[Federal Register: April 2, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 64)]
[Notices]
[Page 17994-17995]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02ap08-77]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0017; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Henry, Benton, Decatur, and
Humphreys Counties, TN
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 associated National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for Tennessee National
Wildlife Refuge. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP
policy to advise other 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 May 19, 2008. We will announce opportunities for public input in
local news media throughout the CCP planning process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information to: John
Taylor, Refuge Manager, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, 3006
Dinkins Lane, Paris, TN 38242.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Taylor; Telephone: 731/642-2091.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge in Henry, Benton, Decatur, and
Humphreys Counties. We provide this notice in compliance with our
planning policy to (1) advise other Federal and State agencies and the
public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on the refuge, and
(2) obtain suggestions and information on the scope of topics to
consider in the environmental document and during development of the
CCP.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) 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
and NEPA.
We establish each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System for
specific purposes. We use these purposes as the bases to develop and
prioritize management goals and objectives for the refuge within the
National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to determine how the
public can use the 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 opportunities for Tribal, State, and local
governments; agencies; organizations; and the public to participate. At
this time we encourage the public to provide input in the form of
issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project 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
[[Page 17995]]
1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our
policies and procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge was initially established in
1945 by executive order. These lands, around Kentucky Lake, were
designated for use by the Department of the Interior as a management
area for migratory birds, especially wintering waterfowl and other
wildlife. The Department of the Interior and the Tennessee Valley
Authority entered into an agreement regarding which lands were to be
reserved and managed as a national wildlife refuge. Currently, the
refuge manages over 51,000 acres within three units: Big Sandy, Duck
River, and Busseltown.
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.
Dated: January 4, 2008.
Jon Andrew,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-6782 Filed 4-1-08; 8:45 am]
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