[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 12 (Thursday, January 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3909-3910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00899]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R3-R-2012-N283; FXRS1265030000-134-FF03R06000]
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, IN; Glacial Ridge National
Wildlife Refuge, MN; Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife
Refuge, MN; Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, WI
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our
intent to prepare comprehensive conservation plans (CCP) and associated
environmental documents for the Big Oaks, Glacial Ridge, Northern
Tallgrass Prairie, and Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuges
(Refuge, NWR). In these CCPs we will describe how we propose to manage
the refuges for the next 15 years. We also invite public comment on the
scope of issues that should be considered during the planning process.
We will hold open house-style meetings to receive comments and
provide information on the planning process. In addition, we will use
special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and other
media announcements to inform people of opportunities for input.
ADDRESSES: Comments or requests for more information can be sent to the
appropriate refuge at the following addresses:
Attention: Refuge Manager, Big Oaks NWR, 1661 West JPG
Niblo Road, Madison, IN 47250.
Attention: Refuge Manager, Glacial Ridge NWR, 17788 349th
St. SE., Erskine, MN 56535.
Attention: Refuge Manager, Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR,
44843 687th Avenue, Odessa, MN 56276.
Refuge Manager, Whittlesey Creek NWR, Northern Great Lakes
Visitor Center, 29270 County Highway G, Ashland, WI 54806.
You may also submit comments electronically and find information
about the CCP planning process on the planning Web site, at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning, or you may email comments to
r3planning@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Robb, Big Oaks NWR, 812-273-0783;
David Bennett, Glacial Ridge NWR, 218-687-2229; Alice Hanley, Northern
Tallgrass Prairie NWR, 320-273-2191;
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or Tom Kerr, Whittlesey Creek NWR, 715-246-7784.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate the CCP process for Big Oaks NWR,
with headquarters in Madison, IN; Glacial Ridge NWR, with headquarters
in Erskine, MN; Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, with headquarters in
Odessa, MN; and Whittlesey Creek NWR, with headquarters in Ashland, WI.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), 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 toward the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service
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 NWRS 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 NWRS
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 NWRS.
Additional Information
We will conduct a comprehensive conservation planning process that
provides opportunity for Tribal, State, and local governments;
agencies; organizations; and the public to participate in issues
scoping and public comment on the future management of Big Oaks NWR,
Glacial Ridge NWR, Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, and Whittlesey Creek
NWR.
The environmental review of these projects will be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), other appropriate laws and
regulations, and our policies and procedures for compliance with those
regulations.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, email 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.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-00899 Filed 1-16-13; 8:45 am]
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