The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing construction of a new visitor and environmental education center, outdoor environmental education and interpretive facilities and a bunkhouse for refuge interns on the Rapids Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Carver, Minn. The Service is soliciting comments from the public about environmental impacts, historic preservation, and compatible uses related to these proposed projects. The Refuge will host an open house July 7, 2005 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Carver Village Hall, 316 Broadway, Carver, Minnesota, to discuss the proposals and answer questions.
The public is encouraged to submit written comments concerning the proposed facility projects to the Acting Refuge Manager, Tom Kerr, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 3815 American Boulevard East, Bloomington, Minnesota, 55425, by July 18, 2005. Written comments may also be sent via facsimile to 612-725-3279 or electronic mail to: tom_kerr@fws.gov.
Public involvement on this proposal is provided for by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Four alternatives, including the “no action” alternative for developing public use facilities on the Rapids Lake Unit of the Refuge have been identified and are being presented within a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for formal public review and comment. Public input will help an interdisciplinary team complete the environmental analysis of this project by addressing important issues and concerns raised by the public. Copies of the draft EA are available at the Minnesota Valley NWR Visitor Center, 3815 American Boulevard East, Bloomington, Minnesota, 55425, or can be requested by telephone at 952-854-5900. The draft EA is also available on the Internet at: .
The purpose for establishing, acquiring, and managing the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is to restore and manage the ecological communities of the Lower Minnesota River Valley and its watershed while providing environmental education and wildlife-dependent recreation. The 1,500-acre Rapids Lake Unit is located along the Minnesota River in southeastern Carver County, and can be accessed from County Road 45 south of Carver, Minn.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish and Wildlife Management offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
