[Federal Register: May 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 94)]
[Notices]
[Page 26772]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17my99-70]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan
and Environmental Assessment for Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge in
Sevier County, AR, and Notice of Meeting To Seek Public Participation
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Southeast Region, has made available for public review a Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Pond
Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Sevier County, Arkansas, and plans to
hold a public meeting in the vicinity of the refuge to solicit public
comments on the Draft Plan. The Service is furnishing this notice in
compliance with Service comprehensive planning policy, the National
Environmental Act Policy, and implementing regulations to achieve the
following:
(1) advise other agencies and the public of our intention, and
(2) obtain comments on the proposed plan and the other alternatives
considered in the planning process.
DATES: The Service will hold the public meeting at 7 p.m. on June 3,
1999, at the Horatio Elementary School cafeteria, Horatio, Arkansas.
The Draft Plan will be made available for review and comment. Written
comments should be submitted no later than June 30, 1999, to the
address below.
ADDRESSES: Comments and request for copies of the Draft Plan should be
addressed to Mr. Ed Loth, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast
Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345, or by
calling 404/679-7155.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge is a
27,000-acre area located between the Cossatot and Little rivers. This
refuge was established to protect, enhance, and manage a valuable
bottomland hardwood wetland ecosystem for the benefit of migratory and
resident waterfowl, neotropical birds, wading birds, and other wetland-
dependent wildlife. The area is considered a vital component of the
North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Arkansas-Red Ecosystem
Plan.
It is the desire of the Fish and Wildlife Service that Pond Creek
National Wildlife Refuge become `'a model refuge that protests and
manages biological diversity for the enjoyment and benefit of present
and future generations.'' To achieve this vision, the refuge seeks to
achieve the following four goals: (1) habitat management-maintain and
restore diverse habitats designed to achieve refuge purpose and
wildlife population objectives; (2) populations management-maintain
viable, diverse populations of native flora and fauna consistent with
sound biological principles; (3) land conservation-protect the area's
wetlands and restore values through land protection strategies; and (4)
wildlife-dependent recreation and education--develop and implement a
quality wildlife-dependent recreation program that leads to enjoyable
recreation experiences and a greater understanding and appreciation of
fish and wildlife resources.
The Draft Plan evaluates the following four alternatives for
managing the refuge over the next 15 years: custodial management,
minimal management, balanced management, and resource management. The
Service believes the balanced management alternative is the best
alternative to guide the refuge's future direction. In essence this
alternative will:
<bullet> Increase protection of threatened and endangered
species;
<bullet> Increase waterfowl and songbird utilization and
production;
<bullet> Enhance resident wildlife populations;
<bullet> Restore wetlands and hydrology; and
<bullet> Provide long-term opportunities for wildlife-dependent
recreation and environmental education.
Dated: May 4, 1999.
C. Monty Halcomb,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 99-12289 Filed 5-14-99; 8:45 am]
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