[Federal Register: April 4, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 66)]
[Notices]
[Page 18552-18553]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ap08-86]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0029; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, Jones and Jasper Counties, GA
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 Piedmont 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 5, 2008. A public scoping meeting will be held on April 1, 2008.
The location of the meeting will be announced in the local media.
ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for information should be
sent to: Laura Housh, Regional Planner, Okefenokee National Wildlife
Refuge, Route 2, Box 3330, Folkston, GA 31537; Telephone: 912/496-7366,
Ext. 244; Fax: 912/496-3332; or electronic mail: laura_housh@fws.gov.
You may find additional information concerning the refuge at the
refuge's Internet site: http://www.fws.gov/piedmont.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Johnson, Assistant Refuge
Manager, Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge; Telephone: 478/986-5441; or
electronic mail: Carolyn_Johnson@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in Jones and Jasper Counties, GA.
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 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 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 Piedmont National Wildlife
Refuge. 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.
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 as a
``combination wildlife and game-management demonstration area'' to
demonstrate that wildlife could be restored on worn out, eroded lands.
By implementing good forest management practices, the 35,000-acre
refuge hosts loblolly pines on the ridges, with hardwoods found along
creek bottoms and in scattered upland coves. The refuge is in central
Georgia, approximately 25 miles north of Macon, and 18 miles east of
Forsyth. The refuge is primarily forested and provides
[[Page 18553]]
habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and associated
wildlife species of concern. Prescribed burning and timber thinning are
used to ensure that quality pine habitat is maintained for red-cockaded
woodpeckers, neotropical migratory songbirds, and other native
wildlife. Hardwood stands provide excellent habitat for neotropical
migratory songbirds, turkeys, squirrels, and other woodland wildlife.
Open fields, maintained by burning and mowing, provide feeding and
nesting areas for many species of birds and mammals. Numerous clear-
flowing creeks and beaver ponds provide wetlands for waterfowl and
other wildlife.
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: February 8, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-7000 Filed 4-3-08; 8:45 am]
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