[Federal Register: February 3, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 22)]
[Notices]
[Page 5693-5694]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03fe05-83]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for
Rice Lake and Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuges in East Central
Minnesota and Horicon and Fox River National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) in
Southeast Wisconsin
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare
Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) and Environmental Assessments
(EA) for the following National Wildlife Refuges: Rice Lake NWR in
Aitkin and Pine Counties, Minnesota and Mille Lacs NWR in Mille Lacs
County, Minnesota, which are managed by Rice Lake NWR staff, and
Horicon NWR in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties, Wisconsin and Fox River
NWR in Marquette County, Wisconsin, which are managed by Horicon NWR
staff. The CCPs will describe how we intend to manage the refuges for
the next 15 years.
The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended
(16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), and the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA).
Open house style meetings and possibly focus group meetings and
workshops will be held during the scoping phase of the CCP development
process to obtain additional suggestions and information on the scope
of alternatives and impacts to be considered.
In addition, the Service is inviting comments on archeological,
historic, and traditional cultural sites in accordance with the
National Historic Preservation Act. Cultural resource overview studies
will be conducted to identify known historic and cultural sites on the
refuges.
Special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and other
media announcements will inform people of the opportunities for written
comments.
ADDRESSES: Comments for Rice Lake NWR or Mille Lacs NWR can be mailed
to: Refuge Manager, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 36289 State
Highway 65, McGregor, Minnesota 55760 or submit comments electronically
at the following Web site: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/ricelake/index.html
.
Comments for Horicon NWR or Fox River NWR can be mailed to: Refuge
Manager, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, W4279 Headquarters Road,
Mayville, Wisconsin 53050 or submit comments electronically at the
following Web site: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/horicon/index.html.
You may also find information on the CCP planning process and
submit comments electronically at the planning Web site: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/index.html
or you may e-mail comments to: r3planning@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Stefanski, Rice Lake NWR, at
(218) 768-2402 or Patti Meyers, Horicon NWR, at (920) 387-2658.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 et seq.) requires
the Service to develop a CCP for each National Wildlife Refuge. The
purpose
[[Page 5694]]
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, 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, the CCP
identifies 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 these CCPs at least every 15
years in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997, and the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370d).
By Federal law, all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge
System are to be managed in accordance with an approved CCP. The CCP
guides management decisions and identifies refuge goals, long-range
objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge purposes. The CCP will
provide other agencies and the public with a clear understanding of the
desired conditions for the Refuge and how the Service will implement
management strategies.
The CCP planning process will consider many elements, including
wildlife and habitat management, habitat protection and acquisition,
wilderness preservation, public recreational activities, and cultural
resource preservation. Public input into this planning process is
essential.
The Service will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in
accordance with procedures for implementing NEPA found in the
Departmental Manual 516 DM 6, Appendix 1.
Review of this project will be conducted in accordance with the
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508),
other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, and Service policies
and procedures for compliance with those regulations.
Dated: January 7, 2005.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort
Snelling, Minnesota, Region 3.
[FR Doc. 05-2083 Filed 2-2-05; 8:45 am]
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