[Federal Register: September 16, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 180)]
[Notices]
[Page 53439]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16se08-64]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2008-N0186; 60138-1261-0000-S3]
Wetland Management Districts, South Dakota
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan
and Environmental Assessment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
gather information necessary to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation
Plan (CCP) and associated environmental documents for three Wetland
Management Districts (WMDs) located in the State of South Dakota. The
three WMDs are Huron, Madison and Sand Lake. The Service is furnishing
this notice in compliance with Service CCP Policy to advise other
agencies and the public of its intentions, and to obtain suggestions
and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning
process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by October 16, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Please send your comments or requests for more information
to Bernardo Garza, Planning Team Leader, Division of Refuge Planning,
P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernardo Garza, 303-236-4377, or John
Esperance, Chief, Branch of Refuge Planning at 303-236-4369.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this Notice, the Service initiates a
CCP for three WMDs in eastern South Dakota. These three WMDs were
established for the protection of critical migratory waterfowl habitat
within the State of South Dakota. Through these WMDs, the Service
manages a complex of wetlands in 27 counties within South Dakota. The
wetlands range from seasonal shallow basins to deeper, more permanent
ponds that provide resting and feeding areas for millions of birds
during spring and fall migration. The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), requires the
Service to develop a CCP for each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge
System. The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide project leaders
with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge and wetland management
district purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and
wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
The Service established each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge
System, including these three WMDs, with specific purposes. The Service
uses these purposes to develop and prioritize management goals and
objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission and to
guide which public uses will occur on these WMDs. 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. The Service will conduct a comprehensive conservation
planning process that will provide opportunity for Tribal, State, and
local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public to
participate in issue scoping and public comment. The Service requests
input on issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future
management of these WMDs in South Dakota. Anyone interested in
providing input is invited to respond to the following two questions.
(1) What problems or issues do you want to see addressed in the
CCP?
(2) What improvements would you recommend for these three (3) WMDs?
The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use;
you are not required to provide information to the Service. The
planning team developed these questions to gather information about
individual issues and ideas concerning these WMDs. Comments received by
the planning team will be used as part of the planning process;
individual comments will not be referenced in our reports or responded
to directly. An opportunity will be given to the public to provide
input at an open house to scope issues and concerns (schedules can be
obtained from the planning team leader at the above address). Comments
may also be submitted any time during the planning process by writing
to the above address. All information provided voluntarily by mail,
phone, or at public meetings becomes part of our official public record
(i.e., names, addresses, letters of comment, input recorded during
meetings). If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a
private citizen or organization, the Service may provide informational
copies.
The Service will conduct the environmental review of this project
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; and Service policies and procedures for compliance
with those regulations. All comments received from individuals on
Service Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements
become part of the official public record. Requests for such comments
will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA
(40 CFR 1506.6(f)), and other Departmental and Service policies and
procedures. When requested, the Service generally will provide comment
letters with the names and addresses of the individuals who wrote the
comments. However, the telephone number of the commenting individual
will not be provided in response to such requests to the extent
permissible by law.
Dated: July 18, 2008.
Sharon R. Rose,
Acting Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-21548 Filed 9-15-08; 8:45 am]
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