[Federal Register: February 24, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 36)]
[Notices]
[Page 8394-8395]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24fe10-126]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
FWS-R6-R-2009-N218; 60138-1265-6CCP-S3]
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Stafford, KS
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 environmental
assessment (EA) for Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Stafford,
Kansas. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to
advise other Federal and State 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, please send your written comments by
March 26, 2010. We will hold public meetings to begin the CCP planning
process; see Public Meetings under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates,
times, and locations.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
E-mail: quivira@fws.gov. Include ``Quivira CCP'' in the subject
line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leader, 303/236-4792.
U.S. Mail: Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leader, Division of Refuge
Planning, 134 Union Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80225.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at the above address, or at the Quivira National
Wildlife Refuge office located at 1434 NE 80th Street, Stafford, KS
67578.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Griffin, 303-236-4378 (phone); or
David C. Lucas, Chief, Division of Planning, P.O. Box 25486, Denver
Federal Center, Denver, CO 80228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Stafford, KS. 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, 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 the Quivira National
Wildlife Refuge.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project and
develop an EA 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.
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
The Quivira NWR was established in 1955 to provide wintering and
migration stopover habitat for migratory birds along the Central Flyway
of North America. The refuge has two purposes:
[[Page 8395]]
(1) ``For use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other
management purpose, for migratory birds'' (Migratory Bird Conservation
Act); and
(2) ``For the development, advancement, management, conservation,
and protection of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit of the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service'' (Fish and Wildlife Act of
1956).
The refuge is located in Stafford, Rice, and Reno Counties, Kansas.
Wetlands, large and small, are present throughout the refuge; there are
approximately 7,000 acres of wetlands with slightly to moderately
saline water. Thousands of Canada geese, ducks, and other migratory
birds, such as sandhill cranes and shorebirds, use these wetlands as
they pass through the refuge on their annual migrations. The refuge
provides numerous opportunities for the public including hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation and photography, interpretation, and
environmental education for students and visitors.
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.
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 hold the following public meetings. For more, contact the
person under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
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Date Time Location
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March 8, 2010................. 4-7 p.m.......... Stafford Senior
Center, 103 South
Main, Stafford, KS
67578.
March 9, 2010................. 4-7 p.m.......... Front Door Community
Center, 1615 Tenth
Street, Great Bend,
KS 67530.
March 10, 2010................ 4-7 p.m.......... Great Plains Nature
Center, 6232 East
29th Street North,
Wichita, KS 67220-
2200.
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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: December 14, 2009.
Hugh Morrison,
Acting Regional Director, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2010-3588 Filed 2-23-10; 8:45 am]
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