[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57876-57877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22956]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R3-R-2013-N164; FXRS1265030000-134-FF03R06000]
DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges; Washington
County, Nebraska, and Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa; Draft
Environmental Assessment and Comprehensive Conservation Plan
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) and draft
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for DeSoto and Boyer Chute
National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges, NWRs) for public review and
comment. In this EA/Draft CCP, we describe how we propose to manage the
refuges for the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by October 21, 2013. We will hold open house-style meetings during the
public review period to receive comments and provide information on the
draft plan. In addition, we will use mailings, newspaper articles,
internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of
opportunities for input.
[[Page 57877]]
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods:
Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ``DeSoto and Boyer
Chute EA/Draft CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, 712-388-4808.
U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, DeSoto and Boyer
Chute National Wildlife Refuges, 1434 316th Lane, Missouri Valley, IA
51555.
In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during
regular business hours at the above address.
You will find the draft EA/CCP, as well as information about the
planning process and a summary of the CCP, on the planning Web site:
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/desoto_boyerchute/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Cox, 712-388-4801.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for DeSoto and Boyer
Chute National Wildlife Refuges. We began the CCP process for Boyer
Chute Refuge by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register
(75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010 and for DeSoto Refuge by publishing a
notice of intent in the Federal Register (76 FR 76745) on December 8,
2011. For more information about the initial process and the history of
these refuges, see those notices.
Background
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) (Administration Act), 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 toward the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), 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, CCPs identify 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 the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Administration Act.
Each unit of the NWRS 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 NWRS
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 that will ensure the best possible approach to
wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with
each refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
Additional Information
The draft EA/CCP, which includes detailed information about the
planning process, refuges, issues, and management alternatives
considered and proposed, may be found at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/desoto_boyerchute/index.html.
Public Involvement
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public
meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site
listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments
anytime during the comment period.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personally identifiable information in your comment, you should
be aware that your entire comment--including your personally
identifiable information--may be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personally
identifiable information from public review, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22956 Filed 9-19-13; 8:45 am]
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