[Federal Register: December 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 245)]
[Notices]
[Page 77828]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19de08-156]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-2008-N0285; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National
Environmental Policy Act documents for Desecheo National Wildlife
Refuge (NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy
to advise other agencies 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 February 2, 2009 Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other
media announcements will inform people of the opportunities for written
input throughout the planning process.
ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for information should be
sent to: Joseph Schwagerl, Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge,
P.O. Box 510, Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico, 00622.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Schwagerl; Telephone: 787/851-
7258; Fax: 787/255-6725; E-mail: joseph_schwagerl@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Desecheo NWR off the coast of the main island of Puerto Rico.
This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other
Federal and State agencies 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 in
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy
for achieving refuge purposes and contributing to 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 the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Improvement Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is 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 the refuge's establishing
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for 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 Desecheo NWR. Special
mailings, newspaper articles, and other media outlets will be used to
announce opportunities for input throughout the planning process.
We will conduct the environmental assessment in accordance with the
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (NEPA) (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 Desecheo NWR was established in 1976, when administrative
jurisdiction was transferred from the National Institute of Health to
the Service. The total area of this island refuge is 360 acres. It is
located approximately 14 miles off the coast of the main island of
Puerto Rico and is administered by the Caribbean Islands National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, headquartered in Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico.
Before its establishment as a refuge, Desecheo Island had been under
the control of the Spanish Crown, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
U.S. military (for bombing and survival training), and the National
Institute of Health (which introduced rhesus monkeys for medical
research). At one time it contained the largest Brown booby nesting
colony in the world. Today, there is little or no seabird nesting on
the island. The native forest of Desecheo NWR has been severely
degraded by introduced rats, goats, and monkeys. As a result of prior
military training activities, there is still unexploded ordnance on the
refuge; therefore, it is closed to all public use. The refuge
objectives are to restore and protect historic seabird colonies and
natural island ecosystems.
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.
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
Dated: November 7, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-30183 Filed 12-18-08; 8:45 am]
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