[Federal Register: December 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 239)]
[Notices]
[Page 75466-75467]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11de08-92]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0261; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Delta and Breton National Wildlife Refuges, Louisiana
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: final comprehensive conservation plan
and finding of no significant impact.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for Delta and Breton National
Wildlife Refuges. In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage
these refuges for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the CCP may be obtained by writing to: Mr. Jack
Bohannan, 61389 Highway 434, Lacombe, LA 70445. The CCP may also be
accessed and downloaded from the Service's Web site: http://
southeast.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jack Bohannan; Telephone: 985/882-
2026.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Delta and Breton
National Wildlife Refuges. We started this process through a notice in
the Federal Register on May 30, 2006 (71 FR 30688). For more about the
process, see that notice.
Delta National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of 48,799 acres of
wetlands at the mouth of the Mississippi River, was established on
November 19, 1935, by Executive Order 7229.
[[Page 75467]]
Breton National Wildlife Refuge, the second oldest national
wildlife refuge in the United States, is a barrier island chain in
Breton and Chandeleur Sounds in the Gulf of Mexico. It was established
on October 4, 1903, by Executive Order 7938, signed by President
Theodore Roosevelt.
We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and
FONSI for Delta and Breton National Wildlife Refuges in accordance with
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [40 CFR 1506.6(b)]
requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human
environment, which we included in the Draft Comprehensive Conservation
Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA).
The CCP will guide us in managing these refuges for the next 15
years.
Background
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 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 this CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Improvement Act.
Comments
Approximately 100 copies of the Draft CCP/EA were made available
for a 30-day review period as announced in the Federal Register on July
11, 2008 (73 FR 39978). Twenty-five public comments were received.
Selected Alternative
Three management alternatives were considered for Delta Refuge.
Alternative A would have continued current management with no new
actions to improve existing programs. Alternative B would have focused
on expanding public use opportunities to the fullest extent possible.
Alternative C, the preferred alternative and foundation of the CCP,
will emphasize managing natural resources based on maintaining and
improving wetland habitats with improved techniques; providing quality
public use programs and wildlife-dependent recreational activities; and
expanding the outreach program.
Three management alternatives were also considered for Breton
Refuge. Alternative A would have continued current management
practices. Alternative B would have focused on leaving the islands to
the natural processes and weather events. Alternative C, the preferred
alternative and also the foundation of the CCP, will emphasize working
with partners to restore island habitat with large-scale projects, if
considered feasible; improving outreach; and providing environmental
education relating to the barrier islands to local schools.
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
Dated: October 6, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-29320 Filed 12-10-08; 8:45 am]
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