[Federal Register: September 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 188)]
[Notices]
[Page 50235-50236]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30se09-87]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2009-N181;60138-1265-6CCP-S3]
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville, MT
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation
plan (CCP) and associated environmental documents for Lee Metcalf
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Stevensville, Montana. We furnish
this notice in compliance with Service 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, please send your written comments by
November 13, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
E-mail: leemetcalf@fws.gov. Include ``Lee Metcalf CCP'' in the
subject line of the message.
Fax: Laura King, Planning Team Leader, 406-644-2661.
U.S. Mail: Laura King, Planning Team Leader, National Bison Range,
Division of Refuge Planning, 58355 Bison Range Road, Moiese, MT 59824.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at the above address or at the Lee Metcalf National
Wildlife Refuge office located in Stevensville, Montana, at 4567
Wildfowl Lane.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura King, 406-644-2211, extension
210 (phone); or Michael Spratt, Chief, Division of Planning, P.O. Box
25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Lee Metcalf NWR for the conservation and enhancement of its natural
resources. 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 Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 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 and photography, and
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration
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
that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and
habitat conservation, 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 Lee Metcalf NWR.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project and
develop environmental documents 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.
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
This Refuge was established in 1963 and has two purposes:
(1) ``For use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other
management purpose, for migratory birds'' (Migratory Bird Conservation
Act); and
(2) ``for (a) incidental fish and wildlife oriented recreational
development, (b) the protection of natural resources, [and] (c) the
conservation of endangered species or threatened species'' (Refuge
Recreation Act).
This Refuge is located in Ravalli County, 2 miles north of
Stevensville, Montana. The Refuge is one of the Nation's smaller
refuges, encompassing 2,800 acres, but it is one of the few remaining
undeveloped areas in the Bitterroot Valley. The Refuge lies along the
meandering Bitterroot River and is comprised of wet meadow and forested
habitats and has created and modified wetlands. This Refuge provides
numerous opportunities for the public, including walking trails and an
outdoor classroom for students and visitors. The Refuge provides
habitat for raptors, including ospreys and numerous waterfowl species.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
that we may address in the CCP. During public scoping, we may identify
additional issues.
[[Page 50236]]
We request input as to which issues affecting management or public
use should be addressed during the planning process. We are especially
interested in receiving public input in the following areas:
(a) What do you value most about this Refuge?
(b) What problems or issues do you see affecting management of this
Refuge?
(c) What changes, if any, would you like to see in the management
of this Refuge?
We provide the above questions for your optional use. We have no
requirement that you provide information; however, any comments the
planning team receives will be used as part of the planning process.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting to be scheduled for fall 2009. You can obtain the schedule from
the planning team leader or the Refuge office (see addresses). Exact
dates and times for these public meetings are yet to be determined, but
will be announced via local and State media, the Region 6 planning Web
site at http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/planning/ccp.htm, and a
planning update. If you would like to be notified of this meeting by
mail, please provide your mailing address to the planning team leader
(ADDRESSES). There will be additional opportunities to provide public
input once we have prepared a draft CCP.
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 8, 2009.
Noreen E. Walsh,
Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E9-23551 Filed 9-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P