[Federal Register: November 5, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 215)] [Notices] [Page 65871-65872] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05no08-77] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R2-R-2008-N0211; 20131-1265-2CCP S3] Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado and Austin Counties, TX AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, located in Colorado and Austin Counties, Texas. 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, we must receive your written comments by January 5, 2009. We will hold public meetings to begin the CCP planning process. We will announce opportunities for public input in the local news media throughout the CCP planning process. Open house meetings will be scheduled and held throughout the scoping phase of the CCP development process. ADDRESSES: Send your comments, questions, and requests for more information by any of the following methods. E-mail: Chris_Perez@fws.gov. Include ``Attwater Prairie Chicken CCP'' in the subject line of the message. [[Page 65872]] Fax: Attn: Chris Perez, CCP Planner, 956-782-0641. U.S. Mail: Rt 2, Box 202A, Alamo, TX 78516. In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off your comments during regular business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Rossignol, Refuge Manager; Telephone: 979-234-3021; Fax: 979-234-3278. Chris Perez, CCP Planner; Telephone: 956-784-7553; Fax: 956-782-0641. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), located in Colorado and Austin Counties, TX. This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) 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 Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, 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 the 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, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Improvement 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 for the best possible conservation approach to this important wildlife habitat, 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 Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge. We will conduct the EA in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (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. The purposes of Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge are to preserve and restore coastal prairie habitat for the endangered Attwater's prairie chicken, and for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of other fish and wildlife resources. 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 12, 2008. Brian Millsap, Acting, Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. [FR Doc. E8-26367 Filed 11-4-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P