[Federal Register: June 8, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 108)]
[Notices]
[Page 27173-27174]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08jn09-80]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2009-N0081; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Citrus and Hernando
Counties, FL
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, intend to prepare a
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for Chassahowitzka National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR). 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 July 8, 2009. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media
announcements will be used to inform the public and State and local
government agencies of the opportunities for input throughout the
planning process. A public scoping meeting will be held early in the
CCP development process. The date, time, and place for the meeting will
be announced in the local media.
ADDRESSES: Send comments, questions, and requests for information to:
Ms.
[[Page 27174]]
Mary Morris, Natural Resource Planner, Chassahowitzka NWR, 1502
Southeast Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, FL 34429.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mary Morris, Natural Resource
Planner; telephone: 850/567-6202; e-mail: ChassCCP@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Chassahowitzka NWR in Citrus and Hernando Counties, Florida. This
notice complies with our CCP policy to: (1) Advise 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 refuge. The purpose for 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 for 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 the 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 Chassahowitzka NWR.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project and
develop an 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.
Located in the southwestern corner of Citrus County and the
northwestern corner of Hernando County, approximately 65 miles north of
Tampa, the 30,843-acre Chassahowitzka NWR was established by authority
of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act on June 15, 1943, as ``an
inviolate sanctuary'' for wintering waterfowl and other migratory
birds. In 1976, we designated 16,893 acres in Citrus County and 6,736
acres in Hernando County as ``Wilderness.'' The refuge's diverse
ecosystem, including prime estuarine habitat, is home for an incredible
variety and abundance of flora and fauna. The marshlands, swamplands,
shallow bays, and tidal streams provide both the quantity and quality
of aquatic plant and animal life required to support thousands of
wintering waterfowl, marsh and waterbirds, shorebirds, fishes, and a
variety of animal species that depend on a marine environment.
Additionally, the refuge includes 2,560 acres of hardwood swamplands
and 250 acres of upland forest that form its eastern boundary. Notable
imperiled species include Florida manatees, whooping cranes, Gulf
sturgeon, and smalltooth sawfish. The endangered whooping crane was
introduced to the refuge's marsh habitats. A highly visible partnership
program has been in place for several years.
Public Availability and 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: May 5, 2009.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E9-13291 Filed 6-5-09; 8:45 am]
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