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[1018-AG46]

 
Draft Policy on National Wildlife Refuge System: Mission, Goals, 
and Purposes

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a policy articulating the mission of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System (System), establishing its goals, and 
providing guidance for identifying or determining the purpose(s) of 
individual refuge units within the System. We propose that this policy 
be incorporated into the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual. The chapter 
will be consistent with the principles contained within the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (NWRSAA-1966), as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 
(NWRSIA-1997), including recognizing the priority for management 
activities set forth in the NWRSIA-1997 (wildlife, wildlife-dependent 
uses, and other uses) in setting and achieving refuge goals and 
objectives.
    The draft chapter also provides policy on how the purpose(s) of 
refuge additions relate to the original refuge purpose(s), and how 
wilderness designated under the Wilderness Act can affect a refuge's 
purpose(s). It also provides a decision-tree for how to determine 
refuge purpose(s) from existing documentation.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 19, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments concerning this draft policy via mail, fax, or 
email to: Barry Stieglitz, Acting Chief, Division of Conservation 
Planning and Policy, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 670, Arlington, Virginia, 
22203; fax (703) 358-2248; email Mission_And_Goals_ 
Policy_Comments@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barry Stieglitz, National Wildlife 
Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Telephone (703) 358-
1744.