[Federal Register: November 5, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 215)]
[Notices]
[Page 65872-65873]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no08-78]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R2-R-2008-N0236; 20131-1265-2CCP S3]
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, OK
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
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental
assessment (EA) for Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, located in
Comanche County, Oklahoma. We provide this notice in compliance with
our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and
the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information
on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by March 5, 2009. We will hold public meetings to begin the CCP
planning process. We will announce opportunities for public input in
the local news media throughout the CCP planning process. Open house
meetings will be scheduled and held throughout the scoping phase of the
CCP development process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
E-mail: Yvette_TruittOrtiz@fws.gov or Jeff_Rupert@fws.gov.
Include ``Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge'' in the subject line of
the message.
Fax: Attn: Jeff Rupert, Refuge Manager, 580-429-9323.
U.S. Mail: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, 32 Refuge
Headquarters, Indiahoma, OK 73552.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off your comments during regular
business hours at the Refuge Headquarters located approximately 25
miles northwest of Lawton, Oklahoma. From Interstate 44, take Highway
49 (exit 45), go west 10 miles to the Refuge gate. If coming from
Highway 62, take Highway 115 (Cache exit) north to the Refuge gate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yvette Truitt-Ortiz, Natural Resource
Planner Telephone: 505-248-6452; Fax: 505-248-6874; e-mail: Yvette_
TruittOrtiz@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 65873]]
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), located in Comanche County,
OK. This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) Advise other
Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intention to
conduct detailed planning on this Refuge, and (2) obtain suggestions
and information on the scope of issues to consider in the environmental
document and during development of the CCP.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us to
develop a CCP for each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose for
developing a CCP is to provide Refuge Managers with a 15-year plan for
achieving refuge 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 our
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. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Improvement Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System was established
for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for
developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for
each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to
determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a
way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives
for the best possible conservation approach to this important wildlife
habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with each refuge's establishing
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public.
At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas,
and suggestions for the future management of Wichita Mountains Wildlife
Refuge.
We will conduct the EA in accordance with the requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.); NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other
appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and
procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is located in Comanche County,
Oklahoma, and encompasses 59,020 acres of mixed grass prairie and
crosstimber with granite rock outcroppings. The Refuge, which is a
remnant of what was once a much larger natural area, consists of lakes,
streams, canyons, mountains, and grasslands, creating an oasis for both
wildlife and people in southwestern Oklahoma. The CCP will provide
other agencies and the public with a clear understanding of the desired
conditions for the Refuge, and how the Service will implement
management strategies for the conservation and development of these
natural resources.
We estimate that the draft environmental documents will be
available in spring 2010 for public review and comment.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying
information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Dated: September 12, 2008.
Brian Millsap,
Acting, Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque,
New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E8-26369 Filed 11-4-08; 8:45 am]
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