[Federal Register: December 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 242)]
[Notices]
[Page 70723-70724]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17de99-93]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Amended Notice of Intent (NOI) To Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement To Protect Seabird Nesting Islands on Maine's Coast To
Further Include a Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Petit Manan
National Wildlife Refuge
SUMMARY: This NOI is an amendment to the previous notice published on
10/4/
[[Page 70724]]
95. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announces its intention to
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to section 102
(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, in
accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations
for implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). As originally
announced, this EIS will continue to evaluate the FWS proposal to
protect seabird nesting islands on Maine's coast, while also analyzing
the development of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Petit
Manan National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
We determined the need to amend the 1995 NOI once we braodened the
scope of our analysis to incorporate a CCP for Petit Manan NWR. CCPs
are required for all National Wildlife Refuges under the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. The CCP will not only
evaluate protection of coastal islands, but will also evaluate
alternatives to managing wildlife and habitat, public use, and
protection of cultural resources on all lands within the Refuge. A
Wilderness Review of Petit Manan NWR will also be completed
concurrently in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964, as amended.
We have already received considerable public input through a series
of workshops and hearings completed in 1995. Comments previously
submitted during the scoping period do not need to be resubmitted and
will be considered in developing this DEIS. At this time, we invite
other Federal agencies, states, Indian tribes, local governments, and
the general public to submit additional comments concerning the
development of the DEIS/CCP, the proposal to protect Maine's seabird
nesting islands, and the Wilderness Review. You are invited to
participate in scoping activities by submitting written comments,
attending a public meeting to be held in April 2000, or attending a
public hearing which will coincide with the Fall 2000 release of the
DEIS/CCP. We will consider oral and written comments equally in
preparation of the DEIS/CCP.
We will make comments, including names and home addresses of
respondents, available for public review if requested. Individual
respondents may request that we withhold their home address from the
rule-making record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law.
If you wish to have your name and/or address withheld, you must state
this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will not consider
anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from organizations and
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety. If you do not desire to submit
comments or suggestions at this time, but would like to receive a copy
of the DEIS for review, send a request to Mr. Stan Skutek, at the
address given below.
DATES AND LOCATIONS: Written comments related to the scope and content
of the DEIS/CCP should be submitted to us by May 12, 2000, to the
address provided below. The public scoping meeting on the DEIS/CCP will
be held on April 12, 2000, at the Comfort Inn in Augusta, Maine. A
further notice announcing the time and location of the public hearing,
to be held when the DEIS/CCP is released, will be published in local
news media prior to the hearing date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: If you wish to make comments or receive
planning updates and a DEIS/CCP, contact Mr. Stan Skutek, Refuge
Manager, Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 279, Milbridge,
Maine 04658-0279. (207) 546-2124. Comments may also be submitted
electronically to the following address: R5RW__PMNWR@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997, all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge
System are to be managed in accordance with an approved CCP. The CCP
developed for Petit Manan NWR will guide future Refuge management
decisions by developing goals, long-range objectives, and strategies
for achieving Refuge purposes. The CCP will consider a wide range of
issues on Petit Manan NWR, including habitat and wildlife management,
land acquisition, public use, and protection of cultural resources.
Petit Manan NWR is recognized internationally as important nesting
habitat for seabirds, bald eagles, shorebirds, and wading birds. The
Refuge consists of three mainland tracts and 38 coastal islands. The
6,954 acre complex includes such diverse habitats as forest,
grasslands, freshwater and saltwater marshes, and peat lands. The
coastal islands, which range in size from 1 acre to 1,650 acres,
consist of forest, shrub lands, or grassland habitats. In addition,
Refuge staff and the Service's Gulf of Maine Program Office have been
providing technical assistance to private and public organizations
seeking to protect Maine's coastal islands and are active in promoting
partnerships with private landowners, non-governmental organizations,
and state agencies.
We will conduct a Wilderness Review, evaluating the wilderness
potential of Petit Manan NWR, using the 6 criteria established by the
Wilderness Act of 1964, as amended, and using additional considerations
established in Service policy. Based on our findings, we may recommend
to the Secretary of the Interior that all or some of the Refuge be
designated National Wilderness Area(s). You will be able to comment on
our proposed wilderness recommendations during the public hearing to be
scheduled to coincide with the release of the DEIS/CCP.
We expect to release the DEIS/CCP by Fall 2000. Public comments
will be welcome for a 60 day period following its release. We expect to
publish the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of
Decision (ROD) in Spring 2001. The ROD will present my decision and the
supporting reasons for selecting the management actions to be
implemented, including whether or not a wilderness area is recommended.
I will make my final decision after considering public comments and the
environmental consequences of the proposed actions as presented in the
FEIS. All other applicable laws, regulations and policies will also be
considered.
Dated: December 8, 1999.
Ronald E. Lambertson,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 99-32745 Filed 12-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M