[Federal Register: May 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 97)]
[Notices]               
[Page 27576-27577]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20my03-95]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan 
and environmental assessment for St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife 
Refuge, located in Adams County, Mississippi.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Southeast Region, intends to gather information necessary to 
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing 
regulations. The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with 
the National Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), to achieve the following:
    (1) Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and
    (2) Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to 
include in the environmental document.
    Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media announcements 
will be used to inform the public and government and non-government 
agencies of the opportunities for input throughout the planning 
process.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and requests for more 
information to the following: Laura King, Natural Resource Planner, 
Central Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 728 Yazoo Refuge 
Road, Hollandale, Mississippi 38748; Telephone 662-839-2638; E-Mail 
Laura_King@fws.gov. Additional information concerning this refuge may 
be found at the Service's Internet site http://www.fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Federal law, all lands within the 
National Wildlife Refuge System are to be managed in accordance with an 
approved comprehensive conservation plan. The plan guides management 
decisions and identifies refuge goals, long-range objectives, and 
strategies for achieving refuge purposes. The

[[Page 27577]]

planning process will consider many elements including wildlife and 
habitat management, public recreational activities, and cultural 
resource protection. Public input into the planning process is 
essential.
    St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge was established in 
January 1990, to preserve, improve, and create habitat for waterfowl. 
The refuge encompasses 24,125 acres and is located in the western 
section of Adams County in southwest Mississippi, 7 miles south of 
Natchez, Mississippi. The western boundary of the refuge is the 
Mississippi River with the eastern boundary following the bluffs and 
the southern boundary, the Homochitto River.

    Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Pub. L. 
105-57.

    Dated: May 3, 2003.
J. Mitch King,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 03-12536 Filed 5-19-03; 8:45 am]

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