[Federal Register: January 21, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 12)]
[Notices]
[Page 3628-3629]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21ja09-107]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0315; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
White River National Wildlife Refuge, Desha, Monroe, Arkansas,
and Phillips Counties, AR
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 Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare
a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National
Environmental Policy Act documents for White River National Wildlife
Refuge (NWR). 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 March 9, 2009. An open house meeting will be held during the scoping
phase of the CCP development process. The date, time, and place for the
meeting will be announced in the local media.
ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for information should be
sent to: Mike Dawson, Refuge Planner, Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578
Dogwood View Parkway, Suite B, Jackson, MS 39213.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Dawson; Telephone: 601/965-4903,
ext. 20; Fax: 601/965-4010; e-mail: mike_dawson@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
White River NWR in Desha, Monroe, Arkansas, and Phillips Counties,
Arkansas.
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
[[Page 3629]]
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 the 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,
tribal, 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 White River 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.
White River NWR was established in 1935 for the protection of
migratory birds. The refuge lies in the floodplain of the White River
near where it meets the Mississippi River. The refuge has one of the
largest remaining bottomland hardwood forests in the Mississippi River
Valley. The refuge's fertile forests and 300 lakes are interlaced with
streams, sloughs, and bayous. The result is a haven for a myriad of
native wildlife and migratory birds.
Approximately two-thirds of the bird species found in Arkansas can
be seen at White River NWR. Many of these are neotropical migratory
songbirds that use the refuge as a stopping point on their journey to
and from Central and South America.
The refuge provides important opportunities for compatible
wildlife-dependent recreational activities involving hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education
and interpretation. In 2003, White River NWR completed construction of
a 10,000-square-foot office and visitor center off Highway 1 in St.
Charles, Arkansas. This facility houses an auditorium, environmental
education classroom, an exhibit hall, and the Friends of White River
Bookstore.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail, 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: December 5, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E9-1030 Filed 1-16-09; 8:45 am]
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