Tulelake, Calif., -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (CCP/EIS) for Lower Klamath, Clear Lake, Tule Lake, Upper Klamath, and Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuges will be available for review and comment on May 6, 2016.
The Draft CCP/EIS is a programmatic document to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge purposes and fulfilling the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and policies. The Draft CCP/EIS also identifies wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation.
A public open house will be held on May 23, 2016 at the Klamath Falls Shilo Inn (downstairs meeting room) at 2500 Almond St., Klamath Falls, Oregon, 97601. Service staff will be available for discussion and to answer questions from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 - 8:00 p.m., with short presentations scheduled at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The DCCP/EIS document is available on the following website: http://www.regulations.gov (Docket number FWS-R8-FWRS0 2016-0063).
Printed copies of the document may be viewed Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 4009 Hill Road, Tulelake, California, and at local libraries.
The Draft CCP/EIS will be available for a 45-day public review and comment period. Written comments on the draft plan must be received on or before June 20, 2016. To submit written comments, please use one of the following methods:
- (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-R8-NWRS-2016-0063. Then, on the left side of the screen under the Document Type heading, click on the Notices link to locate this document and submit a comment.
- (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R8- NWRS-2016-0063; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
The Service will post all information received on http://www.regulations.gov (including any personal information provided).
For more information, please contact Greg Austin, Klamath Basin NWR Complex Refuge Manager at (530) 667-2231.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/cno. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.
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