[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 20121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3731]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron Parish,
Louisiana
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior
ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Comprehensive Conservation
Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Cameron Prairie National
Wildlife Refuge.
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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact
for Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge are available for
distribution. The plan was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife
Refuge system Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and describes how the refuge
will be managed for the next 15 years. The compatibility determinations
for (1) recreational fishing; (2) recreational hunting; (3) wildlife
observation and wildlife photography; (4) environmental education and
interpretation; (5) commercial alligator harvest; (6) commercially
guided wildlife viewing, wildlife photography, and environmental
education and interpretation; (7) research and monitoring; (8)
commercial video and photography; (9) adjacent property access; and
(10) beneficial use of dredge material are also included in the plan.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the plan may be obtained by writing to Cameron
Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, 1428 Highway 27, Bell City, LA 70630,
or by calling 337/598-2216. The plan may also be accessed and
downloaded from the Service's Internet Web site at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge is
one of the three refuges that comprise the Southwest Louisiana National
Wildlife Refuge Complex. It is located about 25 miles southeast of Lake
Charles, Louisiana, in north central Cameron Parish. The 9,621-acre
refuge and the 64,000-acre multi-agency Cameron Creole Watershed
Project, which is managed by the refuge, contain freshwater marsh,
coastal prairie, and early successional wetlands and are managed to
conserve and protect wintering waterfowl and their habitat.
The availability of the draft comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment for a 45-day review as announced in the
Federal Register on July 27, 2005 (70 FR 43445). The draft plan and
environmental assessment evaluated three alternatives for managing the
refuge. Alternative B was chosen as the ``preferred alternative.''
Under the preferred alternative, the quality and quantity of habitat
for wintering waterfowl will be maximized by focusing on a more
adaptive management approach through improved biological monitoring.
Public use opportunities will generally increase and moer emphasis will
be placed on environmental education and interpretation. Commercial
guides for wildlife viewing, wildlife photography, and environmental
education and interpretation will be permitted. Research and monitoring
will be enhanced. Programs to promote the beneficial use of dredge
material will be allowed. Current partnerships that assist the refuge
in accomplishing its conservation objectives will continue and the
refuge will strive to develop new partnerships. A more aggressive
approach to removal of undesirable plants and animals will be
implemented. Cultural resources will continue to be protected. The
refuge will assist in developing and maintaining the Southwest
Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex Headquarters, located at
Cameron Prairie Refuge, in a manner that supports, directs, and manages
the needs, resources, and staff of the entire Complex.
Implementation of the goals, objectives, and strategies within the
comprehensive conservation plan will allow the refuge to protect a
variety of freshwater marshland and upland prairie habitat; to serve as
a critical resting area for waterfowl in a heavily hunted area; to
conserve, restore, and enhance diverse habitats for migratory and
native wildlife species; to maintain health and viable native fish and
wildlife populations; to provide opportunities for safe, quality,
compatible, wildlife-dependent public use and recreation; and to
protect cultural resources.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy McClendon, Natural Resource
Planer, Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, 1428 Highway 27, Bell
City, LA 70630; Telephone: 337/598-2216; Fax: 337/598-2492; E-mail:
[email protected].
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
Dated: February 6, 2006.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 06-3731 Filed 4-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M