[Federal Register: December 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 245)]
[Notices]
[Page 77827-77828]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19de08-155]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0284; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National
Environmental Policy Act documents for Culebra National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to
advise other agencies 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 February 2, 2009. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other
media announcements will inform people of the opportunities for written
input throughout the planning process.
ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for information should be
sent to: Ana Roman, Culebra NWR, P.O. Box 190, Culebra, Puerto Rico
00775.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ana Roman; Telephone: 787/742-0115;
Fax: 787/742-1303.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Culebra NWR in Puerto Rico.
This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other
Federal and State agencies 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 in
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy
for achieving refuge purposes and contributing to 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 is 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 the refuge's establishing
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for 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 Culebra NWR. Special mailings,
newspaper articles, and other media outlets will be used to announce
opportunities for input throughout the planning process.
We will conduct the environmental assessment 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.
Portions of the Culebra Archipelago were designated as a wildlife
reserve in 1909, subject to naval and lighthouse purposes. Numerous
islands of the Archipelago, as well as the Flamenco Peninsula, were
used for gunnery and bombing practice by the U.S. Navy until its
departure in 1976. The following year, jurisdiction of those areas was
transferred to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Service. On-site
administration of the refuge was established in 1983. Approximately one
quarter (1,510 acres) of the Culebra Archipelago's total land mass is
now included within the refuge.
Culebra NWR is administered as a unit of the Caribbean Islands
National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge is composed of lands on
the main island of Culebra and 22 small islands nearby. Wildlife
habitats on these lands include subtropical dry forest, a unique
habitat known as the boulder forest, mangroves, and grasslands. These
habitats support flora and fauna including a seabird nesting colony on
Flamenco Peninsula and nesting beaches utilized by leatherback and
hawksbill sea turtles. Culebra NWR focuses on protecting, monitoring,
and managing significant seabird colonies and endangered marine
turtles, as well as restoring and protecting native tropical vegetative
communities.
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.
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
[[Page 77828]]
Dated: November 18, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-30270 Filed 12-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P